Located in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema, Hotel Al Lago overlooks the spring fed lake of Zahara de la Sierra, a heritage Pueblo Blanco.

The rooms at Al Lago are spacious and charming, each with french doors and balconies that open out to face the lake and mountains. There are large comfy beds with high quality linens and bathrooms faced in local Ronda stone with modern fixtures, walk in wet room showers and handmade soaps. Guests can make use of the private sunroof terrace and sitting area with an assortment of magazines and wifi.

The bar is open all day and guests can order drinks and hot or cold tapas as well as baked goodies throughout the day.

Walking routes start at the doorstep and the hotel is able to book permits for guests to enter the Garganta verde and Pinsapar forest. Guided hikes and bird watching tours as well as horseback riding, tandem paragliding flights and kayaking, during summer months, can also be arranged. Zahara is well located as a base from which to explore other white villages such as Grazalema and Olvera or to make day trips to Sevilla and Jerez. Visits to wine bodegas in the Ronda area and the olive oil mills in Zahara itself are also popular.

Al Lago is family run and very relaxed, whilst offering all the modern ammenities a traveller needs. Stefan and Mona are happy to advise on local activities and to organise airport pickups if needed.

Restaurant:

The menu at Al Lago brings the traditional Spanish kitchen into the modern day with an emphasis on lighter, fresher local produce prepared with the influences of diverse backgrounds; Chef Stefan Crites, a native of Columbus Ohio, earned his chef stripes in the kitchens of New York for 15 years. His wife Mona, who manages the restaurant and hotel, is a former textile designer who grew up in England of Indian and Pakistani parentage.

In summer the fishmonger scours the world famous fish market in Cadiz for plump sardines, sea anemonies, sushi grade tuna, razor clams and sea bass which are simply grilled with rosemary from the hotel garden. In winter the hunting season starts in earnest and there is a bounty of game on offer; wild boar, partridge, venison, rabbit and quail. The menu turns to heartier rustic dishes often braised in Rioja wine and with locally foraged mushrooms.

Lettuces, berries and vegetables are grown in the huertas (orchards) surrounding the village and are largely organic. The tinkling of goat bells heard everywhere in the village lets you know that great goats cheese is close by! Zahara´s fresh goat´s cheese, similar to a mozzarella and very gentle in flavour, is toasted on top of a grilled vegetable plate. The semi-cured and cured hard cheeses are on offer as a starter paired with home made quince jam or the soft cheese as a dessert drizzled with honey.

All desserts at Al Lago are homemade and offer a variety not normally found in the area, the New York style cheesecake being consistently the best seller for the past 4 years. The bodega (wine cellar) is stocked full with Spanish, especially, local wines; both the chef and his wife are huge fans of Ronda wines and are keen to introduce these gems to their customers. Every day they offer a five course Chef´s tasting menu, which changes seasonally and is available for a minimum of 2 people and with local wine pairings if desired.

A Word From the Owner:

"At Al Lago a warm welcome awaits you, and our restaurant, renowned for its locally sourced well thought out menu, is open every day in summer and 6 days a week in winter. We endeavour to provide a relaxing, comfortable environment for you and are happy to organise activities for you and your family to enjoy during your stay."

Hotel Amenities:

IN THE HOTEL	IN YOUR ROOM
Bar Restaurant Terrace Car parking Bicycle hire (prior arrangement)	Flat-screen television Internet En-suite bathroom Hair dryer Air-conditioning and heating

Nearby Amenities:

Local swimming pool
Lake beach
Horse riding around the lake
Cycling (follow the Via Verde)
Cave exploring at the Cueva del Gato
Hiking in the Garganta verde
Bird watching

Places to visit:
Pueblos Blancos
Ronda (Tajo bridge, bullring)
Cádiz
Jerez (sherry bodegas)

What We Say:

Stefan and Mona have brought their special skills to Al Lago (cooking and interior design respectively) and created a boutique hotel in a beautiful location right beside a stunning lake, enveloped in the equally stunning Sierra Grazalema. Many visitors come here especially for the food.

From the Guestbook:

We will welcome your comments after you have visited this hotel. Send a review.

 

Room Rates in Euros (2012)
	High Season	Mid Season	Low Season
	30 Mar - 30 Jun 1 Aug - 15 Oct	16 - 29 Mar 9 - 31 Jul	10 Feb - 15 Mar 16 Oct - 4 Nov
Double Room	€ 99	€ 90	€ 70
Superior Double Room	€ 114	€ 105	€ 85
Minimum Stay: 2 nights. Currency Converter
Prices are per room per night ( 2 people) including breakfast All prices include 8% VAT Extra bed (adult): € 30 Extra bed (child up to 12): € 20 Cot: Free Single occupancy: 20% reduction Small pets are accepted All bedrooms are non-smoking. Smoking permitted in some areas of the hotel Disabled access 2012 season opens 10 February and closes 5 November. Closed 1 - 8 July. Check Availability     Book Now!    Special Offers

Deposit:

A credit card number and a 25% deposit is required to guarantee a reservation.

Cancellations:

Cancellation must be received in writing (fax or e-mail) with at least 30 days notice. Cancellations between 14 and 30 days notice will be charged the deposit. Later cancellations and no-shows will be charged for the full reservation.