Patio de la Luz

When we travel to a new country, we often hope our hosts will be locals who know every corner of their land. That is not the case at Hotel Patio de la Luz, yet it is impossible to leave disappointed by Sylvia and Niël. Originally from the Netherlands, their love for the place they now call home is tangible, and you feel it from the moment they welcome you with warmth and genuine closeness.

You are in Vejer de la Frontera, a hilltop town with views across to the Strait of Gibraltar, surrounded by vegetable gardens and orange groves. With its strong Arab influence, the town is a maze of whitewashed houses, and it lies only 15 minutes from beautiful beaches of soft, white sand. It is hardly surprising that Sylvia and Niël fell head over heels for this pretty town, leaving their roots behind in 2020 to start their great adventure here.

The old town house has been rebuilt with great intelligence and taste, blending stone, wood and concrete in perfect harmony. A patio filled with light, greenery and sculptures by Niël invites you to sit with a coffee or a drink in complete tranquillity. There is a small pool for cooling off in summer and, in winter, a Finnish sauna. The six rooms are a good size and wonderfully comfortable, with king size beds. Each one is named after a different light that brightens our lives: dawn, sun, moon...

The atmosphere is creative and relaxed, ideal if you feel like lingering, daydreaming or striking up new friendships. Vejer is a hilltop town with steep and cobbled streets that rewards those who explore it on foot. In summer it is alive with concerts in its bars and restaurants. It is impossible to get bored, and all the while that unmistakable Andalusian spirit remains.