Cortijo la Reina

Reviewed by Michael Soffe



LIVING IN AN ARBORETUM ..............

Tucked away on the edge of the Montes de Malaga national park nestling amongst enormous trees is the beautiful Hotel Cortijo de la Reina. This rather palatial cortijo was converted to a Hotel five years ago and is gaining an excellent reputation as a peaceful getaway for lovers of nature and walkers. It is situated at 800 metres above sea level and the views from the extensive grounds (some 150,000 square metres) are wonderful. Walking routes abound as the park is on your doorstep. Pine trees, olives, almonds, walnuts and Holm oaks (or cork trees) are everywhere and the scenery is unique to this area of Andalucia. The trees provide a shaded oasis for the house, the annexes and terraces...

The drive leads you down to the Hotel, entering into a patio courtyard where breakfast and drinks are served when weather permits. The original architecture has been maintained wherever possible and the main cortijo meanders in a rather higgledy-piggledy fashion. This labyrinth leads you from one inviting aristocratic salon to another (several with fireplaces for those romantic winter evenings), a bar, a games room and the intimate restaurant which is split between a couple of rooms.

Perched on the side of a hill is the sparkling swimming pool and sun terrace – a beautiful location to relax and take the sun or simply indulge in the Spanish siesta. There is a tennis court and even a small crazy golf course hidden away under the trees.

The 36 bedrooms are spread between the main house and annexes in the gardens. There are ten double rooms in the cortijo and a suite with a hidro-massage bath on the upper floor. One of the annexes has two en-suite double rooms with their own terraces. Another annexe has 6 suites and a private terrace. Many of the superior bedrooms have a fireplace or wood burning stove, air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, telephone with internet access and minibars. The suites are ideally suited for honeymooners.

Breakfasts are served at your leisure in the old Andalucian kitchen of the main house which retains many of the old features including the original, wonderful tiled walls. The dining room serves Spanish cuisine with an international twist.


An ideal Hotel for those who want a quiet and peaceful hideaway – the road to the Hotel is not for the faint-hearted, but the views are magnificent. An excellent base within 20 minutes of the centre of Malaga and the Picasso Museum, housing the largest collection of his works worldwide. A walker’s paradise.