Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

She calls it her "miracle in the desert". Charo García discovered the landscape of Almería, the dry river beds and dunes, the dazzling white dwellings, the tough vegetation… and was captivated. So she built two farmhouses and imported a bedouin tent, added a hammock'd terrace shaded by roofs of scrub and heather, a beautiful little saltwater pool with great views, an open-air shower in a grotto… now her dream appears in glossy magazines. The farmhouses, run on solar energy and recycled water, are charming: whitewashed walls and rustic floors, Spanish antiques and stainless steel, DVDs and terraces that face east and north. Spacious and private, the jaima, set among olive trees and palms, has an ecological stove for winter, ventilation for summer – no fans! – a vast bed, a perfectly equipped kitchen and colourful Arabic décor. Breakfasts, based on "respect for the environment", are brought to you. Coves, inlets and empty beaches await, there's Garrucha for sea food, Mojacar for its hippy beach, Nijar for pottery. The stars are a joy at night, as are the illuminated paths, jacuzzi and pool.