VILLAGE LIFE

Hotel Poeta Jorge Manrique

Segura de la Sierra - Spain

Six rooms inside the old walls of Segura de la Sierra, one of Andalusia’s most beautiful villages, surrounded by the vast landscapes of Spain’s largest protected natural park.

Village

Fireplace

Solar Energy

Honesty Bar

Hike

Local Activities

THE SETTING

Hotel Poeta Jorge Manrique sits in the historic centre of Segura de la Sierra, a tiny hilltop village in the far north-east of Jaén. Reaching it takes time. The roads become narrower, the mountains grow higher, and the last stretch winds through pine forest before climbing towards the castle. The village stands at around 1,145 metres above sea level, overlooking the Sierra de Segura. White houses follow the slope beneath a medieval fortress, with the surrounding mountains visible between rooftops and old stone walls.

The hotel occupies a building with several layers of history. Part of Segura’s original Arab defensive wall passes through the property. For about 200 years, the house served as a Casa Tercia, linked to the village’s administrative and agricultural life. Its restoration combines those older remains with stone, timber, iron and hydraulic lime. The interiors are contemporary, but the building still feels tied to the surrounding village.

The name honours Jorge Manrique, the 15th-century poet closely associated with Segura de la Sierra. His father, Rodrigo Manrique, was master of the Order of Santiago and lived in the fortress above the village. The poet’s best-known work, Coplas por la muerte de su padre, remains one of the great texts of medieval Spanish literature.

THE ROOMS

The six rooms are spread through the old building, so no two have quite the same shape or outlook. Some face the village, others look towards the mountains, and several open onto a balcony or terrace. The interiors are simple and warm, with pale walls, timber, stone and just enough colour. Original details from the house sit beside contemporary furniture, giving the rooms a calm, unfussy feel.

The smaller rooms work well for short stays, while the larger categories offer more space to sit, read or stay for a few days. One of the deluxe rooms features a fireplace and a bathtub, making it especially appealing in the colder months, while another is well-suited to a family.

THE FOOD

Breakfast is served either as a buffet or à la carte. The selection varies but usually includes bread, pastries, fruit, yoghurt, eggs, cheese, cold cuts, homemade sweets, and toast with fresh tomato and local extra-virgin olive oil.

Olive oil is an important part of life in this corner of Jaén. The surrounding mountain groves produce mainly Picual olives under the Sierra de Segura designation of origin, and local oil appears naturally at breakfast rather than as a formal tasting experience.

The hotel does not run a full-time restaurant, although dinner can be prepared on request. This should be arranged in advance, particularly outside weekends and the main season. An honesty bar in the glass-covered communal area is available throughout the day, with soft drinks, beer and spirits. Guests simply help themselves and note what they have taken.

Segura de la Sierra also has several small restaurants and bars within walking distance. Local dishes are hearty and made for mountain weather: galianos, gachamigas, andrajos and ajoatao, a rich mix of potato, garlic, egg and olive oil.

THE STAY

The hotel is small and easygoing. There is a shared lounge, a garden, a terrace and several places to sit with a book or a drink after returning from the mountains. The fireplace makes the communal space particularly inviting in autumn and winter. Evenings in Segura can get cool quickly due to the altitude.

Ramón and the team can suggest walks, cycling routes, natural swimming areas and local guides. They also help guests understand distances, which matter here. Two places that look close on a map may be separated by a long mountain drive.

The property uses solar panels, aerothermal heating, low-consumption lighting and water-saving systems. Local suppliers are used wherever possible, and the hotel holds recognised sustainability certifications linked to protected natural areas.

AROUND THE PLACE

Segura de la Sierra deserves time before driving anywhere else. The castle stands above the village and offers wide views across the valley. Its current form was largely shaped by the Order of Santiago, although earlier Muslim fortifications occupied the same strategic hill. Below it, the village keeps sections of its old walls, restored Arab baths, the Church of Nuestra Señora del Collado and the Renaissance Fountain of Charles V. The unusual square bullring, set into the hillside near the castle, is one of the oldest and most distinctive in the region.

The hotel lies inside the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. At more than 200,000 hectares, it is the largest protected area in Spain and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is enormous, and the town of Cazorla lies on the opposite side. The Sierra de Segura works best as its own destination, with forests, high plateaus, rivers, small villages and roads that see far fewer visitors.

Hornos is one of the best nearby stops, perched above the Tranco de Beas reservoir. Longer days can include the source of the River Segura, the high Campos de Hernán Perea plateau or one of the natural bathing spots scattered around the park. Wildlife includes deer, wild boar, mountain goats and birds of prey. Autumn brings the deer rut, when their calls carry through the valleys.

THE OWNERS

Hotel Poeta Jorge Manrique is run by Ramón and a small local team. The service feels close and informal. Ramón helps with parking, restaurants, routes and the practical side of exploring such a large and remote area. He knows when a road will take longer than expected, which walk suits the weather and where dinner is still being served on a quiet weekday evening.

GOOD TO KNOW

Children are welcome. Pets are not accepted. Check-in is generally from 3 pm, and check-out is by noon. Digital access allows guests to enter independently when reception is unattended.

Vehicle access inside the historic centre is limited. Around ten public parking spaces are available roughly 30 metres from the hotel. A car is essential for reaching Segura de la Sierra and exploring the natural park. The final roads are mountainous, and journey times are longer than distances suggest.

Rates usually start at €120 per night, depending on the room and dates.