Celebrating 10 Years Of 5-Star Ski Breaks At El Lodge
As we approach the opening of El Lodge for the winter 2022-2023 skiing season, we’re proud to be celebrating our tenth anniversary since our first season in 2012-2013.
Our slogan at the time was “Love. Live. Ski” – a simple ethos that we’ve carried through the decade since, encouraging our guests to enjoy the pleasures of a luxury ski holiday with our sumptuous accommodations, from hitting the slopes in the sun to après-ski in our gourmet restaurants.
This season, we’re celebrating “10 years of Love. Live. Ski” with our valued guests. To mark the occasion, let’s take a trip down memory lane, looking back on the beginnings of El Lodge and how we’ve grown to be one of the best small luxury ski lodges in the world.
The history of El Lodge
El Lodge first opened its doors as a renovated Alpine-cabin-style resort in 2013, unfortunately facing the setback of a fire in its second year of operation. However, El Lodge was rebuilt bigger and better than ever, with an incredible interior design makeover creating the cosy yet contemporary look with quirky vintage touches that El Lodge has become known for since reopening in 2015.
El Lodge quickly gained a well-earned reputation as the perfect luxury getaway spot for skiing in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains, just a 90-minute drive from the coast and Malaga’s equally beautiful beaches. With just 20 rooms and suites available, it truly feels private and sophisticated, while providing everything you might need with first-class service from warm and welcoming staff.
As a result, El Lodge became part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, joining just over 500 of the very best exclusive hotels from 90 countries around the world. El Lodge was also given the title of Spain’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel at the World Ski Awards in 2016, 2018, and 2019.
While the world faced many difficulties through the COVID-19 pandemic, El Lodge is still going from strength to strength as a premier destination for luxury ski holidays in Spain – proudly opening to guests for our tenth anniversary season from 1st December 2022.
El Lodge through the years
Over the last decade of welcoming guests from around the world to El Lodge, we’ve hosted thousands of visitors, making so many dreams come true that previous holidaymakers often come back, again and again, to spend another winter with us.
We’re always looking to improve our offering in any way we can, striving to uphold the highest standards of customer service and comfort since the start.
Don’t just take our word for it, though – discover what the luxury travel experts had to say after visiting El Lodge over the last several years:
“The atmosphere during the week is quiet and laid-back, but gets lively at weekends when people come up from the coast and nearby Granada.
Rebuilt after a fire, Hotel El Lodge is planning to be an après hub with its Suite Nevada Terrace, a branch of the fashionable Marbella Club, with DJ, fire pits and furry throws.”
– The Guardian, Great little ski resorts you may never have heard of (2015)
“On a clear day you can spot the sea from the highest peak. And with more than 100km of pistes to explore, including lots of travelators and beginner tracks, El Lodge in Sierra Nevada makes a compelling case for family skiing in Spain.”
– Condé Nast Traveller, The 10 best ski hotels for families (2015)
“The 20 guest rooms – 12 of which are suites – are arranged over three storeys with the 1st floor leading directly onto the deck with an open-air heated pool, a large sauna and a Finnish hot tub.
We suggest plumping for a suite on one of the floors above – each with its own terrace and private Jacuzzi, they make the perfect spot to soak up the majestic vistas while sipping on a chilled glass of cava.”
– Wallpaper* Magazine, El Lodge — Granada, Spain (2016)
“Though it looks like a traditional ski cabin, this lodge’s interior is trendy and super contemporary. Think private spas, Nordic furnishings, deer rugs and expansive views of the mountain.
This small hotel also ensures all its guests are kept happy with three restaurants to choose from, ski boot warming services and a dedicated kids zone.”
– She Said, 17 Tiny Hotels That Are Too Cute For Words (2016)
“Set 7,000 feet above the main Sierra Nevada ski resort village – and just 90 minutes from the Malaga coast – this picturesque lodge is worth visiting for the views alone. From every angle, you can enjoy sweeping panoramas of the Sierra Nevada mountains and on a clear day, you can see Africa in the distance.
The lodge itself is equally beautiful, built with Finnish timber logs and tricked out with stylish, alpine-chic décor […]. Other hotel highlights include a ski-in, ski-out rental shop that makes hitting the slopes easy, and a scenic hot tub perfect for enjoying a mug of mulled wine après-ski.”
– CNN Travel, 10 of the world’s most beautiful ski lodges (2017)
“My penthouse suite at El Lodge had a breathtaking view of picturesque Sierra Nevada. The contemporary, Nordic-style decoration that so characterizes El Lodge made me feel right at home.
El Lodge has the feel of a chalet in a picturesque location with stunning mountain views, with winter feel and sunshine for a romantic getaway or holiday with kids. It is absolutely perfect to throw a private party or even a winter wedding.”
– Gemologue, El Lodge Hotel Sierra Nevada, Granada Spain (2018)
“With 45 pistes and six off-piste tracks surrounding the hotel, the El Lodge in Spain’s idyllic alpine Sierra Nevada region could not be better positioned for a weekend ski break.
The luxury boutique ski lodge has ski-in ski-out access and the hotel spa includes heated pools, sauna and steam baths with an additional heated pool on an outdoor terrace overlooking the mountains.”
