In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, an hour and a half north of Almería, this brand-new glamping retreat sees the reputable Glampotel group popping up their latest hotel-standard bell tents abroad. Set within a gently sloping Spanish olive grove, with olive-tree-splintered views of the Andalucian countryside beyond, they’ve certainly picked a winner.
After winding down the final dusty orange pathway to the glamping site, guests find themselves settling into their ‘canvas cottages’ for the first time. Under the partial shade of the olive trees, but with plenty of space to soak up the reliably sunny Spanish weather, the light, airy abodes seem a natural fit in the surroundings.
Inside, two of the tents feature king-sized beds, while the remaining four cater to families, with a master bed in the middle and two singles either side. Linen is, naturally, made from the finest Egyptian cotton and en-suite bathrooms feature biodegradable toiletries, fluffy towels and tall mirrors. It’s comfortable and luxurious – faux fur throws and deer’s antlers as dressing gown hooks – yet also suitably rustic. Why shower indoors, for example, when out here you can forget the roof and soak beneath the bare blue skies?
Make tracks due southeast and it’s a 40-minute drive to the nearest sandy beaches around Villaricos. Not that glampers should peg straight for the coast. The local, terracotta-roofed village of Albox, a five-minute drive away, is awash with intriguing history. Flanked by the Sierra de las Estancias and the Sierra de los Filabres mountain ranges, it has historically played an important and embattled role in the area. Today it enjoys vibrant, post-siesta nightlife and peaceful daytime atmosphere, complete with suntanned old gents playing chess outside the cafés. In fact, Albox is considered the ‘cradle of Spanish chess’ and is home to some serious champs. So if you need any pointers, you know where to ask. Just brush up on your Spanish first.
