TO GET LOST

La Dehesa de Don Pedro

Monesterio - Spain

A 16-room farmhouse hotel on a 550-hectare estate near Monesterio, with an infinity pool, excellent local cooking and Iberian pigs roaming beneath the oaks.

Coutryside

Restaurant

Pool

Wellness

Starlight

Hike

THE SETTING

La Dehesa de Don Pedro sits deep in southern Extremadura, close to the Andalusian border, surrounded by mile after mile of holm oaks and open countryside. The nearest town is Monesterio, one of Spain’s great centres of jamón ibérico de bellota, where Iberian pigs still roam beneath the trees during the acorn season. The hotel occupies a restored 19th-century farmhouse on a 550-hectare working estate, and arriving here really does feel like leaving the rest of the world behind.

The estate has been connected to the Valenzuela family for more than a century. Pedro Valenzuela inherited his attachment to the land from his mother, Pepita, and spent much of his life expanding and caring for the farm. One of the properties he acquired included a ruined 19th-century cortijo. Restoring it had been a long-held idea, eventually taken forward by Pedro and his children.

The building still reads as a traditional farmhouse, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard, thick stone walls, timber ceilings and several original agricultural spaces. The old barn is now the main sitting room, while smaller summer salons occupy the former noble wing of the house.

THE ROOMS

La Dehesa de Don Pedro has 16 rooms, including five suites. The renovation kept exposed stone, timber beams and old pieces of furniture, then added parquet floors, white walls and brighter textiles. Spanish studio Las 2 Mercedes worked on the interiors, giving each room its own details without losing the house’s overall calm.

Deluxe rooms are the simplest option, while Premium rooms add more space. Junior Suites and Suite Deluxe rooms are better suited to longer stays or families, with separate sleeping areas available in selected categories. One of the more unusual rooms incorporates the old bread oven into its bathroom. Other rooms overlook the courtyard, gardens or open countryside.

THE FOOD

Las Mesas is the hotel’s restaurant and a central part of the stay. The kitchen works with nearby farmers, livestock producers and artisans. Jamón Serrano naturally plays an important role, alongside lamb, seasonal vegetables, local cheeses and ingredients from across Extremadura.

Several dishes are based on recipes passed down by Carmen, the owner’s mother. They have been slightly updated while keeping the generous, straightforward character of family cooking. The restaurant occupies part of the old farmhouse, with exposed stone, a high timber ceiling and a large fireplace. In warmer weather, tables move outside onto the garden terrace.

Breakfast is served as a buffet. Expect bread, pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cheese, cold cuts, eggs and homemade cakes, with enough savoury food for anyone planning a long walk or bike ride.

THE STAY

The infinity pool sits away from the main house, facing the dehesa. There are loungers, a summer bar and a small gym overlooking the water. The sauna and jacuzzi are located in a small wellness room on the property. Massages and private treatments can also be arranged.

Closer to the cortijo, the gardens were designed by Rocío Sainz de Rozas using plants suited to the Extremadura climate. Old palm trees were kept in the courtyard, jasmine grows around the covered walkways, and roses and native perennials soften the more formal areas.

Several paths run through the estate, so walking and cycling can begin from the hotel. You may pass cattle, horses, or Iberian pigs, depending on the season and which part of the farm is in use. Horse riding, guided hikes, buggy routes, stargazing, visits to livestock farms and Iberian ham experiences can be organised. Most are run by outside guides and should be booked at least five days before arrival.

AROUND LA DEHESA DE DON PEDRO

Monesterio is closely associated with Iberian ham, and with good reason: in 2026, a Gran Reserva from local producer Ibéricos Casa Lucas became the first ham ever to receive Monde Selection’s Grand Gold medal, following a 2024 award naming its acorn-fed ham the best in the world. The town’s Museo del Jamón explains the full process, from the dehesa and the pig’s life to the curing rooms and the final cut. It is a useful visit before a tasting or a trip to a local producer.

The surrounding area belongs to the Tentudía region, where Extremadura begins to meet the hills of northern Andalusia. Walking routes cross oak pasture, chestnut woods and small mountain villages. The Monastery of Tentudía stands at 1,104 metres, on the highest point in the province of Badajoz. Its church, Mudéjar cloister and tiled Renaissance altarpiece are worth the drive, as are the wide views over Extremadura and Andalusia.

The historic Vía de la Plata also passes through Monesterio. Travellers have crossed this north–south route for centuries, and pilgrims still use it on their way towards Santiago de Compostela. Seville and Mérida are both within reach, though La Dehesa de Don Pedro works best when you leave enough time for the estate itself.

THE OWNERS

La Dehesa de Don Pedro grew from Pedro’s attachment to the land and his wish to restore the abandoned cortijo. His children eventually brought that idea to life, keeping the property within the family and building the hotel around the landscape they had known for years. That background gives the place a warmer character than its five-star label may suggest. The team knows the estate, its animals, local producers, and the nearby villages. They help with walks, activities and meals, while making it easy to spend a day with no real plan.

GOOD TO KNOW

La Dehesa de Don Pedro has 16 rooms. Children are welcome, and extra beds can be added to selected rooms. Las Mesas serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Restaurant hours may vary by season. Horse riding, buggy tours, cycling, hiking, stargazing, gastronomic experiences and livestock visits can be arranged. Most require at least five days’ notice. A car is essential. The recommended route approaches through Monesterio and Pallares, avoiding the narrower road from El Real de la Jara. Seville Airport is about 1 hour 20 minutes away.

Rates start at €180 per night for two people, including breakfast, depending on the season and room category.

THE ADDRESS