HOTEL CORTIJO DEL MARQUÉS GRANADA

Albolote Granada, Spain

CHECK-IN RIGHT THIS WAY

LOCATION

To best describe the Andalusian countryside is to begin with the words of one of Spain’s most celebrated and beloved figures, Federico Garcia Lorca. “Green, how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches.” Anyone peering into the words of the late poet and dreamy landscape will find themselves venturing into the outskirts of the city of Granada, where the earth’s gentle folds await.

Among the sighing fields of wheat and wild vegetation, sun-soaked hills, swaying silvery leaves of olive trees, and sweeping vistas of the Sierra Elvira, a dusty winding track leads a discerning traveler to a remote rustic escape—Hotel Cortijo del Marqués.

Just 25 minutes shy away by car from the bustling heart of Granada and the shadows of the Alhambra, Hotel Cortijo del Marqués in Albolote, is relatively close yet feels a world apart. It’s a place where one’s mobile network often loses signal, in exchange for the spirit to reawaken and reconnect.

CHARACTER & STYLE

Hotel Cortijo del Marqués’ story goes back a long way, as well as the land where the property presides upon. From the days of the Moors to the Reconquista, a former humble agrarian manor, then a barracks during the Spanish Civil War that led to years of neglect and abandonment, only to be revived yet again but with a new lease of life brimming with restrained rustic elegance.

Upon entering the unassuming, riveted wooden door, it can instantly become a trip to centuries past. While contemporary accoutrements reassure every modern-day traveler’s comfort, the cortijo’s charm runs as deep as the landscape. The Andalusian whitewashed walls are set against dark timbered frames and terracotta roof tiles. Shuttered windows look out to a shaded courtyard and sprawling olive groves; picture arched doorways and a well-preserved 18th-century church of which Pope Leo XIII granted its seal. The property is steep with an eclectic mix of antique furnishings projecting carefully curated taste rather than kitsch. Every nook is an invitation and evocation.

THE ROOMS

This 4-star cortijo seamlessly delivers authentic Andalusian touches with finesse. The 15 individual rooms (standard and suites) have their own distinct character and configuration. Remodeled from former stables, dovehouses, and granaries, all the rooms are turned into pampering sanctuaries under the careful watch of the Austrian-Dutch owners Silvia Roth and Eilko Bruggers. 

The ‘dormitorios’ are spread across the residential estate. Some feature private verandas and lofty vaulted ceilings, thick wooden frames and terracotta floors, clawfoot tubs and hammam dips, fireplaces, and ornate azulejos. The names of the rooms, El Mirador (The Lookout), La Iglesia (The Church), El Torreon (The Tower), Los Aljibes (The Cisterns), and the likes, lend clues to the individual style and aesthetically pleasing quirkiness. Hotel Cortijo del Marqués has set a stage as well as an immersive experience for all its guests, whether you are a solitary traveler, a couple on honeymoon, or a family in pursuit of the Al-Andalus dreams and setting.

BEDTIME ETIQUETTE

Staying close to its primordial purpose, the hotel offers a stately yet homey retreat, like visiting one’s ‘abuela.’ No remote control for darkening shutters or touch of a button for butlers; instead, one sheds off the bling and the presumptive nature of travel. 

Within the private confines, a guest can then slip into a comfy bathrobe or wander in the soft hush of bare flesh, enjoy an olive-fortified shower gel by the Spanish brand La Chinita in the bath, toss out the phone alarm, and treat oneself to a long afternoon siesta. No outside traffic except excitable swallows and crickets, and no kids under 12 are allowed. Expect a quiet night’s passage. Beds are comfortable and come with crisp, clean linens. Cots can be provided upon request.

KEEPING IT GREEN

Located in a remote area, efficiency and sustainability are not buzzwords here. It is a way of life, and Hotel Cortijo del Marqués takes its eco-conscious ethos to heart. The property generates most of its power from solar energy and encourages guests to take part in low-impact tourism through hiking and cycling activities or even horseback riding for a taste of cultural appreciation. Electronic vehicle charging stations are readily available on the premises.

The hotel’s commitment to preserving the historical structure and essence during the renovation was paramount. The use of locally sourced ingredients is evident from its breakfast and Michelin-rated gourmet offerings, giving local farmers and artisans a platform to showcase their produce to international clients of the hotel. In keeping with the environmentally conscious practices, a set dinner menu is preferred over à la carte to reduce food waste, while an underground tank collects rainwater used readily for irrigation.

1 of 29

FACILITIES

• Free Parking
• EV Charging Stations
• Pool with Stunning Countryside Views
• Free Breakfast
• Garden
• WiFi
• In Room Air Conditioning Units
• Library
• Board Games / Puzzles
• Banquet / Conference Hall
• Bar / Lounge
• Gourmet Restaurant
• Dry Cleaning
• Laundry Service
• Bicycle Rental
• Church in the Premises
• Pet Friendly

 

There are not many rural hideaways in Spain that can both pull and punch above their weights. Hotel Cortijo del Marqués in Albolote southern Spain is an exception. Conceived as a seed of thought from an IT specialist and a banker, the former corporate pair began their hospitality journey after relocating the entire family from Madrid. Sylvia and Eilko had since been busy putting their personal stamp following the cortijo’s opening and looking after the property which they considered home. So it’s a familiar sight to bump into them as they take delight in giving each guest a personalized historical tour and welcome.

While the words of Federico Garcia Lorca lingers on in the night only to be whispered among the green fields of wheat and olive come daylight, anyone who steps into the frame will find themselves daydreaming, leisurely walking, or lounging by the pool in a rose-walled garden or perhaps summoning the inner poet to pen one’s own version of ‘Dreamwalking Ballad’. Here is a slice of Spanish country life in a splendid seclusion where guests utter “Green, how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches” sweetly escaping from their lips. 

4.7 / 5 Rating

BUTTER MY BAGUETTE

This website made of love strives to produce FREE CONTENT.

Help me tell more stories and keep this website free of any advertisement by supporting Flying Baguette in inspiring more people and connecting you with other cultures and communities around the globe. Donate a little or as much as you can afford to keep the magic of Flying Baguette going for years to come. Share your support through the icons below ⬇️