Since welcoming the late singer George Michael as the first guest in 2009, private rental estate Cortijo El Carligto has steadily expanded its in-house service offerings and local cultural explorations for a continued A-list appeal, emerging as the premiere “gastro-villa” in Andalusia with a hyper-local focus.

Six Gold List nominations from Conde Nast Traveller confirm the outsized influence of the privately owned Carligto Estate, competing annually against some of the largest and wealthiest corporate resorts in Spain. Personal concierge Alan Hazel attributes their success to the idea that “guests can have everything at El Carligto that they would expect from a five-star hotel, but here we offer something they cannot: peaceful, luxurious privacy.” Add to that their contacts and insights for authentic experiences in the up-and-coming region of La Axarquia, eastern Malaga province, and you have a recipe for a memorable, life impacting holiday.

Situated on a secluded hilltop at the junction of three mountain ranges and overlooking the Mediterranean, El Carligto employs a small team of freelance professionals for personalised in-house service in a beautiful and secluded environment. While they offer everything from Flamenco performances, beauty therapists and personal trainers to private guides for city tours, attractions or trekking in the mountain nature reserve, gastronomy is a personal passion for the owners and lies at the heart of the service portfolio.

The Carligto culinary team expanded to include a full troupe of seven different private chefs for personalised service at the estate in 2018, some of whom have been awarded Michelin ratings at their own restaurants. In addition to exceptional in-house meal service, guests might opt for cooking courses at the estate, guided market visits and winery tours in the locale, and experiences with other local chefs in the mountains or on the coast. Guided tours of the Andalusian capitals and UNESCO sites are another option, but no experience at or departing from El Carligto passes without a local culinary angle.

Your hosts at El Carligto plan every visit as bespoke according to your tastes. Combine cultural and culinary explorations with spa and wellness experiences, and tailor your meals to match. The Mediterranean diet is standard, with gourmet vegetarian, vegan, halal and Ayurvedic options available.