Refugio Marnes

• Sleeps: 2
• Bedroom: 1
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 7 nights

Forget the crowded beaches of Benidorm: peace, tranquility and beauty are all assured with a stay at Refugio Marnes, comprising fifty stunning acres of Spanish agricultural land infused with traditional culture and history.

Surely it would be hard not to feel relaxed in a nature-steeped finca scattered with sweet-scented carob, olive and almond trees? Arriving on the elevated mountain site will feel as though you’ve wound time back to a more satisfying age, when life was lived simply and naturally.

Home to a range of environmentally sustainable accommodation (all electricity is solar-generated), you can take an enlivening dip in the emerald-green tiled pool and soak up the serene beauty of your surroundings.

La Jaima, a luxuriously spacious 10 x 5 metre Bedouin tent decked in vibrant colour, is ideal for two guests looking for an unforgettable rural glamping experience.

Bespoke-constructed from specially imported materials, by a master craftsman who has created tent lodges for Moroccan royalty, La Jaima is a complete one-of-a-kind on the Refugio Marnes site, meaning no noisy neighbours or awkward conversation as you trip over protruding ropes. Simply indulge in blissful tranquility and endless rural views.

Self-contained and proudly elevated on a stone platform (no soggy groundsheets here!), La Jaima is equipped with removable ‘walls’ that allow plenty of cool air to circulate, with an additional air chamber cleverly constructed from layers of cloth.

Relax amongst opulent red-and-green décor and inviting soft furnishings, safe in the knowledge that everything you could ever need is right beside you in your luxury tent. Hand-carved lanterns cast a soft glow by evening, while a comfy canopy bed is the perfect place to wake each morning. Take your own sweet time to rise, before heading outside to enjoy an al-fresco breakfast as you plan the day ahead.

At a glance

• Self-contained 10 x 5 metre Bedouin tent for 2 guests and one well-behaved dog, set within the fifty-acre Refugio Marnes mountain eco-site near Alicante, Spain.
• Fly to Alicante Airport, and hire a car for the hour-long journey to the site. Please note that from the parking area there is a short, steep downhill walk to the tent that may not be suitable for those with mobility issues.
• Additional on-site accommodation includes a restored sheepfold cottage for 4 guests.
• There is a swimming pool on site, which is close to the beaches and villages of Costa Blanca.
• Hiking, walking and cycling trails can be accessed directly from the tent’s location, with additional activities available nearby.

Features

• Dog Friendly
• Off-Grid
• Swimming Pools

More information

Additional accommodation at Refugio Marnes includes La Ruina, a luxuriously restored sheepfold that’s part of a so-called ‘white spot’ – meaning it’s blissfully out of range of mobile phone masts. Sleeping up to four guests, you can savour peace and reconnection… yet with its own high-speed internet connection you can still keep in touch with the outside world if you really have to!

Regardless of where you stay, you may find you need to savour those quiet early mornings, because there are plenty of ways to use up energy at Refugio Marnes. Right from your doorstep are walking, hiking and cycling trails that will lead you through the wonderfully natural landscape of the Sierra de Bernia. Why not make like a cycling professional, many of whom hold sprint training camps in the surrounding area, and test the terrains?

Those who prefer something a little more leisurely will enjoy the mixture of  popular and tourist-unspoilt beaches of Costa Blanca, just 30 minutes away by car, or paying a visit to the nearby Spanish villages. Meanwhile, climbing, horseriding and paragliding are all favourite pastimes for more adventurous types!

So if you’re considering a Spanish holiday this year, why not make your destination a little different from those bustling beaches and uninspiring villas? Pack up the family (including the dog!) and head into the tranquil mountains, for a truly exhilarating holiday experience you won’t forget.

Things to note

Additional costs are: Cleaning at 100€, bed linen and bath towels at €12.50pp. Check in time is between 16.00 and 20.00 and check out is before 12.00. Well behaved dogs are welcome upon prior arrangement at a cost of €5.00 per day.