How To Plan Your Holiday With Us

There are several ways you can travel to Cortijo Romero, the most popular being to fly to Malaga airport and then use our transfer service to Cortijo Romero.

Below you will find all the information about pricing: what’s included in your holiday; travel, transfers, insurance, and optional extras. Plus all the ways you can save money.

Please take some time looking through these options before you book.

When you book a holiday at Cortijo Romero, the price includes:

arts and creativity group

The Retreat

The 18-20-hour retreat of your choice.

See our courses
twin bedroom

Accommodation

Your place in a twin-share room or double room, if you are travelling with a partner, friend or you are a solo traveller who is willing to share a room with another guest. 

See our Rooms
strawberries and frittata

Meals & Refreshments

All meals and refreshments (excluding wine, beer and soft drinks).

See our food
tai chi group

Yoga, Tai Chi & Dance

Morning sessions in yoga or tai chi, and an evening session in expressive dance - all optional.

Find out more
flower balcony of mountain village house

Visit the Region

A day visiting the stunning, traditional local villages, with the opportunity to shop, visit a bodega, enjoy a picnic and walk in the mountains (again, all optional).

Find out more

Travel to Spain

Your travel to Spain, and insurance, are not included in the price and you'll need to arrange these independently. Here are some tips, and we're always happy to discuss questions you may have. Note that its important to get flights that meet our transfer times if you want to use the transfer service from Malaga.

We would advise you to ensure that your travel insurance covers the cancellation of flights due to Covid-19 related reasons (there are some travel insurance companies which offer cover for Covid-19).

We would also recommend checking with the airline directly whether it is possible to book flexible flights (some airlines might offer flexible flights without any charge).

Travel by plane

There are numerous flights from all over Europe to Malaga. You may like to check comparison websites such as Sky Scanner and Trip Advisor. The Malaga airport website is also very useful.

If you fly to Malaga and you'd like to use our transfer service from there, you'll need to get flights that meet the pick-up times.

Another option is to fly to Granada. There are fewer flights and no onward transfer service to our centre, but if you want to visit this ancient city, which is home to the Alhambra, one of the wonders of the world, it’s an easy bus or taxi journey from the city centre to Cortijo Romero.

 

Travel by train

Help the environment - travel by train to Spain from the UK (return journey), instead of flying, and we'll give you £100 discount. Use code T100.

High speed services to Malaga and Granada operate from Madrid and Barcelona, connecting with similar services from many European countries. For comprehensive information, see the website Seat 61. The Spanish operator Renfe has more information in Spanish and English. Here are some tips from a guest who has made the journey from the UK to CR by train, more than once.

Travel to CR by train key points:

  • You can travel from London to Malaga (or Granada) taking a day and a half in total, with a night in Barcelona. The journey is on three comfortable high speed trains.
  • The easiest route involves leaving London around 9am to Paris on Eurostar followed by a direct high speed train from Paris to Barcelona, arriving around 9pm. Spend the night in a hotel by Barcelona Sants train station (a number of options available). The next day travel from Barcelona on a high speed AVE train, direct to Malaga (about 6 hours).
  • Book on Raileurope.co.uk which connects all 3 train journeys (split the journey from London to Barcelona then the following day Barcelona to Paris).
  • Book as early as possible for cheaper fares, although tickets are only released from 90 days to 120 days in advance.
  • Allow around two hours from arrival at Paris from Gare du Nord to departing from Gare de Lyon (crossing Paris is easy using a taxi or RER).

Travel by ferry

For ferries to Santander, see Brittany Ferries.

 

At Cortijo Romero our friendly team is at the end of the phone, 9 - 5 Monday to Friday, or leave us a message

Please check your insurance policy carefully. Some may cover you for flight changes or cancellations, even if due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although airlines may also have specific responsibilities in such cases. Please note travel insurance is a condition of booking; you will be asked to confirm that you have an up-to-date policy. Full details here.

Travel options to Cortijo Romero

There are several ways to get to Cortijo Romero, but most people fly to Malaga and then use our transfer service - please note this is not included in our price. If you think you’d like to do this, please check our transfer times first before you book your flights. Please do call if you have any questions about this.

