On the edge of the mountains to the north-east of Malaga, Canillas de Albaida is a sleepy white village, where the now mostly non-Spanish residents have adopted the mañana style.

The Posada La Plaza is a fascinating restoration of a former convent that had been subsequently subdivided. It's a joint venture by an English couple and Gustavo who runs the Restaurant La Plaza opposite the hotel (and where he serves breakfast so long as someone reminds him he has guests).

The Plaza is officially now the Plaza del Ayuntamento, but there's still a sign to say it used to be the Plaza del Generalissimo (Franco). The town hall and the church form the other sides of the square.

The Posada itself has 9 rooms, nicely furnished, with bamboo ceilings. We got a good deal on the two-room suite (a mistake, but the management kept to the offer!) for three people. Aircon in one of the rooms didn't work but the other was adequate. The rooms have a small ensuite shower room, and there's a rooftop jacuzzi - but check it's working (and try the municipal swimming pool).

All very laid back, and you're on your own at night - so if you don't fancy being the only resident in a former nunnery, make sure there are other guests. But it's a great location for village life (you can manoeuvre your car into the square to unload luggage), and the hotel is plugging its walking holidays, as it's straight into the hills from the village.