Casa de los Bates: Historic Wedding Venue with Spanish Charm

Casa de los Bates was the first venue I ever visited as a wedding planner in Nerja and I fell in love with it whilst still driving up the driveway.

Whilst it is still very typically Hispanic and retains all of that classic, Spanish charm, it also reminded me a lot of an English stately home. It had that same grand, elegant feel to it which made it feel almost comforting and familiar whilst still being very traditional for this area.

This is a venue for couples who want character, appreciate history and want space for flexibility and creative freedom. 

Why I Recommend Casa de los Bates

When the owner, Borja, showed me around the property, I was in awe of how much passion he has for this place. He’s not just running a wedding venue business, he’s keeping a home full of his family history that he’s proud of.

He pointed out the orchard where he grows fruits and makes jam and marmalade (which is amazing as he was kind enough to gift me a jar!) which is also served up at breakfast here, shared stories about his family and the property’s history, and talked about his plans for ongoing improvements. 

There is so much flexibility at this venue. Most venues have a fixed layout and you work around it. Casa de los Bates works the other way. You decide how your day flows. Ceremony in one space, cocktails in another, dinner somewhere completely different. And because all décor is outsourced, you have total creative control over your colour scheme and styling.

It feels like stepping into a (rather grand) blank canvas with excellent infrastructure and someone who’s genuinely invested in making your day special.

The Venue

The Property

Casa de los Bates is a late nineteenth-century Italian-style colonial mansion set across 20,000 square metres of botanical gardens and orchards. This isn’t a purpose-built wedding venue, it’s someone’s home and family history with extraordinary grounds, which is exactly why it feels so special.

The main house features spacious lounges with fireplaces, a gorgeous marble staircase and a lovely viewpoint terrace where you can look out over the gardens and sea views beyond.

The gardens are incredible well kept and beautiful. There’s an Italian garden (Jardín de la Luna) with water features and fountains, plus botanical gardens filled with tropical fruit trees including avocados, mangos, persimmons, guavas, bananas and papayas. It’s a working orchard as well as a romantic setting. There’s a pool surrounded by gardens, perfect for guests to relax and cool off during the day or, for a drinks reception or for a pool party on day 2.

In front of the main house there is a beautiful water feature which is usually where couples host their dinner with tables and lighting arranged beautifully around the water feature. 

The house and grounds feel like somewhere with real history and soul. You can see why couples are drawn to it.

Wedding Spaces

The secret garden is my personal favourite. You walk beneath a naturally formed tree arch and suddenly you’re in an intimate, enclosed space surrounded by tall ferns. It’s peaceful, romantic and feels like a world of its own. There’s power and lighting built in, so if you want a musician inside your little wedding garden, that’s easy to arrange.

The winter garden offers a larger ceremony space but is still so beautiful and surrounded by nature, and then there’s the romantic gate which features a carpet entrance that looks fab in photos. This is the type of venue that is absolutely stunning as it is but can be made so big and bold with some extra details. (Because, if you can’t be extra on your own wedding day, when can you?).

You’re free to pick each space based on your vision for your day.

Wet Weather Backup

There’s a permanent marquee ready to go which is brilliant because the sides fully open. You stay dry but you don’t lose the view or the feel of the gardens or outdoor space. 

Rain in southern Spain is certainly a lot rarer than in the UK or Ireland, but if it does happen, you’re not compromising on your day.

Accommodation & Details

There are seven rooms on-site, perfect for the bridal party or close family. Both bridal suites have garden views and plenty of space for getting ready. There’s also a dedicated bridal bathroom beside the pool which is bigger than your average bathroom, designed with wedding dresses (and possibly 3 helper bridesmaids as well) in mind.

Parking for 80+ cars and a separate coach entrance means logistics are straightforward for your guests. And, if you want that dramatic entrance moment, there’s a grand staircase and the option of a red carpet.

Pricing & Booking

Casa de los Bates operates on venue hire rather than per-person pricing.

What’s Included: Exclusive use of the entire property, all ceremony spaces, gardens, parking and on-site rooms

What’s Not Included: Florals, decor, entertainment, celebrant, coordination. You organise these separately with external suppliers.

Contact: Pricing varies by season and specific dates. Get in touch with me for current rates and availability.

Budget Guidance: For a 100-guest wedding with venue hire, catering, bar, flowers, entertainment and coordination, budget €18,000-€32,000 depending on your choices.

Frequently Asked Questions