Our transfer service

To use this service, you’ll need to book it in advance, and ensure your flights meet the transfer times.

Arriving in Malaga:
  • First transfer for flights arriving by 12.15pm
  • Second transfer for flights arriving between 12.15pm and 3.15pm
Departures at the end of the week:

Flights from 12 noon onwards

If you can’t get flights that meet the transfer times, please contact us directly on:

££30 

If you would like to use our transfer service between Malaga Airport and Cortijo Romero, the cost is £30 each way.

Hire Car

If you want to travel more independently, and perhaps take some extra time to visit places en route to Cortijo Romero, hiring a car is a good way to do this. There are excellent car hire facilities at all Spanish airports, sea ports and main rail stations. The Malaga airport web site price-checks all 23 car hire companies operating there. Our recommendation, based on long experience, is to use Malaga Car.

Public bus

There are good services from all over Europe to Malaga, where you can meet our Transfer service at the airport (bookable in advance) or you can go all the way to Órgiva, just 15 minutes from Cortijo Romero, where we can pick you up free of charge (please arrange in advance). The local bus service can be booked through Eurolines and we can provide information for the services to Órgiva if you need this, or Alsa Buses is also good.

Please check your insurance policy carefully. Some may cover you for flight changes or cancellations, even if due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although airlines may also have specific responsibilities in such cases. Please note travel insurance is a condition of booking; you will be asked to confirm that you have an up-to-date policy. Full details here.

Optional Extras

Room supplements

Solo travellers are able to share a twin room with one more guest at no additional cost. Those travelling together with a friend or partner may also share a double or twin share room if they wish. 

Given the availability, solo travellers are also able to book a standard single room for additional supplement (please note that sometimes twin or double rooms are also available to book for single occupancy, at a higher cost). 

Standard single

£120 

Massage & coaching sessions

These are bookable on site.

Approx. €40 per session

From 40 euros

Dietary requirements

If you vegan, wheat / gluten-free or dairy-free, our cooks can prepare your meals for an additional £23 (£25 from 2024) per week. See our Delicious, Healthy Food Page for full details

£23 (£25 from 2024)

Ways to Save

Plan Ahead

Booking early
Booking early means that you have your place held, and you are more likely to be able to get the type of room you would like. You may also be able to claim Early Bird Discounts - please check the details on your chosen retreat page, or contact us for details.

 

Do Something Different

Low-cost holidays and environmental tips

 

  • Our Treeplanting weeks are a very popular low-cost option. Contribute to the local environment and enjoy a great week of camaraderie in our stunning mountain environment.
  • Help the environment - travel by train from the UK to Spain and back, instead of flying, and we'll give you £100 discount. Use code T100. 

Connect With Us

Join our Mailing List

Sign up here to get newsletters with special offers and discounts.

Join the Friends of Cortijo Romero 

Just £25 a year to get additional exclusive offers, a chance to win a free holiday in our regular draw, plus other benefits! Join here - the fee helps to fund the Bursary scheme and Tree Planting project.

Travelling on a Shoe String

If you are on a low income, working as a carer, or on any kind of state benefit, ask us about a bursary.

How to book

We wish to make your holiday a positive experience right from the start. To help with this, we offer a different kind of booking process. And, yes - you really can hold a place without making any payment - see below.

1. Call

Please be assured that we’re not a pushy sales company! When you call us, we’re not going to try to ‘sell’ to you – we genuinely want to help you with the process. We are a small team and we’ve all been on a retreat at CR, so we know the process you need to go through to choose your holiday and make your travel arrangements, and we are happy to talk you through it.


If you want to do things a bit differently – travel by train, for example, or stay on afterwards locally - we can help with that too. Our office hours are 9 – 5, Monday to Friday, but outside those hours you can leave a message and we’ll call you back.

2. Reserve

You’ll need to check that there is a place available on the retreat of your choice, and whether we have the type of room you’d like. You can do this either by email, phone or on our website.


This provisional booking requires no payment, but we’ll hold your place for you, with no obligation so you check your travel arrangements. 

