Finca La Bobadilla Review

Staying at the 350-hectare Finca La Bobadilla Luxury Hotel & Estate means being immersed in the captivating essence of Andalusia. Set in the Sierra de Loja between Málaga and Granada, this historic cortijo has been transformed by Unico Hotels into the ultimate expression of sophisticated countryside luxury, where rolling hills dotted with ancient olive groves and holm oak forests create an utterly authentic Andalusian experience.

I was fortunate to stay this Spring, among the first to experience the property since Unico Hotels acquired this estate. Interestingly, I had been here before when I was much younger, some 25 years ago, and it was a delight to return and be once again immersed in such quintessential Andalusian charm and nature, yet now with the sophisticated and curated perspective of Unico Hotels.

Andalusian Charm Reimagined

Unico Hotels are the perfect custodians of this estate as they truly understand bespoke, boutique hospitality and know how to reimagine properties for the 21st century while retaining charm and a sense of place.

The hotel’s architecture is inspired by Andalusian haciendas and cortijos with wooden ceilings, arches, and terracotta floors. Natural materials create a warm atmosphere, while the gardens have been redesigned by renowned Spanish landscaper Rocío Saez de Rojas to integrate with the surrounding landscape. The estate features a stunning swimming pool of over 1,000m², with space for couples and families to find their perfect spot to unwind.

A New Chapter

Unico Hotels has great plans for this finca luxury hotel and estate for the coming years but already in a short time has transformed it. The experience begins as soon as you turn off the country highway and pass through the entrance to the large estate. Here new plantings of Mediterranean aromatic plants like lavender and herbs are flourishing. A vineyard is taking shape, and new signage leads you to the finca, a small hamlet of brilliant white set amongst pine and ancient holm oak trees and surrounded by mountains. It truly is the most beautiful setting.

The estate’s dining excellence begins with the Michelin Guide acclaimed La Finca restaurant, where chef Fernando Arjona creates exceptional cuisine celebrating regional flavours, from Riofrío caviar to succulent Iberian ham and innovative preparations of local ingredients. 

The main cortijo surrounds a historic paved courtyard with a stone fountain, while the Flow Spa offers sanctuary with its heated indoor pool, Finnish sauna, and signature treatments using local olive oil essences. The chapel houses one of Spain’s largest non-ecclesiastical organs, adding cultural depth to this remarkable property that seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary luxury.

Accommodation with Soul

The rooms range from 26m² Deluxe Rooms to spectacular 200m² suites, each uniquely designed with noble materials including wood, marble, and forged iron. My recommendation is the extraordinary Hacienda Tower Suite – an authentic gem of the hotel spanning 130m² with Andalusian design, a spacious living area, luxurious bathroom, private hot tub, and large terrace offering breathtaking panoramic views.

For ultimate luxury, the Encinar Grand Double Suite at 200m² features two bedrooms, one with a private jacuzzi, elegant living room with high ceilings, wooden floors, and a grand fireplace. The Cortijo Grand Double Suite blends Andalusian charm with modern luxury across 180m², offering two bedrooms, hot tub, and large terrace with panoramic views.

In-room amenities include local Andalusian wines, treats from the pastry chefs and turndown gifts that tell stories of other Unico Hotel properties, like the lavender hand cream from The Lodge Mallorca or olive oil from Finca Serena.

Adventures and Activities

With over 350 hectares of nature, the estate invites exploration of every corner. There are new stables with horses, so guests can experience horseback riding amongst the forest and trails. Even if you have no experience, the professionals will be there to guide you, taking every precaution to make sure you have a safe and amazing experience. This at the golden hour, was truly unforgettable, catching views and vistas of the warm sun across the rolling landscape of forest and farmland.

In each guest room and suite is a copy of ‘Beyond’ the curated travel guide created for guests of Unico Hotels. This insightful book offers inspiration for immersive experiences at Finca la Bobadilla, from a calendar of local events to dining ideas and activities.

I particularly enjoyed the picnic experience. They can set it up in the kitchen garden, surrounded by lush aromatic herbs and plants or take you out in the 4×4 to enjoy the picnic under a tree, savouring cold cuts, local cheese, salads and fruit and chilled bottle of organic wine, like the splendid rosé from Bodegas Gross Hermanos, from the Sierras de Málaga appellation.

For a great way to start the day, take out the e-bikes for an early morning adventure along signposted trails that appeal to all abilities, from accessible green to more challenging red trails. Hiking can be a joy connected to nature, the sounds of songbirds, the smell of aromatic wild rosemary and thyme, and the sight of seasonal wildflowers or the moss-clad oak trees.

