An old Spanish farmhouse in the fertile valley of the Guadiaro river, this is a special place with bags of authentic character. Set in 27 hectares of farmland, overlooking orange groves and forested hillsides, this very genuine "cortijo" is located in the midst of unspoilt countryside, yet is only eight kilometres inland from the Mediterranean coast (at Sotogrande).
Recently restored with great care to retain all its original features and its very Spanish old-world charm, the Cortijo offers bed and breakfast accommodation in traditional countryside surroundings. There are eleven rooms, each with en-suite bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. All but one has ceiling fans and all have central heating for winter evenings.
There is a twelve metre swimming pool for guests use, set in the beautiful, exotic gardens which have plants collected from all over the world and propagated in the nursery on the farm. The gardens have been featured in Spanish glossy magazines, "Casa y Campo" and "Mi Jardin" and also in the Sunday Times.
The exceptionally mild climate in this part of Andalucía allows subtropical species to thrive here and, thanks to the owners' dedication and skill in all things horticultural, the resultant gardens are fantastic, a riot of colour and texture created from plants, trees and shrubs. Owner Michael Harvey is a professional landscape gardener and runs the "Papudo Garden Centre" alongside.
When converting what was once the old granary to create the eleven bedrooms, Michael and his wife, Vivian, tried to change as little as possible. Lots of the original beams and tiles are still in place and the abundance of wood gives the rooms a warm and welcoming feel.
There's nothing fancy or pretentious here, rooms are simply but comfortably furnished. "Homely" is the word that springs to mind. Other facilities include a spacious lounge and a breakfast room (although most guests prefer to take their breakfast outdoors, under the palm trees). There is an honesty bar in the lounge.
In such a delightfully rural location, it is difficult to believe that it's so close to the Costa del Sol. Barely more than ten minutes drive from this countryside idyll, there's all the fun and frolics of "The Med" to enjoy too. It's a different world!
Whether you're a couple seeking a romantic break or a family wanting to explore much of the best that Andalucía has to offer, this charming farmhouse b&b is an ideal place to stay. Cortijo El Papudo doesn't do lunch or evening meals (just breakfast and accommodation) but there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from not so far away.
Not to mention top quality golf courses, polo grounds, blue flag beaches and all the glitz and glamour of resort towns like Sotogrande, Estepona and Marbella. Gibraltar, replete with its fish-and-chip shops, English ale and Sainsbury's supermarket is just 30 minutes away.
Excursions from here include boat trips off Gibraltar to see the dolphins and whales in the Straits or a quick ferry ride across to the magical world of North Africa. Inland there are the great Andalusian cities, Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada to visit, and a wealth of delightful white villages to explore, all set in the stunning countryside of some of Spain's very best Natural Parks.
And even closer to hand, around and about the Cortijo, there's excellent birdwatching, horse riding and lots of great walking. The nearest village is San Martin del Tesorillo, as traditional as they come, the focal point for the local economy which is still almost entirely based on agriculture and particularly on the delicious oranges for which the area is renown. There are two good quality Spanish restaurants in the village.
As one couple remarked, Cortijo El Papudo is the sort of place that, having discovered it, you want to keep it to yourself! Impressed by its quietness, the gorgeous views of the countryside from all sides and the wonderfully secluded pool, they gave it a five star rating. It's not, of course, a five star hotel in the conventional sense, but for simple, old style, unhurried Andalusian hospitality and decent breakfasts, it's a good choice. So near - and yet so far - from the madding crowds, a perfect place to unwind.
