The Accommodation
El Jardin al Andalus was designed by the award-winning British architect Chris Williamson – Chair of WW+P. Inspired by Moorish courtyard houses but with a contemporary feel, the hotel is protected by huge metal doors which fold back to let the light flood in and reveal stunning views of the Malaga mountains. Two wings run north-south either side of a large courtyard paved in Spanish granite. The benefits of the highest environmental design standards is evident throughout.
On the east side are five bedrooms, each with a tiled bathroom. The interiors are modern with Spanish oak floors. The bedrooms open out onto private and discreet east-facing breakfast terraces. Each bedroom is provided with Spanish linen, towels and local toiletries made from essences based on the local olive oil and honey industries. There is satellite TV, HiFi and WiFi in all the rooms.
On the west side a large open-plan space has kitchen, dining and relaxation spaces. These open onto a west-facing terrace and heated swimming pool where you can enjoy the sunset. Visitors can stand in the swimming pool and watch the tennis matches on the court below. Adjacent to the tennis court is a spa and hammam. All rainwater is filtered and recycled throughout the property. Shower and WC water is filtered and re-used to water the gardens. Guests are asked to use the local organic soaps provided to assist in preserving the delicate ecological balance.
The building avoids carbon-heavy air conditioning and uses naturally ventilating breezes throughout. There is a wood burning stove for heating inside and a fire pit outside where guests can relax. It is entirely solar powered – 100m2 of solar panels mounted on the roof generate electricity and heat the swimming pool – ensuring crucially important low energy consumption.
The town council were adamant that in order to build on such a stunning site, the property had to conform to the highest environmental standards and act as a School of Nature where visitors would be immersed, educated and entertained by the rural lifestyle. This represents a new type of tourism to meet the demands for those who want to understand and experience an otherwise disappearing rural lifestyle with traditions and heritage.