3. Flights

Once you've made a provisional booking, your place is safely held in order to give you time to check on any personal arrangements you may need to make, such as booking time off work – but most important, before you commit to booking your holiday, please check flights are available that suit you. If you're planning to use our transfer service, you'll need to get flights that meet the transfer times

We would advise you to ensure that your travel insurance covers the cancellation of flights due to Covid-19 related reasons (there are some travel insurance companies which offer cover for Covid-19).

We would also strongly recommend checking with the airline directly whether it is possible to book flexible flights (some airlines might offer flexible flights without any charge).

4. Confirm

You can confirm your booking by making a deposit payment of £100. Please be sure to read our information on booking conditions before you confirm your booking with us.

FAQs

Below are some of our frequently asked questions. If you don’t see an answer to your question please call our friendly team today for answers and advice, on 01494 765775.

  • When is the pool available?

    The pool is available for use all year round, but is not heated. Swimming is usually from April - October, although some people use it during the cooler months. Even if you don't go in, it's a wonderful place to sit or sunbathe at any time. By May, many people can't stay out of the pool, and late night bathing is a regular feature in the hottest months.

  • What is the best day/time to arrive and depart?

    Retreats run Saturday - Saturday and our Transfer service operates from Malaga airport on Saturdays as follows:

    • Flights arriving in Malaga airport by 12.15 pm will be met by the first transfer.
    • Flights arriving between 12.15 pm and 3.15 pm will be met by the second pick-up.
    • For the return transfer at the end of your holiday, flights should depart Malaga airport from 12 noon onwards.

     

    For costs and more info, see our Transfers page and for more on ways to get to our centre, see the Travel page.

    If you can’t get flights that meet the transfer times, please contact us directly on 01494765775 (if calling from outside the UK, please use +44 1494 765 775). We’ll always help you find a way to get to Cortijo Romero!

  • Are the holidays suitable for families with children?

    Many guests are also parents, of course, but they often come to Cortijo Romero partly to have a break from family duties. Also, the centrepiece of each holiday is the retreat or workshop for adults interested in their own development - and it's very difficult to concentrate on that whilst also attending to children. For these reasons, the holidays are for adults only.

  • Will I be able to get to Granada city to visit the Alhambra?

    Only one or two holidays at Cortijo Romero include a trip to Granada and the Alhambra. However, it's quite easy to go there by public bus or taxi instead of taking the more local tour of the mountain villages, which is included in all our holidays. Should you wish to do this, we can book a taxi for you and/or provide bus timetables. 

    An alternative is to come to Spain a few days before your holiday at Cortijo Romero (or return a few days after it). Granada is easy to reach by public transport from Malaga and has abundant accommodation of every kind. Or you can fly directly to Granada and then come to Cortijo Romero by public bus. It's a great place to spend a few days; parts of it are a world heritage site and the Alhambra is one of the wonders of the world. 

  • Will I be OK as a solo traveller?

    Most of our guests travel alone, whether they are actually single or in a relationship. This is an opportunity, for many, to get a fresh perspective on life and discover something new about themselves. Read more about our Unique Atmosphere.

  • Can I make a provisional reservation without paying a deposit?

    Provisional bookings at no cost will be held while you make your travel arrangements, etc. Once you are ready to confirm your booking, you can do so with a deposit of £100. The full balance is due 6 weeks (8 weeks as of 2023) before departure.

  • I can only get flights to arrive or depart outside your recommended timings. What do I do?

    If you can only get flights arriving after, or departing earlier than our recommended timings, please check with our bookings office, +44 (0) 1494 765775, before booking them. We can often still arrange additional transport for you but extra charges will apply. Very late arrivals are not possible. Transfer details here.

  • What clothing will I need?

    Well firstly, you don't need anything formal; things are pretty relaxed at Cortijo Romero. Apart from that, it depends on the time of the year.  

    From the beginning of May to the end of September, it is hot almost all the time, it very rarely rains and you won't need to wear much at all. However, if you are sensitive to strong sunlight, you might want to have clothes with long sleeves, plus a sun hat. A light jersey or similar should be enough for evenings. 
     
