Hotel Enfrente Arte

Reviewed by Laura Dibben


GORGE-OUSLY RETRO.............

Less than a 10-minute walk to Ronda´s main tourist attractions, including the famous El Tajo gorge, lies Hotel Enfrente Arte, a 14-bedroom restored townhouse where the extraordinary is the norm. Chill-out music sets the mood the moment you enter the Hotel. Your check-in will consist of a guided, ¨how-to¨ tour of the premises. Short of washing the dishes and preparing yourself breakfast or a sandwich at lunchtime, this is a do-it-yourself Hotel – it is unique, it is quirky, and that is what gives it its charm!

All drinks are included in the price of the room and the bar is always open. If you have never used an espresso machine, do not worry, you will get a lesson! Of course there is sherry wine, but do not expect to find it in a bottle; each of the three varieites has its own barrel! There is beer on tap, albeit a tap with a difference. You will soon find yourself slipping into the laid-back attitude of your surroundings.

Next is the dining area where breakfast is served between 8:30 and noon – highly civilized indeed! ¨El desayuno¨ is a buffet, but crêpes and the typical ¨churros¨ are made to order. Tasty sandwiches can be ordered throughout the day. Arab and Spanish-themed dinners are a special treat three times per week, otherwise directors Antonio and Natalia and their friendly team will gladly advise on a variety of restaurants or tapas bars in the area.

The next stop on the tour is the¨Tropical Garden¨, where the owners have made fabulous use of the townhouse´s interior patio. Large aquariums are home to many species of fish and a variety of exotic plants provide a playground for tropical birds – a favourite with the little ones. To reach the games room on the opposite side of the patio, stepping stones have been intuitively placed to lead the way. Here you will find a pool table, library, satellite TV and internet – all are free for your use.

Make your way outside where several terraces provide plenty of both sun and shade. Potted plants sit proudly on an old Vespa and even the Guinea pigs and parrots have their own terrace!

The small-ish but novel swimming pool is a perfect spot for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing or a relaxing sauna session. Stunning views of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, the Guadalevin River, and the renowned equestrian school ¨Maestranza de Ronda¨ can be appreciated from the pool terrace.

Divided between Standard Doubles, Superior Doubles, Deluxe Doubles and Suites, each room is different, and most are evocative of the Hotel´s quirky style with bold colours, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, creative lighting (although not a lot of it), original artwork and zany knicknacks. Some are more traditional in style. There is a two-storey Suite with garden views - a 13th century tower with 360º views from the balcony – a favourite room among the more agile of guests who don´t mind the climb up to the bedroom! The Bamboo room, appropriately named, offers lovely views over the bamboo garden. All rooms have television, telephone, central heating, air-conditioning and a small fridge.

An ideal Hotel for art lovers or for those simply looking for something out of the ordinary.