Colonial style in the mountains of Andalucia
This house is set in a landscape of majestic, natural beauty and is a fitting match for its surroundings.
"The villa is amazing! Really enjoying ourselves... "
Bedrooms
Seven (5 doubles, 1 single, plus basement apartment with 3 single beds).
Pool
Private swimming pool
11.2 m x 5.5 m, 1.2 m - 3 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, 4.5 km from the village of Gaucín in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Price
Sleeping 8 from 3,750 € to 4,630 € per week.
Sleeping 14 from 3,940 € to 5,780 € per week.
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Villa Description
Relax with a sundowner on the terrace
This house was built to capture the wonderful outdoor views ... a cool drink close at hand is all you need to complete the perfection.
The holiday starts even before you get to the villa as the drive to the ancient hilltop town of Gaucín is a wonderful experience.
The road climbs through mountain roads giving you a taste of the dramatic views to come, before dipping down into the wooded valley of the River Genal. The countryside is forested with holm oaks (encinas), Mediterranean cypress, pines and carob with only the sound of birdsong, cicadas and bees. In spring, after the winter rain, the wooded landscape is green and vibrant, teeming with birdlife. Eagles circle overhead as the road climbs up out of the valley towards Gaucín.
This house is not far from the river, a few minutes' drive towards the village itself. The pale terracotta villa peeps through the trees, and is visible from the road, before you see the electric gates on your right. A short, gravelled drive leads you to the front of the house, ready to welcome you in.
A stylish and elegant family home
Artefacts collected from around the world add interest and depth to the house decor.
What makes this house so special is that it has indefinable warmth that can only come from being a much-loved family home. That said, it's a home that is both spacious and elegant.
Walk into the large, open-plan ground floor hall and you get an instant feel of the luxury of this lovely house. The rooms are light and airy and full of sunshine. All the best materials have been used in its construction; it was completed in 2005. The floors are Turkish marble with under-floor heating throughout.
Immediately to the left is a bedroom specifically designed for wheel chair access (the doors lift off if necessary and the en suite walk-in shower is wide). The shower is artistically tiled with Iranian limestone mosaics. This double bedroom has the benefit of air-conditioning.
On the right is another bedroom, king-sized and air-conditioned, with superb views of Monte Crestellina.
A beautiful pool set in a lush garden
Surely the star of the garden has to be its curvy pool with impressive dimensions and swim jets.
Strolling outside from the living area, you'll find the beautiful garden featuring the impressive swimming pool, surrounded by a well-tended lawn. Steps lead into the pool which shelves to a deep 3m for those who take underwater swimming seriously. The pool is prettily gated, for children's safety, with an ironwork pergola and fence. Despite the gates being designed to be secure and child friendly, it almost goes without saying that children should please be supervised in the vicinity of the terrace and pool.
Around the house runs an expansive veranda with space for a 10-14 seated table for outside-in dining. Colonial-style armchairs are there to relax in with a drink and snack, as well as plenty of deck chairs and loungers for guests to lie back and enjoy the Spanish climate. A gas barbecue is available for guests to use.
Curl up with your holiday book
A comfy corner in the garden means escape from everyone, peace and quiet, and 'do not disturb'!
At the far end of the pool is a delightful cabaña-style summer house containing a chunky, plump-cushioned sofa and chairs, ideal for relaxing solitude. You can hear the fun going on in the pool while at the same time doing your own thing. The garden is a restful haven. Bougainvillea runs around the veranda and the beds are planted with Mediterranean flowers, tropical palms and terracotta pots which make for an oasis of greenery.
The road to the house is quiet, so although the road is conveniently nearby, you won't be disturbed by traffic noise when relaxing in the garden.
The property is set in an extensive, private and fenced paddock of about 20 acres (10 hectares), which guests are invited walk around. But please close all gates behind you, otherwise the sheep might escape!
There is a breathtaking, panoramic view around this house. From the east is Sierra Bermeja, gradually turning into the mountains of the Sierra Crestellina. To the south, the Genal River flows to the sea and the rock of Gibraltar which rises up in the distance surrounded by the Bay of Algeciras and the mountains of Morocco whose peaks can sometimes be seen on a clear day.
