Hostal Restaurante Sierra De La Martina

Pros +

• This place exceeded our expectations in almost every way. The owners/hosts, Isabel and Alfonso, treated us like family. The photos on booking.com don't nearly do the place justice. Our room was comfortable and spotless, with a powerful shower and windows that opened to a mountain panorama, complete with the sounds of songbirds and the occasional rooster. Isabel's food was home cooking, mostly from the lamb and goats that Alfonso raises on their nearby farm. We enjoyed exploring the property, which includes several ancient buildings, wildflowers, and acres upon acres of olive trees. Alfonso told us this property has been in his family for 500 years. Alfonso recommended that we visit the Fortaleza de la Mota in the nearby town of Alcala La Real, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. As a smaller town in the mountains, Alcala has few tourists, so unlike the overrun tourist spots in Madrid and Seville, we practically had the Fortaleza to ourselves. The hostal has limited wi-fi, enough to share photos and check the internet, but don't expect to stream movies. This is a great place to unplug and unwind. There is a pool that is open in the summer months, but we were there in May so it wasn't open yet.
• The family that ran the hostal were very welcoming. My Spanish is poor, but we managed. I cycled up to the hostal, but I couldn't manage the last ridge (it's VERY steep!). I left the bike and walked to the place. The father helped me collect the bike and bring it in. The evening meal was very good and filling. It's an idyll I didn't expect!

Cons -

• The slope up nearly killed me. The place is lovely, though.