Eco-Retreat Yourself

ARE you concerned about the environment? Would you rather take the train than travel by aeroplane, or car? Are you looking for some green, sustainable places to stay? Well, as the summer holidays loom, the Green Guide finds 15 eco-friendly options right on your doorstep around Spain.

Cuevas del Pino

An organic farm for over two decades, Cuevas del Pino is one of the most genuine green places to stay in southern Spain. But it is also a wonderful spot to unwind and relax, being entirely alone, away from roads, and in a huge estate that stretches for miles into the nearby Sierra Morena mountains.

The amazing retreat combines a series of cottages set in a tranquil oasis of calm, yet just 15 minutes from the centre of Cordoba city. Spend a night in its stunning, recently converted cave house, and you will sleep like a baby, serenaded by nightingales.

Best of all, the owner, beguiling artist Pilar del Pino Lopez, is extremely knowledgeable about the nearby arabic site of Medina Azahara and can point you in the best direction as to walking or cycling there. Visit www.cuevasdelpino.com or call 650325861.

Kaano Etxea

For a place completely self-sufficient on renewable energy check out Kaano Extea in stunning mountains in Navarra.

Powered entirely by wind turbines and solar panels, the owners have used Feng Shui to design their five bedrooms, which are made from chestnut and oak wood and even the floors are made from natural materials.

The cost is from 75 euros per night, including breakfast. For more information go to www.kaanoetxea. com or call 948396080/685707277/948396010.

Finca Buenvino

If you have always wanted to grow up on a farm, Finca Buen Vino can help you  live the dream… at least for a few days.

This stunning country estate, hidden high in the Aracena national park, keeps hens, lambs, and pigs, and produces its own eggs, vegetables, herbs, chestnuts, and cork. You can even use these fresh ingredients yourself in one of the hotel’s cooking classes that teach a variety of southern Spanish and Northern African dishes.

Located near the Spain-Portugal border – and less than an hour to Sevilla – Finca Buen Vino has plenty of day-trip travel options if you can bear to leave its gorgeous premises. www.fincabuenvino.com or call 959124034.

Casa la Dehesa

Rated by the Guardian as a “funky little casita”, Casa la Dehesa is located between Chiclana and Conil, only 15 minutes away from the nearest Costa de la Luz beach.

The owners use solar energy to power the electricity, use water pumped from a well and re-use as much rainwater as they can.

La Cabana, in the grounds of Casa la Dehesa, sleeps two but can accommodate three for an additional five euros per night. It costs from 35 euros per night. Go to www.casaladehesa.com or call 678367850/679638074.

Cortijo Balzain

For the rustic-loving, eco-friendly history buff, Cortijo Balzain is the place to go. A 17th-century estate within the Sierra Nevada Nature Reserve, yet close to the legendary Alhambra in Granada, it ticks plenty of boxes.

Cortijo Balzain has nine cottages that can each hold eight guests. Its restaurant is known for cooking delicious traditional Spanish dishes using local produce.

If you visit in the winter, the Sierra Nevada ski resort is easily accessible. If you’re there in the summer, relax by the pool and enjoy the solitude of a mountain sunset. www.cortijobalzain.com or call 952602065.

Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

Often touted in magazines, like Vogue, as one of the ‘best retreats in the world’, it is not hard to see why.

Beautiful simplicity is order of the day for Ed and Henrietta’s stunning escape hidden in a cork and olive grove with unspoilt views that stretch for miles.

Completely zero-carbon you stay in one of the secluded Mongolian-style yurts, which are powered entirely by solar panels and equipped with composting loos, hot showers, and electricity sockets. Surrounded by nature, you wake to wildflowers and hoopoes, hence the name. A holiday in one of the yurts lets you return to nature without having to forgo your usual vacation luxuries.

Best of all, the hotel’s restaurant serves delicious local foods, many of which come from an adjoining garden. If you’re still not relaxed after a few days in the yurt, the hotel offers both full-body massages and yoga classes. www.yurthotel.com or call 660668241

Hacienda el Mirador

The name says it all – stop here for some of the most spectacular mountain views in Andalucia.

