Hotel La Fructuosa
, c/ Luis de Armiñan, 67, Gaucin.
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Description
This ancient village house in the centre of Gaucín has been an inn, a hotel, a guest house (call it what you will) for nearly a hundred years, but it is only in the last fifteen years that it has been transformed it into the delightful rural hotel and restaurant that it is today. The attention to detail has been superb, and it is virtually impossible to determine what is new and what is old.
In the upper part of the house four large comfortable guestrooms all have spectacular views over the Genal Valley and Gibraltar towards Africa. Individually decorated (of course), these rooms have a hydromassage-bath as well as a shower. The remaining rooms are newly renovated in tastefully birght colours and face onto the narrow village street
The lower section was once a wine-making cellar serving the original house and its neighbours, and today it houses the restaurant where you can dine alongside an old wine press, or outside on the dappled patio while admiring the views over two continents, three countries, a sea and an ocean.
The village of Gaucín is famous for these spectacular views, as well as for its peace, tranquility and clean, fresh air. Resting in the middle of the Ronda mountains, it is readily possible to take all manner of walks through the forests and national parks or visit other attractions such as the town of Ronda itself. The nearest beaches of the Mediterranean are only 35 km away while the Atlantic coast at Tarifa is hardly much further.
Meals
Terracotta floors, white-painted walls and the well-preserved wine press system define the welcoming style of the restaurant. The dining room flows naturally onto the terrace where you can enjoy the pergola and the views over Africa and Gibraltar. The cuisine has a strong Mediterranean accent, featuring local products like Iberian pork, olive oil and sweet wines. The results are authentic Spanish and Andalucian dishes with a delicate touch of imagination and creativity. The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons offering specialities like: Fresh goat cheese grilled with local honey, Fresh tuna with onion, fresh tomato and mint, Lamb stew with cinnamon and cous-cous or Homemade "turrón" ice-cream.
Breakfast, as well as the delicious dishes of the renowned chef Mariano Ruiz, can be also tasted while enjoying the breath-taking view at the terrace.
Out and About
Walking, hiking, climbing, caving, horse-riding.
Beaches (35 km).
Golf (the famous courses on the Costa del Sol are not far away).
Places to visit:
Castle of the Eagle, Gaucin
Ronda, the bridge, the gorge, the bullring
Pueblos Blancos
Several National Parks are within easy driving distance
Tarifa, the windsurfing capital of Europe
Gibraltar
Ferry to North Africa
Rooms
Las Aves
A spacious and comfortable room on the second floor, with a queen size bed and an en-suite bathroom (bath tub with shower, basin, toilet and bidet). It also has a foldable sofa-bed where a child can sleep.
The name refers to the numerous birds flying across the Strait of Gibraltar, over Gaucin’s roofs, making Gaucin a regular destination for ornithologists and bird lovers. One of the walls is decorated with a wall-paper designed by American artist Claire Keane.
El Jardin
A spacious and comfortable room on the first floor, with two large (105 cm) single beds and an en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower with marble tub, basin, toilet and bidet). It also has a foldable sofa-bed where two more persons can sleep. This is where the 3 rooms of the original Pension La Española were located in the 1940s to 1960s. One of the walls has been decorated with a wallpaper of French artiste Nathalie Lété.
The room enjoys the spectacular views that have made Gaucín famous. From the windows, one can see two continents, three countries, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Almendros
A spacious and comfortable on the first floor, with a queen size bed and an en-suite bathroom (bath tub with shower, basin, toilet and bidet).
There are a lot of almond trees in the region and in February, their blossom in wonderful. A detail of Vincent van Gogh’s famous “Almond Blossom” painting covers a wall of the room.
El Pueblo
A spacious and comfortable room on the second floor, with a queen size bed and a large en-suite bathroom (large walk-in shower, two basins and toilet).
One of its walls is decorated with a blown-up copy of Spanish artist Piluca’s commissioned painting of Gaucin.
All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with both Spanish and international satellite channels. Central heating is also installed. Some rooms can accommodate a third person.
El Mar
A newly-renovated room situated on the top floor, with large twin beds and an en-suite bathroom (bath with shower, basin and toilet). The lovely fresh decoration includes seascape paintings to reflect the name.
El Cielo
A newly-renovated room situated on the top floor, with a queen-size bed and an en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower, basin and toilet). The lovely fresh decoration includes a mural a bird paintings to reflect the name.
Both rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV set with both Spanish and international satellite channels. Central heating is also installed. For guests needing a family suite, the two rooms can be connected together.
