Staying on the 350-hectare Finca La Bobadilla Luxurious Lodge & Property means being immersed within the charming essence of Andalusia. Set within the Sierra de Loja between Málaga and Granada, this historic cortijo has been remodeled by Unico Resorts into the last word expression of subtle countryside luxurious, the place rolling hills dotted with historical olive groves and holm oak forests create an totally genuine Andalusian expertise.
I used to be lucky to remain this Spring, among the many first to expertise the property since Unico Resorts acquired this property. Apparently, I had been right here earlier than after I was a lot youthful, some 25 years in the past, and it was a delight to return and be as soon as once more immersed in such quintessential Andalusian appeal and nature, but now with the subtle and curated perspective of Unico Resorts.
Andalusian Attraction Reimagined
Unico Resorts are the right custodians of this property as they honestly perceive bespoke, boutique hospitality and know how one can reimagine properties for the twenty first century whereas retaining appeal and a way of place.
The lodge’s structure is impressed by Andalusian haciendas and cortijos with picket ceilings, arches, and terracotta flooring. Pure supplies create a heat ambiance, whereas the gardens have been redesigned by famend Spanish landscaper Rocío Saez de Rojas to combine with the encompassing panorama. The property contains a beautiful swimming pool of over 1,000m², with area for {couples} and households to seek out their good spot to unwind.
A New Chapter
Unico Resorts has nice plans for this finca luxurious lodge and property for the approaching years however already in a short while has remodeled it. The expertise begins as quickly as you flip off the nation freeway and go by the doorway to the massive property. Right here new plantings of Mediterranean fragrant crops like lavender and herbs are flourishing. A winery is taking form, and new signage leads you to the finca, a small hamlet of sensible white set amongst pine and historical holm oak bushes and surrounded by mountains. It actually is essentially the most lovely setting.
The property’s eating excellence begins with the Michelin Information acclaimed La Finca restaurant, the place chef Fernando Arjona creates distinctive delicacies celebrating regional flavours, from Riofrío caviar to succulent Iberian ham and revolutionary preparations of native elements.
The principle cortijo surrounds a historic paved courtyard with a stone fountain, whereas the Move Spa gives sanctuary with its heated indoor pool, Finnish sauna, and signature therapies utilizing native olive oil essences. The chapel homes one in all Spain’s largest non-ecclesiastical organs, including cultural depth to this outstanding property that seamlessly blends heritage with modern luxurious.
Lodging with Soul
The rooms vary from 26m² Deluxe Rooms to spectacular 200m² suites, every uniquely designed with noble supplies together with wooden, marble, and cast iron. My advice is the extraordinary Hacienda Tower Suite – an genuine gem of the lodge spanning 130m² with Andalusian design, a spacious residing space, luxurious toilet, personal sizzling tub, and enormous terrace providing breathtaking panoramic views.
For final luxurious, the Encinar Grand Double Suite at 200m² options two bedrooms, one with a personal jacuzzi, elegant front room with excessive ceilings, picket flooring, and a grand hearth. The Cortijo Grand Double Suite blends Andalusian appeal with fashionable luxurious throughout 180m², providing two bedrooms, sizzling tub, and enormous terrace with panoramic views.
In-room facilities embody native Andalusian wines, treats from the pastry cooks and turndown items that inform tales of different Unico Lodge properties, just like the lavender hand cream from The Lodge Mallorca or olive oil from Finca Serena.
Adventures and Actions
With over 350 hectares of nature, the property invitations exploration of each nook. There are new stables with horses, so company can expertise horseback using amongst the forest and trails. Even in case you have no expertise, the professionals can be there to information you, taking each precaution to ensure you have a secure and superb expertise. This on the golden hour, was actually unforgettable, catching views and vistas of the nice and cozy solar throughout the rolling panorama of forest and farmland.
In every visitor room and suite is a replica of ‘Past’ the curated journey information created for company of Unico Resorts. This insightful guide gives inspiration for immersive experiences at Finca la Bobadilla, from a calendar of native occasions to eating concepts and actions.
I notably loved the picnic expertise. They will set it up within the kitchen backyard, surrounded by lush fragrant herbs and crops or take you out within the 4×4 to benefit from the picnic underneath a tree, savouring chilly cuts, native cheese, salads and fruit and chilled bottle of natural wine, like the sumptuous rosé from Bodegas Gross Hermanos, from the Sierras de Málaga appellation.
For an effective way to begin the day, take out the e-bikes for an early morning journey alongside signposted trails that enchantment to all talents, from accessible inexperienced to more difficult crimson trails. Mountain climbing could be a pleasure linked to nature, the sounds of songbirds, the scent of fragrant wild rosemary and thyme, and the sight of seasonal wildflowers or the moss-clad oak bushes.
