El Rancho combines country charm with thoughtful hospitality. Travelers love the on-site spa's restorative massages and the steakhouse's traditional Spanish dishes. Enjoy WiFi throughout, peaceful garden spaces, and a refreshing pool.
Tarifa is home to El Rancho. RENFE and Maria Cristina Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Playa de los Lances and Ensenada de los Lances de Tarifa. Snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby. Visit our Tarifa travel guide
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free aparthotel has a bar/lounge and a snack bar/deli. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a coffee shop/cafe, a seasonal outdoor pool and a meeting room. Each apartment features free WiFi, a patio and a flat-screen TV. Room service, a rainfall shower and in-room massages are among the other amenities available to guests.
El Rancho offers 12 air-conditioned accommodations with free toiletries and blackout curtains. Rooms open to patios. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.
Bathrooms include a shower with a rainfall showerhead. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. In-room massages and an iron/ironing board can be requested.
Recreational amenities at the aparthotel include a seasonal outdoor pool.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
12 units
Banquet hall
Garden
Soundproofing
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 1:30 PM; check-in end time: 4:30 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before noon
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 10 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Renovations and closures
The following facilities are closed seasonally each year. They will be closed from 23 January to 31 March:
One of the dining venues
Bar/Lounge
Meeting facilities
Parking area
Swimming pool
The following facilities are closed on Thursday:
Restaurant
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Payment types at the property
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cots/infant beds
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is professionally cleaned
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
The seasonal pool will be open from June to September
Pool access available from 11 AM to 8 PM
Property is also known as
El Rancho Tarifa
El Rancho Aparthotel
El Rancho Aparthotel Tarifa
Frequently asked questions
Does El Rancho have a pool?
Yes, this property has a seasonal outdoor pool. Pool access is from 11 AM to 8 PM.
The swimming pool is closed seasonally each year from January 23 until March 31.
Is El Rancho pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at El Rancho?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at El Rancho?
Check-in start time: 1:30 PM; check-in end time: 4:30 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at El Rancho?
Checkout is at noon.
Where is El Rancho located?
Situated in Tarifa, this beach aparthotel is 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Playa de los Lances and within 3 miles (5 km) of Ensenada de los Lances de Tarifa and Whale-Watching. St. Matthew's Church is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
El Rancho Reviews
7.8
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.0
Cleanliness
8.4
Location
7.8
Staff & service
7.4
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 24 reviews
10 - Excellent
7
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 24 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 24 reviews
6 - Okay
6
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 24 reviews
4 - Poor
2
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Zoltan
1 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Great place to stay for Tarifa and kiting
Brilliant stay at El Rancho - really friendly hosts and excellent access to Tarifa's beaches and town and nearby villages too.
Zoltan
Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2025
6/10 Okay
Julie
17 Apr 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
gorgeous beach close by but hotel nothing special.
After booking I received an email stating that I needed to check I by 17:30 otherwise there was an extra 20€ charge.
I specifically made sure I was booking a room with a microwave, but when checking in the receptionist said twin rooms don't have kitchen, I had to show her the description on hotels.com staying a kitchennete and she was able to give me a 1 bed apartment, as I needed somewhere to cook my food. There is not a freezer as described.
The attachment to hold the shower head was broken and the towels were very thin.
The bed sheets smelt slightly of sweat.
It was cheap and location was good. It was OK for the 2 days, but I wouldn't return.
Julie
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
6/10 Okay
Verena
31 Mar 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Well thought out concept by El Rancho: rooms / apartments, restaurant (with a lot of choice), fitness / sports area with bar area for snacks and breakfast, free parking (some right in front of the room), facility in the countryside a little away from the city center. The concept of converting what was presumably a former farmhouse was basically a success. However, the original walls visibly have their own peculiarities: In particular, our room was extremely damp and although there was constant ventilation in the bathroom. Both the comforter cover and all our clothes were damp, and a book we had brought with us had curled pages after a day's stay. There were two single beds in our room whose mattresses were no longer comfortable. They were extremely saggy, had been laid out and were far too soft, which led to back problems for us. It would have felt cleaner if the comforters had had a comforter cover and not just a separating sheet between the body and the comforter. The check out was not ideal as the reception (which was in the restaurant which was closed) was not manned and it was not clear where to return the keys (no return box visible).
Verena
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
8/10 Good
Alan
1 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Adjoining restaurant was great, authentic meal with genuine service. Loved the decor, El Rancho is outside of the city, close enough to town but away from the hustle and noise. The “hotel” is old and rustic but clean and a true Spanish experience! Location is about 10 minutes South of Tarifa, but worth the drive.
