Cerro de Hijar

Perched on a mountain ledge 650 metres up in the Sierra de las Nieves sits Cerro de Hijar hotel. Just down below, the village of Tolox is a "pueblo blanco" so white it looks like a film set. This is a location that benefits from its proximity to the coast of the Costa del Sol and also the heights of the mountains. Here you can bask in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun and gaze inland to the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

There are 18 spacious rooms in the hotel, all of them with views, 16 of them with exterior balconies; the remaining two are on the ground floor (one of them is adapted for disabled people), and all of them are equipped with bathroom, minibar, central heating, air conditioning and TV. There is a lounge and library which also has a fireplace for out-of-season visitors (best for those keen to do a lot of walking or cycling). The restaurant, also with a fireplace, has capacity for 40 people.

Tolox is right in the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves, a national park that has been designated a "Biosphere Reserve" by Unesco. Here the land is lusher than down on the coast with rivers and streams, woods of Spanish fir and substantial populations of wild goats, foxes, roe deer, etc. For lovers of nature and spectacular scenery, this is a "must". The village itself is also home to the Fuente Amargosa, with spa waters renowned for their curative properties against ailments of the throat, lungs and eyes.

The hotel is built in the style of a traditional Andalusian mansion with large rooms and an enclosed central patio. The décor is simple but not austere, combining modern and traditional elements. Outside, the swimming pool has the most astounding views.

Meals

Breakfasts are very Spanish, with Iberian cold meats, cakes and pastries and lots of fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner offer imaginative choices inspired by traditional Andalusian cuisine, and the menus change every day so there is always something new to tempt your palate. There is a children's menu with favourites like spaghetti and if you only feel like a snack at lunchtime to save yourself for the dinner to come, there are sandwiches and lighter dishes such as omelettes.

Out and About

Walking: The Sierra de la Nieves Nature Park is at your disposal. For the best possible experience of the area, guided walks are arranged from the hotel ranging from 3 hours to all-day.
Cycling: The whole area is ideal for bike trips.
Caving: For all standards.
4x4 Trips: Various trips are arranged in open-topped four-wheel-drives to take you deep into the heart of the mountains and to see far more than you could on foot. Half-day and full-day itineraries are available taking you to fir and chestnut woods, high mountains, deep gorges and rushing rivers.
Horse-riding: Take a peaceful ride through the local countryside, starting from nearby the hotel.
Spa Waters: the Fuente Amargosa spa in Tolox is famed for the vapours that hang above the water, providing curatives for asthma, bronchitis, chronic colds, conjunctivitis, cystitis and other diseases. Open from early June to mid-October.
Spanish courses.
Cookery courses.
Active Nature courses.

Beaches: all the best beaches of the western Costa del Sol are within easy reach.
Watersports: Puerto Banus is one of the nearest points on the coast, and there are many other marinas and watersports centres all along the coast.
Pueblos Blancos: a drive through the mountains will bring you to many of the famous white villages of Andalucía.

Double or twin bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, balcony and views of the National Park.

Room Features: telephone, tv, wifi internet, safe box, central heating, air-conditioning, minibar.

Max occupancy: 3 adults + 1 baby.

Larger double room with double or twin beds, sofa, ensuite bathroom, balcony and mountain views .

Room Features: telephone, tv, dvd player, wifi internet, safe box, central heating, air-conditioning, minibar.

Max occupancy: 4 adults + 1 baby.

A very large room of 40m² with a loung and sofa in a separate area. It has balconies and a veranda with the best views over the Natural Park. A spiral staircase leads up into the tower where there is a telescope for star-gazing or looking mor closely at the hills and mountains all around.

Room Features: telephone, tv, dvd player, wifi internet, safe box, central heating, air-conditioning, minibar.

Max occupancy: 4 adults + 1 baby.