Property Description
This house is a dream … as pretty as a picture and as delightful as can be. As one client put it, "this is probably the closest place to heaven we’ve visited. The house is charming and comfortable, the pool and its surroundings are absolutely breathtaking".
And breathtaking is the word … it is set in the most wonderful bowl of natural beauty, tucked into the gloriously wooded mountainside just a kilometre south of lovely Gaucín village. Secluded, very private and oh, so peaceful, its four acres of mature olive, almond, carob, fig and oak trees open up to fields full of wildlife and a huge variety of wild flowers in Spring. Flowering shrubs, fruit trees and palms surround the house.
The views which open up all around are as magnificent as they are spectacular: down to the Mediterranean Sea and the Rock of Gibraltar, across to the Rif Mountains of Morocco beyond. All around, the majestic scenery of the Serranía de Ronda provides brilliant brush strokes of colour and contrast. It's a view which can be enjoyed for ever.
Sheep's bells clink gently in the distance, birds sing happily in the trees - here there are just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company.
The house itself is entirely in harmony with its glorious natural surroundings. A compellingly romantic family home, it has charm, joy and rustic beauty in abundance.
And then there is the fabulous swimming pool just a few meters away across the shaded patio … Oh, what a spot! Oh, what a pool!
Behind, the thickly forested, rocky terrain clambers dramatically up the mountainside, forming a beautiful natural wrapping around the wide pool terrace. To the south and west, views are far and wide. The pool is both big (12.5 m x 5 m), and deep (2.5 metres at one end) so safe for diving. At the other end (1.2 metres deep) it is accessed by wide entry steps.
Glistening gloriously blue in the day-long sunshine, it is an idyllic scene, surrounded by terraces on different levels, some shaded by olive and carob trees, others perfect for sun bathing. You’ll find deck chairs and outdoor furniture around the pool, sunbeds and parasols, as well as a hammock slung casually between the olive trees.
Stunning at night, too, when the underwater lighting comes into its own, a thousand stars twinkling up above. As one client said, "A night swim with the pool lights is not something to be missed".
On a lower terrace there is a table tennis table with bats, balls and views to Africa! All around, mile upon mile of wild, rocky mountainside to explore …
The pool is gated so safe for little children. It's not bad for adults either! Not least because a charming little stone house next to the pool has been made up as a perfect and delightfully cool "siesta" spot - by mid-afternoon its good-sized single bed, wobbly walls and ancient cane ceiling are utterly compelling!
Between the pool and the house is the original bread oven.
Bougainvillea clambers up the entrance pillars of the property; flowers spilling out of weathered terracotta pots adding other splashes of bright colour. It's a large house (effectively two, joined together) and it gleams - white and bright - in the sunshine, its cottage-style beauty complimented by the verdant greenery all around and the deep blue sky above. It's really attractive, a sublimely lovely place to be.
One enters to a large living /dining room with a log burning Nordic stove (with glass doors). The house also has central heating throughout. But it's not just cosy, it's also very comfy and attractive. The owners are both artists and his training in the visual arts, her's in textiles, is a magic combination - the result of their labours over the years is a stunningly cheerful and really gorgeous family home. Some of his art is on display here and there - and it's not bad either!
There are all mod-cons, not least being high-speed internet connection (6 MB) which is a rarity in Andalucía. An Apple-mac G4 is also available for guest's use (on request). A great family house, it is also a perfect "get away from it all" for business people or researchers with a project to complete (there is very attractive desk space in the master bedroom, as well as other excellent working areas downstairs). Mobile phone coverage is also good here.
There's flat-screen satellite TV (with all UK and Spanish digital channels), a DVD player and collection of DVD’s, plus an excellent collection of books. The Hi-Fi has CD and radio plus cable connection for MP3 players and iPods. Your laptop can be connected to the TV, so if you have films downloaded, you can watch them on the bigger screen.
A large ceiling fan keeps everything cool in summer. Comfy sofas and easy chairs are gathered at one end of the room, the round dining table (which comfortably seats six) at the other end. It's colourful, casual and relaxing - country-style living at its very best.
The living room leads through to a pretty bathroom (shower over bath tub). At the other end, to the side, is the open-plan kitchen area. It's not a big space but it's decently equipped with a 4-ring ceramic hob, electric oven, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer and all the other usual kitchen gear. There are cookbooks, plenty of saucepans and enough china, glasses and cutlery for eight people.
Above all else, this is a real "home" with toys, games, and lots of interesting books. Children will find plenty to keep them happily occupied both inside and out: Lego, building blocks, a rocking horse, puzzles, a children’s library and a few children’s videos and DVD’s will no doubt compete with ping pong in the sunshine and exploring the great outdoors.
Whatever the time of day - or night - we are sure you will wile away many a happy hour around the barbecue terrace, accessed from the kitchen through lovely old wooden doors. A great space, its wooden dining table (comfortably seating six) is ideal for al-fresco meals under the shady awning.
The attractive brick barbecue and a drinks fridge (in summer) are close at hand. There's lots of casual bench seating too, some in the shade, some in full sun, all of it surrounded by tropical plants, trees and natural splendour.