Perched high up above the eagle’s nest village of El Gastor, Hacienda Mirador has panoramic views of both the Grazalema mountains and the nearby lake of Zahara. Sit in the pool with a glass of local wine or freshly-squeezed orange juice, and just watch the world slip by.

Guests can stay in one of the three bungalows or in the main house, all built in a traditional Andalucian style and operated in an eco-friendly fashion. Be sure to explore the large finca blessed with picturesque gardens and excellent bird-watching. www.hacienda-elmirador.com or call 606670728.

Refugio de Cristal

For a luxurious break where you can wildlifespot to your heart’s content, stop by the Refugio de Cristal in Toledo.

The place is located next to Cabaneros National Park and uses renewable energy sources, as well as making efforts to save water.

Prices are from 52 euros per night including breakfast. There are details of offers on the website www.elrefugiodecristal.com or call 618448544.

Mallata Rapun

Surrounded by valleys, Mallata Rapun is located in an abandoned village, in Huesca, not far from the French border.

The house maintains a traditional rustic exterior while using alternative energy sources to generate power and it’s made entirely from materials found locally, like wood and stone.

The cost per room per night is from 50 euros, but the whole house with its three bedrooms can be hired from 150 euros. For more details go to www.jaca.com/mallatarapun or call 974337218/685977290.

Alcantarilla

It was recently picked out by the Guardian as a ‘green place to stay’ for its organic vegetable garden and tree-planting scheme, as well as being singled out by the Independent as one of Spain’s Top Six rural retreats.

It is easy to see why.

This beautifully, converted smallholding, near Ronda, maintains its ancient charms and has a breathtaking two-hectare garden and natural, alberca-style pool.

Visit www.alcantarilla.co.uk or call 951166112.

The Lodge

For a quiet getaway with fantastic views, over to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco on a clear day, and only an hour away from Granada, The Lodge could be right up your street.

Situated high up in the Sierra Nevada at Semilla Besada, a conservation research farm in the mountains, there are great opportunities for self-guided walking tours as well as
ample birdwatching to be done.

To help the environment, The Lodge provides biodegradable body-care products, uses renewable energy sources where possible – including to power light and heating in the accommodation – and provides guests with information to ensure their stay is as ecologically friendly as possible.

Prices: A stay for one week costs 385 euros and the accommodation sleeps four. For further details visit www.holisticdecisions.com/thelodge or call 958347053.

Valverde

Situated in the Allyon mountains, La Alqueria de Valverde is a large three-storey house converted into four apartments each accommodating different numbers of guests.

The building is constructed completely from pine wood and stone with wood decorations inside made from oak.

The countryside is within easy reach of the house and there are some great mountain bike trails.

To reserve a room from 80 euros per night, call 949307444/680644232, or visit the website www.laalqueriadevalverde.com.

Casa Olea

Nestled in a sleepy valley in the heart of Cordoba’s famous olive oil belt, Casa Olea manages to be both green and luxurious at the same time.

Highly-rated by the UK press, it is stylish, clean and extremely well run by its owners Claire and Tim, who have excellent knowledge of the region and travel in general, having worked in the industry for years.

The hotel’s heating and water comes from a state-of-the-art sustainable boiler that runs appropriately on olive pips.

Casa Olea only employs staff from nearby villages, and serves mostly local, organic produce. Rent bikes, go hiking or explore the region, including the stunning nearby town of Priego de Cordoba. www.casaolea.com or call 696748209.

Hotel Posada del Valle

If you can’t decide between the beach or the mountains, then Hotel Posada del Valle could be the place for you.

Surrounded by an organic farm, the hotel is close to the Asturian mountains as well as the beaches in eastern Asturias.

The hotel recycles, makes compost from any organic waste, uses local and ecological products as well as producing electricity from renewable sources.

The rooms cost from 49.60 euros per night and you can book by calling 985841157 or look at the website www.posadadelvalle.com.

Cortijo Matacaliente

If you fancy being in the countryside but not too far from the nearest town, then head to Cortijo Matacaliente in Jerez de la Frontera.

The house is a bio-climatic construction, made from mud, wood and straw. All the warm water and heating to the house is provided by solar power.

The rooms cost from 45 euros per night. To book call 658646055/630085170 or visit www.matacaliente.com.