between the sea and the sierras

Property Summary

Comprises five villas, sleeping 2, 2/3, 4, 4/5 and 4/6 Two have one bedroom, three have two bedrooms Two shared swimming pools (one 11 m x 4.5 / 5.0 m, the other circular, 10 m in diameter) Located in open countryside, 5 km from Casares in the Ronda Mountains region in the Province of Málaga Price per week : one bedroom villas from £450 to £810; two bedroom villas from £720 to £1,340 Click here for full details

Surrounded by a vast bowl of incomparable mountain majesty, this is one of the most envious and beautiful settings in all Andalucía. Here, in the midst of glorious countryside, yet just twenty minutes away from Mediterranean beaches, is where renowned architect, Aubrey David, built his own, very special, home.

Now retired, but always active, he has converted this magnificent estate into five unique self-catering villas with either one or two bedrooms. Everything is of the highest quality. Each of the villas have open fireplaces, air conditioning, central heating, satellite television, safety deposit boxes, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, car parking and private patios.

They are set at a discrete distance from each other, surrounded, as everything is here, by wonderful nature. There are seemingly acres of space in which to lose yourselves so there is no sense at all of being in a complex.

There are two beautiful, spring-fed, filtered swimming pools, (both open throughout the year), one revelling in full Andalusian sunshine from dawn until dusk, the other secluded by trees and natural shade. And a sauna too.

It would take wild horses to drag most people away from this rural paradise! But anyone who wants to see a little more of Andalucía will be spoiled for choice here. Some of the prettiest and least commercialised beaches on the Mediterranean Sea are literally "just down the road". So, head for the beach, hire a boat and set sail or just enjoy that special "costa" atmosphere from a restaurant at one of the marinas. There are excellent golf courses too.

If you follow the little country road up through the wonderful countryside you will soon arrive at the delightful village of Casares, perched, seemingly precariously, on its steep and dramatic rocky outcrop. It's a lovely place. So, too, a little further away is Gaucín, the other white village in this region which has rightly earned plaudits for its charm and quality of life. And, of course, there's Ronda, Gibraltar, Jerez, Estepona, Marbella …

Take to the countryside and walk to rarely visited Roman baths, hike up Estepona mountain (keeping an eye out for the rare pinsapo pine and cabra hispanica) or wander through fields of spring wild flowers.

Whatever your preference, here you are ideally situated between the sea and the sierras, the perfect place to enjoy the very best of Andalucía.

Property Descriptions : The Villas

The five villas are described in brief, below. For more photos and a little more detail about each one, click on its name.

Casa Mario

ZC30(1) Sleeps 2/3. Set away from the other villas, "Casa Mario" is designed in a semi-open plan style with round timber beamed ceilings. It has a south facing terrace under a grapevine covered pergola.

The living area has an open fireplace and north facing window commanding a beautiful view over the mountains. A picture window seat can be converted into a large single bed. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar. From the living area three steps lead to the double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.

La Casita

ZC30(2) Sleeps 2 and a child. The ideal villa for a couple with romance in mind. Attached to the main house by a covered porch, with its own separate entrance, it has a semi-open plan design with sloping timber beamed ceilings.

It has its own private, shaded patio (alongside one of the communal swimming pools) and this leads in to the living dining/area, approached via a fully equipped open-plan kitchen. Besides central heating an open cast iron open fireplace adds to the ambience. The carpeted double bedroom is separated from the living area by a natural stone wall. The bedroom opens onto a second private, south-facing patio. There is a separate dressing room and a bathroom with a spa bath.

West House

ZC30(3) Sleeps 4 and a child. West house was originally the architect's studio and offers wonderful space and light. All ceilings of this property are timber beamed.

The villa has three levels, a twin bedroom with en suite bathroom on the upper floor and the kitchen and living area on the middle level, opening onto a sun terrace with access down to a garden terrace shaded by a 250 year old cork oak. Half a level down from the living area is the second, double bedroom with open plan dressing, bath and shower areas. A child may be accommodated here because the couch converts into a single bed.

The kitchen is fully equipped and includes a dishwasher and a built-in dining table. Its open-plan design blends with the stone-walled lounge room and the internal garden to provide a very comfortable living area.

El Cortijo

ZC30(4) Sleeps 4. This 2 bedroom villa comprises the original living room, dining room, bar and kitchen, with a style and grandeur befitting the home of an accomplished architect. Any gourmet chef would be proud of the kitchen here, complete with dishwasher, and plenty of space and facilities to cook up a banquet.

Ideal for entertaining, it has a very large and spacious living / dining and kitchen area with wonderful views to the countryside. This opens onto a a south facing terrace under a pergola shaded by grapevines, perfect for dining al fresco.

The master bedroom is on the ground floor and has an open fireplace on its natural stone wall. Opening off this bedroom is a bathroom with separate shower. An attractive stairway leads up to the second, first floor bedroom where french doors open onto a balcony with a lovely view over the valley.

Villa Carmen

ZC30(5) Sleeps 4 and 2 children. This is ideal for a larger family as it comfortably sleeps up to six people. Separate from the main building "Villa Carmen" is also designed with split levels. Entering to the living room and kitchen on the middle level, an external half level stair leads to a covered south facing terrace which in turn leads on to a private, terraced garden overlooking the second communal swimming pool.

There are two twin bedrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs, both with dressing areas and en-suite bathrooms. Both dressing areas are designed to accommodate an extra single bed.