From the kitchen, a short corridor leads to the two very spacious bedrooms, one downstairs, one upstairs. As everywhere in this lovely home, they are pretty rooms, cheerfully decorated and attractively furnished.
Both have double beds. The lower one, which has double doors opening to the terrace outside, also has two single beds so lends itself equally well as a children's room for up to three kids. Or it could sleep a couple and one child. You choose! Whoever you share with, there's an Ipod docking station with radio/alarm clock to keep you company.
There are few downsides to this beautiful property but please note that this bedroom doesn't have en-suite facilities. There is the full bathroom at the other end of the living room, of course, and there's also a W.C. on the landing upstairs.
The master double bedroom is also on the first floor, a light, airy and very attractive room with windows on both sides. Views from here (all the way to Africa on clear days) are stunning. It opens through on one side to the en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub, double wash basins, bidet and a heated towel rail); on the other side it opens to a well appointed little office area.
Both bedrooms have portable fans. A hair-dryer is provided as are electric blankets (in winter months). A cot and highchair are available on request.
The house book is full of notes on how things work, and what to do if they don’t, as well as tips about what to do in emergencies, maps with suggested places to visit, opening hours etc. The visitors book and leaflet box has more information about the area and recommended restaurants. The owners are on call, too, if required; their studio is on the estate on the other side of the hillside.
The location is fantastic, just a kilometre from pretty Gaucín. One of the classic white villages it 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.
Just a few minutes away by car, it is also a very pleasant walk (it will take you 15 / 20 minutes to get there, just 10 minutes to return as it's downhill).
The track down from the village is mostly unmade and is steep and a bit rough here and there, although perfectly passable in an ordinary family car driven with appropriate care. It's advantage is that it keeps the traffic away!
This part of Andalucia 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.
Although you may not get too far … we will leave the last word to guests who have stayed here: "Goodness, what a beautiful place to wake up to! I am almost embarrassed to confess that we left the house just twice, and only then because we had to buy food at the market. We’ve had such a lovely time, it is just wonderful here."
Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground Floor :
Open plan living / dining room / kitchen
Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Double bedroom (with 1 double and 2 single beds) and access to the terrace
Furnished, part covered terrace
Furnished pool terrace
Cottage with "siesta" bed
Original bread oven
Gardens & Grounds
First Floor :
Double bedroom (the bed is 160 x 200 with lumbar support), en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and office area
W.C.
Facilities
Flat screen satellite TV (Freeview English channels and Spanish digital channels) with cable connection for a laptop • DVD • Hi Fi with CD, Radio & cable connection for MP3 players and iPods • Radio/alarm clock with iPod dock • Collection of DVD's and books • Toys, Games & Children's library • High speed (6 MB) plug-in (upstairs) and WiFi (downstairs) internet connection (bring your own laptop) • Apple-mac G4 computer for guest's use (on request) • Telephone (calls are metered and must be paid for)
Log burning Nordic stove in the living room • Central heating throughout (see note below) • Electric blankets available in winter • Ceiling fan in the living room • Portable fans in both bedrooms
Electric Oven • Ceramic hob (4 rings) • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee Machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery • Drinks fridge on the barbecue terrace (in summer)
Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request) • Bed for a 5 year old available (on request)
Gated, filtered swimming pool (12.5 m x 5 m, 1.2 m - 2.5 m deep) with entry steps and underwater lighting
Pool terrace (furnished) • Outdoor ping pong table • Gardens & Grounds • Sunbeds • Deck chairs • Sunshades • 2 Hammocks • Barbecue • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • External night lighting • Parking • Gated property
Notes
The swimming pool is open throughout the year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from April to September)
Weekly maid service is provided for stays of more than one week
Additional maid service is available on request (for a supplement)
The kitchen is usually well stocked with provisions (rice, pasta, sugar, flour, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, spices and other dry goods)
Cleaning products, washing powders & spot removers etc are also provided
Mountain-biking, guided walking, horse riding & other activities (massage, aromatherapy, bird-watching, painting lessons taught by local artists) can be arranged (advance notice is always required)
Catering, transport (pick-up / drop off service from the airport or trips to Tangiers) and bilingual babysitting can also usually be arranged (again, with advance notice)
Please note that the 1 km track to the property is unmade, rough and steep in a few places. It's accessible in an ordinary family car driven with appropriate care
Please, no smoking indoors
Prices (below) are inclusive of normal use of electricity and gas (for the central heating which is on a timer, 7 hours per day). Excessive use will be charged at cost to clients on their departure
In winter, rentals are inclusive of one load of firewood. More can be purchased for 30 euros per load (payable locally)
Rentals for this property normally run from Friday to Friday in high season
Location
In open countryside, accessed by an unmade farm track (mostly in good condition but rough and steep in a few places), 1 km from Gaucin (most facilities)
Mediterranean beaches 30 mins; Golf courses 30 mins; Ronda 1 hr; Marbella 1 hr; Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See the location map above
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.
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
