Cathy and Matthew Brooks - hotel Casa Pilar Alto Illora

Cathy and Matthew Brooks will be your hosts for your stay at hotel Casa Pilar Alto, Illora. "Like many we left the rat race but wanted to move somewhere where we could enjoy a different way of life and do what we most enjoy doing".

Cathy is a creative cook with a degree in International Studies and a background as a legal assistant. Although there is a good number of bars and cafes in Illora, they are mostly Spanish. "We saw the chance to start out Café Pilar Alto Illora as an English Tea Shop and see how it develops from there. Of course, we also provide a really good breakfast to start each day but after that my I will be looking to see what appeals most to our guests and Illora locals alike. We also provide packed lunches for those guests who want them".

Matthew has a lengthy career in the hotel business behind him – both as a hotel manager and, latterly, as Director of Marketing for a fast growing London hotel group. "There are so many other things that I want to be doing as well but providing hospitality for visitors to Illora and the area is a natural step for me."

Neither Cathy nor Matthew – both well travelled – had ever been to Spain before 2006. "We came to Granada almost by chance and fell in love with the area immediately. We already had plans to move from the U.K. and we immediately knew that this was the area we wanted to move to. When this opportunity came up, we did not hesitate." Casa Pilar Alto, Illora was born.