Set within the heart of Andalusia, Casablu brought a sense of calm as soon as we drove through the gates. After a week of exploring the mountains by motorbike our trip ended with a stay at this sanctuary of nature, beauty and rest…and was just what we needed.

Driving up the entrance the trees surrounded us and you instantly feel like you’re hugged by nature. A warm welcome by the women at the front desk set the tone and we felt welcome as soon as we arrived. With a tour of the grounds to start and then up to our room we were instantly blown away by the beauty, the quietness and thought that has gone in to every part of Casablu.

What use to be an airbnb has been turned into a luxury 12 bedroom hotel. Equipped with a pool, restaurant, bar, grounds to walk and explore as well as yoga classes and massages, you really don’t have to leave the grounds.

And for the 3 days we were here, we happily didn’t.

On their website it says they operate like a family and I can say with full confidence we felt this. The staff throughout our entire stay went above and beyond to make sure we had the most wonderful time. We were looked after from start to finish with the perfect balance of conversation, care and service as well as having space to be with each other and enjoy the peace of the hotel. The people really were the highlight of this stay and that’s saying something considering how beautiful the place and location was.

We spent our days in the sun by the pool, drinks paired with the most delicious olives. I love olives, so it’s not hard to please me in this area. But my goodness, these were up there. On the first day I went for a walk through the grounds, heading down the tree wrapped path I noticed a pond. Hoping to get some luck with wildife I thought maybe i’d see a few fish but to my joy there was a terrapin. I sat here for a while.

Later that afternoon we went to go and get ready for dinner. I wanted to show my partner the pond life and he noticed the walled walkway that gives you a view of the mountains, hotel and sea. So we headed that way. Whilst up there he noticed another 2 ponds…I’ve never seen so many frogs (if you know me you’ll know i’m a bit obsessed). Bright green ones, babies on lily pads and larger ones croaking away. The variety was beautiful and I visited 3 times every day. When we first arrived we couldn’t work out what the sound we’d been hearing all day was, suddenly we realised it was these little guys.

I don’t know how many other people get as excited as me about frogs but I love them so much. I can’t explain to you how perfect this hotel was for me and my partner for this reason, the amount of frogs, birds and other wildlife really made it feel like you were in your own little world. For those of you not keen on frogs they are far enough away from the hotel you won’t have to see them if you don’t want to…you’ll just hear the calming sound of them in the evenings and mornings.

Andalusia is rich in influence from many different cultures but most prominently by the long ruling of the Moors in this area, which has left it with a strong North African influence. The hotel displayed this wonderfully from the interior design to the food in the restaurant.

Food is always at the centre of our holidays and we aim to get the most authentic when we can. Casablu did not disappoint in their restaurant, Zafir. In the morning there were 3 choices of gourmet 3 course breakfasts. We were there for two mornings, so we opted for the ‘Andalusian’ on the first morning. The Mollete antequerano (an Antequera style bread) with grated tomato and olive oil was the highlight. The next morning we went for ‘Healthy’, the mixed nut granola which was cooked in local honey and mixed spices was the perfect addition to the seasonal fruit plate and yogurt.

The breakfasts were amazing but the dinner was the star of our food experience. On the first night we chose the tuna and we ordered it again the next night it was that good. Also the chips (made from local potatoes) were the best chips I’ve ever had. I know I said the same about the olives, but these chips were incredible. For starters we tried their homemade bread that was paired with 3 different local olive oils; original, garlic and spiced. All delicious, the spiced was our favourite! Alongside this was a tasting platter of nuts, each different and spiced with their own unique blends.

I’ll be honest, when we go on holiday they don’t usually look like this. We don’t ever just stay in the hotel and actually usually book airbnbs/apartments to come and go from. But not once did we feel like we wanted to leave, it truly was the most unforgettable stay. The perfect combination of nature, facilities, food and quiet makes you want to stay. After 5 days of hopping from place to place our 2 nights not leaving Casablu was just what we needed.

I came away from it bursting with inspiration and ideas, and as a wedding and event designer I could not help but think how perfect this would be as a wedding destination.

Thank you to everyone at Casablu for making our stay so wonderful, we hope to be back sometime soon!

Travel Diaries : Casablu

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