An amazing hotel in a beautiful village in an an awesome landscape. I highly recommend to take dinner there if you stay, the food is fantastic, healthy and (if you want) also veggie-friendly. You can start great hiking tours starting from the hotel, which is located between townhall and church of the white village Cartajima.

We have now stayed three times at this charming hotel, and each time find more to enchant us. The location is delightfully rural but just a short drive from Ronda, so one gets the best of both worlds. The welcome one gets from this friendly, interesting couple however far exceeds what one would normally find in either town or country! I adore the beds with their lovely big, squishy white duvets in particular but then there's the cooking (excellent), the view (romantically, dramatically Mediterranean), the spacious rooms, the log fire and - again - our hosts who seem to have a knack for attracting interesting, nice guests. Highly recommended! Now under new ownership but I'm sure it's good too!

My wife and I have just spent a week at the Hotel Los Castanos. We both felt an immediate vibe with the hotel as soon as we were welcomed by Frank the owner. Our comfortable en-suite room with a small balcony looked out over the lovely village of Cartajima and the surrounding sweet chestnut tree clad hillsides. As keen walkers we wanted to explore the area so followed some of the recommended routes Frank had prepared for us which we can highly recommend. Most linked the surrounding villages, each with their own distinct character, via easy to follow tracks through the woods. One exception was the Camanito del Rey (an hour’s drive away) which is a must to visit if you have a head for heights! Each night we had a three course meal beautifully cooked - no two meals were the same! - accompanied by a bottle of either red or white local wine. The homely lounge area, with both an honesty fridge and honesty bar, was great to relax in over a cold beer after a walk before dinner. Apart from this lounge area and your own small balcony there was also a large roof terrace with almost 360 degree stunning views of the area where one could relax either in full sun or a shaded area. The hotel itself, our attentive welcoming hosts, the stunning area and our fellow guests all made for a wonderfully memorable week. Julie and Ian Husband.

I booked the Happiness Holidays at Hotel Los Castaños looking for a place where I could hit the “reset button” and really do something good for myself. That is exactly what I got. It was a wonderful experience and I could not have wished for more! I was able to choose my activities from a list with a variety of different options, which allowed for an individual and unique retreat designed around my preferences. From horseback riding, water-coloring in nature and gorgeous hikes, to yoga and breathwork sessions the Happiness Holidays offered me a variety of different amazing and meaningful experiences, some of which were deep and others perfect for just enjoying nature and relaxing. Altogether perfectly balanced. The setting is gorgeous, as the hotel is located in the mountains near Ronda, with magnificent views. The hotel itself is unique, beautiful and luxurious, the perfect place to kick back, relax and just be completely comfortable. The owner of the hotel, Di, does all the cooking herself and I felt completely spoiled by her meals. Her cuisine is absolutely DELICIOUS! - a wonderful experience in itself. Every breakfast and dinner was a real treat! She offers a wide range of different dishes and will also adapt to your dietary needs if you let her know. Last but not least, the team Di, Emily and John, made this experience even more lovely and unique. They really put their entire hearts into what they do, which shows in every aspect of the retreat. Always there if I needed them and great people to talk to, these are just truly wonderful people and I am so grateful having had the chance to meet them. So if you have looked into the Happiness Holidays and you are still unsure whether to book or not, I encourage you to just go for it. I am sure you will go back home with a full heart, like I did.

Angenehme und freundliche Atmosphäre, dazu hervorragendes Abendessen auf Wunsch. Gut geeignet als Startpunkt für Wanderungen. Wir waren zwei Nächte da und haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Das nächste Mal gerne länger!

Wunderschönes, kleines Familienhotel mit netten Gastgeber*innen und toller Küche. Das Dorf ist total ruhig und wunderbar gelegen für Ausflüge und Wanderungen. Wir waren mit Kindern wandern und hatten tolle Empfehlungen dafür bekommen. Gerne wieder, eine klare Empfehlung für Durchreise oder Urlaub.

We spent three nights at this lovely small hotel in the pretty white village of Cartajima. Our room ( with balcony) was very clean , quiet and comfortable with moroccan style furnishings and a beautiful view over the mountains. The communal roof terrace has stunning view and is a great place to relax. Di and John were very welcoming hosts and we were lucky enough to have three delicious dinners cooked by Di. There are plenty of great walks in the area and we enjoyed exploring Ronda. We are looking forward to another stay.

