Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

The worst kept secret around these parts is that the Ronda Valley Hotel (formerly Hotel Don Benito) is to close its doors on 15th January 2026. WTF! Why?

This hotel is my nearest local, so from a selfish point of view, I think it's a disaster.

Talking with other "guiris" who live nearby, it's a catastrophe for them also.

Ronda Valley Hotel [Photo: A1 Inmobiliaria]    

The local folk, almost all andaluces, mostly involved with agriculture - olives, grapes, hortalizas of all kinds - or livestock farmers - sheep, goats, pigs and cattle - this is where they come to chill out after work and quench their raging thirsts.

Backstory

I've lived around here for 17 years and I've experienced a number of different "owners" and at least three name changes to the hotel in question.

For many years it was Hotel Don Benito, then La Posada de Ronda and latterly Ronda Valley Hotel.

The owner was Pedro, but he died a couple of years ago. His only heir is a daughter who has no interest in running a hotel, just like her dad. Pedro always leased the hotel to others to run.

I can remember Manolo from Ronda; a German couple from, well, Germany; Luis from Arriate; and Sergio and Manuel from Lisbon, Portugal.

Mural in the refurbished bar [Andalucia.org]    

The most successful have been the Portuguese, even though they never come, leaving the hotel in the hands of a manager.

So, what's going on?

You hear lots of stories but are they true?

Final Musings

So, we have another two months before the place closes.

I really don't get it. This hotel has so much potential.

Easy to get to, also for passing motorists; massive free car park; bar; restaurant; function room; large outside terrace; 20 rooms; extensive grounds with tennis court, padel court and swimming pool; barbecue area.

The large terrace [Atrapalo]    

If I were three decades younger; had a background in hospitality; and had the money, I would be first in the queue to buy it.

Talking it over with two local estate agents, one estimated that the purchase price would be around 1.2 million euros; the other 1.8 million. Quite a difference! The latter estimate was because of the potential of the hotel and grounds.

My big idea is that they need to hold live music events on the terrace or in the function room. A guaranteed money-spinner if done properly. There is already a strong tradition of live music in the Serrania de Ronda, eg at the Irish Bar in Ronda; Allioli Bar y Mas in Jimera de Libar; and Bar Restaurante EntreAscuas in Montejaque.

[Allioli bar y mas]    

Another good idea would be tapas at the bar.

Changing the horario of the restaurant would be a smart move: 7.00 - 10.30 would be welcomed by the very many hotel guests from Northern Europe, USA and Canada.

And also by some of the locals.

[Sign by Mar y Ram]    

The bedrooms need a makeover. They are a bit dated, basic and shabby. Once the renovation is  completed the hotel could "up" its prices. 30 € a night for a double room off-season is way too cheap.

Let's hope somebody comes along and buys the hotel and fulfils its potential.

Otherwise, we locals will have to either give up drinking or travel further afield.

Arrgh!

STOP PRESS:

This evening, Tuesday December 2nd, the hotel was shut and displaying a "closed for holidays" sign.

The Ronda Valley is always open - it's a proper hotel, which always has guests who need to eat and have a drink.

The bar is a public one, open to the many locals who enjoy a few drinks before going home for dinner and also to passing trade.

[Adobe Stock]    

So, why has it shut? It seems a bit fishy to me.

© Pablo de Ronda

Links:

Another - new – Ronda Valley

The other "Ronda valley"

Pictures:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Adobe Stock, Allioli Bar y Mas, Andalucia.org, Atrapalo, Mar y Ram  

Thanks:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Eye on Spain, LoveViviendas, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Sierra Estates

Tags:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Adobe Stock, Allioli Bar y Mas, Andalucia.org, Atrapalo, Bar Restaurante EntreAscuas, Eye on Spain, Hotel Don Benito, Irish Bar in Ronda, Jimera de Libar, La Posada de Ronda, LoveViviendas, Luis from Arriate, Manolo from Ronda, Mar y Ram, Montejaque, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Portugal, Ronda Valley Hotel, Sergio and Manuel from Lisbon, Serrania de Ronda, Sierra Estates

Spanish surnames (apellidos - they have two, one from their father and another from their mother) can be classified into four main types.

