Hacienda Fresneda María by Real Spain Hotels

Such a peaceful, unique escape out in the countryside. If you’re looking to unplug and get away from the noise of the city, this place is perfect. The setting is beautiful, with open views and a calm, relaxing atmosphere that really lets you slow down.

The hotel itself is simple but thoughtfully done. Rooms are basic yet comfortable, with a unique charm that fits the surroundings perfectly. It feels intentionally quiet and tucked away.

The spa offerings are a highlight. There are a variety of massages and treatments available, and we loved the complimentary 30-minute session in the spa and sauna. The pool area is also lovely and adds to the whole relaxing experience.

We tried the dinner menu and it was absolutely amazing. Definitely worth it. Breakfast was also great (available for an extra cost) and a nice way to start the day.

Overall, a serene, off-the-grid kind of stay that’s all about slowing down, recharging, and enjoying the moment.

We spent two wonderful nights at Hacienda Fresneda María and absolutely loved our stay. The location is stunning, surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful olive groves, with peaceful views that make it a perfect place to relax.
The restaurant serves very good food and the overall price-to-value ratio is excellent. What really made the stay special, though, was the incredibly friendly and welcoming staff.
If you’re looking for a charming, quiet place in the Andalusian countryside, this hacienda is a fantastic choice. We would happily come back again!

I’ll start by mentioning the positives of our stay at this hotel.
The property from the outside (building, pool area, surroundings) looked exactly as shown in the photos – absolutely fantastic. The rooms were cleaned daily, and the beds were very comfortable. The staff were also helpful, especially the gentleman working there.
Additional facilities such as the jacuzzi and sauna (30 minutes free per couple) as well as paid massages were definitely amenities worth appreciating.

Unfortunately, there were far more downsides than we expected.
The first issue was the room we were given. It was not the same room as shown in the photos. When we asked about it at reception the next day, we were told that not all rooms had been photographed. Our room had no terrace, and unlike the pictures, it was much smaller, darker, and less attractive. The one we received was nicely decorated but extremely cramped (barely enough space to open a suitcase) with one small window facing a shaded area. The room was not changed for us.

The second problem was the pool – although beautiful, the water was very cold. Many people sat around the pool daily, but hardly anyone went in, and if they did, it was only for about five minutes. The sea water in Nerja was much warmer than the pool water.

Another downside was the food. Breakfast offered a fairly wide selection, but the quality was quite average, with supermarket-style products. For example, the orange juice was not freshly squeezed but diluted store-bought juice. We had dinner there once, which we deeply regret — for the rather high prices, the dishes were very mediocre. The tagliatelle with pesto was terrible (1/10), the Angus beef burger was average (4/10), and only the Salmorejo was fairly good (7/10).

There were a few other negatives as well — quite a few ants and spiders in the room, no fridge in some rooms despite a policy forbidding guests from bringing their own food or drinks (you can only buy from the bar), and an unfriendly receptionist with an Eastern accent who treated us in a rather condescending manner.

Summary

Overall, we were very disappointed and would not recommend this place. It is probably the worst “boutique” hotel pretending to represent higher standards that we have ever stayed in — and we’ve stayed in many across Europe.

We are having a wonderful stay here. The location is secluded, but lovely, set in the middle of an olive tree Orchard with beautiful views of the landscape around. Make sure you have a car so you can explore freely! The hotel itself is spotless and breathes tranquility. The small pool is very refreshing and there are plenty of spots to sit and relax, both around the pool and in other areas. The restaurant serves delicious food and the house wines are of very good quality. The staff are professional and helpful. Our room is cosy, the bed is huge and both mattress and pillows are comfortable, and the shower has excellent water-pressure.

We are really enjoying our stay here and would recommend it to anyone who needs some peace after exploring Andalusia, or wants a comfortable home base to come back to after hiking through the beautiful landscapes.

Paradise on earth, the surrounding mountains and olive trees are the perfect back drop for a tranquil getaway. The location is within an hour of all places of interest. We dined in the restaurant one evening and the quality of the food was fantastic. Our stay also included breakfast and there was a wide selection of continental style food as well as bacon and eggs. We booked a massage and the therapist was very good! The room was spacious, well designed, clean and included everything you might need. Upon returning home, I realised I left a necklace at the hotel and they kindly posted it to me free of charge. I cannot recommend Fresneda enough, the staff and the all the amenities are exceptional.