Early risers will experience wonderful early-morning quiet as the sun gently creeps over these eastern sierras. Except for the chatter of the swallows in the sky, all is still and peaceful, and there is only the anticipation of a glorious day ahead.
The paddock borders the chapel of Santo Niño, the holy child, the patron saint of Gaucín. The legend goes like this: Juan de Ciudad, a wandering bookseller, was on his way to Gaucín with his heavy load of religious books. He had been troubled by lack of direction in his life and had tried many trades. Nearing Gaucín, he saw a poor, barefoot child to whom he offered his sandals out of charity. As the sandals were too big, and the road was stony, he offered to carry the boy, which he did until the heat of the day caused him to stop for a drink. On looking up from the spring, the little boy appeared as the Christ child telling Juan to devote his life to the poor and to put a holy image in the church in Gaucín as a reminder of what had passed between them. The boy then disappeared in a blaze of light. Juan did indeed place a little statue (the original now sadly lost during the Spanish civil war) in the church, and the fiesta to celebrate still takes place in Gaucín every 7-8th September.
The spring where Juan stopped to drink is close by the chapel, so the grounds of this villa are part of this famous legend.
Spacious, light and bright
Plenty of space for family and friends to chill out, together, apart, whatever takes your fancy.
The ground floor is open plan and is divided into a kitchen, eating area and the living room. The large, country-style kitchen is well equipped with a six-ring four-oven stove, dishwasher and waste disposal unit. The walk-in larder just off the kitchen, houses the big, double fridge-freezer complete with ice-making facilities. This family love entertaining and they enjoy cooking for friends, so the kitchen is an integral part of the living area. There is a separate laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer as well as ironing facilities.
The very comfortable living area has an open log fire, flat screen satellite TV and Wifi connection. This house is perfect for a family or a large, sociable group of friends.
A villa designed for relaxation
The owner of this house is a leading architect and designer, so everything has been carefully thought out for luxury and comfort.
Taking the stairs down from the ground floor bedrooms leads to an indoor garage area, from which is a handy little basement apartment. This apartment sleeps three with single beds although two could be pushed together to make a double and one single. Although it isn't air-conditioned, fans are available and the apartment includes a shower room and small sink for food preparation, a microwave and mini fridge.
A curving flight of stairs takes you up to four more bedrooms ... and what beautiful bedrooms ....
There are two king-sized bedrooms, both with four-poster beds. One has an en suite shower room and a balcony overlooking the pool and garden. The far-eastern furnishings and dark wood lend an exotic flavour. High sloping ceilings with exposed beams are not only aesthetically pleasing, but give maximum ventilation in the summer months if you don't want to use the air-conditioning provided.
Sumptuous bedrooms
A good night's sleep and a leisurely lie-in are guaranteed with bedrooms as gorgeous as these.
The second king-sized bedroom also has an en suite bathroom with full bath, shower and Juliet balcony. Like its sister bedroom, it has high sloping ceiling with exposed beams and chandelier light fittings.
The master bedroom suite is spacious and stylishly decorated, again with sloping ceilings and exposed beams. This room has a private balcony terrace with a spectacular 180-degree view of the sierras, Gibraltar and the hills of Tarifa. The master bedroom boasts a four-poster super king-size bed, a dressing area and an en suite bathroom which has a separate shower cubicle as well as a full size bath. The master bedroom is fully air-conditioned.
At the top of the stairs is also a simple, single bedroom, suitable perhaps for a younger family member. Although this room is not air-conditioned, fans are available.
A perfect holiday location
Gaucín is an ideal location to sample the many delights of Andalucía.
With this house, you not only have peace and privacy, but there's the added advantage of being so close to one of the prettiest of the classic 'white' villages of this region.
Gaucín has just about all the facilities you will need: small shops, a chemist, banks and, of course, several bars and restaurants. And, as everywhere in Andalucía, more than its fair share of fiestas, traditional saints' days and processions, each an excuse for merrymaking and dancing.
