Bathed in Andalusian sunshine, Casa La Siesta invites guests to
enjoy late-morning dips and lazy afternoons in the bucolic Spanish
countryside. Rustic yet refined, this boutique hotel is the
ultimate retreat.

Nestled among the rolling hills of rural
Cadiz province, Casa La Siesta is a boutique bolthole basking
in the
Andalusian sunshine. Owned by the founders of
interior design champion, Bert & May, it has a refined,
rustic aesthetic that charms you into a holiday lull. Thick wooden
beams frame the farmstead’s crackling open fire, clusters of
antique furniture punctuate its butterscotch-stone walls and
aromatic herbs perfume the courtyard gardens.

Set just 10km away from Vejer de la Frontera’s labyrinthine
hilltop lanes and whitewashed artisan-owned studios, this is the
place to follow late-morning dips in the outdoor pool with lazy
afternoons. Devour tapas in tiny tavernas and explore the Moorish
town’s tapestry of crumbling church spires.

Rooms

A bohemian
blend of blonde woods, reclaimed tiles, parquet flooring and
distressed sage shutters acts as a tonic for the heavy of heart at
Casa La Siesta. This cortijo (country house) character pulses
through the hotel’s seven rooms, each drenched with modern luxuries
and the Spanish coastline’s golden glow.

In-room wood burners, crystal chandeliers, free-standing
roll-top baths, monsoon showers with Ren-stocked shelves, plus
sweeping views are par for the course. The self-contained Casita
and Stables residences offer secluded grounds for couples coveting
extra privacy amid the orange groves and lavender-lined lawns.

What’s for breakfast?

Fresh produce from neighbouring markets and the hotel’s kitchen
garden is served table d’hôte each day. Deliciously thick Greek
yoghurt, local honey and seasonal fruits are offered up alongside
hot-from-the-oven breads, cheeses from small-scale suppliers in
Alcala de los Gazules, and eggs cooked to your liking. Even sides
of creamy avocado, amber-shot olive oil and sweet tomatoes plucked
straight from the vines are served on incredibly chic earthenware
dishes.

How about lunch and dinner?

Indulge in a sharing charcuterie platter and Siesta tapas board
poolside, or take shelter in the shaded gravel courtyard with a
refreshingly cold Andalusian staple: gazpacho. The menu changes
daily, but with the wild Atlantic waves teeming with life just 15km
away, look out for salty calamari, spicy prawn salads and meaty
bluefin tuna steaks. Retinto beef and tender pork mains cooked with
Moroccan influences are best enjoyed with a glass of something from
the casa’s extensive wine cellar. (Spoiler: the blush Azul y
Garanza rosé is incredibly light, deceptively potent – and
thoroughly recommended.)

Is there a bar?

A well-stocked “honesty” fridge hums with bottles of crisp local
white wines and Cruzcampo beers just outside the kitchen’s antique
doors, while out in the main courtyard you can pour a pint straight
from the tap at the outdoor island. Huge white sunken sofas,
lashings of soft, festoon lighting and crimson-streaked sunsets add
to the casa’s chilled Ibiza
vibes come dusk.

Amenities

The turquoise outdoor pool, which is heated in spring and
autumn, also provides the perfect backdrop for a spot of morning
yoga
out on the lawn – just be sure to pre-arrange classes with hotel
staff, who can also line up massages, cycling tours, horse riding
and surfing lessons.

Things you should know

If you want to really explore the region during your stay, hire
a car. Roads aren’t particularly pedestrian-friendly and the region
is hilly, so walking to the nearest beach (15km away) or Vejer de
la Frontera (10km uphill) might not be the leisurely stroll you had
envisioned.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid of your shadow: the casa’s
permanent resident, black cat Sombra (Spanish for shadow) is as
friendly – and demanding – as they come. Translation: don’t expect
prime spot in front of the fire each evening.

Within a short walk you’ll find

Well, not much besides green fields and neighbouring farmlands.
However with wheels you can easily hit El Palmar – a wide, sandy
beach with a smattering of restaurants for an afternoon gelato fix
– and the sinuous streets of Vejer de la Frontera’s old town. In a
45-minute drive you’ll reach Spain’s ancient port city of Cádiz
which dazzles with baroque architecture bleached blonde by the
Costa de la Luz’s eponymous light.