Made by the same man who built luxury tent lodges for King Mohammed VI of Morocco and you can tell immediately from the sumptuous décor...

The silhouette of La Jaima’s traditional Bedouin outline has been gracing the southern Spanish skyline for centuries. The Moorish influence carries through to the reds and greens of the interior and the gorgeous carving of the lanterns throughout La Jaima. The tent is carefully designed for all weathers, with a double wall that preserves the interior temperature but can be rolled up to let in the breeze. If it’s too hot of course, just jump into the pool.
While La Jaima is a part of Refugio Marnes, a sustainably operated lodge, it is privately sited so you can soak up the total peace. The tent is fully equipped with its own private kitchen and bathroom facilities and lavishly deecked out with a canopy bed and colourful soft furnishings.
The area around La Jaima is perfect for everything from rock climbing to pure relaxation. Ask the guys at Refugio Marnes about local walks, horse riding, day trips to the coast and winding cycle routes.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is 3-6pm
• Check out time is 11am
• PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING SURCHARGES: €100 refundable deposit, €70 cleaning, €9,50 bedlinen/towels/person; gas cylinder for heating: actual price approx. €17, firewood for fireplace: €8 per wheelbarrow

Sleeping arrangements

Kids & Pets

Surcharges

Cooking

• Gas hobs
• Fridge freezer
• Hot and cold running water

Washing

• Shower room and flushing loo are both in a separate section of the tent

Heating, lighting & bedding

• Lamps and ornate Moorish lanterns are everywhere
• There is a charge of €8.50 per person for linen and towels

Entertainment

• The pool!
• The whole of the south coast and all the great trips

Getting there

Refugio Marnes, Ptd Marnes 20115, 03720 Benissa, Alicante, Spain

By airAlicante is the nearest airport. (1 hr by car)By carFrom Alicante airport take the AP7 highway north in the direction of Valencia. Take exit number 63 Benissa / Teulada / Gata de Gorgos. At the end of the slip road take the direction to Calpe on the N332. Drive through Benissa. Just outside Benissa take the turn right to Jalon/Alcalali. At the next junction (approximately 100 metres) cross the road in the direction of Sierra de Bernia Pinos [CV749]. Continue on the CV749 for about 8 Kilometres [its a small mountain pass] until you see, on your right hand the sign “Restaurante Pinos”. Pass the restaurant and continue along the road for about another one and a half kilometres until you see a small blue bridge. Cross this bridge and turn immediately right, on to a steep road, continue along this road until on your left hand side, you see an old farm surrounded by almond trees. After this house, follow the signs to Refugio Marnes.When travelling from the direction of Valencia southbound on the (AP7) also take exit 63 now called Benissa / Teulada / Calpe, the rest of the route is as described above.
 

Eating & drinking

Things to do

Refugio Marnes is, above all, a place to rest; getting away from those persistent background noises in our lives. Here, you can read a book, soak the sun, have a swim or fall asleep under the shade of a tree, simply enjoying the sounds of nature.

Out & about
Walking & Cycling
The immediate surroundings of Refugio Marnes are an excellent place to have a long stroll or mountain hike. Sierra de Bernia is famous in the cycling world, professionals have their spring training camps on the Costa Blanca, and mountain bikers can go directly from the property for a spin along the winding mountain roads.

Or rather horsebackriding or climbing
In Jalon, Benissa and Calpe there are opportunities for horse riding. Our region is also kn

own and famous amongst climbers, where different degrees of difficulty are to be found in the Sierra de Bernia area. The nearest climbs are accessible by car and are just a few minutes away from Refugio Marnes.

The Costa Blanca: parapenting, hanggliding and of course sailing and diving
You are approximately 30 minutes by car from the coast, so for beach and aquatic activities you have many options. Around Christmas time, 'beach weather' is not unusual here and a golden tan can be gently created under the december sun. The coast can become crowded in mid-summer, but unspoiled beaches and 'Calas' that make you forget you are in a tourist area, are easily found.

Meet your hosts

Richard Steenblik and Willem Pieffers, both 40-ish, have been a team for almost 22 years.

Richard 

"Born in Rotterdam, but really a Twent at heart. Raised in and around Borne in Twente. I have a ‘consumer’ background, had a “Bread and Pastry” education in Almelo and I then did Food Technology in Ede. At the Dutch Institute for Dairy Research (NIZO) I have over 13 years in various positions and my part in the development of new products such as cheese ‘Old Amsterdam’ ‘Milner’ etc., I can call myself dairy technician.During my work at the NIZO I have done the Higher Agricultural School. Once in Spain I had more ‘food’ experience in restaurant kitchens. Cooking is my passion. Besides “Refugio Marnes Casas Rurales” I run with Willem “Refugio Marnes Jardines”, a garden design, construction, consultancy and maintenance company. Furthermore Willem and I specialize in the renovation of old buildings, which we have done successfully five times. Both the new owners and the design/housing press acclaimed the results. All this experience culminated in Refugio Marnes.

Willem Pieffers

"I am Willem Pieffers, born in Delfzijl, partly raised in Germany and then in Rhenen. I have an agricultural and horticultural background, then I went to NIMETO (a general design training) in Utrecht, which I did not finish. Between this training and my military service I worked at a riding school and worked as an assistant Dolphin trainer at Ouwehand Zoo. After my military service I have worked 13 years in psychiatry healthcare. The bulk of the time on open wards where multi-disciplinary assessment was conducted. Once in Spain Richard and I used all the experience we gained in previous construction projects to start Refugio Marnes. In addition, together with Richard, I run “Refugio Marnes Jardines” company, which distinguishes itself by a strong customer focus and an approach to gardening “with” nature and not, as so often happens, against it."

We very much welcome you in Refugio Marnes

and, of course, your stories!