The Place
‘Very much the family-run hotel; friendly, relaxing and spoiling’ says a recent reporter. Charlotte Scott brought up her four children at the Trasierra, teaching them the business and it feels as much like a home as a hotel. All 11 rooms are individually decorated, with taste and style: the blue and white ‘toille de jouie’ room was our favourite. Not all the rooms are particularly large, but clever decoration and lighting has made each exceptionally charming and comfortable in its own way.
The breakfast room is lavishly stocked with delicious fruits, cereals and juices. If you want a fried breakfast, just walk in to the kitchen and ask – but it may have to be in Spanish. For lunch or dinner you can sit on own private terrace or by the pool, or for larger parties, under the fragrant verandah by the main door. The ingredients come from the hotel’s own organic garden and there’s an interesting wine list. Swimming, tennis and ping pong is on hand, and Charlotte can organize horse riding in the surrounding countryside, painting courses, wine cellar tours, wildflower walks and biking if you book in advance. Likewise massage, yoga or flamenco dancing. Charlotte’s daughter, Gioconda, is in charge of the kitchen and is sometimes the chef. She will arrange for cooking lessons and weekend courses if you can get a group together. On the other hand, doing absolutely nothing in a place such as this is also a very attractive option.