This part of Andalucía is a paradise for walking, exploring, riding and bird watching. There is beautiful countryside in every direction. It is also an ideal base for day trips to wonderful towns like Ronda, Jerez, Cadiz and Sevilla. There are delightful little villages to explore, Mediterranean beaches are half an hours' drive away; the Atlantic coast with its fine white sand and famous wind surfing is one and a half hours' drive.
The owners of this villa provide a welcome hamper on your arrival so all you need to do is dump your bags, crack open the wine, unwrap the cheese and you'll be enjoying your first tapas on the terrace within ten minutes.
Of course, this will just be the start of the eating experience. During your stay you may wish to try lots of Andalucían specialities, the famous cured ham of the region (jamon), morcilla (spicy black pudding, it's really tasty) and chorizo. A common starter is habas (baby broad beans) and pisto (Spanish ratatouille) is always a good vegetarian choice. Further towards the coast, the seafood is second to none and the array can sometimes be bewildering. Try chiparrones or rejos, these are tiny squid, crispily fried and crunchily delicious. And of course, a cold beer or clara (shandy) is the perfect accompaniment to a lunchtime tapas of gambas (prawns). The afternoon siesta will soon follow.
Don't overlook the romantic beauty of the night time here either. As the heat of the day turns into the gentle warmth of the night, the sun will soon be replaced by an unbelievable skyscape of stars.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall area
- Open plan living / dining room / kitchen
- 2 double bedrooms (both king sized), one suitable for wheelchair access, both with ensuite facilities
- Furnished, part covered terrace / verandah
- Gardens and grounds
Lower Ground Floor
- Self contained apartment with three single beds, shower, microwave, sink and mini-fridge (see photograph number 8 in 'More villa photos')
- Garage parking
- Utility room
- Gardens and grounds
First Floor
- Master bedroom, super kingsize bed, en-suite with separate bath and shower, terrace balcony
- 2 Double bedrooms both with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- 1 single bedroom
Facilities
Entertainment
- Flat screen satellite TV
- DVD
- Hi Fi with CD, radio
- WiFi
Amenities
- Welcome hamper
- Open log fire in the living room (see Notes below)
- Underfloor heating throughout
- Double glazing
- Airconditioning
- Portable fans for single bedroom and basement apartment
- Washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Cots available (provided early warning is given on booking)
Kitchen
- Electric 4 oven cooker
- Hob (6 rings)
- Fridge / freezer / icemaker
- Drinking water system (cooled and filtered from the icemaker so no need for bottled water)
- Dishwasher
- Waste disposal unit
- Toaster, kettle
- Cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery
Outdoors
- Gated, swimming pool (11.2 m x 5.5 m, 1.2 m - 3 m deep) with entry steps, underwater lighting and jets. Cleaned every third day, salt or chlorine used depending on time of year.
- The pool is heated 26-28c, but please see Notes below.
- Cabaña summer house with sofa and chairs
- Sun beds, deck chairs, sunshades
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Gas barbecue
- Gardens and gated estate grounds
- Parking
Notes
The cheaper price quoted is for up to eight people in a party, and means that the basement apartment and master bedroom will not be available.
Cleaning service is included, 3 hours on Monday, and 6 hours' equivalent ie two cleaners on Thursday.
Additional daily service is available on request (for a supplement) but needs to be organised in advance. Similarly, sheets are changed once a week, with a charge for any extra changes.
In winter, logs are provided for the fire at 5 euros per basket/part basket used, payable to the gardener.
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday although there is some flexibility with the owners accepting extra days either side.
The swimming pool will be open throughout the year heated from beginning of July through to the second week of September 26-28c. Before or after those dates, if heating of the pool is required, there will be a charge of 20 euros per day, payable to the owners via us.
The pool will not be heated at all between November through to the end of May. The pool temperature relies on ambient outside temperature and if that drops below 18c, the pool temperature cannot be guaranteed whether the extra charge has been paid or not.
Outside catering details, ideas for excursions and other useful holiday information will be provided, babysitting can usually be arranged with advance notice.
Please, no smoking indoors.
