Cradled above Saleres in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, La Esperanza Granada greets you with all the grandeur of the Alhambra Palace.
Yet, as you drive through the gates and the apricot walls of the hacienda loom into view, you feel a sense of warm familiarity, as though you’re visiting a distant, royal relative.
This feeling is only amplified as you are greeted by name, ushered through the tiled courtyard and shown to your home for the night.
After visiting Granada this Spring, I decided to write a detailed review for those contemplating a stay at La Esperanza Granada luxury hacienda.
It covers everything you need to know about the experience, from the service and styling to the food and facilities, with some common FAQs answered at the end.
La Esperanza Granada: Review
Accommodation
One of just 8 antique-filled rooms, our junior suite offered the perfect balance of local charm and luxury amenities.
Here, a vast king-size bed, 3 sets of terrace doors, and accents of Moorish blue are framed by a vaulted, wood-beamed ceiling. In the bathroom, a gilded sink offered a princely place to brush your teeth, with a spacious walk-in closet to keep your belongings organised.
However, the real crowning jewel of this corner suite was the palatial wraparound terrace – bigger than the room itself, and with two separate sets of furniture for soaking in the views.
If you want to splash out, the master suite next door is a destination in itself. This 2-storey townhouse offers unfettered views from multiple terraces, and a dreamy, whitewashed bedroom.
Downstairs, an incredible living and dining space comes with an open fireplace for cosy winter nights and a butler’s kitchen for intimate, in-suite dining. If you were planning a wedding at the hacienda, this villa would make the ultimate bridal suite.
Atmosphere
Unlike many other luxury hotels, La Esperanza Granada is much more than just a handful of plush suites. This hotel is redefining the meaning of ’boutique’, with unique features you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
From the hand-painted frescoes adorning each Andalusian archway to the distinctly Moorish tiling, the carefully thought-out design is a homage to the region’s colourful past.
This includes a dazzling tiled walkway encircling the immense tree overlooking the valley – a jaw-dropping aisle for any big life event, or simply a soul-stirring stroll into nature.
All-in-all, I would say the vibe was quiet, intimate, and immersive, perfect for a heady romantic getaway with your other half.
We actually didn’t see any other hotel guests during our stay, so it’s perfect if you like to hide away on vacation and have the place to yourself.
If you prefer a more lively trip with friends and family, the hotel can also be booked in its entirety as a luxury 8-bedroom private villa. This would also be a great option for those with children, although family rooms are available.
Location
In terms of location, you won’t be in walking distance of any busy sights, cities, and tourist traps.
But the attraction of this hotel is exactly that – a pocket of intense calm suspended between the crowds of Granada and throngs of the Costa Tropical. Both, however, can be reached within a 30-minute drive, offering the unique opportunity to enjoy all the riches of Andalusia, before retreating to the peace of La Esperanza.
Visit the white-washed villages of the Spanish Wild West, bathe in local waterfalls, and browse for fat, juicy tomatoes at the local market – despite the hotel’s remote location, you’ll never run out of authentic things to do.
When darkness settles over the hacienda, don’t forget to look up from your terrace to enjoy the incredible astronomical display. A mesmerising blanket of stars is made possible by the hotel’s unique location, far from the light pollution of any towns and cities.
Facilities
If you prefer to stay on-site, there is no shortage of spots to unwind in the Andalusian sunshine, with nothing but the smell of forest pine and the sound of cicadas surrounding you.
A stunning infinity pool beckons, with a stylish pool house stuffed with books to help you while away the afternoon. There are also tennis courts if you prefer to stay active, and of course, limitless walks in the surrounding natural wilderness.
More local activities, from horseback riding to flamenco shows and cooking classes, can all be arranged by the on-site staff.
While we didn’t get the chance to try these during our stay, we thought they would be a fantastic option if you’re travelling in a larger group.
Service
As with any luxury hotel, it’s the staff who make or break the experience. Thankfully, nothing was too much trouble, from our (very British) request to have a kettle and teacups brought to the room, to moving our table for breakfast so we could bask in the early morning sunshine.
We were also able to order drinks anywhere on the grounds of the hacienda, from mojitos by the pool to a nightcap in our suite.
Despite the hotel being quiet at the start of the season, staff were ever-present, ready and waiting to fulfil any passing fancy or request.
