Cortijo Maya in Alhama de Almería, a cave house with a pool
Cortijo Maya is a cave-style country house in Alhama de Almería, Andalusia, with a pool, a garden and plenty of quiet. It suits families or groups of friends who want nature and independence and don't mind sharing space with loose animals and a very present host.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Cortijo Maya.
Where Cortijo Maya is and how to get there
Cortijo Maya is on the road to Galachar, in Alhama de Almería, in the province of Almería, Andalusia. It is a house in the countryside, far from the noise, and people who choose it do so for exactly that reason. One guest says all you hear are the birds and the sound of the trees, and not much else.
You get there by car, and parking is free. One guest describes it as a short drive from the capital, which makes it easy to visit the city without sleeping in it. Places mentioned nearby include the Museo de Almería, the Refugios Antiaéreos (air-raid shelters), the Cathedral and the Alcazaba. Almería airport is also within easy reach.
What the cave house is like and what it offers
Cortijo Maya is a cave house built for groups, with traditional architecture and modern comforts. It has a living room with a flat-screen TV, a kitchen equipped with a fridge and dishwasher, and towels and bed linen are provided. The Wi-Fi is free too.
Guests highlight the very large kitchen, the pretty bedrooms and a rustic, well-kept feel. Outside there is a garden, a terrace with views, a courtyard and a pool that several guests call huge, with views of the mountains. Around it there are fruit trees and aromatic plants.
- Private pool and garden area.
- Terrace and courtyard for outdoor time.
- Equipped kitchen and living room with TV.
- Towels and bed linen included.
The official description mentions few bedrooms for a large group. If you are travelling with a lot of people, ask how the beds are shared before you confirm.
What guests say
Cortijo Maya has a rating of 3.9 from 52 reviews on Google. That rating says a lot: there is a great deal of affection and also harsh criticism, with very little in between.
- The host. This is the thing that comes up most. Several guests describe her as kind, attentive and on top of any detail. Some also mention her cooking, made with produce from her own harvest.
- Peace and nature. Silence, views of the countryside and the mountains, and a feeling of calm that comes up again and again. One person went on a spiritual retreat and left delighted.
- Children and animals. One family says it is great with children. Others enjoy the dogs, cats, hens and even a donkey.
What to know before booking
I have to be straight here, because the downsides exist and they weigh. This is not a hotel. It is a country house with loose animals, and that shows, for better and for worse.
- Loose animals. Several negative reviews mention droppings around the house, hair, mosquitoes and even fleas. Another guest puts it with humour: it is a country house, and there are bugs.
- Cleanliness and the pool. There are complaints about dirty sheets, murky or greenish water and a lack of cleaning products. Not everyone agrees, but the complaint comes up often enough to take seriously.
- Distance and manners. One person says the pool is a long way from the house and that the owner lives right above the rooms, something they would have liked to know beforehand. They also complain that the checkout time could not be extended.
| The best bits | What to know |
|---|---|
| Quiet, nature and views | Loose animals, with hair and bugs |
| A very attentive host | Occasional complaints about cleanliness and the pool |
| Large kitchen and big pool | The owner lives on the same estate |
| Ideal for groups and families | Strict checkout time, according to one guest |
Who Cortijo Maya is for
I would choose it for a quiet trip with friends or family, when you want to switch off and don't expect hotel services. It works for anyone who enjoys a lived-in house, with countryside and animals around, and values a host who is close by and friendly.
I would not recommend it if you have serious allergies, if loose animals bother you or if you want total privacy, apartment-hotel cleanliness and a flexible schedule. In that case, other options in the region will suit you better.
Things to do around Alhama de Almería
The area lends itself to walking and cycling, and also to doing nothing at all beside the pool. Almería city is close enough for a day trip, with its Cathedral, the Alcazaba and the Refugios Antiaéreos.
If you want to compare with other places in Andalusia, have a look at Casa Rural del Guadalora in Hornachuelos, Alojamiento los Poetas in Baeza or, if you prefer the coast, Hotel ELE Andarax in Aguadulce.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
