Rural B&B farmhouse in Lubrin, Spain

Planet

One of the challenges we have enjoyed the most about starting a new business is minimising the environmental impact it and our home had upon the area where we are based. The work we carried out to restore our ‘cortijo’ was done sympathetically, using local materials and tradesmen where possible. We have re-used and recycled materials and had fun doing so, with many quirky reuses of old items such as a donkey plough turned into a light fitting, which has all resulted in unique, creative but beautiful accommodation.

We also recycle as much of our waste as possible, and actively help guests to do so too. We have recycling bins on site, which we then take it to the local recycling points to sort.

We have installed a solar system for the hot water and heating, which is also connected to a wood burning stove to allow for use even on cloudy days. All the dirty water from the house goes into a treatment plant and is then re-used to water the olive trees. Guests are also encouraged to reduce their water usage. All toilets have a short flush and most rooms only have a shower.

The food we serve our guests, is locally sourced wherever possible. Lubrin has a wealth of food producers who are ‘famed’ for the quality of their produce, something that the local town hall is passionate about promoting and we are only to help with. Our own olives are taken each year, to the ‘Almazara’ (olive press) to be turned into the most delicious oil.

We are committed to trying to reduce the carbon emissions at Cortijo Grande. We are looking to reduce the amount of meat that is served to our guests. Many of our retreats are vegan or vegetarian based and our breakfasts are always made up from food sourced as local as possible, and you can't get much more local than orange juice made from oranges picked from our own trees.

We provide reusable shopping bags for our guests and point them in the direction of the local market and food producers.
We also continually increase the volume of trees by planting new each year.