Rural houses with jacuzzi and heated pool in Malaga, the most sought-after for Valentine's Day

Luxury rural homes in Málaga have become one of the preferred choices for couples celebrating Valentine's Day, according to data from Ruralidays.com, the leading platform for rural accommodations in Spain. Accommodations equipped with premium facilities such as jacuzzis and heated pools are the most in demand for celebrating February 14th, which falls on a Friday, allowing many to enjoy a relaxing weekend in nature or in a charming village.

Occupancy for the upcoming weekend reaches up to 75% for homes offering the most exclusive options. The most coveted premium product is the one that offers the option of taking a bath in the middle of winter in a heated pool. Accommodations with jacuzzis are also highly sought after, and with last-minute bookings, occupancy has risen to 60%; as well as those offering a wood-burning fireplace.

Bookings for the Valentine's period have grown by 7% compared to the same period last year. "It's a very positive indicator of recovery and consolidation of rural tourism among travelers," explains Félix Zea, co-founder of Ruralidays. "It represents an extremely encouraging sign of the recovery and strengthening of rural tourism among travelers."

Regarding the distribution by provinces, once again the appeal of Málaga is evident, capturing almost 83% of the demand. "Málaga is by far the favorite due to its mild climate, which is key to attracting tourists at this time of year," adds Félix Zea. It is followed by Cádiz and Granada, which together account for another 10%. Thus, it is not surprising that the municipalities with the highest occupancy are Torrox, Vélez-Málaga, Frigiliana, Nerja, Antequera, Cómpeta, Almáchar, El Borge, Ronda, Coín, Alhaurín el Grande, Mijas, and Periana.

A jacuzzi from one of the accommodations / L.O.

Valentine's Day in a group

Although it is a couples' celebration, there is a growing trend to celebrate Valentine's Day with a group of friends, so the average number of travelers per booking is 4.5. The main country of origin of the travelers is Spain, with more than half; followed by the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. There are also other countries making their way into the statistics, such as Denmark and Poland.

As for the average duration, the month of February is notable for hosting guests for short and medium stays, although this statistic is marked by another factor, such as the arrival of senior couples from central and northern Europe, from countries such as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Finland, with stays exceeding 30 days. Thus, balancing this with short getaways from travelers, especially from Spain and Poland, the average during this period is 18 nights. The average price is 33.5 euros per person per night.

Young couples (between 25 and 40 years old, generally speaking) seek unique and sensory experiences, in accommodations with jacuzzis, saunas, fireplaces, Balinese beds, or heated pools. They also prefer views of the beach or mountains, which reinforces the idea of disconnection and romance. Clients value privacy and exclusivity, with secluded rural homes and many combine their stay with outdoor activities: hiking, biking routes, visits to wineries, or spa experiences. Hence, among the key factors in choosing accommodation for two, location stands out, in places surrounded by nature, away from noise, but with access to basic services. And, above all, exclusivity.

House with pool offered at Ruralidays / L.O.

Romantic rural tourism grows

"Bookings for romantic getaways have grown in recent years, especially on key dates like Valentine's Day, but also on anniversaries and long weekends," comments the co-founder of Ruralidays. Furthermore, there is a greater willingness to pay more for unique experiences: "Customers increasingly value exclusive services, which justifies higher prices for accommodations with differentiated services."

Andalusia in general and Málaga in particular have become one of the favorite destinations for couple's getaways, thanks to its climate, variety of landscapes, and charming accommodation offerings. The demand for romantic getaways is also high in Cádiz and Granada, and the most popular accommodations are those that can combine traditional architecture with modern conveniences.