Property Description
This elegant and very spacious villa offers style and comfort in abundance as well as inherent Spanish charm. Situated 10 minutes north of Ronda, just 1½ kilometres outside the delightful little market town of Arriate and set within its own three acre estate, it enjoys peaceful seclusion and very tranquil, panoramic views over its own olive groves and the surrounding countryside.
Easy to get to (the driveway leads down to a little road which meanders through the countryside from Arriate), it is surrounded by olive groves, lawns and pretty flower beds. These extend down gentle slopes to a small brook, opening up beautiful views - to Ronda in one direction and across a long, rural horizon all the way to the dramatic peaks of the Grazalema mountains. It's delightful.
The villa is pretty good too! It's big, 400 m2, beautifully constructed and decorated, an immaculate home. Clients tell us that our photos don't do it justice …
A very grand house indeed, one which strikes exactly the right balance between opulence and homely cosiness. With all the amenities of a finely equipped, lived-in family home, it is both stylish and comfortable.
A wide, graveled driveway leads up to the house where there's plenty of parking space, both at the front and rear (where there's a covered parking bay for two cars, very much appreciated in the heat of high summer). Lawned gardens wrap around the villa, spilling down the slope to the olive trees beyond. It's all very attractive.
The main entrance is a splendid affair, an ornate "Moroccan" archway inviting you inside through magnificent, carved wooden doors (a special feature here are the beautiful antique doors) to an impressive entrance hall.
Built around a central courtyard, most of the accommodation is on this, ground floor. There is seamless integration between the marvelous kitchen at one end, through the large dining room to the ample sized, beautifully appointed living room. This, in turn, opens to a wide terrace which runs along its length and enjoys the best of the countryside views.
The kitchen is special. The owners ran a well-known and very successful Spanish restaurant in Manhattan, so the ability to entertain family, friends and guests, and to enjoy fine cooking and dining were primary goals taken into consideration when the villa was designed (by the way, they now express their culinary talents in local Arriate, so check out "El Muelle de Arriate" for delicious food and excellent service).
It's a proper kitchen and has everything - a huge, eye-level electric oven as well as a wood-burning clay oven (although this requires some experience to use), 5 ring-gas hob, microwave, American-style fridge / freezer (with cold drinks and ice dispenser), two dishwashers (it's a real family home!), and all the rest. There's plenty of working space, including a wooden kitchen island in the centre. You will be tempted to hang around in here (there's a decent sized breakfast table and chairs), listening to something good on the Bowers & Wilkins ipod docking speakers, chatting to Mum as she rustles up the lunch!
The dining room is attractive too, its long wooden dining table comfortably seating ten. Spotlights overhead set the mood and the peaceful ambience is further enhanced by views to the gardens and countryside on two sides, to the internal courtyard on another.
A classic Andaluz patio, this is another lovely feature, furnished with a Moroccan table and chairs and prettily planted with geraniums, orange and flowering shrubs, jasmine clambering up the white walls.
Wide, sliding wooden doors open through from the dining room to a beautifully appointed living room, a very serene and comfortable space indeed. It's classically furnished with plump sofas and easy chairs gathered around an open fireplace, a beautiful, antique writing desk in a corner. There are books, maps, decorative pieces, photos and original art. No TV (that's downstairs), this is a room to relax in, its tone enhanced by an excellent sound system and lots of CD's to choose from.
A really lovely room, it opens to the entrance hall at its far end and to the covered terrace outside, through two sets of double glass doors which run along its length. Here you can relax in a big hammock or gather together around the outdoor dining table (which seats 10). Views are far and wide, to Ronda and the distant sierras. Steps lead down into the gardens.
On the other side of the entrance hall, a corridor leads through to a guest cloakroom and the bedrooms.
Three are on this floor, generously sized and well appointed, each with a different colour scheme. One is green, one yellow and the other is blue. One has a queen-sized double and a sofa / futon. The other two have king-sized double beds. They all have ceiling fans and well proportioned en-suite bathrooms (shower over bath tubs).
The master bedroom suite (king-sized double) is upstairs. Very attractive, this is the only room with air conditioning (and the only one that needs it; high ceilings, excellent insulation, double thick walls, window glazing and marble floors throughout all contribute to a calm and temperate ambience. Lower floors are always cooler and the altitude helps too, 700 metres above sea level).