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 54
| 2019 Season Dates | Sleeping 8 per week |
Sleeping 14 per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 22nd March | N/A | N/A |
| 23rd March to 10th May | 3,750 € | 3,940 € |
| 11th May to 5th July | 3,750 € | 4,590 € |
| 6th July to 23rd August | 4,630 € | 5,780 € |
| 24th August to 20th September | 3,750 € | 4,590 € |
| 21st September to 25th October | 3,750 € | 3,940 € |
| 26th October to 31st December | N/A | N/A |
ZC 54
| 2020 Season Dates | Sleeping 8 per week |
Sleeping 14 per week |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Notes
Prices are dependent on the number of guests staying. For eight or less guests the master bedroom and the basement suite will be closed off; this room and suite are available only at the higher, non-discounted rate.
Security Deposit
A 380 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
ZC 54
Availability 2019
Please contact us for latest availability and to reserve the villa.
Your browser does not support this calendar (Javascript is not enabled). For availability you can contact us directly via our contact form, email or by phone.
Villa Location
Location Map
In open countryside, 4.5 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga)
Location
In open countryside, accessed by the main road, about 4.5 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
San Pablo de Buceite (basic facilities) 20 mins; Casares (most facilities) 25 mins; Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) 30 mins.
Ronda 45 mins; Estepona 45 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1½ hrs; Tarifa 1½ hrs.
Jerez 2 hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Nearest Airports
Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- La Costa del Sol with its wealth of sandy beaches, sun, fun and nightlife is just 30 minutes away. Resort towns include Estepona (45 minutes) and glitzy, glamorous Marbella (under an hour).
- Gibraltar, steeped in history, VAT free shops … and plenty of fish & chips is 1¼ hours away.
- Tarifa on the southernmost point of Spain is 1½ hours from here. Looking directly across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, Africa is so close you feel that you can almost touch it!
- Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
- A taste of Morocco perhaps? The fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes 35 minutes, so you can be exploring the local souks in just a few hours. Fascinating and colourful, it really is a different world.
- Spain's unique sherry wine region (Jerez and Sanlúcar), is well worth a visit, enhanced no doubt by stopping at one or two of the famous bodegas along the way! Jerez de la Frontera is 2 hours.
- Cádiz (2¼ hours) continues to evoke the romance, intrigue and mystery of centuries of trade (some legal, some not so) between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- One of Europe's most important wetland reserves and bird sanctuaries, the Doñana National Park, is a popular attraction for nature lovers (4 hours). Its enormous variety of bird species include everything from flamingos to imperial eagles.
- A beautiful road winds over the spectacular mountains to Ronda (45 minutes), with its spectacular gorge and Spain's oldest bullring, Hemmingway’s favourite town in all of Spain.
- Sevilla takes 2½ hours. It is impossible not to be captivated by its exuberant atmosphere: stylish, confident, ancient and proud, yet also convivial, intimate and fun-loving. If you don't know what alegría means, Sevilla is the place to learn!
- The fantastic railway between Algeciras on the coast and Ronda, to the north, stops at the little pueblo of Colmenar (20 minutes away). One of Europe’s great short railway journeys, running through landscapes which offer constantly plunging and spectacular views, this is a remarkable and wonderful way to see some of Andalucía's best and most dramatic countryside.
- There are a plethora of beautiful white villages and hilltop towns to explore and enjoy in the magnificent countryside of the Serranía de Ronda – Jimena de la Frontera, Casares and Genalguacil to name but a few.
- Nearby National Parks include the fabulous Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the Grazalema National Park, one of the most beautiful tracks of mountain anywhere in Europe. Jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons are interspersed, here and there, by some of the prettiest villages in Spain, Grazalema, Zahara, Setenil and the other famous "pueblos blancos".
- Córdoba and Granada are both 3 hours' drive from here.
Activities
- Guided and self-guided walking, horse riding, mountain biking and yoga are all available in or around Gaucín.
- The village has an excellent municipal swimming pool, a tennis court and gymnasium.
- For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Finca Cortesin, Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 50 minutes drive.
- On the coast (both the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz) there’s every beach pursuit imaginable, from sailing and windsurfing, diving and snorkelling to whale and dolphin watching.
