Hotel Enfrente Arte by Jenny Pidgeon

This is an unusual hotel - a wacky, informal place to stay which is comfortable, fun and extremely good value. Down by the river on a cobbled street in one of the quietest and most attractive parts of Ronda, this is a hotel with a very welcome philosophy; everything is included in the (extremely reasonable) room rates. This means breakfast, a varied lunch buffet, all drinks including beer and wines, use of all facilities including the internet and even taxes. The friendly young staff are proud of the place, happy to explain all its quirks and point you in the direction of their equally good boutique café up the hill.

The hotel is an assault on the senses – from the dark, cosy, orange and terracotta reception and bar/restaurant area (which feels like an Alpine lodge), to the steamy sup-tropical aquarium (great for the kids), to the games room/library/internet room with its bright green walls and open fire. The twelve bedrooms are all different, entered through wonderful carved wooden doors, and you can expect to find traditional Andalucian beds next to huge plastic hand chairs, and modern art hanging over the bathroom sink. It is well worth going for an ‘A deluxe’ type room whereby for 100 euros per night you can revel in the privacy of the 13th century ‘tower room’ in the garden or a bi-level suite. The multi-level garden offers hidden corners, colourful art installations, lush vegetation and a blue tiled pool with great views over the Guadalevin river valley.