There is satellite TV and a quality audio system in the bedroom. It is delightfully lit by balcony windows on two sides and opens to its own, furnished, private roof terrace with lovely views. The huge en-suite bathroom has a shower over the bath tub and a walk-in shower.
On the lower floor is a children's lounge / bedroom. Designed as a "children's den", there's satellite TV (Spanish digital and international channels including some English language stations), DVD, Playstation and toys. Two single beds are either side of the TV with sofas beyond, one of which can be made up as a supplementary bed). A perfect place for kids to make their very own.
Also on this floor there's a bathroom (with walk-in shower) and the laundry room which houses two washing machines and two tumble driers as well as a good sized second fridge.
A real family home (the owners live here out of season) it is very generously equipped and has all amenities. Beds are comfortable, there's underfloor central heating throughout and WiFi broadband internet connection. The water pressure in the showers was described by one client as "awesome". Mari, the lovely cleaning lady, comes two hours each weekday to keep everything spotless for you.
So, there's no shortage of wonderful living areas and different spaces to enjoy in and around the villa.
Some 30 metres away from the house, there's the splendid pool area, carefully located in a very private spot. "Splendid" is the word … the gorgeous pool (10 m x 4 m with a saltwater filtration system) is wrapped by a wide sun bathing terrace furnished with quality sunbeds and parasols. At its far end, the pool house incorporates a roofed, poolside bar with barbecue and a shower room.
For sure you will spend a great deal of time here, it's a heavenly spot. All around there are a million places for kids to play hide and seek in, and lots of different garden and terrace corners where you can settle down, relax and just soak in all the wonderfulness.
The owners will not be far away. They live in a separate and entirely private part of the house (with its own entrance) during the holiday rental season. They are as unobtrusive as can be and it's quite possible that you will not even know they are there!
But they are, and that seems to be a significant advantage for most clients who have really appreciated their advice on where to go and what to do. As one said, "The owner was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about local attractions and eateries and helped us shape our stay. It was completely delightful; he is a wonderful host".
One of Andalucía's prime locations, there are other properties dotted about on the hillsides but there's nothing close by. Here you will enjoy seclusion and all the rural peace and quiet you could wish for.
At the same time, you are very handily placed for visiting many of Southern Spain's best holiday destinations, be it a quick 10 minute trip down the road to historic Ronda (Hemmingway's favourite place in all of Spain), a day out on the Costa del Sol (Marbella with all its glitz, glamour and panache is an hour away, a stunning drive through the spectacular scenery of the Sierra de las Nieves) or some sight-seeing in unforgettable, incomparable Sevilla (1½ hours from here). Granada and Córdoba are only a little further.
There's also some mile upon mile of dramatic mountain countryside to enjoy and explore. La Sierra de Grazalema, just 20 minutes from here is sensational, its jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons interspersed, here and there by some of the prettiest villages you will ever, the famous "pueblos blancos". Elsewhere, Arcos de la Frontera, Setenil, Gaucín and Casares are all well worth a visit.
A day trip to Tangiers in Morocco is both fascinating and colourful. You can be exploring the local souks in just a few hours, taking the high speed ferry from Tarifa. For golfers, more than 30 of Spain's finest golf courses are less than 50 minutes away by car. One can drive through Spain's unique sherry wine region (Jerez and Sanlúcar), no doubt stopping at one or two of the famous bodegas along the way! One of Europe's most intriguing bird sanctuaries, The Doñana National Park, is a popular attraction for nature lovers.
And don't forget little, local Arriate either. Just up the road, a 15 minute stroll away, it's a characterful little market town, very Andaluz, its 3,600 citizens infallibly courteous and helpful.
It is described by one traveler as "a jack-in-the-box; a surprise package in a plain wrapper. Enter it from any direction, and it appears to be a sleepy rural village waiting, with no sense of urgency, for its grass to grow and its paint to dry. Then, abracadabra! A corner is turned and the visitor is suddenly thrown into the sophisticated high street of a chic and bustling small town. It is difficult not to be reminded of the magical moment in the classic film version of The Wizard of Oz, when the pictures on the screen turn unexpectedly from black and white into glorious technicolor".
