High-End Tour of Sierra Nevada and El Lodge – Whether You Ski or Not
Sierra Nevada, the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe's southernmost ski station, is nestled within one of Spain's most stunning National Parks. This all-year destination offers a unique, captivating experience, especially during the winter months, making it an ideal getaway for skiers and non-skiers alike.
El Lodge Ski & Spa: A Mountain Oasis
The grand opening of El Lodge Ski & Spa, an upscale, Alpine-style resort that shares lineage with the iconic Marbella Club Hotel, has put this mountain enclave on the map. This elegant hotel nestled among the peaks provides a cozy, sophisticated base for mountain enthusiasts. Whether visitors arrive with or without ski equipment, El Lodge offers an enticing mountain escape, where guests can unwind on sun decks, relax in hot tubs, indulge in the luxurious spa, swim in heated pools, warm up by crackling fires, and enjoy fine dining at The Grill.
I recently visited Sierra Nevada and stayed at El Lodge, an experience that felt more like residing in an exclusive private chalet than a hotel. Upon arrival, the team greets guests, valet-parking cars and handling luggage. The lobby bar, where one finds the Front Desk, facilitates check-in over a glass of French champagne. Blending ethnic and safari lodge styles with classic mountain chalet aesthetics, El Lodge creates a unique look and feel that transports guests to a comforting, luxurious world.
Hotel Manager Francisco Navarro and his team foster a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience at El Lodge.
Sierra Nevada: Andalusia's Winter Wonderland
Sierra Nevada's proximity to Granada's capital and the famous Alhambra, as well as the Tropical Coast and Marbella, make El Lodge an ideal base for visitors and residents of Andalusia alike. Guests can craft a winter experience extending beyond skiing, offering opportunities for nature activities, gastronomy explorations, and cultural visits.
On-Piste
For ski and snowboard enthusiasts, Sierra Nevada offers over 130 pistes, some of which stretch up to six and a half kilometers long, covering a total of 110 kilometers. With 380 hectares of groomed snow and a modern, efficient network of lifts, guests can enjoy smooth skiing even during peak hours. Night skiing is also available on Saturday nights. During the day, guests can slide down the mountains under the splendid Spanish sunshine.
Although Sierra Nevada caters to experienced skiers with black and red runs and a world-class snow park for boarders, the resort also offers 45 blue and 19 green runs for beginners and families. With 15 schools and roughly 400 instructors, beginners can trust in ample attention and instruction. El Lodge provides a convenient ski room, where guests can outfit themselves for a day on the slopes, book a guide, or instructor, and acquire ski passes. Skiers can ski-out directly to the slopes from the hotel.
Off-Piste
Even those who don't ski can find delight in the luxurious, slope-side comfort of El Lodge. Guests can relax at the property and make the most of their short break in the snow.
Gastronomy
Guests can savor delicious gourmet meals at The Sun Deck, the only ski-in/ski-out après-ski terrace on the mountain. The team will even warm and dry boots while guests dine. In the evening, return for sunset DJ sets and cocktails around fire pits.
For more information about dining at El Lodge, check out our Spotlight on The Grill and The Sun Deck.
Gastronomy is one of the mountain's great pleasures. El Lodge offers classic dishes like Swiss Fondue and Cheese Raclette, as well as a Mediterranean menu, which includes pastas, salads, and barbequed meats. Dinners are relaxing, featuring regional seafood, superb meat, and fine wines available by the glass to complement each course. A signature cocktail, created by barmen and mixologist Francisco, is the perfect start to the evening.
Spa & Wellness
El Lodge is a spa hotel, providing relaxation and rejuvenation opportunities for guests. The lower level houses an indoor, heated pool, treatment rooms, luxurious changing facilities, and a small gym with modern equipment.
Activities
Non-skiers can enjoy unique experiences like sleigh rides, horseback riding, and visits to family-friendly snow parks offering tobogganing and other activities. El Lodge can arrange a hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable perspective of Sierra Nevada and Granada.
Culture Vultures
The world heritage treasures of Granada are just 30 minutes' drive from El Lodge. Travel arrangements and guided tours can be arranged for guests to explore this remarkable city, including its charming old town and the Alhambra. Granada boasts the enchanting allure of Al Andalus heritage, coupled with the vibrancy of a modern university town.
Family Fun
El Lodge provides a fun, family-friendly mountain escape, with a luxurious games room for children aged up to 14 years old, equipped with Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, movies, and numerous traditional and classic games. Childcare and nanny services are also available.
El Lodge Guest Rooms & Suites
Guests can find comfort in El Lodge's cosy guest rooms. My lodging was a loft room with high ceilings, automatic Velux windows, a private terrace offering mountain and village views, a spacious bathroom with a tub and an exceptional shower with different settings, and amenities by Natura Bissé. Decor elements included plush, colorful Moroccan and Aztec cushions, faux furs, cowhide rugs, and bespoke armchairs that seamlessly blended with the Finnish timber-clad walls. Luxe details included a mini bar stocked with champagne, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a scented humidifier for those accustomed to the drier mountain air. A tablet provided guest information, and I appreciated thoughtful touches like complimentary sunscreen and sunglasses.
Room rates begin at 380 euros per night.
El Lodge Ski & Spa
Maribel 8, Sierra Nevada (Granada) SpainTel: +34 958 480 600Email: [email protected]: www.ellodge.com
[1] https://www.ellodge.com/room-options-ski-in-ski-out/[2] https://www.ellodge.com/ski-school/[3] https://www.ellodge.com/ski-in-sierranevada/[4] https://www.ellodge.com/hotel-the-lodge/[5] https://www.sierranevada.es/en/default.aspx?ID=11§id=58&p=414&e=58&t=es&cfg=sk&cat=58&subcat=70&ssmt=2,4&sec=414,416,418,420,422,424,426,428&f=tutorial&v=28&idcategoria=165020&tipo=59&lang=ES
- After a day of skiing or off-piste activities, guests can unwind at El Lodge's luxurious spa, indulging in treatments and soaking in heated pools, or they can enjoy fine dining at The Grill, offering a blend of Swiss Fondue, Cheese Raclette, Mediterranean dishes, and signature cocktails.
- To complement their winter experience, guests of El Lodge can explore Sierra Nevada's rich cultural heritage, visiting the historic city of Granada and its renowned Alhambra, or they can engage in a variety of family-friendly activities, such as sleigh rides, horseback riding, and visiting snow parks, all within a 30-minute drive from the hotel.