We stayed in Hotel Los Castanos for a weekend and we left with the promise to come back as soon as we can. This place, hidden in a quiet small village in the mountains south of Ronda, is pure therapy for the soul and a delight for all senses. The views are spectacular, the house is a beautiful cozy jewel, the rooms are clean, comfortable and beautifully decorated, the village is peaceful and the people are friendly. But it’s the hosts that are bringing the experience to perfection. Both Di and John are the most friendly and warm people - we couldn’t ask for more. The dinner Di prepared for us was, by far, the best we had in any of the places we have stayed. The taste, presentation and attention to detail were remarkable. The evening we spent on the roof top terrace, with a glass of good house wine, was a deep dive in peace and relaxation. Even the cat Lyla, who joined us, was so cute, friendly and talkative 😊 The entire experience was unforgettable. Thank you Di and John, we highly appreciated your perfect hosts skills and we plan to return soon to recharge our batteries.

Los Castaños is a true gem tucked away in Andalucia! Di is an excellent host and cook as well. I enjoyed staying at her place and eating Michelin level home cooked meals a lot. Cartajima and other white villages around are so much worth exploring. If I have a chance, I will definitely be back.

Awesome place in the mountains. Fabulous service, but they did forget my fruit Salade at breakfast for the second time. Don't be shy like me, and ask your host whatever you want and he will arrange it for you. Only 15 minutes drive to nearby city Ronda. All info you can get it from the host at this Establishment. Everything is available at cost. breakfast was in my booking included. I don't eat lunch so I don't know about it. Dinner is from 8 or 8:30 I believe a three course Manu at 30€ I don't eat at night From the room you have a Amazing view of the Mountains. Spacious rooms with private bathroom You eat sunbathing on the roof and injoying the Awesome views

We have just come back from a weekend away in this little gem of a hotel. Big well appointed rooms, huge comfotable beds. Great bathrooms with lovely showers. None of which are a touch on the hosts culinary skills however, food to die for. And when they do take a well deserved night off, Di and John will point you in the direction of any number of great places to eat locally. I simpy spent most of the weekend sat on the roof terrace reading one of the many books they have available for guests. However if walking or sight seeing is your thing, again Di and John will point you in the right direction here as well. If you are heading this way, and after a comfortable independant boutique hotel - book this one. You will not be dissapointed. Thanks Di and John for a wonderful weekend away. Phil & Dee

We stayed at Hotel Los Castaños over the Easter weekend. This is the 3rd time we have stayed and as usual, the welcome was warm, the room spotlessly clean and comfy, and the food delicious. We had dinner one evening and Di produced gourmet 3-courses for us paired with a lovely local wine. Cartajima is an excellent base for walking in the area and discovering Ronda. Lots of fresh air, sunshine and fabulous views - just what we needed! If you're looking for a lovely place to stay near Ronda, this is an excellent choice.

Beautiful hotel in a beautiful setting. Di and John are wonderful hosts and nothing is too much trouble for their guests. Di prepared the most amazing mezze platter with home made dips which was accompanied by a nice bottle of cava. Breakfast the following day was also fantastic. The rooms are very well equipped with lots of little touches that you don't get in Spanish run hotels, the main one being a kettle, cups, tea, coffee etc! Would highly recommend!

My mom and I just spent the Christmas holiday at Los Castaños and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It was an inclusive package with 8 other guests where every detail was thought through from the slippers and robes in the rooms to the incredible hospitality. Di and John have thought of everything to make this getaway as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Di's food was great, not only Spanish cuisine but a mix from other countries along with their wine selection was perfect. We enjoyed being able to connect with the other guests and plan walks to the other villages. The location is very secluded, you can definitely unwind and appreciate the nature and solitude in the mountains. It was a good break from the city buzz. We rented a car but the roads were a bit narrow for us. John helped us out immensely with parking!

A gem hidden in the mountains. Small rural villages, which seem to be this way for centuries. Los Castaños Hotel fits in without making you miss any comfort. Best views from the rooftop terrace over the valley with its white pueblos. Quiet and calming down as soon as you enter. Di and John are marvelous hosts, being there to assist and make your stay memorable. They even accepted us with our 2 - well behaving ;) - kids exceptionally. We will be back soon!

A hidden gem in the mountains. Stunning location surrounded by absolutely beautiful scenery. The host is outstanding, nothing was too much. Thank you Frank.

We didn’t have a booking, however, unfortunately upon arrival, there was a note on the door saying that they had gone shopping and wouldn’t be long. We tried to find a restaurant or bar to make some time but there isn’t a single place in the whole town that was open on a Sunday. Madness really but in the end we decided to just leave and go to ronda.