Property Description
The Estate
Surrounded by a vast bowl of incomparable mountain majesty, this is one of the most beautiful settings in Andalucía. Here, in the midst of glorious countryside, yet just twenty minutes from Mediterranean beaches, is where renowned architect, Aubrey David, built his own remarkable and very special home.
He subsequently converted this magnificent estate into five unique self-catering villas. One has three bedrooms, two have two bedrooms, the other two have one bedroom, so, in total there are nine bedrooms (four doubles, five twin bedded), sleeping eighteen. If required, there are extra beds or sofabeds for a further four guests, ideally for children.
They combine together perfectly for a large group of friends or family who wish to holiday together, with all of the Estate's marvellous facilities (which include two wonderful swimming pools and beautiful gardens and grounds) for their private use.
El Cortijo (which sleeps 4), West House (which sleeps 4 and a child) and La Casita (which sleeps 2 and a child) are all part of the main estate building. Each has its own entrance and facilities.
Villa Carmen (sleeping 6 and 1 child) is an independent villa but is alongside and only a few metres away from the main house.
Casa Mario (which sleeps 2 and a child) is set a little apart from the others, a couple of minutes stroll away across the lawns.
Both the kitchen and dining area in El Cortijo are huge and when the whole estate is rented to just one party, additional dining tables are added to accommodate all the guests so they can enjoy their meals together. Any gourmet chef would be proud of the kitchen here, and there's plenty of space and facilities to cook up a banquet for all.
The five villas are each described in detail below. They all 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.
Surrounded, as everything is here, by wonderful nature, there are four and a half acres of beautiful gardens and grounds 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 reveling in full Andalusian sunshine from dawn until dusk and which can be heated (on request, for a supplement); the other is secluded by trees and natural shade. There's a sauna big enough for 10, too.
The Villas
El Cortijo: sleeps 4; one double and one twin bedroom
This two bedroomed villa comprises the original living room, dining room, bar and kitchen, offering an unbelievable amount of living space.
"El Cortijo" is of style and ambience befitting the home of an accomplished architect, perhaps exemplified by the high timber-beamed cathedral roof and windows. Any gourmet chef would be proud of the kitchen here, complete with dishwasher, and plenty of space and facilities to cook up a banquet.
As mentioned above, when the whole estate is rented to just one party, additional dining tables are added to accommodate all the guests so they can enjoy their meals together.
This is the only villa with a bar area and is ideal for entertaining. It has a very large and spacious living / dining and kitchen area with breathtaking views to the countryside. It 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. The en-suite bathroom, from which you can enjoy beautiful views over the mountains, has a bath only, separate W.C. and bidet.
West House : sleeps 4 (and a child); one double and one twin bedroom
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. The open fireplace is an ideal surround for enjoying a cool winter's night and perhaps a bottle of Rioja!
La Casita : sleeps 2 (and a child); one double bedroom
Formally the property's master suite, it is 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 shaded patio (alongside one of the swimming pools) and this leads in to the living dining/area, approached via the open-plan kitchen. Besides central heating, a cast iron open fireplace adds to the ambience.
You will wake to views of Sierra Bermeja from the carpeted bedroom which 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 (which can accommodate a supplementary bed) and a lovely bathroom with a spa bath. The shared porch by the round pool to the rear is a fine place to watch the sunset - with a G & T, maybe, flavoured by a hand-picked lemon …
Villa Carmen: sleeps 6 (and one child); one double and two twin bedrooms
Alongside the main house, "Villa Carmen" comfortably sleeps up to six adult guests and a child.
The architect and his wife lived in this villa whilst the renovations were taking place. It is separate (a few metres away) from the main building but 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 swimming pool.
There are three bedrooms, one double upstairs (with dressing area and en-suite bathroom) and two twin rooms downstairs which share a bathroom between them. The upstairs dressing area can accommodate an extra child's bed if required.
Casa Mario : sleeps 2/3; one twin bedroom
Set a little away from the other villas, "Casa Mario" is the most rustic of them, a country cottage designed in a semi-open plan style with round timber beamed ceilings. It has a south facing terrace under a grapevine covered pergola, an ideal sun trap in winter yet also a shady retreat from the summer heat. Tall windows allow plenty of light into the cottage.
