We couldn't return soon enough after our fabulous stay in September 2009, once experienced there is a longing to return to The Taray. Once again we were not disappointed.

The Taray for us is a place of tranquility, inspiration and relaxation. Not only is the setting and the hotel a beautiful gem, the owner and staff make it fabulous. Eladio, the owner, is a very warm and welcoming man with a wry sense of humour. His staff are very friendly and so helpful, and nothing is too much trouble for them.

Eladio, his family and staff take great pride in their Hotel providing guests not only with all one would expect from a very well run establishment, but more than that, especially for us, a sense of being cared for and valued.

We have stayed here about four times during the last eight years. This time we decided to stay for a whole week and we did not regret it. The hotel's rustic theme and personal service appeal to us. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Alpujarran scenery. The gardens are filled with attractive fruit trees and palms. The two swimming pools are excellent - there is plenty of room for all the guests, plenty of shade and adequate sunbeds.

The rooms, of which there are only fifteeen, are chalet style each with its own front door. There is a separate lounge with TV (but only Spanish stations are available), the bedroom has plenty of storage space and the bathroom has all you need. It was very hot while we were there so we were glad of the air conditioning.

The restaurant is rustic Spanish style with a very pleasant terrace outside. The breakfast was very good with plenty of orange juice (and other juices), tea, coffee, fresh bread, hard boiled eggs, ham, cheese, chorizo, cereals, yoghurt, madeira cake and best of all fresh apricots from the trees in the hotel grounds. Lunch and dinner were pleasant enough, nothing to write home about but the staff are very friendly (which makes up for the service being a little slow). Eating there is a pleasant experience as the ambience is relaxed and friendly with small fountain in the courtyard and the sound of birdsong in the trees during the day or the cicardas at night . Prices seemed fairly reasonable.

The hotel is about a kilometre from the village of Orgiva where there are some restaurants and quite a few bars serving tapas. So there are just about enough places to go to if you are staying for a week. We drove into Orgiva every time - it is walkable but not in the July heat (even at night it is very warm). There is ample free parking in the grounds.

I would recommend this hotel if you are looking to chill out in a scenic setting. It has all you need, the theme being rustic paradise rather than luxurious or sophisticated. It is not for you if you are looking for nightlife or gourmet meals but I thoroughly recommend it if you want to experience the real Spain.

This is a beautiful hotel situated so there are mountains everywhere you look. You can eat right off the trees in the orchard, the owner is there and happy to help with anything, the pools (one 1 meter, one 2 meter) are lovely. I think there are only 15 rooms so I imagine it doesn't get crowded even during peak season (we were there in mid-late June and there were only a few other guests). We didn't stay long enough to do any hiking, but hope to go back again in the future.

The only downside is the bus ride (or car drive, if you rent one) to Orgiva!!!! The road is just hairpin turn after hairpin turn, climbing up the mountains. Our bus driver whipped around all the corners, eventually making me sick. And caution, most Spanish buses do NOT have bathrooms (plastic bag to the rescue). Bring motion sickness pills with you!!!!!!! Neither myself nor my husband normally get at all car sick, but he was very close to losing his lunch also.

We’ve just been back to Taray for a second 9 night stay, after enjoying the first so much in 2008. Have to say, we enjoyed it even more this time. The owner, Eladio, is a wonderful man, with just enough English to convey his wicked sense of humour. The hotel and grounds are an oasis of tranquility – the perfect place to relax. We found the food very acceptable – not gourmet cooking perhaps, but the menu del dia at €12 a head, including a glass of pleasant wine, is not gourmet price. The rooms are functional, rural, Spanish, with fabulous views to the mountains across the valley, and are kept spotlessly clean. All the staff are very friendly – nothing is too much trouble. With the pool area to do the sun thing, the white villages to explore and great walking country all around, Taray is the perfect Alpujarran holiday retreat.