Hotel CasaCinco

Reviewed by Laura Dibben


PASS THE FEATHER BOA, DARLING………

Vejer de la Frontera, the only ¨white village¨ on the Costa de la Luz, is quite possibly the most picturesque village on Spain´s entire southern coast. Proudly perched 200m above sea level in a labrynth of cobbled streets and whitewashed walls, you will be just 10 minutes by car to the golden sands of El Palmar beach.

It is here where owners Colette and Glen have lovingly restored their 18th Century townhouse. Colette tells me they have tried their best to maintain the character of the building, altering original architectural details – like the Moorish-style ¨Riyadh¨ or open-air interior patio – as little as possible. Throw in many 20th century antiques, local art, some modern furniture and other decorative treasures collected by your hosts on their extensive travels, and you get the unique and funky, yet calm character that defines CasaCinco.

The 1st floor salon provides a comfortable space for enjoying pleasant conversation or for having a quiet drink from the honesty bar. A large selection of books, games and music are free for your borrowing, and vintage Vogue can even be found amongst the dozens of magazines. Cosy up by the wood-buring stove in winter time. The roof terrace offers stunning views that stretch all the way to Morocco – an impressive sight. Take in the sun on the loungers, or relax in the shade on the Moroccan rugs and cushions.

The 5 bedrooms, comprised of 2 Large, 1 Standard and 2 Petite Doubles, have been imaginitively decorated to suit one of the five senses after which it was named. To give you an idea, a feather boa and gorgeous Morrocan fabrics will catch your eye in ¨Touch¨. In ¨Aroma¨, scented candles and incense set the mood. All have open-plan en-suite bathrooms, some with bath, others with showers, all have CD players and all are heated in the winter. Rooms are not air-conditioned. As CasaCinco is a place to unwind and disconnect, neither televisions, telephones nor children under the age of 16 can be found in the Hotel.

Breakfast is no ordinary buffet at CasaCinco, nor is it bacon and eggs. Continental breakfast with local products and handmade cheeses, plus scrumptious daily specials are on offer. The Hotel does not serve dinner but Colette, who writes a food column in ¨Luz¨, a local magazine, will gladly recommend nearby tapas bars and restaurants.

The Costa de la Luz (literal translation: The Coast of Light) is a paradise for surfers, wind surfers and kite surfers alike. The strong winds generated where Atlantic meets Mediterranean are an asset for these sport enthusiasts, whereas beach lovers, although spoiled for choice, can get a bit of a sand-blasting on days when winds are particularly strong.

Jerez and Cádiz (don´t miss its famous February ¨Carnaval¨!), are fabulous day-trip destinations, as is Morocco – just 35 minutes on the high-speed catamaran from Tarifa. Do bring an extra suitcase for those fabulous rugs! For nature lovers and birdwachers, the Doñana National Park (the last natural habitat of the Iberian Lynx) is less than 100km away.

An ideal Hotel for a quiet getaway or a base for discovering the true splendour of this region.