Hotel Finca La Ramallosa

Finca La Ramallosa is unique: a small rural hotel which has risen up from the remains of a tiny abandoned hamlet deep in the countryside of Extremadura. The hotel is a cluster of one and two bedroom cottages, superbly restored in a truly rustic tradition, making it ideal for a holiday of family or friends.

La Ramallosa has land extending to almost 130 hectares where guests are free to roam among the olive groves, the meadows and the oak woods. It is not just the fabric of the hotel itself that can take you back to a past time; the wild flowers, the birds and animals lead you back to an era long before intensive agriculture and chemical fertiliser. Take a stroll, have a picnic, watch out for eagles, vultures, falcons, herons and nightingales. By night, pick a dark corner and marvel at the millions of stars in one of the most unpolluted night skies in Europe.

Each cottage has been restored in a simple rustic style using natural materials, with one or two bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room. Cool and inviting in summer, they all have fireplaces to make them a cosy retreat in winter too. All guests also have the use of the gardens, the salon and, in summer, the swimming pool.

Being so far from any cities, it's not easy to get to La Ramallosa, but it's well worth the effort. As well the hotel and lovely countryside nearby, this little corner of Cáceres offers so much more. There are Roman forts, Celtic ruins, mediaeval villages, natural parks and lakes, all tied together by the never-ending hills and mountains of Extremadura.

Meals

The restaurant is housed in the barn of the original farm. It offers tradicional recipes of the region, adapted to the personal style of Rebecca, co-owner and chef of La Ramallosa. The menu changes each day to give guests the widest choice and to make best use of the freshest produce available from the hotel's own gardens and fields, and the local market.

In true country fashion, breakfasts are a bit of a speciality: typical local migas, homemade jams and muffins, the farm's own olive oil, bread baked in the next village, local sausages.

As well as lunch and dinner at the hotel, Rebecca will prepare a picnic for guests going out for the day. She will also adapt her menu for children, vegetarians or just those who want to sample a little bit of everything.

Out and About

Walking. Choose from a casual stroll around the finca, to longer and more energetic walks anywhere in the surrounding country
Horse-riding
Riding lessons
Fishing (check with the hotel about licences)
Quadbike excursions
Mountain biking
Bird-watching
Astronomy

Places to visit:
There are Roman and Celtic ruins in the area
Quaint villages
Natural parks
Lakes
Ask at the hotel for more information and guidance. Alfonso is always happy to provide advice on the places to see.

Los Alcornoques. The most romantic cottage. Double bedroom, bathroom and sitting room with fireplace.

Los Olivos. Cottage on two levels - with a bedroom with queen-sized bed on the mezzanine, bathroom and sitting room on the ground floor. There is a small library and a fireplace in the sitting room.

Las Encinas. Two double bedrooms - one with a queen-sized bed, one with twin beds, a bathroom, and a sitting room with fireplace.

Los Robles. Two double bedrooms, one with queen-sized bed, one with twin beds - both rooms with fireplaces - bathroom, and very large sitting room with fireplace. The cottage has a view over the swimming pool and then right out to the distant horizon.

Las Jaras. Two double bedrooms - one with queen-sized bed, one with twin beds - both with fireplaces, bathroom, and large sitting room with fireplace. The cottage is set at the foot of the olive grove.