Need to know
Rooms
73, including four suites.
Check–Out
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
More details
Rates include breakfast (à la carte and buffet).
Also
Book ahead for spa sessions, dinners and activities, all of which are in high demand during peak season. Private cooking classes must be booked a week in advance. Some suites can accommodate extra beds: the Junior Balcony suite can sleep either two extra children or one extra adult; the Junior Solarium suite can sleep either one extra child or one extra adult. The charges vary. In low season (3 March – 11 April; 17 April – 27 April; 2 May – 22 June; 10 September – 10 October; 15 October – 26 October; 1 November – 18 November), it’s €80 an adult each night, and €40 a child each night. In high season (12 April – 16 April; 28 April – 1 May; 23 June – 9 September; 11 October – 14 October; 27 October – 31 October), it’s €110 an adult each night, and €55 a child each night. Most of the hotel is accessible for those with reduced mobility (including ramps at the entrance), and two of the rooms have been specially adapted.
Hotel closed
La Bobadilla shuts its doors from mid-November to mid-March.
At the hotel
A spa, gym, three swimming pools, four restaurants, a bar, free WiFi throughout, bikes to borrow, a kid’s club and playground, games room, tennis courts, petanque pitch, library, kitchen gardens and a lake. In rooms: LED TV and DVD player, sound system with a USB port and Bluetooth connection, minibar, free bottled water on the first night. Higher room categories have Nespresso coffee machines.
Our favourite rooms
We love a Superior Deluxe with Terrace or Balcony for the intimate leisurely breakfasting and afternoon reading opportunities; the views aren’t shabby either. To really spread out, opt for a spacious Deluxe Suite.
Poolside
The main pool is a lengthy, 1,200sq m outdoors number, surrounded by shady palms. It's open seasonally, from April to October (in these two months it's heated), weather permitting. There are ample sun-loungers, plus Balinese day beds and parasols to hire on the adjacent manicured lawn (a soft drink and a Jacuzzi session are included). It’s open from 10am to 8pm, and manned by lifeguards in high season; poolside drinks and snacks can be ordered from 11am to 8pm. Kids have their own unheated, shallow pool.
Spa
Classical baths-style U-Spa is all tiles, exposed brick columns and high, arched white ceilings; there are four treatment rooms (including a couples' suite with two massage tables and two whirlpool baths) and a hydrotherapy zone incorporating a heated indoor pool with body jets, hydro-massage pool with neck massages and waterfall, plus a solarium, Finnish sauna, hammam and steam room. Book a primp (waxing, mani-pedi) or a pamper (seaweed wrap, anti-ageing marine facial or olive oil body treatments) then relax on roomy day beds by the pool. The spa is open daily from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm; it's €22 a person to use the spa, including its indoor pool. Kids are allowed in the spa, but only 1pm–2pm and 4pm–5pm daily. There's also guided forest walks for those who would rather get out and explore the hotel's impressive surroundings.
Packing tips
Pack your breezy summertime best for lounging about the estate.
Also
There’s also a workout zone with all the standard cardio kit, weights and treadmills, and a hair salon too.
Pet‐friendly
Pups are welcome for €38.50 a day, which includes a bed, bowls and an extra treat for your four-legged friend. We'd recommend opting for the Superior Deluxe with Terrace or Balcony if you have accompanying pets. See more pet-friendly hotels in Andalucia.
Children
Under-3s stay free in cots; extra beds for under-12s are charged at €40–€55 a night; extra beds for over-12s are €80–€110 a night. The kids club is usually open over Easter and in July and August.
Best for
Children of all ages are welcome.
Recommended rooms
Under-3s stay free in cots; extra beds for under-12s are charged at €40–€55 a night; extra beds for over-12s are €80–€110 a night.
Activities
All reservations with children under 12 with a maximum stay of three nights will receive: one day's free spa access (during children's hours); a daily afternoon snack for children; guaranteed olive oil tasting for adults; bike ride through the state, petanque for children and special welcome amenities.
Children aged 4–12 can stay and play at the summer-only (July and August) mini club unaccompanied (free, no booking needed, usually open 10.30am–1.30pm and 4pm–6pm), so parents can lunch, spa or dine quietly on their own. However, younger kids will need an adult in tow. Outside, there’s a gated playground near the pool (open seasonally, May to September) with slides, rocking horses and plenty of shade. Inside, staff supervise story time or colouring-in and additional activities are organised according to different themes (past themes have included ‘Magic’ Monday, where your little ones might make wands, capes and cast their own spells); expect bowling, board games, painting and more. Be aware that if you leave the little ones at the mini club for the 10.30am-1.30pm session, they won't get fed. Tweens and teens have their own (unsupervised) lounge, La Bodeguilla, which is open 24 hours a day for games of pool, and racing Sonic the Hedgehog around a digi PlayStation dirt track; there's even a piano in there for some impromptu ivory-tinkling.
Swimming pool
This main pool is open 10am–8pm; in high season, it's manned by lifeguards all day. Kids have their own unheated, shallow pool (BYO floats and toys).
Meals
El Cortijo and provides highchairs, beakers and bowls plus mini pasta and fish dishes on kids’ menus that go beyond the standard sausages or burgers (it’s the same menu in all the restaurants, though); and chefs are happy to whip up baby purées on request. La Finca is a more grown-up affair.
Babysitting
Local English-speaking babysitters are available for around €35 an hour, excluding tax at 21 per cent; minimum bookings apply. Book at least two days in advance.
Sustainability efforts
La Bobadilla is an eco pioneer, being the first luxury hotel to use ultra-sustainable olive-stone biomass fuel as an energy source for its heating and hot water; this has allowed the hotel to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent and to cut its energy consumption by 45 per cent. It’s committed to water efficiency and the reduction of waste and the structure of the buildings allows them to maintain constant temperatures. Local products and artisans shine in the menu options and there’s an organic kitchen garden too.
And a local focus? You bet. All of the employees are local hires from small villages nearby and the hotel donates unused furniture and other goods to local social organisations. Guests looking for green activities can visit Antequera Dolmens Site or book a local olive oil experience or an eco caviar tasting.