Food
As with everything else, the food was exceptional, bursting with the fresh local flavours of the local landscape. We particularly enjoyed the sumptuous cured ham, and home-baked cakes and bread for breakfast, served in the hushed serenity of the Alhambra-inspired courtyard.
In the evening, you can enjoy fresh, authentic fare, served in a location of your choice.
Since the hotel was quiet during our visit, we enjoyed paella in the courtyard to ourselves, although we could have just easily opted to eat on our terrace, overlooking the view.
La Esperanza Granada Review: Conclusion
It’s hard to believe the hotel’s travel editor owner bought the property just four years ago on a whim, while on a plane in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For that reason, National Geographic dubbed La Esperanza Granada ‘a hotel born out of madness,’ embodying the tumult of colour and character oozing from every antique piece of furniture. While I wouldn’t go as far as to call it ‘mad,’ the hacienda has a spirited personality that has been playing on my mind ever since.
From the courtyard to the mission bell, the whole experience felt almost like a lucid dream, with scenes straight from the lyrics of the Hotel California. Because while you can check out any time you like, you’ll never want to leave…
**You may also be interested in reading: 2 Days in Granada: The Ultimate Itinerary**
La Esperanza Granada in Saleres: FAQs
Does La Esperanza Granada do weddings?
Yes! I would say La Esperanza Granada is a fantastic choice for a destination wedding, with space for all your nearest and dearest to stay on site.
The mosaic walkway would make a showstopping aisle for your ceremony, overlooking the valley and village of Saleres. View the wedding brochure for more details.
What are the best restaurants near La Esperanza Granada in Saleres?
The closest restaurants near La Esperanza Granada are in a village called Restábal, just past Saleres, which is a short, 7-minute drive from the hotel. Try Restaurante La Marquesina for inventive Spanish dishes in a surprisingly stylish setting, complete with an open kitchen to watch the family of restaurateurs at work.
A more casual spot is Meson La Despensa del Valle, which offers great pizzas and tapas with a laid-back local atmosphere. For good food with a view, Los Naranjos is not much further away, in Melegís.
In Saleres itself, there is a small local tapas bar where you can grab drinks with the traditional free tapa on the side; a great spot for watching the world go by in this sleepy little town.
Where is Saleres Spain?
Saleres is a small village in the region of Andalusia, Spain. It is located about halfway from Salobreña on the coast (Costa Tropical), and Granada, a famous and historic city nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
It takes about 30 minutes by car to get to both Granada and Salobreña from Saleres. The nearest airports are Granada, and Malaga, which is about a 1hr 30min drive away (135km).
What are the best things to do in Saleres?
Saleres is a sleepy little Spanish town and as such, there is not much specifically to do in the village itself. Nearby however, you can visit the lookout point in Melegís, bathe in the waterfalls of Conchar, or visit the olive oil mill in Niguelas.
The local area is known as the Lecrin Valley, which felt, to me, like the Tuscany of Spain. Therefore, one of the best things to do is hop from one hilltop village to another, soaking up the atmosphere in whitewashed town squares and enjoying local arts and crafts.
There are also plenty of hiking opportunities in the local area, most notably, the canyon hike through Barranco de la Luna.
What is the Barranco de la Luna saleres?
The Barranco de la Luna is a spectacular canyon hike with a trailhead just outside Saleres. Translating as the Canyon of the Moon, it involves an adventurous ramble through an incredible ravine, winding its way through the valley with steep walls on either side.
You’ll need to wear comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting wet, as you’ll be wading through knee-deep water at times, perfect for staying cool in the searing heat of summer. You can walk through the canyon and back again, or take the circular route, which both take around 2 hours.
It’s a fantastic option for those looking for an unforgettable and refreshing hike while staying at La Esperanza Granada. You can walk to the trailhead in a matter of minutes from the hotel.
How to get to Saleres?
The best way to get to Saleres is by car or taxi transfer. While there are local public buses to Granada and the coast, they are few and far between and may take a long time to get to your destination. You can easily reach Saleres by car in 30 minutes from Granada airport and 1 hr 30 minutes from Malaga.
If you are staying at La Esperanza, the hotel staff can organise a private transfer to multiple destinations in Andalusia.
Have another question about La Esperanza Granada or visiting the region of Andalusia? Let me know in the comments!
Alternatively, read more boutique hotel reviews here.
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