Ronda Hotel
 

Going to be in Ronda in April--2 adults and 2 kids (2&6). Any suggestions? I'm considering Hotel San Gabriel or Hotel Enfrente Arte. Has anyone stayed at either of these? Would either be inappropriate with kids? Thanks!

The Hotel San Gabriel is wonderful! Our room there in October 2004 was large and beautifully decorated in scarlet fabric and dark wood; the staff was warm and friendly; and the hotel is very conveniently located. There was valet parking when we were there. I would love to stay again.

Thanks. Can you say whether you think this property is okay for us with our 2 & 6 year-olds?

Any others have thoughts?

Last try for more info! Thanks.

Another vote for Hotel San Gabriel! I stayed there in Sept 2005. The hotel is just gorgeous and the way it is decorated, you feel as though you are staying in some one's home. (It actually was the home of the owners before they renovated it and turned it into a hotel.)

The kids might get a kick out of the "theater" the hotel has. It is actually a small room with seats taken from an old movie theater that closed in Ronda. There is a larger TV in this room and several DVDs that are available to view. There were some comedies, but you might want to check with the hotel to see if they have kid-friendly DVDs available.

The hotel also has a smallish patio that is quite lovely to spend the late afternoon with a drink while the kids play. (It's fully contained)

I would contact the hotel first and ask what accommadations they have available for adults and children. The staff at the hotel is extremely friendly and helpful and go out of their way to make one feel welcome. They can truly be your best resource, and I would suggest contacting them.

Also, just a recommendation while in Ronda. Just past the bullring, on the same side of the (main) street, there is a park called - I think - Alameda. (If you stay at the Hotel San Gabriel, the staff can give you specific directions) This would be a great place to take kids! Especially the age the ones you have. There is playground stuff there where they can work off excess energy and a very small zoo-like enclosure with a few aviaries and a duck pond. The only people we saw there were native Rondalenos out with their children, and everyone seemed very friendly. It just seems there isn't a whole lot to do for tourist's children in most cities, and then suddenly here was this little park. Plus, it's a great little place to take a paseo after siesta!

I just loved Ronda - it was my favorite city in Spain - and I hope you enjoy!

I haven't been to either one. I'd go for Enfrente Arte if you're into something really special. The owner is a Belgian musician who started the 'project', as he calls his hotel, to create something very different for his guests. He often organizes concerts, video productions, etc. for artists from all over the world. With a bit of luck you run into someone famous while staying there. There's some more info on the concept on their old website http://www.enfrentearte.com/oldsite

Thanks to the replies. Both holels look great. I actually submitted reservation request to both two days ago so I could compare what they offered me. Enfrente Arte has been very responsive. San Gabriel has yet to respond. I'm disappointed. I'm not sure if they're full and they don't reply to requests when they're full or what, but by default we may end up at Enfrente. Chele60 thanks for all the helpful info--I'm going to make a note of the litte park you mentioned. It sounds perfect. Gratefully my kids are used to travel and pretty well-behaved, but even well-traveled kids need a break! Thanks!

Look at these reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Andalusia.html

It seems as if you will not regret staying at Enfrente Arte!

I think I read somewhere that San Gabriel is closed for renovations through March (?) so there may be a delay in responding to your request. Don't give up! (I'm traveling in March and so opted for Enfrente Arte, which looks terrific too.)

"I think I read somewhere that San Gabriel is closed for renovations through March (?) so there may be a delay in responding to your request."

I took a peek at Trip Advisor and noticed that there have been no new reviews for the Hotel San Gabriel since November 2005, so I'm wondering if this is perhaps true. This hotel has consistently received good reviews, and it would be odd they should suddenly stop. I just hope the renovations (if such) are not too "crazy"!

Either which way, samtraveler, I really do hope you enjoy your time in Ronda, as well as Spain, and look forward to a trip report! (Please?? I need to re-live it all again!)

Okay, this San Gabriel question was bugging me (!) so I just checked www.innsofspain.com and that's where I must have seen the notice -- it says, "The hotel is closed from 12 December 2005 to 28 February 2006." It may be possible to get a response through that web page regarding reservations after they reopen.