The estate also features tennis, padel and petanque courts, plus pickleball courts being added. For golf enthusiasts, the hotel provides access to over 70 world-class golf courses in the Málaga region, including the Antequera Golf Course with 18 holes just 30 minutes away, with equipment rental and transfer services arranged.

In autumn, the hotel plans to host a music festival in the chapel, featuring the historic organ and musicians from the Conservatory of Music in Loja, involving both guests and the local community. Traditional Andalusian games like petanca and juego de herradura (horseshoe throwing) are available, along with a pond where families can discover turtles. There are also themed nights featuring BBQs with live Andalusian music and traditional rice dishes.

Dining Excellence

Dining begins generously with breakfast in the Garden Lounge, enjoying local specialities including Andalusian honey.

El Mirador restaurant offers poolside dining with views over the hotel’s gardens, featuring regional classics from gazpacho and fried artichokes with lime mayonnaise to Wagyu burgers and wood-fired Iberian secreto.

La Finca restaurant, Michelin Guide acclaimed, showcases the mastery of Fernando Arjona in the kitchen with José Briones ensuring impeccable service in the dining room.

My dinner experience highlighted the restaurant’s menu, beginning with a tasting of breads, olive oil, butter and pâté, followed by Adora tomato with pistachio pesto and Málaga-style cured anchovy. Main courses of double-cooked red snapper with spring mushrooms and Marcona almonds, and succulent suckling goat shoulder with creamy Cádiz potatoes and oyster mushrooms were a treat. The meal concluded beautifully with Andalusian cheeses accompanied by bitter orange from La Finca, and strawberries with white chocolate and bergamot.

The broader menu celebrates Andalusian flavours with specialities like Riofrío Essence Naccarii caviar, creamy croquettes with Iberian ham, and Cordoban-style salmorejo with roasted apricots.

There are pop-up gastronomic experiences too, from the popular BBQ nights with live music from flamenco or Andalusian guitarists, creating memorable evenings under the stars on the expansive terraces.

Wellness Sanctuary

Flow Spa offers a unique wellness experience in an elegant space designed for relaxation and tranquillity. The exclusive facilities include an indoor heated pool with counter-current swimming, modern treatment rooms, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, contrast showers, and thermal loungers. There’s also an elegant beauty, hairdressing, and makeup salon perfect for special events.

The spa’s signature Olive Oil Ritual is a must-experience 90-minute treatment featuring exfoliation and massage using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Rosemary essences,  a perfect introduction to your Finca Bobadilla stay. Pablo, my spa therapist, was calming and professional, ensuring a truly relaxing experience. Treatments use products from Natura Bissé and Massada brands, renowned for their excellence and innovative approaches to skin care.

The fitness area features a naturally lit space equipped with high-end Technogym machines, including two treadmills, an elliptical trainer, stationary bikes, rowing machine, a multifunctional machine, abs bench, and a weight bench.

Pools and Gardens

The huge swimming pools, set within the gardens shaded by palms, mean that there is more than enough space and sunbeds for every guest to have their moment of relaxation.

Gourmet Excursion

During my stay, I visited Rio Frio Caviar, the world’s only organic caviar maker, which nurtures sturgeon with care for decades in its immaculate river pools, fed by the cool fresh waters of the local Rio Frio.

The hotel will arrange a private visit, a delicious experience where you not only have a tasting of the award-winning caviars but also visit the river pools. You are given waders, and with the guide you can enter the pools, be amongst the docile sturgeon and learn firsthand the innovative, world-class organic methods used to rear and nurture these gentle giants for decades before harvesting the caviar.

Riofrío enjoys unique conditions in this peaceful village in Loja, where the native Acipenser naccarii thrived for centuries. The fish farm, established by aquaculture pioneer Doctor Domezain, recreates the most natural environment possible. Located at a similar latitude to the south of the Caspian Sea, with Andalusia’s sunny climate, the water remains a constant 14-15°C.

Riofrío Caviar is internationally recognised for its excellence and nuanced flavour, favoured by gourmets worldwide and numerous Michelin-starred chefs. This is a really one-off experience and is for anyone interested in gastronomy, local produce, and animal welfare and nature.

The Essence of Andalusia

Finca La Bobadilla captures what Andalusia represents in the imaginations of visitors. Charm, history, culture, and cuisine, and all with the fabulous Southern Spanish climate.