It has its own car access and parking, by a large lawned terrace which leads to the cottage past fir trees and a grand date palm. It offers the most privacy of all the villas yet is only a short stroll across the lawn to one of the two swimming pools.
The living area has a wood burning stove. The north facing window commands a beautiful view over the mountains. A picture window seat here can be converted into a large single bed - it also serves as a great "siesta" bed!
There is a fully equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar. From the living area three steps lead to the twin bedroom (the beds are pushed together) with an en-suite bathroom.
Around and About
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.
Local guide, Kevin, offers guided horse riding for clients staying here, (anything from half an hour to four hours per day). There is also a picadero (with jumps) for anyone who prefers this to hacking out. Children can ride here 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. 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.
Some of the best little restaurants and little tavernas anywhere in Andalucia are all located on this side of Casares village - Arroyo Honda, Venta Garcia, Venta Victoria and the Forge. The first two are especially highly recommended. For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 30 minutes drive. Highly recommended is "Finca Cortesin", a five star golf and spa resort which was host to the Volvo Masters Matchplay Championships, just ten minutes away from the villa.
Our clients always report back favourably. Comments such as, "We just wanted to let you know that we thought the villa was excellent. It is the combination of a beautiful villa and gorgeous surroundings that creates a perfect holiday. You certainly provide that! Everyone who we met was so friendly and could not have done more to help. Thanks for all your help, we really enjoyed our time in the villa".
Another said, "It´s been an amazing stay for all of us. We loved the houses, the beautiful garden, the surroundings, the different energies at the pools. The property offers so many different opportunities, inside and outside … Thank you so much".
Here you are ideally situated between the sea and the sierras, the perfect place to enjoy the very best of Andalucía.
Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
El Cortijo : sleeps 4
Large open plan living / dining room with kitchen area and breakfast bar
Master (double) bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Up one level to the twin bedroom (with en-suite bathroom, bath only, no shower)
Sun terrace (with garden furniture)
West House : sleeps 4 (and a child)
Open plan living room
Open plan kitchen / dining room
Down half a level to master double bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room (with a sofabed)
Up one level to the twin bedroom (with en-suite bathroom)
Sun terrace (with garden furniture)
Garden terrace (with garden furniture & barbecue)
La Casita : sleeps 2 (and a child)
Open plan living / dining room
Open plan kitchen
Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom (with bath & shower)
Two private terraces (with garden furniture & barbecue)
Villa Carmen : sleeps 6 (and a child)
Open plan living / dining room / kitchen area
Up one level to double room with en-suite bathroom & dressing area (with an extra single bed)
Down one level to two twin bedrooms and a bathroom (shared between them)
Covered terrace (with garden furniture)
Private garden area
Casa Mario : sleeps 2 (and a child)
Living room with a single sofa bed
Kitchen (with breakfast bar)
Steps up to twin bedroom (beds pushed together) with en-suite bathroom
Private terrace (with garden furniture & barbecue)
Facilities
All Villas have :
Satellite TV (Free to view) • WiFi Internet (depending on where you are on the Estate; it doesn't work inside all the villas). Bring your own laptop
An open fireplace (or wood burning stove) in the living room • Central Heating • Air Conditioning • Portable Fans
Electric Oven • Electric hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher (in West House and El Cortijo only) • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
The Estate has :
2 spring-fed, filtered swimming pools (one 11 m x 4.8 m, 1.6 m deep which can be heated for a supplement; the other circular, 10 m in diameter, 1.6 m deep)
Pool terraces • Sauna (payable locally) • Estate grounds and gardens • Parking, some covered • Laundry room (a laundry service can be arranged, payable locally)
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pools will be open throughout the year. The rectangular pool in the front grounds can be heated (see below)
Heating for the pool is on request, charged at £30 per day. We recommend that you request its heating for two or three days in advance of your holiday, too, to bring it to a comfortable temperature ready for your arrival
Note that for somewhat smaller groups, it is possible to rent the majority of the villas on the estate and those which are not required will be closed, guaranteeing your party complete privacy and sole use of the pools, gardens and grounds. Prices on application
Rentals for this property can start on any day of the week
Location
5 km south of Casares (most facilities)
Costa del Sol 20 mins; Gaucín 25 mins; Gibraltar 35 mins; Marbella 35 mins; hr; Málaga 1¼ hrs; Ronda 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 35 mins; Málaga 1¼ hrs Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2 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
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About the La Costa del Sol
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