Daniel
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
10/10 Excellent
Alba Jose
23 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Super acogedor
El lugar es tranquilo, acogedor y familiar. Ha sido una experiencia super agradable, el trato ha sido espectacular y el ambiente que se siente allí es algo que no se puede vivir en cualquier lugar.
Alba Jose
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
6/10 Okay
Antonio
30 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Una estancia ventosa.
En general estuvo bien con la excepción de haber ruidos de personas conversando hasta altas horas de la madrugada y que se quedan fuera una vez el bar-restaurante cierra.
Antonio
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Youk
2 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
In het kort: mooie locatie en zeer gast vrij.
Ons verblijf bij El Rancho was werkelijk geweldig! De appartementen zijn allemaal prachtig en ook het terras is een fijne plek om te zitten. In de appartementen en in het restaurant komt de geschiedenis van de ranch op een interessant manier naar boven.
Het meest opvallende was de uitstekende service en het vriendelijke personeel. Het team regelde alles wat je vroeg perfect en laten zien dat ze plezier hebben in hun werk.
Het restaurant dat erbij zit is van top klasse. Hier heb in het lekkerste vlees gehad dat ik ooit heb geproefd. De prijzen voor het vlees van enorme kwaliteit zijn in vergelijking met Nederland echt een top deal.
Al met al, zowel voor een fijn verblijf als ontzettend lekker eten: El Rancho is een aanrader!
Youk
Stayed 15 nights in Apr 2023
4/10 Poor
Andrew
20 Oct 2021
Liked: Communication
In need of updating and better equipping
I was disappointed overall with the El Rancho apartments. The apartment was very small, the kitchen was tiny and very poorly equipped to cook for yourself. There were broken sockets in the apartment and it is in need of a refresh. The apartment was not representative of the photographs shown on the Hotels.com website and I would not either recommend or stay again.
Andrew
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
8/10 Good
Daniel
1 Jun 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Der Aufenthalt war Ok. Das Restauran ist ein muss für Fleisch Liebhaber! Was ich zu bemaängel habe ist die Toilette Duschkopf Defekt. Die duschkabien ist für kleine Leute gemacht die Halterung vom Duschkopf war kaputt. WC spüle funktionierte nicht, musste immer mit ein küpel Wasser Spülen. Sonst für den Preis ok.
Daniel
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021
10/10 Excellent
Melodia
12 Aug 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Estupendo
Estupendo alojamiento, cerca de todas las playas, a 3km de tarifa,todo estupendo y la comida de el restaurante totalmente recomendable. Repetiremos sin duda!
Melodia
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
27 Apr 2020
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Wir waren wohl die ersten in diesem Jahr in diesem Appartement, weshalb wir nachgereinigt haben .
Ausstattung ist ok .
Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis gut
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
8/10 Good
Mara
23 Sept 2019
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Si tratta di una casa rurale fuori dal centro abitato ma comoda per andare in paese e alle spiagge. Dotata di giardino, piscina, parcheggio e un buon ristorante.
L'appartamento è rustico e senza troppe pretese, mentre la camera è moderna e più accogliente.
Buona posizione, vicino a Tarifa e a circa un km dalla spiaggia. Le camere sono essenziali, noi avevamo molte formiche in camera, il letto era duro e in bagno l'unica luce era quella dello specchio (che non funzionava bene).
Considerando il prezzo non super economico ci aspettavamo qualcosa in più.
El entorno y situacion muy bien tranquilo y un trato muy bueno por los dueños que también regentan el restaurante continuo con unos platos buenísimos y Si vas con niños fabuloso.solo que en nuestro caso era habitación tipo hotel sin ser apartamento y no nos hicieron limpieza de
habitación ni cambio de toballas en tres noches que estuvimos y muchas hormigas por toda la habitación que se metían en la maleta cama y tohallas.
Poco distante dal centro di tarifa, vicinissino a spiaggia los lances. Consiglio di provare la cucina locale al ristorante annesso.carne ottima , porzioni abbondanti e prezzi abbordabili.
Sitio espectacular con gente muy familiar. El entorno es maravilloso. Volveré 100% seguro.
Francisco Javier
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
8/10 Good
Karen
17 Oct 2018
Liked: Staff & service
Apartment near to Tarifa
Booked last minute, basic, clean apartment, ideal for what we needed. No kettle or hairdryer. Ate in the restaurant which was okay decorated with bullfighting memorabilia.
Karen
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018
8/10 Good
Conchi
1 Sept 2018
Lugar muy tranquilo ideal para visitar las playas de tarifa y alrededores, habitación tipo apartamento con cama muy cómoda, la piscina pequeña pero ideal para un baño después de la playa, nos ha gustado bastante, sólo estuvimos una noche pero no nos importaría repetir.