Andalusian peak experience, with horses. Eco-luxury of the highest order, so luxurious it’s not even luxury – it’s nature, curled like La Donaira’s many rose vines at the borders of each perfect view. The star of the show is the landscape itself: rolling meadows of wild flowers as far as the eye can see, spotted with grazing Iberian steeds and dramatic limestone formations. My husband and I stayed for just one night – too short, you will want to stay for at least 3 days! – and we’ll never forget our early evening hike through the surrounding countryside. You can do laps in the long indoor pool and spa (tucked away in a low stone building above the main house), and we highly recommend the tour of La Donaira’s medicinal garden, with its pharmacopeia of natural remedies, as well as a very special yoga-like horse-training experience – except you’re the one being trained to relax on the horse.
The food was delicious (most of it fresh from the garden), the bed a cloud of voluminous white pillows, and the people who worked there both kind and professional. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there when the owner plays the grand piano. That’s when it all comes together: the cavernous main hall with its chic midcentury decor, the purple views, the red wine, the music and the company. Can I live here already?’ No, but you can visit anytime.
