Villa Description
Since acquiring this once-derelict farm in the summer of 2002 the English owners have transformed its numerous buildings into a spacious, stylish, luxurious holiday villa. No expense has been spared and the result is, quite simply … stunning.
Situated about 10 minutes (5 kilometres) north of Ronda, even closer to the little market town of Arriate, the farm enjoys peaceful seclusion, accessed down a little single-lane country track.
It nestles on the gentle slopes of a valley with views over the rolling countryside towards Ronda, and is surrounded by vines, olives, fig trees, giant palms.
The south facing, terraced gardens of some five acres are swathed in lavender, thyme and rosemary. Complimentary, organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables are all available for guests to enjoy. It really is a delightful spot.
The accommodation comprises the main farmhouse and a variety of fully converted outbuildings immediately below it.
The Main Farmhouse
The beautiful, double-height entrance hall has been converted into a very stylish dining hall.
Open from the ground floor to the roof, it is overlooked by both the sitting room and master bedroom galleries, which are accessed by the two opposing staircases at one end of the dining hall. Warmth is generated in winter by open fires and underfloor heating. The dining table seats fourteen.
Alongside, the deluxe farmhouse-kitchen is suitably large, and suitably well equipped (it has, for example, two ovens, two dishwashers, two sinks and even an ice-making machine).
Also on the ground floor there is a separate laundry room (with two washing machines and two dryers), and a guest W.C.
The ample living room on the first floor offers plenty of space to relax, read, or entertain. Comfortable sofas and armchairs are gathered around the big open fireplace. There is English language satellite TV, DVD's and videos, board games, cards and books, iPod docks, WiFi internet, Bose bluetooth speakers, Sonos, and Wii with games. Plus, of course, wonderful, far-reaching views across the valley.
There are two bedrooms in the main house. The master bedroom (Bedroom 1) on the first floor, which also looks out across the hills, has a 5 foot double bed and a roll-top bath within the room. There is also an en-suite shower room and an ante room with a single day-bed. French doors from the bedroom lead to a bridge giving access to the rear garden and smaller of the Finca's two swimming pools.
Bedroom 2, on the ground floor, is a double room with two zip-linked beds (so it can be made up as either a double or a twin) and an en-suite bathroom (with both a bath and separate shower). There is direct access from the bedroom to the garden.
Here, as in all the bedrooms, you will savour the luxury of high quality pocket-sprung English beds and crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, usually the preserve of five star hotels.
Annexe Accommodation
Bedrooms 3 and 4 are located in an annexe opposite the main house. Bedroom 3 is another double room with twin zip-link beds (which can be joined to make a 6 ft double) and adjoining shower room. This room has its own front door, a lovely old wood burning stove, and access to a terrace, shared with Nº 4.
The smallest of the bedrooms, Nº 4 also has twin zip-link beds (which can be joined to form a 6 ft double), a shower room and access to the terrace shared with Bedroom 3.
Bedrooms 5 and 7 are located in a second annexe, a little further down from the main house, accessed by a stairway.
Bedroom 5 is decorated in Moroccan style, it is a double room with a 5 ft Indonesian four-poster bed and shower room. The bedroom opens onto a private terrace and to the gardens below. It can also be accessed through the games room in the lower house (see below). Bedroom 7 is a twin bedroom with adjoining shower room.
Situated beneath the Vine Terrace, Bedroom 6 has a 5 ft double bed and a bathroom with a bath and separate shower. It has a sitting room with a sofabed and an ornamental balcony overlooking its own private terrace.
Bedrooms 1, 4 and 6 have air conditioning.
Other Facilities
Just across the way from the main house is the Vine Terrace. One of the many fabulous outdoor spaces here, and conveniently located close to the main farmhouse kitchen, this long, wide terrace has bench seating all the way around as well as a large glass-topped table and chairs (seating 14), a built-in barbecue, night lighting, a sink and fridge. Shade is provided by an ancient vine.
There's much more! The lower house and terraces, immediately above the swimming pool, have been developed into a fabulous "fun" area - with seating and eating areas, stereo, video and DVD players; it even has home-cinema with a wide selection of movies for all ages.
There's a pool table, a wooden football table, table tennis and lots of games - even a karaoke machine - and a grassed area for playing boules, badminton and other outdoor games.
There are four tennis racquets and two mountain bikes available for guest's use.
It also has a fully equipped kitchen and an additional shower room /W.C. Wide terraces, both open and covered, extend along its entire length, overlooking the infinity pool and the gardens beyond. The dining table here, also seating fourteen is another venue ideally suited for al fresco dining.