    Outside of those months, the weather is more changeable; it can still be hot and sunny but evenings and early mornings are cooler, so another layer for such times is a good idea. You might get the occasional windy day, so a windproof or waterproof jacket can be useful if you go on the all-day trip into the mountains, or to take walks at other times. In mid-winter, a warm sweater or jacket is a good idea. 
     
    In general, we recommend that you take a variety of light layers, rather than lots of heavy ones; that way, you will have more flexibility. Many people take too many clothes on a first visit!

    If you like to walk in the mountains, strong shoes are essential. Good trainers are OK for most of the year, as are strong sandals (not flip-flops or the like); in the cooler months, walking shoes are better, although you don't need boots. In mid-summer, some guests like to walk up mountain river beds to waterfalls; for this, some waterproof footwear is necessary.

    For swimming, note that as the pool area is secluded, some guests take the opportunity to swim or sunbathe without swimming costumes. If you choose that option, please limit it to the pool area and respect those who prefer to remain covered. We strongly recommend that you take proper precautions against sunburn! 

  • How do I claim an advertised discount?

    Please note, when provisionally reserving a place, where you have seen the offer with any code if applicable. If you any queries please contact our office.

  • Can you cater for special dietary needs?

    Our food is vegetarian. We can cater for most specific dietary needs, such as vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free, etc. For the cost please see our Optional Extras page.

  • Can I fly to another airport in Spain other than Malaga?

    There is a good airport at Granada, and although there are fewer flights than there are to Malaga, some people prefer this option, perhaps combining it with an extra few days in Granada, a wonderful city which is home to the Alhambra, one of the wonders of the world. There is a public bus from Granada and we can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village. Please ask our office for further details, on 01494 765775.

  • I've got to cancel my booking. Do I lose my money already paid?

    You can always transfer to another week within the next twelve months. For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions.

  • Do I qualify for a bursary?

    We have a bursary fund for those in receipt of state benefits, who have a very low income or are unpaid carers for a dependent person. Please contact us for full details and to apply.

  • How do I get to your centre from Granada?

    From Granada to Cortijo Romero takes about an hour by taxi or hired car. Public buses take 1¼ - 1½ hours. The last bus leaves about 5 pm from the city centre. We can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village.

  • What discounts are available?

    If there are any discounts or offers we will inform our mailing list so please Join our Mailing List.


     

  • Can I attend both retreats in the same week?

    When there are two retreats running at the same time, you need to choose and book for one retreat only.

  • Do you cater for disabilities?

    Our centre is not on entirely level ground (being in the mountains) and there are a few steps and gently sloped paths in places. Handrails are in place to assist in these areas, and guests in wheelchairs have visited us. Excursions may be more difficult – please contact us to discuss specific needs.

  • Are the rooms warm outside the main season?

    The rooms are all well heated and some also have underfloor heating, so you can be cosy in the cooler months of the year. There are plenty of thick blankets if you need them, and in the lounge you will find a roaring fire to gather round on winter evenings.

  • Is there a photo gallery I can look at?

    Please view our gallery here.

  • What if my retreat were to be cancelled due to the corona virus?

    During the Covid-19 pandemic, the standard conditions will apply.

    When booking your flights, please make sure that your travel insurance covers the cancellation of flights due to Covid-19 related reasons (there are some travel insurance companies which offer cover for Covid-19).

    We would also strongly recommend checking with the airline directly whether it is possible to book flexible flights (some airlines might offer flexible flights without any charge).

Booking with a difference

We wish to make your holiday a positive experience right from the start. To help with this, we offer a different kind of booking process.

1. Call

to make any initial enquiries and at any point with further questions

2. Reserve

by phone, on the website, or via email - no deposit needed

3. Flights

book flights to meet our transfer and make any other arrangements

4. Confirm

Pay £100 deposit and the balance is due 8 weeks before departure

Talk with one of our friendly team today

01494 765775 or email us at cr@cortijo-romero.co.uk

A Different Kind of Holiday
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