This prestigious boutique hotel in Benaoján Estación has new people at the helm. The hotel, formerly a dilapidated mill, was discovered by husband and wife Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin some forty years ago when, as young teachers, they were on a back-packing holiday in the area.
Photo courtesy of booking.com
What happened next?
They had a dream, bought the ruined mill, and gave up their teaching jobs in the UK, Andy was a PE teacher and Pauline a Spanish teacher, and they worked flat out to turn the ruined mill into one of the best hotels and restaurants in Andalucia.
Despite the formidable challenges, eg the bureaucracy, threats from the local mafia, and other issues, they managed it.
Their policy of only employing local people paid off and they quickly became part of the local community.
Before and after photos [Andy Chapell]
Andy and Eddie [Jon Clarke] River-side dining terrace [Htl Molino del Santo]
Andy and Pauline sired two children, Carmen and Rosi, who were born locally, went to school at an international school on the coast and completed their education at universities in the UK. Both are bilingual, of course.
What goes around, comes around
Andy and Pauline reached pension age and wanted to retire. They left the hotel in the capable hands of Ricardo and Nicole, an Anglo-Argentinian/French couple, for a while, but now their oldest daughter Carmen and her Norwegian partner Martin have agreed to take up the challenge.
Carmen and Martin are currently refurbishing the hotel and planning a new menu, with many vegetarian options. They also plan to focus on fine wines, particularly from the Ronda area.
Andy & Pauline's retirement [JC] Carmen [Linked In] Martin [X]
They plan to re-open Molino del Santo in April 2025. We look forward to checking them out!
© The “Guiri” Gourmet
Links:
Run of the Mills - Help me, Ronda - please scroll down to Molino del Santo
The Best “Station” in the Serrania de Ronda – Estación de Benaoján
Acknowledgements:
Andy Chapell, Jon Clarke, Pauline Elkin, Paul Whitelock, The “Guiri” Gourmet, The Olive Press
Photos:
Andy Chapell, booking.com, Jon Clarke, LinkedIn, Molino del Santo, Pauline Elkin, Paul Whitelock, The Olive Press, X
Tags:
Andy Chapell, Carmen Chapell Elkin, Jon Clarke, Martin Reymert, Pauline Elkin, Paul Whitelock, Rosi, The “Guiri” Gourmet, The Olive Press, www.help-me-ronda.com