The Venue
A century of history. Two gardens unlike any other.
The history of Los Bates
8th century
The Arab farmstead
An important farmstead in Muslim times. It had a fortress, city wall, sugar factory, pool for soaking linen and the Bates Mill. An underground aqueduct still crosses the estate today.
1492
After the Conquest of Granada
The lands of Bates el Viejo were purchased by Francisco Ramírez de Madrid, Royal Secretary, Captain of Artillery and Count of Bornos. His descendants owned the property for several centuries.
18th century
The botanical garden
The Jiménez Caballero family acquired the property and built a mansion and botanical garden. Some of its plants were brought by General Hernández de Velasco, hero of the Cuba War.
1898
The colonial manor house
José Jiménez Caballero, Mayor of Motril and Member of Parliament, built the Italian-style colonial manor house. He created the Italian Romantic Garden (the Moonlight Garden) connected to the previous garden by a grand travertine marble staircase flanked by coral grottos. The ironwork is said to have been purchased from Gustave Eiffel.
20th century
Illustrious guests and abandonment
The estate hosted various personalities from politics and high society throughout the century. It was subsequently left completely abandoned.
1993
The restoration
Mariperta Martín Feriche purchased the estate in ruins and restored it with the help of her five children.
1998
Reopening
In its centenary year, after an intensive restoration, the house reopened as a rural retreat and venue for celebrations.
2006 · 2008
International recognition
Télva magazine named Casa de los Bates one of the ten most romantic places to marry in Spain (2006). Condé Nast named it among the five best guest houses in Europe, an award collected in London (2008).
The gardens
Botanical Garden — 18th century
Some plants were brought by General Hernández de Velasco, hero of the Cuba War. Araucarias, magnolias, Cedar of Lebanon, century-old palm trees.
Araucarias, magnolias, a Cedar of Lebanon, cypresses, palm trees of many varieties: kentias, washingtonias, date palms, roebellini, butia capitate...
Italian Romantic Garden — 19th century
Created by José Jiménez Caballero in 1898 for his guests. Known as the Moonlight or Winter Garden. Bougainvilleas, jasmine, mock orange.
Bougainvilleas, jasmine, mock orange, gerberas and other plants that coexist with the trees, adding colour and aromas that will stay with the visitor long after they leave.
The staircase
Travertine marble and coral grottos
A uniquely beautiful connection between the two gardens. Built in travertine marble and flanked by two coral grottos. Water flows through fountains that bring peace and harmony to the landscape.
Fountains that adorn the pathways and bring water as a magical element of peace and harmony. Under the magical light of Andalusia, the garden becomes the most beautiful setting for any celebration.
The manor house
An Italian-style colonial manor house built in 1898 by José Jiménez Caballero, Mayor of Motril and Member of Parliament. The ironwork is said to have been purchased from Gustave Eiffel. Listed as Civil Heritage of the City of Motril.
The spacious drawing rooms with their fireplaces are the perfect places for conversation and reading. The presence of music envelops the atmosphere in a pleasant and calm way. Various family objects integrated into the décor give the place a very personal style.
Recognition
Condé Nast · 2008
One of the 5 best guest houses in Europe
Award collected in London
Télva · 2006
One of the 10 most romantic places to marry in Spain