Guests staying here are equally enthusiastic about the villa. Here are a few of their comments:
"The whole experience was simply perfect. Everyone was extremely helpful and saw to everything to make our stay as enjoyable as possible".
"I heartily recommend this villa to anyone who wants to experience the delights of Andalucía".
"We cannot say enough about the location, the magnificent views of olive trees, having nature as company all around and the wonderful accommodation. The villa was in first-rate condition, and the grounds and pool were very well maintained."
"It was fantastic in every way. The home is immaculate and beautifully built and furnished. We had everything we needed".
"If your travels bring you to southern Spain, don't miss the opportunity to stay here, only a few minutes from Ronda. Location, location!"
As they rightly say, it's a great location and, with class and comfort in abundance throughout the villa and its surrounding gardens and pool area, this is a wonderful home, a real and very well maintained one, tailor-made for a great holiday.
Contact Us
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00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground Floor :
Entrance hall
Kitchen
Dining Room
Living room
3 bedrooms:
(1) Green Room : double (queen sized bed) & Futon / single sofabed, with en-suite
bathroom (shower over bath tub)
(2) Yellow Room : double (king sized bed) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
(3) Blue Room : double (king sized bed) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Guest cloakroom
Shaded, furnished al fresco dining terrace (accessed from the living room)
Internal "Andaluz" courtyard
Gardens and Grounds including an olive grove and a vegetable garden
First Floor :
(4) Master bedroom suite with king-sized double bed, en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub & walk-in shower) with access to a private, furnished roof terrace
Lower Floor :
(5) Children's bedroom / games & TV room with 2 single beds and adjoining lounge area (with Futon / single sofabed)
Bathroom (walk-in shower, no bath tub)
Laundry / utility room
Facilities
Satellite TV (Spanish digital and international channels including some English language stations) in the TV lounge / games room downstairs and also in the master bedroom • DVD • Playstation • HiFi audio in the living room and also in the master bedroom • iPod docking speaker • Binoculars • WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop) • Collection of CD's, DVD's, books & maps • Children's toys • Fax • Local activity & restaurant guides
Open fireplace in the living room • Underfloor Central Heating throughout • Air conditioning in the master bedroom • Ceiling Fans in all bedrooms
Large eye-level electric oven • Gas hob (5 rings) • Microwave • Wood burning clay oven • American-style fridge / freezer (with ice and cold drinks dispenser) • 2 Dishwashers • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee grinder & machine • Blender • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery • 2nd fridge in the utility room
2 washing machines • 2 tumble driers • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • 2 cots & 2 highchairs (cot linen is not provided) available on request
Pool terrace with night lighting • Salt water filtered private swimming pool (10 m x 4 m, 1.2 - 2.0 m deep with entrance steps and underwater lighting) • Pool Bar • Barbecue • Pool shower & W.C.
Terrace and Garden Surrounds • Sunloungers • Parasols • Deckchairs • Hammock • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • 2 bicycles • Covered Parking • Remote controlled entrance gates
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open throughout the year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from April to September, inclusive)
Prices include maid service two hours a day (11am to 1pm), Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)
Towels are changed twice each week; bed linen once per week
Additional maid service can be arranged on request (payable locally to the maid)
Guests are cordially invited to a welcome snack with ice cold cava upon arrival
Basic provisions such as soap, washing powder, toilet paper etc are provided
The kitchen is usually well stocked with basic provisions and dry goods
Cleaning products, washing powders, toilet paper etc. are also provided
Prices are inclusive of central heating and firewood
The pantry can be stocked on your behalf prior to arrival if requested (for a supplement)
If you wish to have a private chef cook one (or several) meals during your stay, this can be arranged in advance at a very reasonable price. The chef will purchase all the ingredients for your meal at a nominal cost; you provide your own beverages.
Please note that the owners live in a separate part of the villa (with its own entrance) during the rental season
There is no fixed changeover day. Starting and finishing days for this property are flexible
Location
In open countryside, 1½ km from Arriate (most facilities)
Ronda 10 mins; Costa del Sol 1hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 1½ hrs; Granada 2 hrs; Córdoba 2½ 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
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About the Ronda Mountains
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