The Barcelo La Bobadilla rises up from the sparse Andalusian plains like a magnificent but secret palace, constructed purely for the pleasure of its guests, who check in to check out from normal life. The wonderful thing about the hotel is that it’s close enough to visit the neighbouring cities of Granada or Malaga for instance but it feels like it’s completely in the middle of nowhere, miles away from civilization.
Inspired by the Moorish history of the area and the nearby Alhambra palace, the five-star hotel is reminiscent of an Andalusian village with quaint courtyards, white marble pillars, stone fountains and tiled patios. The foyer of the hotel is stunning – with white marble contrasting against the red bricks and a white grand piano sitting on one end, you are engulfed in luxury on immediate entrance to the place. The white upholstered chairs and unique artwork hanging on the walls only add to this.
The rooms are spacious and full of character. We enjoyed a private terrace with sun-loungers and a two-seater table. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a bit of sun in privacy or a glass of wine in the early evening. The comfortable bed made it hard to get up for the breakfast buffet in the morning but it was fully worth dragging yourself out of bed for, but more on that later…The huge circular bath set in the corner of the large bathroom was also a treat.
The outdoor pool was certainly a standout feature of the Bobadilla. Surrounded by grassy banks and palm trees, it was an oasis of tranquility and the perfect suntrap for topping up that holiday tan. The attentive pool bar staff were constantly on hand to deliver pina coladas and fruity glasses of sangria whenever needed (frequently in our case), but otherwise you could lie undisturbed on a sun lounger until the sun sets in the distance and your stomach rumbles, ready for a stunning dinner in the one of the three restaurants on site.
We enjoyed a meal on the terrace of El Cortijo, which served traditional local dishes in a beautiful setting. The food was wonderful. We started with an assortment of croquettas, which were full of flavour. My partner went for the oxtail main, a popular meat in Andalusia and I opted for the fish spiced with paprika and tomato. Both were delicious. Dessert was an almond cake and a vanilla cream dish which was an alternative take on crème brulee. With a bottle of red to enjoy with it, we sat for hours, dining al fresco on the terrace on the warm summer’s evening. The service in the restaurant was faultless, which was echoed consistently throughout the hotel, from the reception to the poolside.
On the subject of food, the breakfast buffet on offer at the hotel was brilliant. With hot options to order, there were several stations around the room offering fresh bread and pastries, fruit, cereals, cakes, cold meats, seafood, cheeses, yoghurts and a range of freshly squeezed juices. That will set you up for a day of sightseeing in the nearby city of Granada.
The Barcelo Bobadilla is the perfect retreat detination. A great little stop off if you are touring around Spain or equally wonderful as a week-long stay to really unwind and escape the every-day grind. You’ll be treated like royalty from start to finish and with the beautiful palace-like surroundings, you might start to feel like royalty too.
Rates at Barceló La Bobadilla start from £165 per room per night on a B&B basis.
To book visit www.barcelolabobadilla.com or call +34 958 32 18 61
Finca La Bobadilla
Carretera Salinas-Villanueva de Tapia
Loja, Granada
Spain
