Property Description
You can't get much closer to the Mediterranean than this … a prime property on the frontline of a smart, recently built development, less than a stone's throw from the beach. It's so close (just a few steps down), and with fantastic sea views from just about every window, you almost feel as though you are on a boat sailing across the sea …
This is Bahia Dorada, a wide sweep of grey, sandy beach to the west of Estepona, with fabulous views, a huge panorama which includes the Rock of Gibraltar and the rocky crags of the Rif mountains of Morocco across the shimmering sea.
Needless to say, the house has been designed to make the very best of this incredible seascape, ever present through its huge windows.
There is a private stairway which leads directly from the house down to the beach as well as a communal (estate) stairway accessed from one of the terraces.
Once down on the sand it's a short stroll around the corner to the main beach which - perhaps because it's grey rather than yellow sand - is wonderfully quiet and uncrowded. There's a chiringito (a beach bar) at the far end but that's about it, all very low-key as Mediterranean beaches go, and all the better for it! There are, of course, other houses along the shoreline but there are no ugly, high rise developments.
Access couldn't be easier, just off the main coastal road, eight kilometres to the south west of Estepona. Communal facilities on this much sought after private estate include plenty of (mostly covered) parking bays, a tennis court, six swimming pools (of which two are close by), a bar and a cafeteria / restaurant.
From the car park it's a very short stroll to the property, accessed through old wooden doors which open to reveal a lovely patio garden at the rear of the house. Immediately one is far away from the busy road and the bustle; all is tranquil and relaxing here.
This patio, full of pretty plants and flowering shrubs is a great spot to wile away a few evening hours, its wooden table and chairs shaded by a huge yellow parasol. Sliding glass doors open from the dining area of the house, all part of the seamless living experience here.
Three steps lead up from the internal patio to the main entrance hall. Wide, white and light, it is neatly furnished with a huge cane day bed and other tasteful artifacts. Walls and ceilings throughout are white, floors are marble with attractive rugs adding bold splashes of colour.
One's eye is immediately drawn to huge sliding glass doors that open to the main terrace at the front of the house, part shaded and furnished with comfy wicker armchairs and a sofa. There is also a table and chairs under a parasol and bench seating around its perimeter. And, wow, what a view! Across the sea and far away …
An archway at the end of the entrance hall leads through to the main lounge, which enjoys the same fabulous views through massive windows.
Three steps take one down to the dining area at the rear of the house with its very smart, glass topped dining table (which comfortably seats eight). From here one looks out to the internal patio.
Beyond is the kitchen, excellently equipped with quality appliances, everything one needs to rustle up sumptuous meals and with plenty of space in which to be creative. There's lots of marble-topped work space, an electric oven, four-ring ceramic hob, microwave, a big fridge / freezer, double sinks and a dishwasher plus all the usual kitchen bits and pieces.
A utility room leads off behind which houses the washing machine and a second fridge / freezer for drinks.
Stairs lead up to the first floor and to a second living area, this one with leather sofas where one can recline watching TV (Spanish terrestrial stations only), no doubt with something appropriate in hand, poured from the attractive wooden drinks cabinet. Like the living room below it has a glass-fronted fireplace; as elsewhere throughout the house, lighting is intimate and atmospheric, entirely in keeping with the overall style and quality.
The master bedroom suite is also upstairs. Very tasteful and prettily furnished (the carved Moroccan headboard of the king-sized double bed is exquisite), it enjoys absolutely fabulous views from its massive picture windows. Needless to say, the en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) has sea views too!
Returning to the ground floor, stairs also lead down to the two bedrooms on the floor below and to a garden terrace at the side of the house. This is another great spot to enjoy the sea air and watch the ships passing silently across your line of vision on their way to and from the Straits of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
There's a table and chairs as well as a couple of comfy wicker armchairs. Shade (and glorious colour) is provided by a bougainvillea. A little gate at the side opens to the stairway going down to the beach, just 24 steps down.
Both of the lower floor bedrooms are spacious and really pretty, one twin bedded room having a serene blue and white theme to it, the other more cream and white. This one has twin beds pushed together.
They are very homely with lots of comforting extras - books, paintings, prints, a sofa here, a writing desk there … and, of course, fabulous sea views … Both open to a private pathway which leads around to the side terrace, and of course, from there down to the beach. There are pull-out children's beds in each of these bedrooms.
