'A murmuring sound of water now and then rises from the valley.
It is from the aqueduct of yon Moorish mill nearly at the foot of the hill.'

 

 

Alquería de los Lentos had already been around for almost 300 years when Washington Irving penned these lines in his private rooms at the Alhambra. Perhaps he even visited - he could easily have been describing this enchanting old mill, with its gurgling waters and backdrop of craggy ridges.

Since that time, this rural hotel has become known as one of Spain's most charming country retreats and is the perfect place to spend a few relaxing days unwinding and enjoying the atmosphere of the Lecrin Valley - a tranquil part of Andalucía. Yet this family-run property, within easy access of the sights of Granada and the beaches of the Costa Tropical, is also the ideal location for a more active holiday. The pristine white villages of the nearby Alpujarras region are set in some of Europe's most attractive walking country and the Sierra Nevada mountains are simply one of the world's most beautiful and unspoilt adventure playgrounds. A combination of winter sunshine and cooling highland breezes means that any time of the year is wonderful for a visit to Los Lentos and many guests frequently return to see how this wild and rustic country is transformed by the changing of the seasons.