While we love a chic urban hangout like Nobu Hotel Warsaw and K11 Artus, there’s a certain magic to remote properties that make us feel a certain way. Around a thirty minute drive from Granada in the south of Spain, we recently stayed at La Esperanza Granada, an intimate hacienda brought to life by Travel Editor Christine Cunanan and filled with colour, pattern, and lashings of soul.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

La Esperanza Granada review

Following a one-hour bus ride from downtown Malaga, we arrived in Granada to a Corpus Christi parade filled with bejewelled horses and people in traditional costumes making its way down the street. This colourful and unexpected welcome, set the scene for our upcoming stay.

After a quick food stop at a sleepy cafe near the station (I find it difficult to turn down a Tortilla de Patatas), we grabbed an Uber and set out to find our home for the next few nights: La Esperanza Granada. 

The roads twisted and turned, taking us over and through hills and rolling countryside, with almond, olive, and fruit trees around every corner. In around 30 minutes, we pull into a pebbled driveway with a striking gate, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. A quick call to announce our arrival and the oversized gates opened and we made our way down the driveway.

It’s got to be said that the entry experience at La Esperanza Granada is quite magical. From the stunning facade of the Mission style property to the delicately manicured grounds, complete with life-size horse sculpture, it’s a feast for the eyes and a welcome respite for the mind.

It’s also no surprise that this elegant setting is a hotspot for weddings in the region and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts collective.

Setting the scene

Overlooking the Lecrin Valley, the hacienda–formerly a private home–offers sweeping vistas leading down to the nearest town of Salleres. Interestingly, the location actually sits within the Costa Tropical, a small region in Andalusia that has its own tropical microclimate thanks to its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. As such, fruit including avocados, mangoes, and papayas all grow in abundance in the area, promising exquisite delights for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

As we step through the entrance, we enter into a magical courtyard filled with lemon trees, fresco paintings, and mosaic tiles. The style is eclectic with nods to the Moorish Alhambra, which is around 20 minutes away, with artworks and hand crafted finishings completed by local artisans. This attention to detail is both evident and impressive.

Our room

Hotel La Esperanza Granada, guestroom
Rooms here are exquisitely appointed and elegantly decorated

Home to just six rooms, we quickly made ourselves at home in a space with high ceilings and an outdoor terrace for enjoying lazy breakfasts and reading sessions. The room featured coloured tiles on the floor, ornate wooden antique furniture, and an extremely comfortable oversized bed. On closer inspection, the bed, situated to offer picture-perfect views of the undulating hills, featured white linens complete with a delicate flower print, bringing the outside in. These tiny but thoughtful touches are everywhere across the property, from the repurposing of intricate wooden screens as headboards to the characterful chandelier reminiscent of a gas lamp.

There’s no television here, but a selection of carefully curated art and travel books can be found on the table by the coffee machine. It’s everything you may require, and nothing more, allowing you to indulge in the exquisite vistas that can be found at every corner of the property.

In the evening, after imbibing horchata on the terrace with a cat nicknamed Antonio Banderas, I settled in with the glorious coffee table book titled Country Houses of Majorca. The whole scene is quite simply my idea of perfection.

While the weather makes it up to around the 26 degrees Celsius mark during our stay, the clever design of the rooms, complete with tiled floors and vaulted ceilings remain temperate throughout the day. It’s also important to shout about how La Esperanza Granada has made the move to solar power with the addition of 48 solar panels that power heating, cooling, and lighting.

Outside the room

La Esperanza Granada swimming pool
Many a long, sunny day was spent here by the pool during our stay

Lounging by the pool, the only sounds to be heard are the wind building strength and the occasional barking dog from a nearby farm. Otherwise, time stands still allowing for relaxation to overtake. A sheltered library offers respite from the sunshine and fuel for the mind, plus it’s an easy walk to plunge into the Jacuzzi whenever the fancy takes you.

This place is all about disconnecting. It’s about bathing in nature and unwinding under the Spanish sun. Days are long and peppered with delights from the kitchen. One morning, we choose to take breakfast on our private terrace where we enjoy fresh yoghurt and local fruits accompanied by cheese and charcuterie. Another day, we opt to enjoy the first meal of the day inside the beautifully appointed salon next to a selection of antique curios and a Bechstein grand piano from the early 1900s.

interview Christine Cunanan La Esperanza Granada courtyard
Handcrafted by local artisans, the courtyard was a labour of love

This space is also where special events can be arranged, including private flamenco shows, dinners by a Private Chef, and even wine tastings. For guests wanting to experience even more, Stargazing Evenings, horse riding, yoga and meditation classes can all be arranged to suit your schedule.

One evening, we were treated to a seafood paella dinner complete with lashings of sangria. The team informed us that the prawns had come fresh from a nearby town on the coast that day and the taste was divine. Another day, we opted to have the chef make us a pizza, and it topped any we’ve ever had before – Italy included!

Final thoughts

It’s seriously remote here. There’s no popping out to the shop in the evening when a late night craving for gelato hits, unless you have a car that is. But it’s this remoteness that makes me fall deeper in love with the property. Apart from taking some pics and videos for social media, I switched off my mobile and really indulged in some nature bathing. The stay was exceptional from start to finish, and I can not wait to return.

Discover more about La Esperanza Granada

But wait there’s more…