Both have large en-suite, well appointed bathrooms (with showers over bath tubs). From one there is access to another little terrace and to a private stairway to the beach below.
Just one word of warning: the stairs down to this floor are unguarded (there's no stair rail) so care must be taken with young children.
With 325 days of sunshine a year, the Costa del Sol - home to world famous resorts such as Marbella (37 km from here), Puerto Banús (26 km) and Estepona (8 km) - really does live up to it's name. Here you are ideally placed to enjoy all they have to offer.
Estepona is the nearest of the resort towns on the coast, a little more than ten minutes away. A popular, all year round holiday destination, there is still plenty of evidence of its fishing village past: picturesque squares, traditional buildings and unpretentious tapas bars. The population is about 66,000 in the low season, but increases greatly during the summer tourist season. It has 21 kilometres of coastline and beautiful, generally uncrowded, beaches.
Glitzy, glamorous Puerto Banús, the ultimate in coastal charisma, is just a little further along the coast. This is the place to be "seen", yachtside of course …
The rest of us can happily watch this world go by or indulge in a little window shopping at one of the fashion houses or boutiques. Needless to say, nightlife is buzzing here with alfresco bars, piano clubs and discos which are open from dusk until dawn.
In the centre of Marbella, homes and shops intermingle to create the atmosphere more of a small village, rather than a cosmopolitan town.
There are numerous restaurants to choose from, ranging from exclusive cordon bleu to little street bars with authentic flavour. International cuisine - indian, chinese, greek, argentinean, persian - you name it, is readily available as are the usual selection of ubiquitous fast food joints. But Marbella comes into its own, above all, for its wonderful fresh fish restaurants. Traditional seafood favourites like sardines on a spit, fried fish and paella should not be missed.
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", host to the Volvo Masters Matchplay Championships, less than ten minutes away from the villa.
If you head inland you will quickly find some of Andalucía's most beautiful countryside and charming towns and villages. Nearby Casares, Gaucín, Jimena de la Frontera, Genalguacil and, further north, delightful old Ronda and picture-postcard Grazalema are all attractive, lovely places, well worth visiting. They are surrounded by beautiful sierras and some of Spain's best Natural Parks.
There's plenty more … duty free shopping, caves and history in Gibraltar (50 minutes from here); the wind surfing mecca of Tarifa (one hour away), the fabulous stretches of white, sandy beaches on the Costa de la Luz beyond. The great historic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba - are between two and three hours drive.
Or perhaps a day trip to Tangiers, a very different and fascinating world yet just 40 minutes across the sea from Tarifa.
Contact Us
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Property Details
Ground Floor :
Entrance hall
Guest cloakroom / W.C.
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Utility / laundry room
Internal patio garden (furnished)
Large front terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
Sitting / TV room
Master bedroom suite with
king-sized double bed and en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Lower Floor :
2 bedrooms :
1 twin bedded with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
1 twin bedded (beds pushed together) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and access to a small terrace with private access to the beach
Garden terrace (furnished) with access to the beach
Facilities
Spanish TV • DVD • CD player
Fireplaces in both living rooms • Electric radiators • Ceiling Fan in the living room; floor standding fans in all bedrooms
Electric Oven • Ceramic hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Expresso machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair (on request) • Pull out beds in both downstairs bedrooms will sleep two extra children
Night lighting • Sunbeds • Sunshades • Outdoor dining and garden furniture
Estate Facilities (shared) : Parking (mostly covered) • Tennis court • Six swimming pools (2 of them close by) • Bar • Cafeteria / restaurant.
Notes
The (shared) estate swimming pools are open from May to September, inclusive
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for fortnight rentals
Additional cleaning is available, on request (payable locally)
Note that the stairs down to the lower floor are unguarded. Care should be taken with young children
Rentals for this property normally run from Sunday to Sunday in high season
Location
On La Bahia Dorada, Costa del Sol (all facilities)
Estepona 15 mins; Puerto Banús 25 mins; Marbella 30 mins; San Roque 30 mins; Gibraltar 50 mins; Málaga 1 hr; Tarifa 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 2½ hrs; Córdoba 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Málaga 1 hr; Gibraltar 1 hr; Jerez 1½ 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 La Costa del Sol
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