All of the rooms have individual heat pumps which combine heating and cooling systems to significantly reduce electricity usage.
‘Rural and charming. There’s no better place to relax and unwind. It’s also ideally located to explore the beautiful cobbled streets of Ronda.’
Scroll down to see top tips for Los Castaños and to meet your host! Click on the leaf-rating tab to reveal sustainable & regenerative efforts across waste, energy, biodiversity, and more.
Overview
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Highlights
From $127 USD per night
Rooftop terrace with mountain views
Award-winning Mediterranean food
Innovative vegan & vegetarian options
Situated between 2 National Parks
They supply maps and picnics
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Top Tip
‘Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a drink on the rooftop terrace here with views of the Alto Genal Valley’
Eco Activities
The surrounding valley offers inter-village walking opportunities, whether a stroll or a hike, from 30 minutes or to 5 hours. Walking paths in this area connect to 6 other quaint white villages nearby
Visit the nearby National Parks, including Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de Las Nieves. In this Park, live protected species, such as the golden eagle, the wild cat or the otter
Learn all about olive oil on a visit to an ecological farm where you can try the delicious Spanish olives
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Rooms
There are 6 beautiful guest rooms to choose from, including the mountain view and sunrise room. A romantic oasis of peace combines simplicity with luxury. Each of the rooms has an ensuite, the private retreat room also includes a tub.
Sketching materials & mindfulness colouring is provided
Ecological olive oil shower gel, shampoo, and body oil
Each room has a balcony with a little table and 2 chairs
Read books from our extensive library
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Meet Your Host
Meet Diana, the owner of Los Castaños. She loves experimenting with food, she’s even written a book about it.
She is extremely well-traveled. She has lived all over, from Uganda to California, and has sailed halfway around the world.
“I know how hard it can be to find exciting vegetarian food, so I like to make options that are quite different. I bring in flavours from all around the world.”
Discover more with ‘Behind the Green’ >
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Need to Know
Some might find the 6 km drive to the village a little hair-raising, so if you’re fearful of heights or windy roads be sure to sit on the passenger side when arriving
Don’t expect a TV in your room, there is just one television in the snug which is for special occasions
People can get lost trying to find this hotel, so best to follow the simple arrival directions Diana will provide
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Location
The hotel is located in the quaint village of Cartajima, up in the mountains of the Andalucia region of southern Spain. It is open year-round. The romantic Andalusian city of Ronda is only a 20-minute drive.
How To Get There
The hotel can arrange an airport pick up or collect you from the bus station in Ronda.
If arriving by car you’ll need to telephone the hotel when you turn off the A397 onto the mountain road MA7306, your hosts will arrange to meet you and help you park.
Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, is 1h 2 min drive (106km) from the hotel.
Gallery
Leaf Rating
1-leaf status
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EnergyMost of the water at Los Castaños is heated by clean solar energy, but a gas boiler is used when there is no sun. The hotel uses LED lightbulbs wherever possible...
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WaterThe water for the hotel is sourced straight from the mountain and is regularly analysed to ensure that it is free of pollutants. Guests are not given plastic water bottles in their rooms, instead...Read More >>
they are provided with a large glass bottle that can be refilled. Most of the bathtubs in the hotel have been switched for showers to save water and purolator air filters have been fitted in the taps which reduces water flow. Most of the plants at Los Castaños are drought resistant so can survive on less water than typical plants.
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WasteLos Castaños avoids using disposable items, they have considerably reduced plastic usage over the last year. There is a strict recycling policy in place here...Read More >>
Food is purchased in small quantities so that there is less waste, but any excess organic waste is composted on nearby land. They even have a worm bin!
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BiodiversityThe hotel is an affiliated member of the Andalucia Bird Society which aims to educate locals in what the value of sustaining wildlife is. Staff at the hotel also proactively monitor...Read More >>
migration patterns to report back to the society for research.
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FoodFood is sourced locally, within a 20km radius maximum. Staff use reusable net bags instead of plastic bags to carry food, which is something locals have noticed...Read More >>
and asked for too
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Engage GuestsGuests are provided with detailed routes to encourage hiking in the valley, to learn the local history and enjoy wildlife spotting. As well as this, guests can choose...Read More >>
to go on excursions with local guides to appreciate the local wildlife, birds and plants.
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ArchitectureThe original three buildings where the hotel is located were beyond repair and so they were cleared for construction, which was undertaken by local builders using local materials. The building...Read More >>
was made with thermal insulating materials such as termacillo, a type of clay block with insulated air chambers. The floors were made with hand-made clay tiles that are waxed using beeswax, rather than using chemicals.
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HousekeepingCleaning products are used with natural products, such as vinegar. Toiletries are kept in large bottles rather than using small disposable ones.Read More >>
Guests are encouraged to not have their towels and bed linen changed too often to reduce water and energy usage. Laundry is line-dried usually. The linen is sent to be laundered at a residence in Ronda which provides work for disabled people. For in-house laundry, staff use Ecover, an ecologically sound cleaning detergent.
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CommunityThe hotel works to set an example for the rest of the village and has recently been instrumental in the banning of irresponsible garbage disposal down the mountain.
Reviews
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"Better than any of the 5* places we have stayed"Stunning location, wonderful hosts, amazing food, beautiful room with one of the best views you could wish for. Better than any of the 5* places we have stayed. Don’t think twice about it, just book it!
Amy, Google Reviews
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"No detail is overlooked"
A little gem is hidden away in a stunning location. Di & John are great hosts, very warm and welcoming. The hotel is very comfortable and the rooms are beautifully decorated, no detail is overlooked. The food is fantastic, lovingly created by Di. A wonderful tranquil place in a charming little village surrounded by stunning scenery.
Rob, Facebook
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"Still an unspoiled oasis"
Return visit after 5 years. Still an unspoiled oasis. Di and John are perfect hosts. Excellent evening meal and breakfast. Very comfortable rooms, sorry to leave.
John, Google Reviews
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" Highly recommended"
Beautiful hotel in a peaceful setting. Di and John are excellent hosts.
Emily, Facebook
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"Wow, what an amazing experience"
My partner and I were looking for a true Spanish village experience, and this ticked every box. Di and John our hosts were so welcoming and laid back, they really made us feel like we belonged. The serenity and outlook were beyond our expectation, with our room looking out to one of the better views I've seen also receiving wine on arrival which was refreshing.
Josh, Google Reviews
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