My wife and I with our two daughters (10 and 12) spent a wonderful week here between a 4 night stay in Puerto de Santa Maria and 3 nights in Seville. My sister-in-law and her family were over from australia and had suggested a break in Spain, where they had never been. Having stayed at the Cortijo Barranco almost 12 years ago we tentatively suggested it as an unusually tranquil base to explore the surrounding mountains and pueblos blancos (white villages), Arcos de la Frontera being the closest and one of the most spectacular. We are so glad we did. We stayed in the 2-bedroom Arroyo cottage, about 100m from the main house and woke every day surrounded by fields of sunflowers and trees fiiled with bee-eaters and other exotic birds. My sister-in-law stayed in the main house with her husband and young son which they also thoroughly enjoyed, albeit without the incredibly unspoilt views that we had. the staff, coordinated by the excellent Remedios, were faultless. We usually self-catered or ate out in Arcos etc. but one night we had a beautiful meal served in the courtyard, heavy with the scent of jasmine, in celebration of a birthday. All very professionally done - huge range of tapas followed by a traditional and very delicious paella. the swimming pool, as well as the individually renovated cottages, was a great addition since our previous trip. Not 5 star luxury in the sense of hairdryers, minibars etc. in every room but for a sense of place in such idyllic and authentic surroundings it is difficult to match.

My husband and I stayed for 5 nights in July. Flew into Malaga, hired a car and drove to hotel. We did not drive on the motorways and it took us about 2 and a half hours but the roads were excellent and we saw very little traffic. Seville is much closer but do not get put off with the drive from malaga.
As you approach from a small road which incidentally is 99% tarmacked and is not a dirt road at all you see the hotel and it is idyllic. You are greeted by a wonderful lady who speaks English perfectly and nothing is too much trouble.
Our room was perfect. It had a huge bed and was very comfortable. It also had air conditioning which I did not expect from reading other reviews. I popped my head into other rooms and they all seemed to have air con but when you book make sure you ask for a room with air conditioning.
Location could not have been better. Although it appears to be in the middle of the countryside you are only 10 mins from Arcos. We drove to Jerez to visit a sherry bodega and to see the horses at the riding school. Everything was within easy distance.
Swimming pool gorgeous. We had it to ouselves most days.
We did eat one night in the Cortijo but we also like going out. The meal was good traditional cooking and very reasonable as was the wine.
We needed to eat when we arrived and they willingly made lunch for us and charged us very little.
There is a fridge where you can help yourself to soft drinks and beer and there are also spirits if you require them. Just leave a record of what you have taken and they will be added to your bill.
Breakfasts were such a disappointment. Bread, cereal, honey and marmalade. As we were checking out I mentioned the breakfasts and were told we had the option of a cooked breakfast for an extra 5 euros. It was too late and that would have made my stay perfect. It is mentioned on their website but I missed it, so even that is somewhat my fault.
We had room 15 which was just outside the courtyard but next to the pool. As it was a short walk to the main courtyard I felt that it could have benefitted from a small fridge in the room for cold drinks.
To summarise. I loved this place. It was a jewel in the most beautiful area of southern Spain. I will return again and again.

We stayed here for 4 nights in September 2003. This delightful hotel is to be found up a winding track in the hills overlooking Arcos de la Frontera. The views are spectacular and if you enjoy expriencing the real Spain then you'll love this hotel. The rooms are set around the courtyard of the Cortijo and are simply furnished (no TV or Aircon) however the thick walled construction and the breezes generated by it's hilltop location take the edge of the summer heat. There is also a swimming pool on site and a riding school next door. Dining is in the impressive communal dining hall and dinner can be reserved on a daily basis. The cuisine is authentic Andalucian and freshly prepared. If you want to get away from it all and yet be in easy driving distance of some of Andalucias places of interest and natural beauty - this is the place for you!