The property additionally options tennis, padel and petanque courts, plus pickleball courts being added. For golf lovers, the lodge offers entry to over 70 world-class golf programs within the Málaga area, together with the Antequera Golf Course with 18 holes simply half-hour away, with tools rental and switch providers organized.
In autumn, the lodge plans to host a music competition within the chapel, that includes the historic organ and musicians from the Conservatory of Music in Loja, involving each company and the area people. Conventional Andalusian video games like petanca and juego de herradura (horseshoe throwing) can be found, together with a pond the place households can uncover turtles. There are additionally themed nights that includes BBQs with dwell Andalusian music and conventional rice dishes.
Eating Excellence
Eating begins generously with breakfast within the Backyard Lounge, having fun with native specialities together with Andalusian honey.
El Mirador restaurant gives poolside eating with views over the lodge’s gardens, that includes regional classics from gazpacho and fried artichokes with lime mayonnaise to Wagyu burgers and wood-fired Iberian secreto.
La Finca restaurant, Michelin Information acclaimed, showcases the mastery of Fernando Arjona within the kitchen with José Briones making certain impeccable service within the eating room.
My dinner expertise highlighted the restaurant’s menu, starting with a tasting of breads, olive oil, butter and pâté, adopted by Adora tomato with pistachio pesto and Málaga-style cured anchovy. Most important programs of double-cooked crimson snapper with spring mushrooms and Marcona almonds, and succulent suckling goat shoulder with creamy Cádiz potatoes and oyster mushrooms have been a deal with. The meal concluded superbly with Andalusian cheeses accompanied by bitter orange from La Finca, and strawberries with white chocolate and bergamot.
The broader menu celebrates Andalusian flavours with specialities like Riofrío Essence Naccarii caviar, creamy croquettes with Iberian ham, and Cordoban-style salmorejo with roasted apricots.
There are pop-up gastronomic experiences too, from the favored BBQ nights with dwell music from flamenco or Andalusian guitarists, creating memorable evenings underneath the celebrities on the expansive terraces.
Wellness Sanctuary
Move Spa gives a singular wellness expertise in a chic area designed for rest and tranquillity. The unique amenities embody an indoor heated pool with counter-current swimming, fashionable therapy rooms, Finnish sauna, Turkish tub, distinction showers, and thermal loungers. There’s additionally a chic magnificence, hairdressing, and make-up salon good for particular occasions.
The spa’s signature Olive Oil Ritual is a must-experience 90-minute therapy that includes exfoliation and therapeutic massage utilizing Additional Virgin Olive Oil, Candy Almond Oil and Rosemary essences, an ideal introduction to your Finca Bobadilla keep. Pablo, my spa therapist, was calming {and professional}, making certain a really stress-free expertise. Remedies use merchandise from Natura Bissé and Massada manufacturers, famend for his or her excellence and revolutionary approaches to skincare.
The health space contains a naturally lit area outfitted with high-end Technogym machines, together with two treadmills, an elliptical coach, stationary bikes, rowing machine, a multifunctional machine, abs bench, and a weight bench.
Swimming pools and Gardens
The massive swimming swimming pools, set inside the gardens shaded by palms, imply that there’s greater than sufficient area and sunbeds for each visitor to have their second of rest.
Connoisseur Tour
Throughout my keep, I visited Rio Frio Caviar, the world’s solely natural caviar maker, which nurtures sturgeon with care for many years in its immaculate river swimming pools, fed by the cool contemporary waters of the native Rio Frio.
The lodge will organize a personal go to, a scrumptious expertise the place you not solely have a tasting of the award-winning caviars but additionally go to the river swimming pools. You’re given waders, and with the information you possibly can enter the swimming pools, be amongst the docile sturgeon and study firsthand the revolutionary, world-class natural strategies used to rear and nurture these mild giants for many years earlier than harvesting the caviar.
Riofrío enjoys distinctive circumstances on this peaceable village in Loja, the place the native Acipenser naccarii thrived for hundreds of years. The fish farm, established by aquaculture pioneer Physician Domezain, recreates essentially the most pure atmosphere doable. Situated at the same latitude to the south of the Caspian Sea, with Andalusia’s sunny local weather, the water stays a continuing 14-15°C.
Riofrío Caviar is internationally recognised for its excellence and nuanced flavour, favoured by gourmets worldwide and quite a few Michelin-starred cooks. This can be a actually one-off expertise and is for anybody all for gastronomy, native produce, and animal welfare and nature.
The Essence of Andalusia
Finca La Bobadilla captures what Andalusia represents within the imaginations of tourists. Attraction, historical past, tradition, and delicacies, and all with the fabulous Southern Spanish local weather.
Supply hyperlink
