Staying in in the Poniente Granadaino in Spain

Casa Pilar Alto, Illora is a 9 room Bed & Breakfast, or Hostal, in the centre of Illora in what used to be a family home, itself comprising what were originally 3 separate houses. Illora is a developing town but the centre is quaint with narrow streets and a white pueblo look.

Granada, just 35 minutes drive away, is a major, cosmopolitan city with many attractions. Like most large cities, it is busy and its hotels can be impersonal and expensive. Staying in Illora is for those who want to enjoy and experience "Real" Spain – in and amongst the Spanish – whilst being able to easily get to the major attractions in Andalucia in an easy day trip.

The area also boast a wide range of activities for the more energetic or adventurous – from hill climbing to cycling and quad biking in the hills that surround the town. Winter brings skiers to Europe's most southerly ski resort in the Sierra Nevada, an hour's drive from Casa Pilar Alto, Illora. The coast at the Costa Tropical is a little over an hour's drive from Illora on Spain's excellent road network.

The Moors occupied this part of Andalucia up to the 16th century and the ruins of their 9th century castle on top of the rock overlooks the town and the beautiful 16th century church, built after the Moors were expelled, is connected with the famous Alhambra palace in Granada itself.

In the early nineteenth century the American writer, Washington Irving, travelled from Seville to Granada, where he wrote "Tales of the Alhambra". Illora is on the Washington Irving Route through Andalucia. The excellent Tourist Information Centre has a wealth of information on the history of the town and its surrounding area.