There are two swimming pools. The stunning, 13 metres x 7 metres main infinity pool (1.2 m - 2.0 m in depth) is surrounded by stone terracing with lots of quality loungers, gazebos and umbrellas.
From here the views stretch towards the medieval city of Ronda and, in the distance beyond, to the mountains of the Sierras. The pool is enclosed by a wooden fence and a steep bank of prickly cactus.
To the side of the main farmhouse, a second, smaller but equally inviting, filtered, spring-fed pool (8m x 5m, 1.2m-1.5m deep) offers an alternative for those who prefer a quieter dip in the shade of the huge mulberry tree. This is solar heated and also gated, surrounded by terraces with sun loungers.
Below the main pool, the gardens are laid out on a number of terraces swathed in lavender, rosemary and thyme. Around the house, flower beds are filled with sweet scented roses, jasmine and bougainvillea. The giant palms, catalpa and mimosa trees provide welcome shade in the high summer.
All is loving tended by Rafa, the gardener, who also grows organic vegetables which, according to season, are made available to guests.
And to wash them down, the property now has a small bodega (wine cellar) filled with Spanish wines and sherries which are available for guests to purchase.
Nearby Ronda (fifteen minutes away) is a lovely town, Hemingway's favourite in all Spain. A classic example of a fortified Moorish city - the old defensive wall, the area’s baths, mosques converted to churches by the Christians, and many other sites of archaeological interest - it is brimming with history and interest. A visit to its famous bridge and bullring, reputedly the oldest in the country, is a must.
Even closer, little Arriate is a pleasant little market town, authentically Andaluz both in pace (slow) and style (relaxed).
A little over an hour's drive through the spectacular scenery of the Serranía de Ronda will take you to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. The Atlantic beaches on the stunning Costa de la Luz take two hours.
To the north, stunning Seville is also 2 hours away. Córdoba and Granada are a further half hour's drive.
The lush Grazalema National Park, some of the most wonderful walking and riding countryside anywhere in Spain, is only 25 minutes drive away. Here you will find some of the most beautiful of the famous "white villages". Elsewhere, Arcos de la Frontera, Setenil, Gaucín and Casares are all well worth a visit.
A luxury Spanish villa in majestic countryside, this grandly proportioned and superbly appointed 'finca' is equipped and furnished to the very highest standards. Here you will celebrate all that's good about life - in style!
Villa Details
Adjacent to the main house is the Casita (cottage). This is occupied by the (English speaking, Spanish) resident caretaker
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
In high season (July and August) air conditioning can be provided in the three bedrooms ( 1, 4 and 6)
In winter months, between November and March, a supplement of 40 Euros per week will be charged for logs for the open fires. For heating costs in excess of 8 hours per day there is a 5 Euros per hour charge. Payable locally to the house manager
A food hamper is provided on arrival
Prices include six hours cleaning each week
Additional cleaning and outside catering services can usually be provided with advance notice
Villa Prices
2019 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
5th January to 29th March | 3,170 € | 6,340 € |
30th March to 24th May | 4,690 € | 9,380 € |
25th May to 28th June | 5,410 € | 10,820 € |
29th June to 30th August | 7,590 € | 15,180 € |
31st August to 27th September | 5,410 € | 10,820 € |
28th September to 1st November | 4,690 € | 9,380 € |
2nd November to 20th December | 3,170 € | 6,340 € |
21st December to 4th January 2020 | 5,410 € | 10,820 € |
2020 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
In high season (July and August) air conditioning can be provided in the three bedrooms ( 1, 4 and 6) at a supplement of 40 Euros per week per unit requested, payable locally to the house manager
In winter months, between November and March, a supplement of 40 Euros per week will be charged for logs for the open fires. For heating costs in excess of 8 hours per day there is a 5 Euros per hour charge. Payable locally to the house manager
Please note that rentals for this villa are accepted on the following terms: (1) a non-refundable deposit of 25% will confirm the booking (2) the balance to be paid eight weeks before the holiday start date. There will be no refund of monies paid on cancellations after that date
A 700 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
Villa Availability
Villa Location
In open countryside, 2 km from Arriate (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Ronda (all facilities) 15 mins; Grazalema 45 mins
Marbella 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1¾ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Gibraltar 2 hrs; Tarifa 2¼ hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs.
Costa del Sol 1¼ hrs; Costa de la Luz 2 hrs.
Málaga 1¾ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Gibraltar 2 hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
The wild and wonderful mountains which surround Ronda are spectacularly beautiful, a taste of much-touted 'Real Spain' …
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Arriate appears to be a sleepy rural village, but, turn a corner, and suddenly you are in a chic and bustling small town. Well worth a visit - or two.