Property
The Parador de Ronda (a historic property built in 1761 for use as Ronda’s town hall, now converted into a luxury hotel) is an excellent choice for families looking to decompress on a driving tour through Andalusia. Comfortable and quiet Duplex rooms have a queen bed upstairs (with a gate at the top of the stairs), pull out couch downstairs, and patios with views. Cribs are available by request.

Location
Right next to the Puente Nueva with spectacular views of the gorge and Ronda’s old town. Ronda is within easy striking distance of Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. Nearby are smaller, quieter destinations like Sentenil (a town built into the cliffs) and the Cueva de la Pileta (caves with prehistoric paintings).

Sleeps
2-5.

Highlights
Unbeatable location and views. Semi-shaded pool. Touring the adjacent Plaza de Toros/Museo Taurino bull ring and bullfighting museum (be ready to cover little eyes with your hand though, bullfighting isn’t pretty).

Good to know
As in other big hotels, the prices of the menu del dia dinners here are just plain silly. Head across the street to the pedestrianized Carrera de Espinel where you’ll be spoiled for café choice.

Contact
www.parador.es.com

Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
A small, mouthwatering hotel in rural Andalusia, La Fuente de la Higuera is a converted olive mill. Rooms are spacious and tasteful with original art, fireplace, modern bathroom, sitting room, and private garden or terrace. Families will be most comfortable in connecting rooms 5 (a junior suite) and 6 (two twin beds). The hotel restaurant serves three meals a day on the shaded terrace (organic meats, and organic fruits and vegetables from their own gardens). The property has an honor bar (beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and Haagen Dazs ice cream), library, lounge, and shaded swimming pool as well. La Fuente can provide cribs and highchairs, and tries hard to accommodate children’s simple tastes at mealtimes. They are happy to serve dinner early to younger guests who can’t wait until eight.

Location
The hotel is just ten minutes from the charming and cosmopolitan white village of Ronda, and five minutes from the more intimate Arriate. It is an hour from the Mediterranean coast, and 90 minutes from the great cities of Seville, Granada, and Cordoba.

Sleeps
2-5.

Highlights
Having room to spread out. Having breakfast on your terrace (by prearrangement). Delicious dinners. The incredible views of Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park.

Good to know
Don’t believe anything you read about the frog noise here–the owners have filled in the pond. They’d like to bring it back though, and are looking into getting ducks to eat the frogs (provided they can teach their dogs not to eat the ducks. Ah, the great circle of life!) No televisions, so definitely bring your own portable DVD player for any kind of family siesta. The atmosphere here is a little hushed, but the owners are very welcoming to children.

Contact
www.hotellafuente.com

Written by Jamie Pearson