– Evening Standard, 11 of the best ski and spa breaks in Europe (2019)
“The goal at El Lodge is to make everything as easy as possible, and it works. Need a lift pass? Swing by reception and it will be ready to collect in 10 minutes. Need equipment? Head to the basement floor where the hotel’s in-house hire shop is ready to get you kitted out in under five minutes.
[…] A stylish pad with impeccable service, El Lodge takes all the awkward bits out of a ski holiday, while giving access to Spain’s best-kept secret.”
– Evening Standard, El Lodge, Sierra Nevada, Spain – hotel review (2019)
“Skiing and sunshine are a glorious combination, but how about snow and spa too?! El Lodge, the stylish Ski & Spa resort in Sierra Nevada, has unveiled this tempting offer for those that want wellness and indulgence in the spectacular surroundings of the highest peaks in Spain.”
– Executive Destination, El Lodge unveils winter Spa & Gastronomy offer (2019)
“Spain may not be everyone’s first thought for a cosy alpine getaway, but El Lodge and Spa competes with the very best Alpine resorts. The gorgeous getaway in Sierra Nevada is constructed with Finnish timber that creates a truly authentic alpine lodge feel.”
– Luxsphere Magazine, Cosiest Alpine Hotels in Europe (2020)
“Skiers looking for luxury will find it at El Lodge, which boasts four restaurants, a superb spa, plush suites and direct access to the pistes. You can hire skis from the hotel, book your children into a dedicated kids’ club and reserve an in-house guide to develop your skills on the mountain. Staff will even carry your skis down to the station and kit you out in cosy gear.”
– Culture Trip, The Best Hotels in Sierra Nevada, Spain (2020)
“El Lodge is at around 6,889ft. Its best feature, apart from the 37°C outdoor pool overlooking the piste, is that you can ski in and out. With just 20 luxury rooms, it feels homely. A sun deck facing the slopes, with comfy sofas and a DJ, give a party vibe.
[…] The atmosphere’s lighter, lift queues less aggressive and runs perfectly bashed, with all levels from green to black.”
– Metro UK, Want to ski and sunbathe? Visit Spain’s Sierra Nevada resort for winter sun (2021)
“Europe’s most southerly ski resort is pleasingly affordable — though you can go upscale.
[…] Best of all, you’re less than an hour from lively Granada city and 75 minutes from Costa Tropical beaches — where else could you, at a push, cram ski resort, historic city and beach into one day?”
– The Times, Ten more Andalusian winter breaks (2021)
“In doubt between an active skiing holiday or a relaxing trip to the sun? At boutique resort El Lodge in Granada, Spain, you simply enjoy both. You stay in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains and after a one-and-a-half hour drive you are at the beautiful coastline of Marbella.
El Lodge is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and lives up to this designation: the chalet, constructed from Finnish wood, is small, luxurious and finished to perfection. The hotel dates from 2015 and has 8 rooms and 12 suites. You can also rent it as a whole, for family holidays or company outings.”
– Luxuria Lifestyle International, Winter destination – El Lodge in Sierra Nevada (2022)
“Though most regions in Spain experience all four seasons, the southern Mediterranean country is more famous for its delectable paella and white sand beaches than its ski outposts. However, El Lodge, nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, is worth a trip to Granada. With 60 miles of ski runs—ranging from greens to double black diamonds—El Lodge is an athletically inclined crowd’s dream.”
– Architectural Digest, 13 Haute Mountain Hotels That Make a Case for Stylish Winter Getaways (2022)
“Known as one of the most exclusive refuges in Europe, this is the perfect place to relax watching the sunset with a glass of champagne.
[…] When you cross the doors of this establishment you will feel that you are entering a parallel universe reserved for a select few. This boutique hotel is located in the privileged Sierra Nevada mountain and offers you all the attractions so you can truly disconnect and forget about everything and everyone.”
– Vanitatis El Confidencial, The Lodge Ski & Spa: a romantic getaway at an altitude of 2,000 meters (2022)
“[…] Consider whiling away a weekend in El Lodge, in the Sierra Nevada. The sister hotel of the five star Marbella Club, this is the very epitome of mountain luxury.
Originally built for Spain’s king, it was always set up with luxury at its heart and these days Spain’s top celebrities and captains of industry stay here. There is a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and Turkish bath and plenty of luxury trimmings like boot warming, while you ski literally from the door.”
– The Olive Press, Top ten hotels to enjoy the Spanish Mountains (2022)
Celebrate 10 years of “Love. Live. Ski” with El Lodge
A picturesque location, ski-in ski-out access, luxurious accommodation, and delicious food – what more could you want from your winter getaway?
You won’t find anywhere else like El Lodge for a uniquely charming ski break in Sierra Nevada.
Not only is the team at El Lodge like a family, but we treat our guests like family, too. We go above and beyond to make your experience as comfortable and special as possible, so why not join us for your next ski break during the 2022-2023 season?
Book now to come and celebrate “10 years of Love. Live. Ski” with us, and experience all of the benefits of a luxury ski holiday at El Lodge for yourself.
Check online for El Lodge availability and rates today, or contact the attentive El Lodge team by calling +34 958 480 600 – we’ll be happy to discuss your booking requirements with you.
