Hotel Boutique Molino del Arco, Ronda

• The hotel occupies a beautifully converted 18th-century farmhouse and olive mill, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.
• You can reach Ronda within about 20 minutes by car, and you'll be within easy reach of other historic Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) as well as renowned Andalusian wine estates.
• None of the air-conditioned rooms are alike, but each is decorated in an elegant, traditional style, with antique furniture, toile wallpapers, and original terracotta floors.
• Two outdoor pools provide sunny and shaded swimming options, with lounge chairs and umbrellas.
• The on-site restaurant serves locally inspired dishes that feature seasonal ingredients from the hotel's own orchards and gardens.
• The staff are renowned for their warmth and service.

• The pools are seasonal and unheated, but the water temperature is often refreshing during Andalusia's hottest months.
• The estate is located 6 miles north of Ronda amid rural countryside, so you need a rental car to get the most out of the area.

Authenticity

To say Hotel Boutique Molino del Arco is steeped in history is almost an understatement. The large estate was first bestowed upon a member of the Clavero family in 1485; 300 years later, a relative built a sprawling cortijo (farmhouse) and almazara (olive mill) in the traditional Andalusian style. The current Claveros converted the historic buildings into a boutique hotel in 2004, creating a 4-star escape surrounded by centuries-old olive groves and vineyards. Today, the elegant interiors retain plenty of original character, with terracotta floors, arched doorways, and shuttered windows, while exteriors feature hidden patios and manicured gardens. You can sample the estate's olive oil in the on-site restaurant's seasonally-inspired dishes, alongside produce sourced from the kitchen gardens.

Location

Situated amid the foothills of Andalusia's Sierra de Salinas, Molino del Arco feels decidedly rural, even though it's only 6 miles (10 km) from the center of Ronda. You can reach the famous town and its many highlights, including the Plaza de Toros bullring and the Puente Nuevo bridge, in just 20 minutes by car, and Málaga and its international airport are a 1.5-hour drive east. It makes an ideal base for exploring Andalusia's famous Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) and the nearby Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, as well as sampling the many surrounding wine estates.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 21 air-conditioned rooms are individually decorated in an authentic, elegant style that includes handpicked antiques, toile de jouy wallpapers, and vintage wrought-iron or canopy beds. Rooms in the main farmhouse feature period details like original terracotta floors, painted shutters, and French doors, while those in the converted stable buildings have soaring ceilings with rustic beams. Options range from Standard Doubles to sprawling, multi-room Suites, and many include private terraces with views over the Andalusian countryside. Bathrooms are just as individual as the rooms, but all are equipped with modern amenities like walk-in, rain-style showers, and some include deep soaking tubs. 

Amenities

You can take your pick between two outdoor pools set among the estate's lawns and gardens, perfect for cooling off during the hot Andalusian summer months. Indoors, you'll find inviting common areas (where you can relax with a drink from the well-stocked honesty bar) and an on-site restaurant that pairs traditional recipes with seasonal ingredients and an extensive selection of local Ronda wines. They're open for breakfast and dinner, and though the former isn't included in the base rate, it's a can't-miss part of any stay—think homemade seasonal fruit jams, organic honey, artisan Iberico hams, cheese from native Payoya goats, and fresh-squeezed juice straight out of the citrus orchards.

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Boutique Molino del Arco welcomes families, with room options that can accommodate up to four comfortably. Interconnecting Junior Suites are ideal for groups with older children, and the Deluxe Family options include a large double and two single beds. Cribs are available for infants, and the restaurant has a children's menu. Although the property isn't particularly stroller-friendly due to cobbled and grassy areas, ground-floor rooms and an elevator make navigation easier for those with young kids, and the extensive gardens and two pools offer plenty of space for little ones to play.