Property Description
Located in the Natural Park of Sierra Crestellina, just six kilometres from the pretty white village of Casares, this recently built, luxury villa has one of the most magnificent situations imaginable. Quiet and secluded, set in its own six acres of verdant nature and landscaped gardens, the dramatic limestone ridge of Sierra Crestellina rises up, almost vertically, behind the property.
In front, a wonderful vista unfolds before you, one which extends far and wide across the stunning countryside of the Genal Valley to the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park, the Alcornocales National Park and the Sierra de Ronda. The classic white villages of Gaucín, Jimena de la Frontera, Genalguacil and Benajoan are all visible in the distance, glistening white in the sunshine. It's absolutely beautiful!
This is a situation which really does enjoy the best of both worlds. It's just 15 minutes drive from the beaches and all the fun and frolics of the Costa del Sol, with resort towns like Sabinillas, Estepona and Marbella all within easy reach. Both the Rif Mountains of Morocco and the Rock of Gibraltar can be seen from a hill 200 metres walk away from the villa.
It's also a nature lovers' and bird watcher's paradise. Sierra Crestellina, the mountain behind the house is well known as the largest griffon vulture roosting and nesting site in Southern Spain, and the main roosts are directly visible from the terrace. Other birds overhead include eagles, buzzards, falcons, choughs and bee-eaters. Ibex are seen virtually every day on the crags, while roe deer and wild boar are often seen on the lower slopes. In the foreground, the Genal Valley is one of the main European bird migration routes and flocks of honey buzzards and storks are regularly seen during the spring and autumn.
For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 30 minutes drive. Three new, excellent courses have opened near Casares within the last year or two.
As well as providing easy access to the coast, the villa is also ideally located to explore some of inland Andalucía's most beautiful countryside, towns and villages. Nearby Casares, Gaucín, Jimena de la Frontera, Genalguacil, Benajoan and, further north, delightful old Ronda are all charming, attractive places, well worth visiting. They are surrounded by beautiful sierras and some of Spain's best Natural Parks.
The villa itself, and its partly wild six-acre surrounds (which include landscaped gardens and a superb 11 m x 5.5 m pool) have been designed, built and furnished with one thing in mind - quality. It is the owners' residence for some of the year and is consequently extremely comfortable, a proper home equipped down to the last detail with antique furnishings, rugs, books and pictures.
Accessed by a ½ km track which leads off the country road which runs between Casares and Gaucín, a path lined on both sides by orange trees (subtly lit at night) leads up from the parking area to the very substantial 350 m2 villa, gleaming white, Andaluz-style, under its terracotta-tiled roofs. With its thick walls, vaulted ceilings, tiled floors, archways and shutters, it is cool in summer and warm in winter. The nearest neighbours are more than 400 metres away.
From the front door one enters a large hall (with a cloakroom/W.C) which leads through to the kitchen, the dining room and the large living area. The kitchen is extensively equipped with a large range cooker with five gas rings, two electric ovens (one fan, one convection), grill, griddle and a plate warmer, an American style fridge/freezer with an ice maker and water dispenser, dishwasher and a microwave. There are lots of cookbooks too! A utility room houses the washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board.
The dining room has seating for eight, as does the living room. Sofas are neatly arranged around a glass fronted wood burning stove, there's a flat screen satellite TV (with both full Sky and Spanish channels), a DVD and video player and an integrated sound system with speakers in all main rooms (as well as on the covered verandah outside). Free wi-fi broadband connection can be arranged by prior arrangement. A wide range of books, CDs, and DVDs are available to guests.
To the right there is a hallway with access to a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room and doors which lead out to the garden. Double doors from both the dining room and the living room lead to a large arched, shaded verandah with a brightly cushioned Moroccan-style day bed, dining table and chairs. The kitchen door leads out to a terracotta-tiled sun terrace which is also furnished with a dining table, chairs and the barbecue.
There are two large bedroom suites and a small laundry room upstairs. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and access to a huge arched, covered verandah with a sofa, table and even a rowing machine! The other first-floor bedroom has an en-suite bathroom (with a shower over the bathtub) and double doors which lead to a small verandah with views across the Genal valley to Gaucín and beyond. All bedrooms have super king-size beds which are also convertible to single beds if preferred. High beamed ceilings and views on both sides just add to their charm.
Wherever you are on this property, inside or out, the views are superb. The outside verandahs and patios provide a magical setting from which to watch the sun set over Los Alcornacales National Park, or the moon rise over Sierra Crestellina behind the villa.
The landscaped gardens immediately around the house have an automated irrigation system and a fountain centrepiece on the terrace. Lemon, orange, mandarin, pomegranate, olive and fig trees have been planted, along with a wide variety of herbs, ornamental trees and shrubs including hibiscus, roses, bougainvillea, jasmine, rosemary, bay and lavender. You are welcome to pick the fruit and use the herbs.
