Holiday Villas for Couples, Ronda Mountains, Andalucia, Spain

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; El Cortijo, which sleeps four, and Casa Pequena, sleeping two. Each of these has its own private pool.

Lower down the mountain is Le Paradis, which is featured on this page (below), six one bedroomed villas sharing a pool between them; further across is another small development, El Paraiso Escondido, comprising four studio-villas exclusively for couples, also sharing its own swimming pool.

There are also links to the other properties on the Estate lower down this page on the right.

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.

ZC40(5) Le Paradis

Set away from the other villas, this little terrace comprises six one bedroomed villas for couples - but children can be (and often are) accommodated as well (on supplementary beds in the living room).

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.

An open fireplace and central heating are more than sufficient to keep you cosy during winter months; fans and the air-conditioning keep the apartment cool and serene in the midst of high summer.

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.

A washroom with two washing machines is shared by the guests of "El Paradis".

The communal swimming pool (shared only by guests staying at "Le Paradis") is some 25 metres or so from the houses. It's big and it's delightful, 17 metres long x 5 metres wide.

There's lots of space all around to sit, relax and sun yourself after a dip. Olive and carob trees provide welcome shade in the heat of the day whilst the central pavilion makes an ideal setting for a meal in the cool of the evening.

There are a handful of mountain bikes available for the use of guests who may, of course, also use the estate's tennis court (balls and rackets can be provided).

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Contact Us

Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help

info@rusticblue.com

00 34 958 763 381

Contact us for bookings, questions or other help

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Property Details

Six villas, each sleeping 2 (& 2 children):
All on one floor :

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)

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Facilities

Satellite TV (some channels in English; also German, French etc) • DVD • CD Player / Radio • DVD's available

Open fireplace in the living room • Air Conditioning / Heating Units

Gas Oven • Gas hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Toaster • Kettle • Coffee pot • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery

All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer (on request) • Cot & Highchair available (on request)

Basic outdoor dining and garden furniture • Sunbeds • Parking

Shared Facilities (with guests in the other five casitas) : Filtered swimming pool (17 m x 5 m, 0.7 m - 1.6 m deep) • Pool terrace • Pool Shower • Covered outdoor sitting pavilion • External lighting • Sunbeds • Sunshades • Barbecue • Laundry Room (2 Washing Machines • Iron & board)

Shared Facilities (with all guests on the Estate) : Estate lands and gardens • Tennis Court • Mountain Bikes • Safe

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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)

Rentals for this property normally run from from Sunday to Sunday

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