Tired of the usual beach holidays, CHARLOTTE CIVIL and her family head inland to the delights of the Andalucian region

A FAMILY-FRIENDLY resort in the heart of "real Spain" proved an irresistible alternative to our usual choice of beach-front apartment on the Costa del Sol.

My husband David and I wanted a different type of holiday and a day trip to Andalucia had given us a taste for the spectacular mountain scenery. So when I found Barceló La Bobadilla on the outskirts of Granada we were keen to try it.

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Olive groves set against a dramatic backdrop of slate-coloured mountains lined the route from Malaga airport. An hour's journey in our hire car brought us to the two-mile driveway which led to our Spanish hideaway. All 1,000 acres of it.

At first sight, Moorish-style La Bobadilla didn't look the kind of place where Katy, four, and 18-month-old William would be welcome. How wrong we were.

Modelled on an Andalucian palace, the 25-year-old resort had arched windows, dark wood, a marble colonnade, flowering courtyards and several water features. One of its most striking attractions was the Mudéjar-style chapel, complete with bell tower and unique ornamental organ with 1,595 pipes.

Our spacious ground floor split-level room, one of 70 in the resort, was ideal for the four of us. Decorated in muted cream and yellow tones with plush furnishings, it had a gargantuan bed and en-suite Spanish stone bathroom with a corner bath and shower.
Heavy wooden shuttered doors led to the balcony.

A big chunk of each day was spent relaxing on stylish loungers by the huge palm-fringed pool. Katy was kept amused at the children's club where she got stuck in to the arts and crafts organised by the English-speaking nannies, while William was quite happy splashing about.
David and I visited the U Spa with its hydrotherapy pool, Turkish bath, whirlpool bath and range of spa treatments. David opted for a deep-tissue massage; I had an anti-stress full body Oriental Chimes massage.

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The outdoor activities also kept us busy, from playing tennis to horse riding at the hotel's stables where Katy sat on a pony for the first time.
We were keen to explore the numerous nature trails.

Armed with maps we set off to the deer reserve where we spotted a newborn fawn.

For a casual lunch we headed to El Mirador, overlooking the pool and gardens. Evening meals were mainly at El Cortijo and one night we indulged in the cuisine of La Finca, the only "five-fork" (equivalent to Michelin star rating) restaurant in the region, where everything from caviar and steak tartare to monkfish was on the menu.

The historic medieval town of Antequera, with its gothic churches and Moorish fortress, was our final excursion a short drive away.
Sweating profusely, we pushed the twin buggy up the steep path to the castle, our thoughts turning to the cool hotel pool.
We couldn't wait to return to our tranquil haven.

THE KNOWLEDGE:
Barceló La Bobadilla (00800 4227 2356/www.barcelolabobadilla.com) offers a three-night getaway package from £204 per night (two sharing), B&B.

Price includes dinner for two at La Finca, a citrus wrap spa treatment for one and full use of the spa facilities for both guests. easyJet (0905 821 0905/www.easyjet.com) offers return flights to Malaga from £50.

Avis (0844 581 0147/ www.avis.co.uk) offers four-day car hire from £119.

Spanish National Tourist Office: 0207 486 8077/ www.spain.info