Property Description
For those who have read the international best-seller, "Driving over Lemons" this is the property that Chris Stewart fell in love with but was unable to buy … but you will have to read the book to find out why …
The location is wonderful, a beautiful, horseshoe-shaped valley encompassed by mountain terrain, it's full of orange, lemon, fig and pomegranate, everything left in its natural state. Some 150 or so goats will pay you a visit most days to graze the land, all wearing their tinkling bells. Wonderfully coloured bee eaters are everywhere to be seen as they nest in the rocks directly above the property.
The two casitas (cottages) overlook the river and, at certain times of the year (depending on rainfall and snowmelt), a small lake forms where you can observe herons, black storks and other water birds. Wildlife such as ibex and wild boar come down to the river to drink.
The views are wonderful, the nature all around fantastic. Bee Eaters, Golden Orioles, Hoopoes, Crag Marins and Swallows are just a few of the countless birds which enjoy it too. And, closer to home, the gardens are full of colour and fragrance - with bougainvilleas, dame de noche, jasmine, cannas, lavender, geraniums, grape vines et al.
Incredibly peaceful, this is a very special corner of Andalucía, a perfect retreat from life's hustle and bustle. It certainly impressed the Times Newspaper who have awarded them the "best place to stay in Europe. 2008" in the Times Travel Green Spaces Awards.
The style of the rental homes is entirely in keeping with this magnificent environment and local traditions. Two little cottages (one on the terrace above and to the side of the other), they have been renovated and made into charming holiday homes, each one for a couple. Here you will find chestnut and cane ceilings, ochre and white walls and stone floors. The result is light and very welcoming.
Casita Tomillo : at the front, a large sun patio runs the entire length of the house looking out over the ancient terraces of almond, olive and orange groves. You can pick the figs from your window!
From here one enters directly into the living room / open-plan kitchen, with its cosy sitting area and a wood burning stove for the cooler evenings. An archway leads to the double bedroom, with a handmade king sized bed and en-suite shower room.
Casita Romero : originally the old stables, every care has been taken to retain the original architectural details, the soft textured curves of the walls and the beautiful old chestnut and olive beams.
One enters from the cane and vine covered terrace which runs along the front of the house (with sunloungers and dining area) into the living room / open-plan kitchen.
A doorway leads to the double bedroom, with its wonderful hand-made eucalyptus wooden bed strategically placed to wake up to the glorious view. From here there is access to the secret, hidden terrace behind the casita where you can take the sun in total privacy, at the same time enjoying the spectacular surroundings.
Lovely as these casitas are inside, above all this is a place to enjoy the great outdoors. It's everywhere - spectacular mountain scenery and stunning views whichever way you turn. The magnificent swimming pool (15 metres x 8 metres) is centre-stage within the forty-odd acres of rural farmland which extends down to the river, five minutes walk away from the two houses.
Such beauty comes at a small price: these are two of the more remote properties around here, situated eight kilometres from Órgiva, the nearest centre of civilisation. A narrow road leads out from the small town, through the delightful countryside, finally turning into a track, the last 200 metres of which are quite steep and bumpy (but negotiable in a normal car).
Please note, too, that the electricity supply is solar, which is sufficient to provide lighting but little else. Equipment such as PC's, hair dryers and music systems cannot be used here.
So, these are not holiday homes for anyone who needs their electrical creature comforts or wishes to nip off regularly into town, but for those who want real countryside peace and joy, this is a small price to pay. And, of course, there are no pylons or electric cables to spoil the magnificent views!
There are various rental options here: throughout the year the cottages can be rented individually, either with private use of the pool and grounds (as the other cottage will be closed for the duration of the rental), or, at a discounted price sharing the pool and grounds with guests occupying the other cottage.
They also combine perfectly for two couples who want to holiday together (with exclusive use of the pool and grounds) but enjoy a little independence from each other as each has their own casita.
Please note that whilst the whole property is completely on its own, "in the middle of glorious nowhere" as described by one contented guest, the owners (an English couple) also live in an adjoining cottage.
Helpful yet discrete, they do of course respect clients privacy at all times. As one client wrote to us, "our wonderful hosts should be awarded a gold star for the ambience, design and comfort here, not to mention the incredible natural beauty of this place".
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Property Details
ZA46(1) Casita Tomillo
all on one floor :
Open plan living / dining room / kitchen
1 double bedroom with en-suite bathroom (shower only)
Terrace with furniture
ZA46(2) Casita Romero
all on one floor :
Open plan living / dining room / kitchen
1 double bedroom
Bathroom (shower only)
Two terraces with furniture
Facilities
Selection of books, board games, cards • Essential internet access can be provided (the owners have internet access)
Both cottages have a wood burning stove in the living room • Portable gas heaters (on request) • Fans
Casa Tomillo has a gas oven (there is no oven in Casa Romero)
Both have: a gas hob (4 rings) • Fridge / freezer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine
All linen is provided (but not pool towels although these can be provided on request for 5€ per towel) • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Private use of the filtered swimming pool (15 m x 8 m, 1.5 - 3.0 m deep with Roman steps)
Barbecue (portable) • Sunbeds • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Parking
Notes
There are various rental options :
(1) you may rent just one cottage (for a couple) with private use of the pool and grounds; the other cottage will be closed
(2) you may rent one of the cottages (for a couple) at a discounted price but sharing the pool and grounds with the clients occupying the other cottage
(3) you may rent both cottages together (for four people), with private use of the pool and grounds.
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from April until mid October
12v solar power only, converted to 220 volts, so mobile phones and laptops can be charged (note however that there's no internet in the cottages). Radio cassettes are OK, but more powerful appliances such as hairdryers cannot be used
Note that the property owners live in an adjoining cottage. Clients will, of course, always have exclusive use of the pool and grounds
Rentals for these properties can start and finish on any day of the week
Location
Accessed by a track (steep and bumpy for the last 200 m), 8 km (approx. 20 minutes drive) from Órgiva (most facilities)
Costa Tropical 1 hr; Granada 1¼ hrs; Málaga 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Granada 1½ hrs; Málaga 2½ 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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