Property Description
The Estate
This vast, twenty-two hectare (54 acre) estate, just north of Ronda on the edge of the Grazalema National Park, is one of the most beautiful rural locations in all Spain. It was selected by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine as one of its top 100 rural tourism destinations in Europe.
Owned and developed by a French concert pianist with an artist's eye for beauty, the estate has thirteen holiday villas and five swimming pools located in three distinct, separate parts of the mountainside. Distances between them such that there is no sense of crowding here, no sense of being part of a complex.
There are three traditional houses, La Casa Grande which sleeps eight or ten; Casa Pequena, sleeping two, and El Cortijo, sleeping four. Each of these has its own private pool.
Lower down the mountain is Le Paradis, six one bedroomed villas sharing a pool between them; further across is another small development, El Paraiso Escondido which comprises four studio-villas exclusively for couples, also sharing its own swimming pool.
Each is described briefly (below) and each also has a separate page with more detail and more photos. Click on the villa names (below) or on the links (above and also ower down this page on the right) to view the individual pages.
Each of the thirteen houses is decorated to reflect the region's cultural heritage, with interiors filled with Arab rugs and artifacts, walls adorned with Moorish ceramics and materials. All have air-conditioning, central heating, satellite TV, a DVD film channel and CD players. With five beautiful outdoor swimming pools, a communal tennis court and surroundings of gorgeous countryside as far as the eye can see, many clients come year after year.
It is not, however, luxurious. Style here, both inside and out, is deliberately rustic, rural and natural. The estate is maintained in its authentic state, with paths roughly hewn rather than neatly paved and pristine. There are flowers, shrubs and trees a plenty but no immaculately kept lawns or neatly trimmed hedges - it's real mountain countryside, real Andalucía!
Situated three kilometres down a mountain track (which is always maintained in excellent condition) from the traditional, and very pretty pueblo blanco of El Gastor, this is not a location suited to those in search of bright lights or even a wide range of local facilities, but anyone looking for authenticity and tranquility will treasure this unspoilt paradise. There are stunning views in every direction, encompassing the Lake of Zahara, the Lagarín Ridge and huge swathes of the Grazalema National Park.
Above all else, this is a place to relax and unwind, to stroll and explore, to read or paint, or just lounge by the pool and enjoy the wondrous nature all around. But if you want to venture out, apart from friendly El Gastor just down the track, it's only a few miles from here to the main road which will take you quickly on to Ronda and the coastal resorts of the Costa del Sol further south, or on to Sevilla, Córdoba or Granada if you head northwards.
It's a paradise for lovers of birds, large and small. The Lagarín Ridge which soars up almost vertically behind the estate was once a favourite hide-away for the regions' banderos. Home to a colony of griffon vultures, short toed and bonnelli eagles and with sightings here of a pair of golden eagles, the only other inhabitants these days are the famous Cabra Montes, the Ibex mountain goats.
Active types can indulge in a wide range of outdoor pursuits such as hill walking, mountain biking (some bicycles are available on the estate), horse-riding and rock climbing. For a bird's eye view of the spectacular surroundings, you could even treat yourself to a hot air balloon flight at dawn operated by a locally based English couple.
The Villas
A joyfully eccentric, rambling house set in five acres of wild and exotic gardens, with stunning mountain views, "La Casa Grande" hugs the hillside like a beacon. It's a lovely house, one with lots of character which offers up delight after delight - be it reclining on silk cushions in its minaret-like tower, sipping mint tea and admiring the marvelous views, or maybe reposing on the Alhambra-esque patio. The tinkle of the fountain is a great salve for stressed urbanites.
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The five acres of private gardens are a riot of colour with not a few hidden treasures. Pathways zigzag the hillside, passing spiky yuccas, roses and lavender, on their way to the tempting, naturally-shaped swimming pool. With the glorious countryside of the Grazalema Natural Park literally on the doorstep this is, quite simply, a great place to be.
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Converted form the old stable block which sits near the entrance to the Estate, "El Cortijo" is a characterful villa in traditional Andalusian style, quite basic inside, designed for for simple country living.
