Fountainhead

Mountainside suite retreat in wildest Andalucia

Fountainhead is just the place to trade the crowds of the costas for the magic of the mountains. This utterly peaceful Andalucian hillside hideaway with an ethnic vibe is made for us-time.

From Our Guestbook

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Know It All

Hit the spot
40 minutes from Malaga, near the white village of Riogordo.

Come here for...
• The cooking – this is one of Andalucia's top gastro getaways • Spellbinding mountain views • Away-from-it-all seclusion • Do-it-yourself breakfasts, with a fully stocked fridge • Your own plunge pool – skinny dippers welcome.

Amenities
There's a restaurant with outstanding cooking and a small bar. Body scrubs, massage and beauty treatments are offered at The Bathouse, which uses Fountainhead's own organic products.

Good to know
The last 2km is a bumpy rustic track – but the views are worth it.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms
Four individual suites

Special features
Suites have themed decor, a private terrace garden with plunge pool and stunning views. You'll find a well-stocked fridge, CDs, scented candles, fresh flowers and binoculars for watching wildlife.

Pillow Talk
Choose from Indian, Oriental, Ottoman and southern US themes: we liked the contemporary style and bold sunshine shades of Arizona, with its primitive art and round jacuzzi bath.

Eat & Drink

Dining in
Its walls lined with owner Peter's culinary paintings, Fountainhead’s restaurant serves outstanding modern European cooking. Olives, almonds and veggies are harvested in the hotel’s own gardens and almost everything on your plate is organic, local and seasonal. Enjoy local game, lamb and fresh-landed fish cooked with olives, capers and lemon – all complemented by an impressive wine list. And if you just want something simple, that's fine too.

There’s also a traiteur (deli) menu on offer during the day, with warm crusty bread and local tapas.

Breakfast
Have breakfast as late as you like. You’ll find a well stocked fridge and fresh bread and pastries are delivered to your door.

Room service
Available any time on request.

Activities

See & Do
You’ll probably opt to soak up the rays with a good book next to your plunge pool, but there’s plenty to do here if you choose.

Wander through unspoilt Riogordo – on the old olive oil and grape trail – where village life is just as it used to be. Go mountain hiking in an area of outstanding natural beauty where eagles and wild orchids are commonplace, or explore the terrain on horseback. Drive to the hilltop village of Camares, with its stunning mountain vistas.

Further afield, you’re an hour from the wonderful Alhambra palaces of Granada, and even less from the beaches near Malaga. The city has a castle and a Picasso museum if you don’t want to get sand in your shoes.

Spa
Wind down in Fountainhead's intimate Bath House, where all products are 100% natural and organic. You can float in mineral-rich Dead Sea salts and essential oils, or book an aloe vera facial treatment, massage, seaweed body wrap, or brown sugar body buff. The candlelit Dead Sea salt bath should float away those tensions.

Diary Dates
Easter
Riogordo’s El Paso passion play is one of Andalucia’s most famous.

May
Count the castanets at the World Dance festival in Malaga.

August
Riogordo stages its own fiesta in mid August.