FINCA EL CERRILLO

I had organised a walking holiday for a Ramblers group with the Finca. We arrived on the 14th March just before the Spanish Government announced their lockdown of the whole country. Much has been said about the hotel and it's excellent facilities and the friendliness of the welcome. So this review is to say how well Sue & Gordon, the hotel owners, and the few staff that were allowed to support us, dealt with a rapidly changing and difficult situation. Something that shows the true value of a great hotel, its owners and staff. As the Sunday was not affected, the most interesting and demanding walk was decided on with Nick, our walking guide who was provided by the Finca. The walk was split into 3 parts so that all of us (20 in total) with different walking abilities were able to take part. The hardiest of us tackled the steep first ascent with the remainder being taken by Sue and Gordon to the start of the middle and easiest section. Hot chocolate was provided by Sue and Gordon at this point, very welcome! We saw some great views despite the clouds. Some of the party were then taken back to the hotel whilst the remainder of us tackled the sometimes tricky and loose path back to the finish. The finish was the Fabrica a local beauty spot, a really nice place to end our only walk. Sue and Gordon then helped us with ideas and facilities to allow our stay for the rest of the week to be as pleasant as possible. We were restricted to the hotel grounds and only two to be seen out at any one time. Social distancing was also strictly observed. However we did manage distant quizzes, a painting challenge and a photo competition done electronically and remote from each other using the Finca's internet. Food was provided at an excellent standard by Debbie the chef and the staff still managed to keep our rooms well serviced whilst we were in other parts of the hotel. It was necessary for some of the party to be certain that they would be back in the UK by the next week, Sue was instrumental in finding out flight availability and assisted with bookings, printing out boarding passes and arranging transport to the airport for those who left early. We were kept informed of the rapidly changing developments, locally in Spain as a whole and in the UK by Sue and Gordon. The rest of the party left as scheduled on the BA Flight on the Saturday (21st). Our stay was made as pleasant as circumstances permitted. Sue, Gordon and the rest of the staff were put under great strain during our stay due to the constant uncertainty of the situation. Their professionalism and the way they kept cheerful and took difficult but necessary decisions to keep us safe and yet happy is a testament to the excellence of their management. Feedback from the rest of the party has been very positive. All enjoyed the time at the Finca, despite not being able to walk as planned. We will be back (all being well) in April next year to do the walks we missed. Thank you for making a silk purse out of what was a veritable pigs ear of a situation.…

Date of stay: March 2020

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Mick V wrote a review Mar 2020

Horsham, United Kingdom338 contributions110 helpful votes

Superb in Every Way

One is always sceptical when reading a super-glowing review but be assured, this is genuine. Our stay at the Finca el Carrillo was simply excellent in every way: a very warm welcome from the hosts who looked after everyone fantastically, good food, comfortable room and a gorgeous location with stunning views We were guided on some wonderful walks by our hosts (+ friends and dog) and their local knowledge was extensive; not wholly surprising with twenty years developing and managing the hotel and living in Andalucia Whether staying on a walking or arts package, or booking independently, you can be confident of a very comfortable stay with Sue, Gordon, Sybil and their excellent team at the Finca el Carrillo

Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple

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LordVelcro wrote a review Oct 2019

Epping, United Kingdom167 contributions66 helpful votes

+1

Beautiful hotel in spectacular scenery with great food

Stayed at the Finca for a walking holiday which we booked directly with the Hotel. The 5 walks we did were amazing, the hotel arranged the guide (who was brilliant) plus the taxis or 4x4s to take us to the start of the walks or pick us up. Plus the hotel made packed lunches or booked us into restaurants or tapas bars for en-route lunch stops. The food at the Hotel was very good & catered for vegetarians & pescetarians without any fuss at all. The lovely Breakfasts & Dinners were eaten at long communal tables outside in what was an unusually warm Andalusian October. For drinks also there's a very well stocked honesty bar which works very well and you can just help yourself to anything you like and just write it down on your own bar tab and then settle up at the end of your stay. The wines and beers were very nice although I did think they were rather on the pricey side. For two nights of the week the hotel arranged for us to eat out in local restaurants which were lovely too, again all taxi journeys there & back sorted out by the hotel. We had a break from the walking in the middle of the Holiday and the hotel arranged a taxi drop off & pick up to old Malaga town. The hotel itself is beautiful, lovely gardens and nice rooms with comfy beds. We had one of the Garden rooms which had a stunning view out across the mountains from the bedroom Juliet balcony door, plus it also had two private terraces . There's also a great pool & sun-loungers which look out across the valley. Even though the pool isn't heated it was fine in October and I swam every day we were there. The people that run the Hotel are all lovely from the owners through to the team of cooks & cleaning staff and nothing is too much trouble. If you like walking in the mountains, then I don't think I could recommend anywhere better than the Finca. Everything was so well organised and we were taken care of in such a nice way by everyone involved in the whole week from hotel, the cooking, the walking and the transportation. Can't recommend this place highly enough.…

Date of stay: October 2019

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Room Tip: Garden rooms

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Wayne B wrote a review Sep 2019

19 contributions4 helpful votes

Brilliant

This wonderful hotel has lost none of its charm and has seen a few changes since we previously visited. There’s new shady seating areas in the garden. We stayed in Garden Room 4, with its own private roof terrace. The food is delicious. The Finca staff are delightful and friendly. If you want a holiday to just relax or be active this is the place.

Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple

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24snowdrop wrote a review Jun 2019

Guildford, United Kingdom5 contributions2 helpful votes

Just gets better and better

Our fifth visit to the Finca was exactly as expected...perfect in every way. We walked for 54 km with excellent variety and challenges but always with the ability of the group in mind. The welcome and attention to detail throughout the holiday was second to none. It is not like any other place, we feel as though we are coming home and meeting up with family. We are booked for next year already. Cant wait.

Date of stay: June 2019

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Trip type: Travelled as a couple

Room Tip: All rooms are different and delightful

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