Cerro de Hijar

HOW such sophistication can be created from a municipal-built hotel is anything short of remarkable. As remarkable, in fact, as the views, which stretch - on clear days - all the way to the Sierra Nevada some 200 kilometres away.

But for six years a trio of trendy entrepreneurs - each trained in the catering industry - have battled to make the Cerro de Hijar into one of Andalucia's 'destination restaurants'.

And the journey is very much part of the fun, particularly if you arrive by bike from Ronda, or on foot from the nearer by Yunquera or Alozaina. Sitting at 650 metres on the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves national park this comfortable hotel is a wonderful escape.