Knowing about the past allows us to learn a bit more about ourselves, where our culture comes from, what our history is, what our families were like.

[Image courtesy of Wikipedia]    

All this has been concentrated into our surnames, a thread which tells us about our past.

In an article for AS, the Spanish sports daily, journalist Marta Tejedor talks readers through the four categories.

***

    [AS]

I've edited Marta's article and translated it into English.

The original edited article in Spanish is here:

Spanish surnames - apellidos

***

Spanish surnames are divided into four types: find out which type your surname belongs to

By Marta Tejedor

2 minutes read

According to the newspaper OK Diario, experts have created four main types of Spanish surnames into which they can be classified.

Depending on the category they belong to, the surname in question can provide certain information about its origin.

[ElPlural.com]    

Among these categories are patronymic surnames, toponymic surnames, surnames derived from common names, and surnames derived from trades or professions.

Which type of surname does yours belong to?

Patronyms

This type of surname indicates the name of the father or ancestor from whom it originates.

They are very common in Spain and in some Spanish-speaking countries.

Among them, some stand out, such as Pérez, which means “son of Pedro”; Sánchez, “son of Sancho”; or Fernández, “son of Fernando.”

    [Facebook]    

This type of surname usually ends in -ez, -az, -iz, -oz, -uz.

Toponyms

This category includes all surnames whose meaning indicates the place of origin or residence of the bearer or their ancestors, according to YouTube.

Interestingly, some examples of these surnames are Torres, Castellano, or Castillo, all of them originating from Castilla. Other examples are Navarro and Navarrete, both originating from Navarra.

 

    [Slideshare]

Derived from common names

Very similar to patronyms, this category of surnames is based on some physical, moral, or religious trait of the bearer or their ancestors.

The surname Rubio is a clear example of how a physical trait of an ancestor has been passed down to their descendants. Other examples, like Bravo, originated from a brave act or from people considered courageous. Cruz, for example, can mean 'executed' or 'devoted to the cross.'

    [Euribor hoy]

Derived from trades or professions

In this category are all surnames whose meaning relates to the occupational or social activity of the bearer or their ancestors.

Some examples are Tejedor, Pastor, Herrera, or Molina, the latter coming from the work of a miller.

    [Letra 15]

But there are not just these four types: there are also surnames that come from nicknames based on the bearer’s nickname, such as in the cases of Largo or Gordo.

    Largo [Cartoon courtesy of Dreamstime]                 Gordo [Cartoon courtesy of Freepik]

***

Note: A similar article was published in Spanish here:

Spanish surnames - apellidos

©  Paul Whitelock

Images:

AS, Dreamstime, ElPlural.com, Euribo hoy, Facebook, Freepik, Letra 15, Slideshare, Wikipedia, YouTube,

Acknowledgements:

Don Pablo, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

apellido, Castellano, Castilla, Castillo, “cruzado”, Bravo, Cruz, Delgado, “devoto de la cruz”, English, Fernández, Gordo, Herrera, “hijo de Fernando”, “hijo de Pedro”, “hijo de Sancho”, Largo, Marta Tejedor, Molina, molinero, Navarra, Navarrete, Navarro, OK Diario, Pastor, Pérez, Rubio, Sánchez, Spanish, "Spanish Matters", surname, Tejedor, Torres,

This article is not specifically about me.

It's about foreigners, or "guiris", who move permanently to live in Spain, and often experience a kind of "culture shock". 

    [Video courtesy of YouTube]

Anna, a young Briton who moved recently to live in Madrid, explained her situation to the newspaper AS this week.

I too was a young Briton when I first came to Spain 50-odd years ago. I knew almost immediately that Spain would be my destiny, and, although it took me nearly 40 years to make the permanent move, I have now clocked up some 17 years as a resident.

AS
Una británica que vive en Madrid revela las costumbres españolas que niega aceptar:

“Tengo que luchar bastante”

Historia de Marta Tejedor 

Moving to a new country often requires getting to know new cultures, learning unfamiliar languages, and even accepting certain customs you didn't even know existed beforehand.

Spain is a country that welcomes millions of tourists every year, and some of them decide to stay longer to enjoy the country's climate and cuisine, amongst other things.

