El Lodge, Sierra Nevada, Spain

El Lodge in the Sierra Nevada is Spain's most stylish ski-in, ski-out hotel, set less than an hour from the Alhambra in the highest mountains of mainland Spain. Most people think of Andalucía as sun, sea and Moorish palaces, but these peaks are home to Europe's southernmost ski resort. El Lodge is an intimate, Alpine-style timber lodge with a heated outdoor pool, a superb sun terrace and a sister-hotel pedigree that runs back to the famous Marbella Club. It offers the rare chance to ski in the morning and wander the streets of Granada by evening.

Location: Sierra Nevada, Spain

El Lodge sits on the slopes above Pradollano, the village at the heart of the Sierra Nevada ski resort, at more than 2,100 metres. The resort's lifts climb to Borreguiles at around 2,650 metres and up towards the summit of Veleta, at around 3,400 metres, one of Spain's highest peaks. The nearby Mulhacén, at 3,482 metres, is the highest point in mainland Spain.

The city of Granada, with the Alhambra and its UNESCO-listed old quarters, is about 30 to 50 minutes' drive away, and Granada airport is roughly 35 kilometres. Málaga airport is around two hours by car. On clear days, you can sometimes see the Mediterranean, and even the mountains of North Africa, from the high slopes.

Rooms and suites at El Lodge

The hotel is small, with around 20 rooms and suites, including doubles, junior suites and suites, plus a few self-contained cabins. The style is Alpine chalet, with warm timber throughout, but with a light, Spanish touch.

Rooms have king-size beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and, in many cases, private terraces or balconies looking over the slopes and the peaks. Some suites have their own Jacuzzis, and the fully equipped cabins suit families or groups wanting more space and independence. Family rooms and connecting options make it a good choice for those travelling with children.

Facilities at El Lodge

The hotel's famous Sun Deck is the place to be. It is the only ski-in, ski-out après-ski terrace on the mountain, with views up towards Veleta, and it serves gourmet lunches, drinks and lively après-ski in the sunshine. Sierra Nevada is known for its strong southern sun, so long, warm lunches on the terrace are part of the experience even in mid-winter.

The heated outdoor pool, set against the mountain backdrop, is another highlight. Downstairs, the spa has an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam bath, treatment rooms and a small, well-equipped gym. The hotel restaurant serves Andalucían and international dishes, and the concierge can also book tables at the best meat and seafood restaurants in Pradollano.

There is a kids' club and childcare, and the hotel can arrange everything from ski lessons and equipment to hot-air balloon flights over the Sierra Nevada and Granada. The resort itself offers a large network of pistes for all levels, plus snowboarding and cross-country skiing, and in summer the mountains become a hiking and biking destination.

The mountain moment

The defining moment is a day that only the Sierra Nevada can offer. Ski fresh corduroy in the morning, under a deep blue Andalucían sky, then ski right back to El Lodge for a long, sunny lunch on the Sun Deck. In the afternoon, take a swim in the heated outdoor pool, the snowy peaks rising above you.

Then, if you choose, drive down the mountain to Granada for the evening: watch the sun set over the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás, wander the Albaicín and eat tapas, before heading back up to the snow. Few places in Europe let you combine mountain and city, snow and Moorish history, so easily.

Why El Lodge is one of the best mountain hotels

El Lodge earns its place because it brings genuine style and intimacy to a ski resort that many overlook. It is small, warm and beautifully run, with excellent food, a superb terrace and outdoor pool, and a ski-in, ski-out position. It is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

The Sierra Nevada is not the Alps: the ski area is smaller and conditions can vary. But for sunshine, culture, food and the sheer novelty of skiing within sight of the Mediterranean, it is hard to beat, and El Lodge is the place to stay.

When to go to El Lodge

The ski season in the Sierra Nevada usually runs from late November or December to around April, with snow conditions depending on the year. January and February tend to bring the most reliable snow, while March offers long, warm, sunny days that make the Sun Deck at its best. Spanish holidays and weekends are busiest, as the resort is popular with skiers from Granada and Madrid. In summer the mountains become a hiking and biking destination, but check opening dates if you want to stay outside the ski season.