The Cortijo Fain is in a great position, just 3km outside Arcos, and is structurally one of the most beautiful cortijos to have been converted into a hotel. Large and bougainvillaea-covered, the impressive and ornate arched entrance leads into a pretty cobbled patio, with old drinking troughs and a few tables for sunny morning breakfasts. On the right is the reception area and a large dining room with a fireplace and riding paraphernalia. Opposite is the doorway to the main house which is dark and imposing, with a wide staircase leading up to a gallery which runs round to a small chapel, complete with crucifixes and dark religious paintings. Two suites are located here, both of which have nice terraces overlooking the olive groves which surround the Cortijo. The antique furniture looks like it would collapse if anybody actually sat on it and the beds are equally old-fashioned. The remainder of the eight rooms and suites are located around the patio, but they suffer from damp and are folornly cold and uninviting. A glassed-in breakfast room looks out onto the gardens and the swimming pool, which more closely resembled a green pond at inspection (but, then again, it was late October). As at nearby Hacienda El Santiscal, the personable young staff do their best to make guests feel welcome, but this Cortijo needs major work doing before it can rely on attracting anyone more than a steady flow of conferences, business meetings and shooting parties.