La Fructuosa

Cheap & chic: a Spanish-owned hotel with stylish bedrooms and great views in the heart of a pretty hilltop village

Gaucin residents know that for great food and a convivial atmosphere Restaurant La Fructuosa is the place to go. Since it opened it's become a firm favourite with locals for long lazy Sunday lunches and romantic starlight dinners on its beautiful terrace. The cuisine is authentic Spanish and Mediterranean; the views of the distant coast are fabulous.

Jesus Balsa and Luis Ruiberriz, the young owners, created this wonderful restaurant and small hotel from an old ramshackle village house. The old wine cellar has been transformed into a cosy restaurant where paintings and sculptures by local artists adorn the walls and the original chestnut beams and wine press remain as prominent features. More recently they have added 5 imaginatively-decorated bedrooms, most with Jacuzzi bathtubs.

An ideal destination for relaxing, walking in the mountains and exploring Andalucia's "pueblos blancos" (the white hilltop towns).

Highs

• Value for money
• Its location in the heart of a pretty mountain village
• Utterly Spanish from its artistic décor to its authentic tapas

Lows

• There's no swimming pool or garden but there is a large roof terrace with fabulous views
• The restaurant is only open Friday and Saturday nights (and may be closed in winter)