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"El Cortijo's" greatest charms lie outside, where a splendid private swimming pool is fringed by shrubs. The mountain views from the part-shaded veranda just outside the house make this spot particularly enticing for summer meals and barbecues.
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A tiny cottage swathed in pink geraniums, nestling at the foot of the mountain, offering a rare treat in its little private garden - a swimming pool just for two.
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Scented shrubs and lemon trees encircle the pool where recliners have been set out for your delectation on dreamy afternoons. Let your gaze wander up to the Lagarín Ridge for a glimpse of a majestic bird of prey or ponder the fate of El Tempranillo, a local 19th century bandit reputed to have hidden out on the estate.
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With their cleverly designed, open plan interiors, these four "casitas" offer spacious, comfortable, well-appointed studio accommodation for couples. Built in a little cluster below the impressive rock formation of the Lagarín Ridge which rises up dramatically behind, they overlook the magnificent swimming pool (shared between them) which is some 50 metres away.
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The "figure-of-eight" shaped pool, which is 20 metres long by (in places) 10 metres wide, has night lighting and even its own waterfall. Beyond the pool and its terraces the hills rise up once again and here and there little sitting areas are dotted about where you can enjoy the sunshine and all-encompassing views.
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Set away from the other villas, this little terrace of six villas is for couples but young children can be (and often are) accommodated as well on supplementary beds.
One enters to a spacious, comfortable and pleasantly decorated living room / diner / open plan kitchen. High, beamed ceilings, brightly painted walls, Arab rugs, ceramics and artifacts, satellite TV, a DVD film channel and CD player all add to the ambience of this attractive living space.
A Moorish-style curtained archway separates the double bedroom. The bathroom has a half-tub with shower over. From the living room, double doors lead out to a private terrace, which is part shaded, part open to Andalucía's famous sunshine. Sunloungers and a table and chairs for outdoor meals and drinks are provided. The view from the terraces, down to Lake Zahara with the Grazalema Mountains beyond, are, as everywhere here, delightful.
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Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
ZC40(Nº 1) La Casa Grande :
sleeps 8 or 10
Main house (sleeps 8) :
Ground Floor :
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
2 bedrooms (both twin bedded)
Bathroom
Terrace
Internal patio (with fountain)
Gardens
First Floor :
2 bedrooms (both doubles, both with en-suite bathrooms)
Minaret tower room
Cottage (sleeps 2) :
A self-contained cottage alongside the main house, made available for larger groups:
Double bedroom / kitchentte
Shower room W.C.
Click here for more details (and photos)
ZC40 (Nº 2) El Cortijo :
sleeps 4
Living / dining room
Kitchen
2 bedrooms :
1 double
1 twin bedded
Bathroom (shower over half tub)
Part shaded terrace (furnished)
Gardens
Click here for more details (and photos)
ZC40 (Nº 3) Casa Pequeña :
sleeps 2
Living / dining room / open plan kitchen
1 Double bedroom
Bathroom (shower over half tub)
Shaded Terrace Private garden
Click here for more details (and photos)
ZC40 (Nº 4) El Paraiso Escondido :
4 villas, each sleeps 2 (for couples only)
Studio living room / bedroom (with a four poster double bed) / open plan kitchen
Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Part shaded terrace (furnished)
Click here for more details (and photos)
ZC40 (Nº 5) Le Paradis :
6 villas, each sleeps 2 (& 2 children)
Open-plan living room kitchen (a supplementary bed can be added for small children)
Double bedroom (separated from the living area by an archway)
Bathroom (shower over half tub)
Part shaded terrace (furnished)
Click here for more details (and photos)
Facilities
Please see the individual villa pages for details of facilities at each one
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pools will be open throughout the year (although, because they are not heated, the normal swimming season is from April to September, inclusive)
Rentals for these properties normally run from from Sunday to Sunday
Location
Accessed by a countryside track (in good condition), 3 km from the village of El Gastor (basic facilities, bank, restaurants etc
Ronda 30 mins; Grazalema 30 mins; Arcos de la Frontera 50 mins; Costa del Sol 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 1½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 1½ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Car Hire
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Málaga and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
Find Out More
About the Ronda Mountains
You may find it useful to view our frequently asked questions
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