El Molino Santisteban

El Molino Santisteban is a rural hotel/B&B built in typical Andalucian style around a central courtyard with a fountain. Right alongside is the 600-year-old watermill (molino) where the owners live. There is water all around in both the nearby river and the mill leat, creating a verdant, fertile and refreshing environment, especially in the hotter summer months.

The hotel has an ample terrace and swimming pool with comfortable deckchairs and sun loungers, and beside them are the self-service honesty bar and a fully equipped guest kitchen free to be used at any time. The garden is situated directly on the banks of the river El Río Grande. There are many shady and sunny places and several more terraces with breathtaking views. There are orange and fig trees all around.

Madeline and Gerard serve breakfast, dinner and special early children's dinners. There are also a number of local restaurants a short drive away.

El Molino Santisteban is a wonderful place for children. As well as the swimming pool there is a trampoline, and a garden plus lots of toys and a DVD player with films. Kids can play for hours on the banks or in the river, building dams, fishing and watching the birds. They are free to explore the orange and olive groves or go and look for a tortoise. In the evening younger children can have an early dinner, leaving their parents to enjoy a relaxing dinner a little later while the children go to bed, or play some more in the garden or pool, or watch a film. The guest kitchen also offers the possibility of preparing your own meals for your children.

All six spacious rooms have their own bathroom and are located around the patio and all have wonderful views of the countryside. The wooden doors and shutters are all reclaimed from Andalucian cortijos. Families with children can reserve a large first floor room and an opposite/connecting smaller room, or when the children are still small, an extra bed or cot in a smaller room.

From El Molino Santisteban there are walks along the river El Río Grande, into the hills and to the towns of Guaro and Alozaina. There are a lot of marked paths in the area, including easy short walks but also more demanding hikes. In the nearby Sierra de Las Nieves Natural Park is a great choice of trails. It is also possible to go horse-riding nearby and the area is good for cycling, either road or mountain-biking.

The spectacular setting of Ronda is less than an hours drive away, as is Marbella on the coast. There are numerous pueblos blancos (white villages) around El Molino Santisteban, including Guaro, Tolox, Alozaina and Casarabonela.

Meals

A three-course dinner is available in the evenings, outside on one of the terraces or in the dining hall of the watermill. Madeline uses fresh products from the region and the cuisine is Mediterranean. There is a wine list with affordable wines and other drinks. An extensive breakfast is served in the pool house next to the swimming pool or on the terrace.

Out and About

Walking. There are marked trails in the local area and a few miles away in the Sierra de las Nieves natural park.
Cycling. Take to the tarmac or the dirt roads. Bikes can be hired in the neighbouring village.
Horse riding. A local neighbour provides the horses.
Bird watching. Big and small, including eagles and vultures.
Canoeing on the Ardales lakes.
Follow the Caminito del Rey pathway through the El Chorro gorge.

Places to visit:
Ronda. The amazing Tajo Bridge and the oldest bullring in Spain.
Marbella. Glitz and glamour, and a quaint old-town too.
Puerto Banus. Even more glitz and glamour.
Malaga. The Picasso Museum, The Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Alcazaba and Roman amphitheatre.

Room 1 has a double bed. Room 2 has twin beds and a bath in addition to a shower. Both rooms have doors opening onto the garden.

All rooms have country views and are decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture. They have a fan, heating, towels and toiletries in the en-suite bathroom and the wooden doors and shutters are all reclaimed from old Andalusian farmhouses.

Both rooms are spacious with a small seating area with a sofa and both have a double bed. Room 4 has a bath as well as a shower.

All rooms have country views and are decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture. They have a fan, heating, towels and toiletries in the en-suite bathroom and the wooden doors and shutters are all reclaimed from old Andalusian farmhouses.

The smaller rooms 5 and 6 are on the first floor and have twin beds.

All rooms have country views and are decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture. They have a fan, heating, towels and toiletries in the en-suite bathroom and the wooden doors and shutters are all reclaimed from old Andalusian farmhouses.