Cueva del Gato hotel

Cueva del Gato is located in the small village of Benaoján, near the historic town of Ronda, approximately 1.5 hours from the coastal cities of Málaga and Marbella. The region is one of Andalusia’s most spectacular natural landscapes. Cueva del Gato marks the southern entrance to the Hundidero–Gato cave system, an extensive network of underground rivers stretching for nearly four kilometres. Just 80 metres from this remarkable site, where the subterranean river emerges to form a dramatic waterfall and crystal-clear lagoon, stands Cueva del Gato Eco Hotel.

People used these caves as shelters more than 14,000 years ago. In later centuries, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, they were used to hide illegally imported goods. Today, the site is officially recognised as both a Natural Monument of Andalusia and a protected cultural heritage landmark.

Cueva del Gato Eco Hotel is a deeply personal project, born from a simple idea: to create a place where guests can reconnect with themselves and with their loved ones while surrounded by nature. The hotel is run by a passionate and dedicated team, who consider their guests to be part of an extended family.

https://hotelcuevadelgato.com/about-us/

The architectural proposal aimed to increase the accommodation capacity of the existing hotel by introducing a series of small lodging units scattered across the rugged yet enchanting mountain landscape. The design sought to merge traditional Spanish architecture with contemporary Nordic design. As a result, the principal materials are the region’s characteristic limestone, combined with glass and timber—materials strongly associated with Estonian architecture.

The extension consists of 13 new hotel accommodation units. Each unit has been designed to be as compact as possible, allowing it to be prefabricated off-site and then transported to its final location. This modular approach offers a sustainable solution, benefiting both the developer and the efficient use of materials.

This approach also makes it possible to employ clever interior design solutions while creating a more intimate guest experience. Unlike a conventional hotel room, the Cueva del Gato accommodation units do not include a TV. Instead, the bed is oriented toward a panoramic end window, framing uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. Additional features, such as an outdoor kitchen, outdoor bathtub, and shower, extend onto the private terrace, allowing the hotel room to seamlessly expand into the natural environment.