A flight of gently graded steps leads down to the irresistible swimming pool with its extensive, tiled sunbathing area. Hammocks are slung under the large covered pergola at one end of the pool, there are sun beds, a dining table and a pool shower. A small pool-side changing room has a hand-basin, WC and a table-top freezer. Views over the surrounding countryside are, of course, divine.
In Springtime, the wild garden beyond is a profusion of beautiful wild flowers including narcissi, asphodel and marguerites, not to mention more than 15 varieties of orchid!
At the back of the main house there is a totally self-contained cottage with its own independent access. It is separated from the main house by a study / store room (which is kept locked when clients are there), has its own separate car parking area and front door. It does not overlook the main house in any way. The owners (a charming, retired British couple) or their caretakers will sometimes be in residence here when the main house is rented. They do everything possible to keep out of their guests way and do not intrude in any way.
And, of course, clients always have exclusive use of the pool and the main house grounds at all times.
In the midst of such glorious countryside and with so many things to see and do around and about, this is just the place for a perfect holiday! There are some great walks, horse riding, public tennis courts in both Gaucín and Casares and superb national parks all within one or two hours driving distance.
Casares itself is a delight, still retaining its slow and uncomplicated ways of life, and there is an interesting variety of out-of-town tavernas. We had a superb lunch in one, Arroyo Hondo, which is owned by an English and Japanese couple. Their food combines the best of both cultures and is delicious. Gaucín also has some good restaurants and obviously there is a wealth of international cuisine on the coast to choose from. You can even get fish & chips, English-style, in Gibraltar! Further afield, Sevilla (190 km), and Granada (200 km), are world renowned heritage centres.
Perhaps the last words should belong to clients who have stayed here. Comments include, "This is a corner of paradise. The house is beautiful and so well equipped, and the scenery is stunning. Gin and tonics on the verandah watching the sun set with lemons from the trees were memorable!" and "Just what was needed! The kids loved the pool, the views were spectacular and what great barbecues we had. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Another had this to say, "The villa is just beautiful and immaculate. We were well located for many day trips. Beaches and markets were close by. Our hosts were friendly, welcoming and helpful, truly charming. The natural views from the villa were just magical. There was nothing better than sitting by the pool or on the patio, watching the sunset each evening while sipping a great Spanish wine. All of the amenities were perfect, a great kitchen, comfortable bedding, large bathrooms, nothing has been spared in this lovely home".
And one more, "The villa is beautiful and is in a stunning location. The welcome pack provided is the best we have ever had; attention to detail here is second to none"
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Property Details
Ground Floor :
Entrance hall
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Utility room
Double bedroom (beds can be unzipped as singles if preferred) with en-suite shower room/W.C
Cloakroom/W.C
Shaded verandah (furnished)
Sun terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
2 bedrooms :
both have double beds (which can be unzipped as singles), one with an en-suite shower room, the other with an en-suite bathroom
Large covered verandah, furnished (leading off from the master bedroom)
Laundry room
Facilities
Satellite TV (Full Sky & Spanish system) • DVD • VHS • Integrated CD / sound system • Playstation & board games, DVD's, CD's, videos and books • WiFi internet (bring your own laptop) by arrangement
Glass fronted fireplace in the living room • Underfloor central heating in reception rooms • Double glazing • Radiators in bedrooms • Ceiling fans in all rooms • Mobile air conditioners available
2 Electric Ovens (one fan, one convection) • Gas hob (5 rings) • Grill • Griddle • Plate warmer • Microwave • American-style Fridge / freezer (with an ice maker and water dispenser) • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Stick liquidiser • Smoothie maker • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer • Iron & board • Safe
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Filtered swimming pool (11 m x 5.5 m, 2.0 m - 1.2 m deep with underwater lighting)
Pool terrace • Pergola • Garden & Grounds • Sunbeds • Hammocks • Pool shower • Pool W/C. • Barbecue (gas) • Paella maker • Cool Box • Pool picnicware and glasses etc • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Parking
Wheelchair accessible (the house only, there are steps to the pool)
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)
Weekly linen change and house cleaning are included
A welcome pack is included
Additional maid service and evening baby sitting are available upon request
Note that when the villa is rented to just four adult guests (in seasons 1 to 4) at discounted rates, the ground floor double bedroom will be closed
As well as the adult guests staying, one child under five can be accommodated in each of the bedrooms made available, sharing with the adults / parents
Children are very welcome but please note that the pool is unfenced and there are steps and retaining walls
Please, no smoking in the villa
The property owners (or their caretakers) may be resident in the cottage (located immediately behind and attached to the main house) when the main house is rented. It has its own separate entrance and parking and does not overlook the main house in any way. Clients will, of course, always have exclusive use of the pool and the main house grounds
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday but may be flexible out of high season
Location
6 km from Casares (most facilities)
Costa del Sol 15 mins; Gaucín 20 mins; Estepona 25 mins; Gibraltar 40 mins; Marbella 40 mins; Tarifa 50 mins; Ronda 1 hr; Málaga 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Granada 2½ hrs; Córdoba 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 40 mins; Málaga 1¼ hrs; Jerez 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
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