“Relaxing rustic stay with wonderful owner and clean pool”

Cortijo Molinillo offers rustic accommodation about 10-15 minutes drive south of the small hamlet of Algarinejo. We thoroughly enjoyed our three night stay here and were grateful for the use of the reasonably sized, clean swimming pool and the complete relaxation that the accommodation offered.  … more

Cortijo Molinillo offers rustic accommodation about 10-15 minutes drive south of the small hamlet of Algarinejo. We thoroughly enjoyed our three night stay here and were grateful for the use of the reasonably sized, clean swimming pool and the complete relaxation that the accommodation offered.  We stayed in a rustic, one bed ensuite in a converted barn for €25 per night (3 nights). The room was basic with no TV or telephone. The accommodation does have free wi-fi (password supplied by owner on arrival) and good mobile phone coverage, which is impressive given it's isolated position.  You do need a car to stay here as the local bus service is sporadic. I've included instructions on how to drive to the property later on in the review.  The owner (Enrique) lives on-site and could not be more friendly on our arrival. Enrique was able to provide help and advice throughout the course of our stay and was the most affable man we met during our three week visit to Andalucia. There is a clean, well maintained swimming pool and lovely lawned area to the rear of the property. Several sun loungers are provided. There is also a terrace with tables and chairs, which are perfect for a romantic homemade dinner whilst soaking in the tremendous views south towards Loja. Unfortunately the romantic dinner took an unexpected turn when I made an ill advised quip about my girlfriend, to my girlfriend, which resulted in a headlock induced apology from me seconds later. Luckily there was no long-term damage and the physical wounds were merely superficial. Incidently, the nearest hospital is in Loja, about 30 mins south.  Our room did not have a kitchen but most of the other units do have self-catering facilities.  Our room and bathroom were spotlessly clean and we did not miss having a TV etc. The room did not have air-con but due to the thickness of the walls, the room stayed cool despite the 36 degree heat outside. Our best sleeps of the holiday were at Cortijo Molinillo.  During our stay we visited Montefrio,  Iznájar and Priego. Three night's may have been a little too long here as the property is quite isolated and there is not a huge amount to do in the area. However, even in September the weather was still very warm and it was a pleasure to lounge around the pool. The area is extremely quiet apart from the odd cricket or birdsong. It is impossible not to feel relaxed staying here.  The nearest settlement with a shop is Algarinejo. It has a pretty church, a handful of unappetising looking bars, a small grocery store and one of the most exciting and creative restaurants in Andalucia (Casa Piolas - see the reviews for this on tripadvisor or the glowing tribute on the 'Dining Secrets of Andalucia' website). The 'city' also has the ubiquitous staring elderly men dressed in braces that are typical of other settlements in rural Andalucia. The Algarinejo old man is a particularly gawking gentleman and one occasion a man was so focused on staring at us that he tripped over a speedbump and dropped his churros.  The proximity to Casa Piolas was the main reason why we booked Cortijo Molinillo and the meal we had there was superb. We had the €50, multi-course (I think there were 13-15 courses) menu degustación (tasting menu) but Casa Piolas does also offer wonderful and inventive cheap tapas and more affordable set menu options than the gastronomic marathon that we enjoyed on our first night at Cortijo Molinillo.  On the second night we needed a rest after such a wonderful dining experience we just drove to the grocery store in Algarinejo and shared a wonderful and cheap bottle of white Albariño wine (€4) and a selection of jamón and cheese, whilst watching the sun set from the communal veranda near the apartment.  On the third night (a Sat night) we attempted to return to Casa Piolas for tapas but unfortunately the owners were taking a well deserved break and the bar / restaurant was shut. The other bars in Algarinejo did not look particularly welcoming, so we headed back to the apartment with some more ham, cheese, wine and a jar of olives.  I think breakfast is provided for a small additional fee but we chose to head into Algarinejo and annoy the staff at the grocery star with our demands for two slices of jamón iberico. We paid by Visa on departure. We had to leave at 8am and informed Enrique the night before. He was waiting for us at 8am looking sleepy-eyed and humming the opening lines to Lucha de Gigantes  Montefrio is about 25 mins drive to the west, Loja about 25 mins drive to the south, Iznájar 30 mins to the west and Priego de Cordoba 30 mind to the north.  Please be aware that the property is not in Algarinejo. We arrived from Montefrio (the east). Follow the signposts towards Algarinejo until you reach a junction with minimal road markings. Straight on is Algarinejo (6km away). You need to follow the road to Loja, once you reach this junction (Loja is 26-28km south of this junction). Turn left at the junction and follow the very windy road up the hill for roughly 6km (we assumed that we had missed it when we arrived because you head further and further away from Algarinejo. If you reach Zagra you have gone too far). From what I remember, the turn off for Cortijo Molinillo is between the 25 and 24 blue kilometre markers on the side of the road. As you travel south the turn-off will be a very sharp right. There is a small sign on the roadside saying 'Cortijo Molinillo' and a rickety bus shelter.  After turning off the main road, head along a semi-paved dirt track for about a further a kilometre and as you rise a small incline to the right, the property will be on your left hand side. There is plenty of free parking. The road was slightly uneven but fine for any vehicle. There should not be a problem negotiating this track, even in winter.  It is easier arriving from the south, via Loja.  So, Cortijo Molinillo offers clean, rustic accommodation with a swimming pool within 15 mins drive of one of the best rural restaurants in Andalucia. 

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