Moments after I added my last post I read in a guidebook that San Gabriel is indeed closed now--you're right! So they're not ignoring me after all! I went ahead with the reservation at Enfrente Arte. I read through the reviews on tripadvisor and I think we'll be pleased--the free breakfast and complimentary juices will be nice for my kids. Okay so anyone have good restaurant suggestions, family friendly places, in Ronda? We are so excited for our relaxing 2.5 days there! Thanks to all for the help!

My best suggestion to you would be to take Ronda as it comes. You will find that at about 10AM the daytrippers descend upon the town and they will gradually start to leave around 4PM. Just something to keep in mind. There are several cafes and shops that are only open when the daytrippers are in town, so it might be a wise thing to check for hours if you find something you like!

A restaurant that we enjoyed was Don Miguel, which sits directly across from the Parador (easy to find), with wonderful views of the gorge and the bridge. The gazpacho was fabulous! We also enjoyed another restaurant called Santa Poula, on the other side of the gorge from Don Miguel, but it was rather pricey. Food was very good, though. There is a nice little pastry shop just down the street from the Parador (this will all make sense when you get there!), that can make a great treat for the little ones as well. As well, there is also a good ice cream shop on the same street, too.

As far as what to do, try not to rush. Leave that to the daytrippers who will have to. The bullring is, in my opinion, a must. Although it will be after Easter and therefore bullfighting season, so you may have to check to see if it is open to visitors. I think the kids would like it, though. They can stand right in the center of the ring and even climb over the seats. There is a small museum attached that is pretty interesting.

I've mentioned the Alameda Park, which might prove a good "down time" for the kids in the late afternoons. But there are also other, smaller plazas where a small break can be taken to relax with a drink and just people watch and recharge batteries.

Not sure how kid friendly some places are, but Ronda has Arab baths and old Moorish palaces to walk through. Honestly, I could have spent a week there! However, one thing to keep in mind is that Ronda is built up on a hill and everything - and I do mean everything - is either up or down a hill. I would recommend getting a map of the city, but not plan on doing too much. It all looks easy and close, but when you start walking, you either go up or down. Not sure about kids, but I know I was exhausted! Best to pick a couple of highlights and take it from there, IMO.

One of the strangest things about Ronda, for me, was the number of odd museums the place has. There is a broad museum called Lara, which emcompasses seemingly everything - guns, watches, porcelin, fans, etc. But there is also a hunting museum and a bandit museum. Didn't go visit them, so I can't speak to what they are like, but they are there!

I would also strongly suggest that during the day, when the daytrippers are in town, you move away from the main street (unless you are visiting the bullring). The daytrippers have a tendency to hang out there and this is where most of cafes and souvenier shops are located. Rather, try walking farther outside of that area where fewer tourists are. Expect to get lost. It's inevitable. But the people are friendly and helpful, so who cares?

Chele60, thanks so much! I'm going to copy your notes directly into my personal trip guide. The restaurant you mentions sounds great. Your advice is appreciated. Sounds like after a big lunch we should take the rest of the pre-4pm afternoon and scatter away from the tourist center and explore backstreets of Ronda on our own or go back to the hotel for a nap. I'm looking forward to enjoying Ronda after the daytrippers have left!

fyi - we have reservations at hotel san gabriel march 26 and 27. i emailed them 3 days ago with a request for a reservation for parking. they emailed me back in two days. i have had many back and forth emails due to change in our plans and i can say that they respond very quickly. i do suspect that they may be checking their system every other day during the renovation. but overall, they have been the best and most professional of communicators. hope this helps.

For an honest Spanish meal the Parador is still the very best IMO. Or you can just order a few tapas if you're in for a snack.

I've heard many lovely things about the parador restaurant. I think we'll try to have a meal there too. Also I have another random question. We thought we'd use our lightweight stroller around town for our 2 year-old. Is a stroller a good way too go in Ronda? For that matter what about Granada and Seville? Just not sure how smooth surfaces will be and if a stroller would be helpful (little legs get tired quick) or just more of a pain. Thanks!