Mr & Mrs Smith

This hotel is a perfect example of the excellent quality and service to be expected at a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel. For a girls’ weekend away we booked the two-bedroom suite and it was absolutely fabulous. From the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed by the manager Javier. At 1pm our room was ready early and we realised that this hotel was going to be the perfect location for friends now all living on different continents and so time together is very precious. The room itself was beautifully styled – the beds are enormous so perfect for friends sharing. There is only one bathroom but it wasn't a problem at all. The view from the terrace was breathtaking and the tub was great – slightly disappointing it's just a tub and there are no bubbles, but still fabulous. The food is incredible; we ate at the hotel for every meal except one night out in Ronda where we took another Smith recommendation and went to Carmen del Ronda. We were lucky to get a table even at 10pm so make sure you book. To maximise our pool time our flight home wasn't until 7pm and the hotel accommodated this amazingly, allowing us to check out at 4pm. They couldn't have done more for us. I can't recommend this hotel enough for a wonderfully relaxing retreat.

We had a very relaxing 2 days at the hotel. We never intended or in fact needed to step outside the walls of the residence. The staff were great, the quality of the hotel was better than expected. Pom the owner was always on hand if needed. We even managed to catch the Euro Finals in the reception with the Spanish staff and other guests much to the pleasure of my wife. The quality of food was excellent although at a high price. We will return without hesitation.

We recommend dragging yourself away from the delights of the hotel for a walk along the valley into Ronda village. A two and a half hour walk brings you to the bottom of the gorge and some steps leave the Calle del Prado to arrive in the middle of old Ronda. It is a lovely walk taking in olive groves, beautiful views across the valley and the approach to the back of the gorge, which is just delightful. You can enjoy excellent tapas at Traga Tapas, before taking the direct route back – one hour through the initially non-scenic selection of car showrooms and garages, before crossing the railway line, after which it is pretty much all downhill – so on your return you deserve a beer or a glass of the splendid house white.

Gorgeous! You probably won't be able to tear yourself away, but if you do, we liked Carmen del Ronda in the old town. Very simple food, full of locals and in a really pretty square.

I know you say you have the hotel review covered but have you got it covered from a single-traveller perspective? No siree! I stayed at La Fuente de la Higuera recently as a single lady (30 something) traveller for a five-day R&R break before travelling to Gaucin to join my partner and his kids. It was just fab, fab fab, fab! The hotel management and staff made my trip very pleasant and I was made to feel so welcome, rather than a hotel distraction. The size and location of the hotel makes it a perfect stop if you're on your own. The suite I stayed in had its own terrace making the awkwardness of dining alone non-existant. No catching the eye of another woman's husband for them to look quickly away or the smug smile, slight touch of her husband's arm from the wife at the next table; only a fabulous wine list to choose from, sumptuous food and simply delightful surroundings. The facilities and the pool were great too. Thanks to Christina, Pom and the team for catering so fabulously to the single lady. Perfect peace too!

Room 5 has a huge terrace above the restaurant overlooking the pool (don’t be put off by this, it’s not noisy) with the most stunning view. Pom and Christina who own and run the place couldn’t have been more welcoming. The food was very good, all veg picked from their own organic garden and an honesty bar full to bursting with Haagen-Dazs. We didn’t leave the hotel for three days except for our meal at the Michelin-starred tapas restaurant Tragabuches. This was without doubt the most incredible meal we have ever had – the tasting menu was a work of art. So good in fact, that we weren’t bothered by the American voice two tables down asking the waiter where the chef had trained as he thought the menu had a 'Catatonian' influence!

This was the most marvellous hotel. Great food and so relaxing. We even cancelled our reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant to stay 'at home'. We will be returning.

We found that when we first arrived in Ronda we needed a moment to gather ourselves and get our bearings and we came across Los Campanas on Plaza del Socorro, a short walk from the car park. It offers an unusual mix of slick interior design and the traditional old men putting the world to rights at the bar. The coffee and atmosphere are great and it seems to have a large local clientele; it's not a tourist spot so much so be prepared to put your Spanish to use. For dinner though, you'll struggle to do better than La Fuente itself, where the food, service and atmosphere is second to none.