With its themed rooms, inspired by some of Andalucia´s most illustrious forbears, this quaint little hotel would certainly win an award for originality.

Hotel Amanhavis sits perched on the hilly streets of the village of Benahavis. Once an Arab stronghold, the town is now home to a cosmopolitan crowd, yet manages to retain its strong, Andalusian flavour and unhurried pace of life.

Rooms include The Monastery’s Sanctuary, Christopher Columbus’s Berth and the Alchemist’s Laboratory. Among the most spectacular is the Sultan Boabdil’s Chamber - named after the last reigning Moorish sultan in Granada, whose artistic sensibilities led him to surrender the Alhambra palace without war so as to preserve its beauty.

In this exotic chamber, a silky canopy surrounds the bead, and the walls simulate colourful Arabic tiles along with handmade Moroccan furniture.

The restaurant has been much praised, and serves fresh, inspiring and inexpensive Mediterranean fare.

You can also enjoy views of the hotel’s terrace and pool from the Arab watch tower. The Sultan’s experience costs 171 euros (plus 7 %) per night including breakfast for two.

Hotel Amanhavis, Calle Pilar, 3, Benahavis, Malaga

Urban sophisticats were are at a loss in the Marbella area until the town, best known for its superlative Mediterranean style, discovered the delights of the boutique hotel. The Río Real Golf Hotel really is a gorgeous - and relatively unkown - place to stay.

Perched on the edge of the town’s longest standing golf course, Río Real - which provides a beautiful view, the perfection of the modern design, by top Spanish interior designer, Pascua Ortega, comes as a real surprise.

And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy this haven of chic. Other pastimes include splashing around in the heated rooftop swimming pool, snuggling up with a glass of wine in the huge clubhouse lounge and of course, enjoying a wonderful dinner a deux in the impressive New York style restaurant. The cuisine, which is Basque influenced, comes at realistic prices.

Golf Hotel Río Real, Urb. Golf Río Real, Marbella
Tel: 0034 952 767 232