El Kiosko Cottages

The El Kiosko cottages are six holiday lets that the family behind El Kiosko restaurant has next to their eatery, on the shore of the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir, in Ardales. They are on the road to the north entrance to the Caminito del Rey, surrounded by countryside, with views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains. It is simple accommodation, a house of your own rather than a hotel: you arrive, park in front and have a kitchen to yourself.

Two of six, one of four, two of two

According to its website, there are two six-person cottages, one four-person and two two-person. They are furnished and equipped with appliances, and parking is easy, right in front of the door. The website doesn't give the number of bedrooms or bathrooms in each, nor whether they have heating or air conditioning: if you are travelling in high summer or in winter, ask when you book. It doesn't publish prices either; it only says they are affordable.

On foot to the Caminito checkpoint

The advantage of sleeping here is the closeness to the north entrance. From the El Kiosko area to the access checkpoint it is about 35 minutes on foot along a 2.7 km path, and the organisers ask you to be at the access area half an hour before your slot. If your entry is first thing, sleeping here saves you the road from Málaga or Antequera at dawn.

When you finish the walk at El Chorro, the shuttle stops beside the restaurant, so you get back to the cottage without touching your car. Right next door, El Kiosko restaurant serves breakfast from 8:30 and cooks until midnight, according to its website, and the shop sells water and the basics for your rucksack.

What's nearby

A few steps away are the reservoir viewpoints and the Sillón del Rey. On the same shore, Parque Ardales campsite hires out kayaks to explore the reservoir, and the Ardales Cave, with a guided visit, is a few minutes away by car. For climbing or the via ferrata you need to go down to El Chorro, on the other side of the gorge.

Who they're for

They suit families and groups of friends doing the Caminito who prefer a house to a hotel, and anyone who wants to cook something and have dinner on the restaurant terrace without moving the car. If you are looking for a pool, a reception desk or hotel services, the La Garganta hotel, in El Chorro, has them.