La Caleta Bay

The area around Granada really is something special. La Herradura is located at the start of the Costa Tropical of Granada, so called because of the tropical micro-climate which prevails all year. This is created by the great wall of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the north, cutting off the northern winds and leaving this little tropical paradise basking in sunshine and mild weather year-round. The small bay, La Herradura, which means horseshoe, is accentuated by the protective mountains which sweep around it. They protect its atmosphere and somehow create the bluest sea and some of the most spectacular sunsets to be found anywhere in Spain.

Our reception when we arrived at La Caleta Bay was very warm and friendly. We were made exceptionally welcome, with drinks, cakes and snacks, and found that this largesse was continued throughout our stay. I had booked a Junior Suite with the VeryChic offer, and we were delighted. The large, bright living room had contemporary furniture, including a very comfortable sofa and all the modern conveniences we could want, while the balcony had a fabulous view over the sea. It was lovely having the kitchenette to make ourselves cups of tea or snacks, and we felt pampered by the soft beds and fluffy pillows in the bedroom and bathrobes and slippers in the large Spanish-tiled bathroom. My niece was especially delighted with one particular, charming little touch: The towels were folded origami-wise into two swans facing each other, making a heart shape of their necks. She said it looked like the arched necks of her beautiful Andalusian horses!

The restaurant at the front of the hotel was a lovely setting for a buffet breakfast, with a good choice of eggs, cold meats, croissants, pastries, and preserves. The hotel staff directed us to a restaurant next door for dinner in the evening, which was another lovely setting overlooking the beach. The food was delicious. We dined on regional Andalusian specialities like cod pil-pil, accompanied by thin slices of fried aubergine. There was a light-hearted, happy atmosphere.

Our excursions from our haven in La Herradura were not confined to horses alone: We had a wonderful time exploring the ancient city of Almuñécar, only ten minutes’ drive away, with its Roman baths, ancient citadel and winding cobbled streets in the old town. But the highlight for the birthday girl was undoubtedly the festival near Granada, which I had researched in advance, of the magical dancing Andalusian horses. It was a wonderful occasion, and seeing the perfectly trained horses in harmony with their riders was unforgettable. I was so happy with the success of the birthday present. And for me, equally unforgettable was the little tropical heaven we had found in La Herradura, the boutique hotel La Caleta Bay.