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

Imagine an eco paradise in a remote valley ringed by mountains, delightfully off the beaten track, with dozens of paths to explore but none signed or mapped! Dutch owners Willem and Richard bought both finca and wooded land several years ago. The lack of mains power or utilities and an intermittent water supply presented them with the opportunity to indulge their passion for sustainability to the full; they have done so brilliantly and in cool eco style. La Ruina and the B&B rooms in Los Establos, the old stables, are cosy, compact, simple and stylish, with gorgeous bathrooms – but bring your torch: there's a steep donkey track down from the parking area. Glamp it up in La Jaima, a structure tried and tested by nomadic tribes for two millennia – huge, theatrical, great fun, with modern plumbing and solar-generated electricity. Outside, a hammock swings from an ancient tree; the shared (unfenced) pool is delicious. The owners are unobtrusively available and Richard cooks three nights a week; in spite of the remoteness, restaurants are minutes away. The night skies are the clearest you're ever likely to see.