Anna, a TikToker who uploads content to her account on the social media platform, annainespana, talked about three things she can't stand about Spain.

Three Things She Can't Accept

The Heat

High temperatures in summer are a daily occurrence in Spain, especially in Madrid, a city with more asphalt than green spaces.

In June, July, and August, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Anna confesses that the sun in Madrid is a lot hotter than in England, and that it's hard to get used to.

    [Image courtesy of Dreamstime]

The Bureaucracy

Coming to Spain as a tourist is relatively easy; the problem arises when an immigrant decides he wants to live in the country.

At that point, a period of paperwork and obtaining permits begins that often seems never-ending.

[Image unattributed]    

Anna explains that she had many problems obtaining her visa, not because she didn't meet the requirements, but because the process in Spain is slow and requires permits that often seem almost impossible to obtain.

Spanish Nightlife

In England, people eat dinner and go to bed much earlier than Spaniards. The Spanish timetable is much more nocturnal than in Britain. Going out at nine or ten at night and returning home at three in the morning is something Anna is used to from the UK, yet that seems quite strange in Spain.

In Spain, Anna has observed that people usually go out to clubs around midnight or one in the morning and return home around seven or eight at night the following day!

    [Photo courtesy of Enjoy Travel]

“I prefer to sleep,” the TikToker confesses.

Paul aged 20

I was shipped off to Spain in 1970 for my year abroad (I was studying for a degree in Spanish and German).

Our group was sent to San Sebastián to do a course for three months, followed by "doing our own thing" for a further three. In Spain of course.

I loved it and there began my dream to live in Spain one day.

    View of San Sebastian [The Independent]

Paul aged 58

After marriage, two children, a 30-year career in education, redundancy and divorce, I finally made the move when, in 2008, I met a German lady who was already living in Spain who became my second wife in 2010.

I've been here ever since.

Our wedding in Maulbronn, Germany [HMR]    

Paul aged 75

This year I reached the grand old age of 75. I'm in my 17th year as a resident and intend to stay put.

I shall die here. I've already reserved my nicho at the cemetery.

I've also tidied up my affairs and written a new Will, which is valid in Spain, yet takes into account my current status as a British citizen.

[Photo of nichos by La Vanguardia]    

The issues that still bother me are bureaucracy, litter, noise and the police (especially Guardia Civil Trafico).

But I shall continue to be patient, go through their processes and speak to officials cara a cara.

Conclusion

Back to the inspiration for this article, Anna, in Madrid. "Don't give up, love. Persevere and adapt. I hope you have a lifetime of happiness here in Spain."

Like I have had!

Links:

MY SPECIAL PLACES IN SPAIN - Help me, Ronda

What I hate about Spain! - Secret Serrania de Ronda

Why I love living in Spain's Serranía de Ronda - Secret Serrania de Ronda

©  Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

AS, Dreamstime, Enjoy Travel, HMR, La Vanguardia, The Independent, YouTube

Thanks:

AS, Marta Tejedor, MSN, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

annainespana,  AS, bureaucracy, culture shock, Dreamstime, Enjoy Travel, foreigner, Guardia Civil Trafico, guiri, HMR, immigrant, La Vanguardia, litter, Madrid, Marta Tejedor, Maulbronn, MSN, nicho, noise, Paul Whitelock, San Sebastian, Secret Serrania, The Independent, TikTok, Wikipedia, www.eyeonspain.com, www.help-me-ronda.com, www.secretserrania.com

The November meeting of the Costa Press Club (El Club de prensa de la Costa del Sol) took place this last Tuesday, November 4th.

The venue was the delightful La Sierra restaurant at the Cerro de Aguila golf club high in the hills above Fuengirola. The topic was "Journalists as lifesavers: communication and crisis management in emergencies."

CPC President Neil Hesketh introduces speaker Fernando Fernandez [Photo: PW]    

The presentation

Our guest speaker was Fernando Fernández Alcaide, who is professor of security, emergencies and catastrophes at the Universidad de Málaga.

Fernando is also the spokesperson for VOST (Digital Volunteers in Emergencies) in Andalucia and is a member of the National Emergency Communication Committee of the National Association of Professional Specialists in Emergencies and Civil Proteccion (ANEPPCE).