Reviews
Reviews from Little Hotels Travellers:
| We stayed at Hotel la Fructuosa in Gaucin Spain and were thrilled with our rooms, the charm and the fabulous views from our rooms and the terrace - it was as good as it gets. The owners were very friendly and we had a first class dinner in the restaurant. I have highly recommended your site to friends that are going to visit Spain. It is well presented, easy to follow, good commentary and I personally found the photos sold me on the hotels. |
| The hotel was better than we had hoped for and the hospitality was first class. A good experience in using little hotels and we would recommend both the hotel and this site. |
| This was our second visit to this delightful hotel and we loved it as much as ever. The hotel has such character and charm and the owner gave us such a warm welcome. We only had time for one night but we will definitely stay again when we are next in the area. |
| We had a very welcoming stay at La Fructuosa in Gaucin. Room, food and host were all charming and characterful. So different from the coastal hotels in Andalucia. We will return if we visit this region again. |
| We had the most wonderful time during our stay at La Fructuosa in Gaucin in Spain. The owner was very welcoming and made us feel "at home". He had a lot of information to share about the surroundings and was very helpful (spoke excellent English). The hotel itself is a gem. It's location is just superb, with beautiful views over the surroundings and all the way out to the Rock of Gibraltar and the coastline of Africa. The interior is amazing. Every room is different. And in the room itself there is so much attention to detail: everything you might need is there. We felt very much "at home" in La Fructuosa, because of the warm welcome, the individuality of the hotel and the way we were spoilt during our stay. We will definitely try to visit again! |
| It is lovely hotel with a fantastic view, friendly atmosphere and an excellent kitchen. Breakfast served at 9.30 is a little late, though. |
| We had an enjoyable stay at La Fructuosa .... just a couple of things. We had some confusion over the bill .... we didn't show the first night as we missed our flight. I did phone the hotel to explain. On the bill I anticipated a 25% discount for the 1st night as in the cancellation policy below, but was charged the full cost. On questioning I eventually was charged 4 nights at 10% discount - so I was up on the deal(!) - but I was made to feel I was being awkward when I was only asking for the cancellation policy as advertised. I would appreciate if you could explain the confusion to the owners as my Spanish did not stretch this far! More importantly our last 2 days we did not have buffet breakfast as for the first 2 days. Instead (because we wwere the only 2 people staying I guess) we were brought a tray in the morning with breakfast on for the next day! Basically this amounted to stale bread and jam + a kettle without the cereals, coffee, cheese, ham etc we had enjoyed the first 2 days. While I can appreciate the hotel wanting to reduce costs, our enjoyment was much reduced (we would have preferred the option of no breakfast to be honest). Essentially the hotel needs to understand that the customer enjoyment (or lack of) turns on such matters and that the investment in a bit of staff time (however disproportionate it might seem) can reap big dividends in customer loyalty. We loved where we were and will go back again; whether we stay again at fructuosa is far less likely when we reflect on the dismal breakfast experience. Little Hotels comment: We are very sorry for your poor experience, particularly over the breakfasts. We have been in contact with the hotel and they too have apologised. In the future, breakfast on a tray will be as comprehensive as in the dining room. |
| We loved the hotel La Fructuosa and would stay again in a heart beat. |
| As an anniversary present we were given by our family, a weekend break at the little rural hotel La Fructuosa. I have been in a lot of different places around the area since I live in Gibraltar, I must say that this rural hotel has an enchantment of its own character. The friendly atmosphere and attention on behalf of the owners was extraordinary, being attentive to its customers at all times, offering not only their hospitality but their generosity. The restaurant very small with a homely atmosphere, the owners who are the ones who do the cooking, are very helpful at the time of choosing, making the dining very pleasant and allowing guest to mix and enjoy the company of each other. Because of the proximity to my home land, we are definitely looking forward to return at least to have a meal and visit the owners. The village in general has its uniqueness very friendly and approachable people. |
| We stayed at the Hotel Fructuosa in Gaucin for 2 nights - had I known how nice it was I would have booked longer. I would highly recommend the hotel for its original interior, its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the hospitality shown and the food. Take advantage of the restaurant for an evening meal as the food is excellent. Breakfast too, sat on the terrace looking towards the rock of Gibraltar and Africa was amazing. If you are in the area STAY THERE - a definate must and an excellent point from which to travel around. |
| Delightful hotel and hosts. It simply couldn't be faulted. Wonderful views from the bedroom and bathroom. Excellent food. |
| we enjoyed ourselves very much at La Fructuosa at Gaucin and the boys looked after us very well. We told them we will return and stay with them again in the not too distant future. |
| The hotel is simply lovely...from the charming and engaging Luis and Jesus... the art-inclined ambience of the place... the breath-taking views...to the thoughtful and loving design....An absolute gem of a place. Our only regret was having to move... |
Rates and Availability
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BOOK THIS HOTEL
Double rooms from €68
Guest rating 9.3, based on 382 reviews
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We Say
You will be made to feel so welcome in this little hotel. This is low-key service at its best, in a very rustic but very clean and interesting small village hotel. The detailing is excellent: I loved the uniquely old-fashioned light switches which I have never seen anywhere else.
A Word from the Owner
Catherine Hunter, a renowned artiste and ceramicist, and her husband Daniel Beauvois fell in love with Gaucin and La Fructuosa a few years ago and decided to buy the hotel. Previously, they ran a bed-and-breakfast and an art gallery in the centre of Brussels for ten years. They crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans on their sailing boat, cruising from France to Australia during a three year journey. They have been expats for twenty years in several European countries. Catherine has decorated the hotel and the restaurant. Her work and the works of other artists are displayed.
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Restaurant
Lounge
WiFi
Terrace
Patio
Spectacular views
Satellite TV
En‑suite bathroom
Jacuzzi‑bath (in 4 rooms)
Shower
Heating