Palacio de San Benito

Hotel Type: Hotel

Environment: Village

Number of Rooms: 10

Style: Stylish

Prices: from 90.00 EUR to 132.00 EUR

Old world hermitage, new world comforts.

There’s almost a religious magnificence about the Palacio San Benito, unsurprisingly so, as it was built as a hermitage by the order of Calatrava at the entrance of beautiful Cazalla de la Sierra, near the end of the 15th century.

In fact, it initially served as a hospital for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela (the St James Route), but eventually fell into picturesque disrepair. Until, that is, it was acquired by Manuel de Jodar, in 1997. After five years of full refurbishment work, it was restored to its former glory and the end result is that nowadays, the discerning traveler looking to explore this lovely area of Andalusia who will benefit from a pretty impressive stay at this august accommodation. Grand hall windows, numerous paintings and tapestries from Brussels and of Aubusson adorn the area and remind guests in no uncertain terms that this really is a blast from the past, where history, despite modernization, is very much alive.

Even the rooms sound impressive – there’s the Kings Room, Queens Room, Blue Room, Engravings Room, or Bullfighters Room (amongst others). They may differ slightly a bit in size (the Kings room for example, is a grand double) but decor is very much homogenous and owe more than a nod to the past. And the public areas such as the music room, library, terrace and lodge just add to the feel the feeling that the old world is back. Just witness the gravestone reminiscent of the finished works in 1576, or the light wood gold finished baroque rosette that dominates the lodge.

All in all The San Benito can be summed up as taking in history, architectural beauty and still manage bring the modern comforts to life. Hotel services, for example include the swimming pool, the library, the chapel, the sun bathing terrace and the restaurant.

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