Hacienda El Santiscal

The original family of El Santiscal was granted the estate in recognition of their noble deeds carried out during the Moorish siege of Ronda. Here they built the Hacienda El Santiscal as a fortified house in a strategic position which now offers the modern visitor magnificent views across the countryside.

Arcos de la Frontera is a historic town and the capital of the "Pueblos Blancos" (White Villages), near the Grazalema Nature Reserve, now declared a "Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO. Arcos de la Frontera is one of the prettiest villages in Spain, situated at the top of a high rocky promontory on which are perched a mass of white houses and a medieval Arab castle.

Being a protected historic building (dating from the XVth century), all the rooms are different, including some with wooden coffered ceilings, Arab brick or terracotta floors, typical Spanish furniture, etc. But all are decorated to be welcoming and in keeping with the style of the house, giving it simplicity, elegance and character.

Other facilities include a dining room, a private glass gazebo, a reading room with fireplace, a garden and a swimming pool, terraces, direct access to the lake, an Andalusian central patio, a bar, and a car park. The hotel is surrounded by a large estate with sunflower and wheat fields, and olive trees.

The hotel has seven double rooms, three Junior Suites, one Terrace Suite and one Principal Suite, all fitted out with air conditioning, fully-equipped bathrooms and having magnificent views on the mountains of El Santiscal or the Lake of Arcos. To retain the fresh welcoming atmosphere, smoking is not permitted in the hotel.

Relax and enjoy the luxury of staying in a real Andalusian hacienda.

Meals

The restaurant of El Santiscal is open exclusively to hotel guests, in order to maintain a sense of intimacy and tranquillity. El Santiscal offers the unique concept of an a la carte menu at a fixed price, ensuring that diners can enjoy precisely the meal thay choose without any surprises at the end. Choose from main dishes such as grilled langoustines,  Jerez brandy steak with red peppers, salmon and white asparragus, etc.

In summer, dinner is served in the central patio, surrounded by flowers and bougainvillea and lit by traditional lanterns.

Out and About

Horse-riding, horse-drawn carriages, riding lessons, 4x4 driving, rambling, walking, cycling, bungee-jumping, paragliding, hot-air ballooning, hang-gliding, golf (several top-class courses nearby), wine visits, fishing.
The nature reserves of Grazalema, Alcornocales and Coto Doñana are all within driving distance.
The "Pueblos Blancos" (White Villages) are all around.

Spacious rooms of about 18-22m², which may be Twin, Queen bed (150x200) or King (200x200). They feature an Arabic small window or Andalusian wrought iron balcony with country views to the Sierra del Santiscal or the central courtyard filled with bougainvillea and pots of flowers. All rooms are individually decorated, some of which are very romantic and and include a canopy over the bed. Different XVIIth C. antique furniture are included, giving a very special character.

Room Nº 3:  One of the largest rooms in the hotel. A unique feature is the special decorative technique applied to the painted walls  known as "fractalli", similar to stucco. In a central position we find the king size 200 x 200 bed which has a hand carved antique headboard from the seventeenth century. The room also has an antique bookcase, escritoire and two leather armchairs. The bathroom  has a small balcony with partial view of the lake and a large  walk-in wardrobe.

The magnificent views from this room over the garden, pool, lake and riverside from the Andalusian style balcony make it very special and popular with returning guests. (Total room measures 25 m²).

Room Nº 4:  Large peach twin bedded room (each 190 x 90), ideal for adding an extra bed and still being spacious and comfortable. The headboards are from the eighteenth century and made of hand carved wood. There is also a small antique wooden hand-carved side chest  and a bedside table. In one corner of the room is a sitting area suitable for reading with a round table. It also has a large walk-in wardrobe and an ample bathroom.

The views from both balconies ( one in the  main room and a smaller one in the bathroom) overlooking the garden, pool, lake and river are splendid. (Total room measures 24 m²)

Large room decorated in pale pink with a 2m square king-size bed. The headboards are in 17th century style and made of hand carved wood and there is generous woodwork everywhere. The room is on a corner of the house with a small balcony facing the mountains and a private terrace with great views of the garden, the lake, the river and fields.

Summer Suite: Large pink bedroom with a king size 2m x 2m bed with a hand carved eighteenth century wooden headboard. It has the original beamed ceiling. This room is located in a corner of the building with  a small balcony facing the countryside and  the mountains and also has a private  terrace overlooking the garden, lake and river. From here you can see a spectacular view of the property right around 180º.  On the terrace you will find two sun loungers, a garden table and two chairs, to sunbathe in total privacy, reading, listening to the sounds of silence or enjoying the romantic sunsets. No cots or extra beds are possible in this room. (Total room measure 38 m²).

Winter Suite: This romantic suite consists of two rooms, a blue bedroom with a king size 2m x 2m bed with a hand carved eighteenth century wooden headboard and an over-the-headboard half canopy and drapes which gives it a special romantic touch. It also has a small balcony overlooking the countryside and an original small Arab-type window overlooking the Andalusian central courtyard.

The second room is a private lounge, composed of four armchairs and a original carriage wheel table to enjoy time spent in reading and intimate talk by the fireplace. Two cupboards with a small fridge in them and some more old pieces of furniture complete the ensemble.  An Andalusian-style balcony allows a splendid view of the estate fields. The spacious bathroom is fully equipped, also having a walk-in shower.  Two extra beds and a cot can be added to this room. (Total room measures 47 m²)