    [Photo: Paul Whitelock]

With the help of hundreds of slides and short videos Fernando really opened our eyes to how lacking the authorities are when it comes to dealing with disasters.

Some of the disasters he focused on included:

Chernobyl in 1986, Valencia in 2024, the train crash in Galicia in 2013, ébola, the danas of 2024, el apagón of earlier this year.

Chernobyl 1986 [EL PAIS]         Santiago derailment 2013 [The Guardian]    Aftermath of flooding, Valencia 2024 [The Guardian]

He was very critical of the standard reaction of the authorities to disasters.

It was a very challenging and thought-provoking presentation. Fernando is of the view that the Press and Media have a key role to play in getting the right information out there as quickly as possible and in contributing to crisis management.

All areas need a rapid response protocol for emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and forest fires, although he pointed out, to much laughter, that a tsunami plan for mountain areas would be a waste of time!

Several members contributed to the Q & A session, including one member who highlighted the rapid reaction of firefighters in attending an incident near Ronda the day before, because THEY HAD AN EMERGENCY PLAN in place. No-one was hurt and no buildings nor vehicles were damaged as a result.

   [Above photos by Paul Whitelock]

Dinner time

We had all pre-selected our three courses. I started with gambas (prawns) in filo pastry, followed by filetes de lubina and ending with Apfelstrudel. The wine was included, but I drank very little (too busy talking!).

   gambas en filo [eurodrop]       filetes de lubina [commememucho]                      Apfelstrudel [eurodrop]

The 21 members and guests enjoyed the evening: the presentation; the food; and the chit-chat over dinner.

Sadly, it was all over by 10.00 pm, so we headed off home.

Or, in my case, to my hotel in Fuengirola, the delightful three-star Hotel Agur, where I had a double room with balcony, private bathroom, TV and free WiFi for a mere 45,54€.

The secure car park cost 15€ for 24 hours.

Hotel Agur [Photo: Trivago]    

Footnote:

I try to do these Press nights in as eco-friendly a manner as possible, by taking public transport (bus and train), finding cheap accommodation and walking a lot.

On this occasion, the bus and train would not have worked to get to Fuengirola.

Yet my room was more economical than my last "cheap hotel" in Málaga, and much better, in every respect.

The most costly item that day, relatively speaking, was my nightcap, a half litre of Paulaner Hefeweizen (wheat beer), which cost an eye-watering 6.50€.

    My room at the Hotel Agur [Paul Whitelock]

The next morning I opted for the hotel's buffet breakfast at 9.50€. An absolute "snip" for the choice and for the amount I managed to consume! I needed no lunch!

    The splendid breakfast buffet at Hotel Agur in Fuengirola

    Fruit and juice to start     Bacon, egg and baked beans   Cheese, salchichon, shredded veg       "pain au chocolat"

    [All breakfast photos by Paul Whitelock]

Links:

BREAKING NEWS - DANA – Who or what is it?

Costa del Sol Foreign Journalists Association | Costa Press Club

fernando.comunica@gmail.com

uma.es

www.help-me-ronda.com 

www.secretserrania.com

© Pablo de Ronda (Paul Whitelock)

Photos:

commememucho, EL PAIS, eurodrop, Karl Smallman, Paul Whitelock, The Guardian, Trivago

Thanks:

Fernando Fernández Alcaide, Karl Smallman, La Sierra restaurant, Neil Hesketh, Paul Whitelock

Tags:

Andalucia, apagon, ANEPPCE, Cerro de Aguila golf club, Chernobyl, Club de prensa de la Costa del Sol, commememucho, Costa Press Club, crisis management, dana, Digital Volunteers in Emergencies, ébola, EL PAIS, eurodrop, Fernando Fernandez Alcaide, Fuengirola, "Journalists as lifesavers", Karl Smallman, La Sierra restaurant, National Emergency Communication Committee of the National Association of Professional Specialists in Emergencies and Civil Proteccion, Neil Hesketh, Paul Whitelock, The Guardian, train crash in Galicia in 2003, Trivago,  Universidad de Malaga, Valencia, VOST

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