Hi everyone!

My wife and I along with our two kids have been holidaying down in Bolonia (about 10km after Tarifa in direction Cadiz) over the last 8 years odd. We’ve been privileged enough to be able to visit a couple of times every year pending on work etc. Just so you know,  I’m the owner of this domain, so before reading this post I want you to understand that this is NOT an advertisement, nor would I want to write anything here that is going to make me look like a monkey if it wasn’t exactly as I’m about to describe below. I’m not getting paid for this, nor am I going to get a free holiday from it! I’m putting this up here cause if you are visiting Gibraltar or possibly traveling about southern Spain, or even live here on the coast and want to enjoy a fabulous holiday on an untouched  beach, I highly recommend Bolonia.

We always stay at the same place called “Hostal Rios”. There are a few other hostels there in Bolonia but out of the 3 or 4 odd that they have there, this particular one is right on the beach, having the best views, facilities, and room size etc. In my opinion as well as my wife’s, the self catering apartments are the best option. You can either choose a one or two bedroom. Having kids this works great for us. Having said that, before we had our kids we used to stay in the “normal” type rooms (we’ve actually over the years stayed in every one they have there) and all are fine. They have a BBQ to use, sun beds, a fantastic restaurant – freshly caught fish of all types, super meat dishes too. I will add some photos to this post of the views and surroundings. I don’t want pics of my family or I posted up on the site unfortunately, so the ones I’m posting up are just the ones I could find that didn’t have us in them. The next trip I do I will take some specially of the apartments – inside and outside – just to give you a better idea of what they look like as well.

So you know beforehand too, the apartments are NOT five star kiss your bum stuff. If that is the kind of place you are looking for then this is not the place to visit. You have to go with the understanding that it’s a hostel – I wouldn’t say rough and ready cause the place is immaculately kept – very clean and everything works well. I’m talking about kitchen facilities, (microwave, toaster, washing machine, fridge etc) showers and beds etc. Everything works perfectly and is kept clean. Trust me, my wife is a fanatic when it comes to cleanliness – especially when it comes to our kids – and she loves it there. All I’m saying is that its NOT a super sexy hotel leaving chocolates on your pillow before you go snooze. The best way I can describe it is a rural type getaway to an untouched beach where you feel like you are in a mini paradise with only the sound of palm trees rustling and waves crashing. My kinda place. It is so peaceful and relaxing.

The owners and staff are extremely friendly and will help with any issue that arises if you have one. There are other restaurants in close walking distance too, as well as two small shops for any groceries that you need. They pretty much have everything you would possibly need in terms of self catering. There are also some amazing Roman ruins that are in walking distance as well. We’ve been a couple of times to walk around and check them out. There is an amphitheater, palace ruins and all sorts there that they are still digging up.  Even if you are not into that sort of thing you will enjoy the visit. To get the current pricing or to make a reservation in advance (we always book in advance just in case) call them on telephone: +34 956 688 586 or +34 956 688 544 You can also email them on hostalrios@terra.es Its not necessary, but if you want, you can tell them that you heard about them through Gary on Gibraltar.com – it would be nice for them to know that this has helped them a little. Honestly, they are such great people. One unfortunate thing is that they don’t have a great website, and its also only in Spanish – but to give you an idea on prices etc you can check out: http://www.meligrana.com/alojamiento/cadiz/campo-de-gibraltar-los-alcornocales/hostal-pension/rios.asp

Here are some photos too of the views and surroundings. As I said before, when we go down again I will take some more photos of the apartments and facilities to give you a better look at the place. I hope some of you will take me up on my recommendation. I can assure you, you wont be disappointed.

Here is a link to a Google map of where to find the place: http://g.co/maps/gp9v6

Happy holidaying!

Gary