Immaculately Restored Olive Mill the Heart of Andalucía, Spain

Property Description

Not so long ago a run down, 200-year-old olive mill surrounded by mountains and olive trees, it is now beautifully restored and has started life anew as a fabulous, interior-designed villa for a large group of friends wishing to holiday together or for a family reunion.

A stunning villa, it has nine spacious bedrooms (5 doubles, 4 twin bedded), all with en-suite shower or bath rooms. There's bags of room to add extra single beds or cots to suit clients particular requirements. Twenty four guests can be accommodated with ease.

Described in detail below, it comprises a main house with two bedrooms, two living rooms (one of which can be made up as an extra bedroom if preferred) and a large kitchen perfect for preparing meals for the whole group); three beautiful, Moorish-styled apartments (with seven bedrooms in total, each with their own kitchen, dining and living areas); a huge 140 m2 central hall which has been developed as a fabulous dining / sitting room with a games area and there is another large, 70 m2 TV lounge / dining room. There are several private patios and terraces.

the pool with the suites and TV lounge behind

The Moroccan theme is continued into attractive and extensive courtyard gardens at the front of the mill which include a very inviting 10 m x 5 m swimming pool at one end, 1.2 metres deep throughout, so good for kids. Full length steps lead in.

Fenced and gated, it is surrounded by a lawned area. There is plenty of open space for sunbathing; shade is provided by Australian sails. The pretty garden terraces beyond are full of colourful flower beds, palms and orange trees.

The whole property and its gardens are surrounded by a high stone wall which provides a lovely sense of tranquility as well as complete privacy. This, along with the fenced and gated swimming pool make it a great and safe place for children.

Each room is unique, with decor which reflects the exotic flavour of Morocco or the warmth of the Spanish countryside. As one client remarked, "I felt like a princess in our Moorish four-poster bed!"

With so much space there is plenty of scope for adding extra beds and cots to suit the needs of each group. For example, there is space within the suites to add an extra bed or cot (many of the bedrooms have large sitting areas); the second living room in the main house can easily be converted into a bedroom; even the TV lounge can be converted into sleeping space if preferred.

Flexibility is the key here and the owners are happy to move things around to suit clients requirements.

When restoring and renovating the mill they incorporated the latest state-of-the-art, eco-friendly technology, both for heating (using a carbon neutral boiler which is fuelled by olive pits) and water re-cycling. All grey water is purified and reused in cisterns and for watering the gardens outside.

The suites and the TV lounge all have underfloor heating; the main house doesn't but with a kitchen Aga, a log fire in the living room and panel heaters upstairs, it's a warm and comfortable house. The central hall has one of the biggest fireplaces in Andalucía!

There's air conditioning in the two living rooms of the main house. The apartments don't have air conditioning but they have excellent insulation and always stay cool and serene.

Situated right in the heart of Andalucía, in a beautifully quiet, rural location, there is nothing but olive-dotted hillsides as far as the eye can see. Peaceful as can be but it's not remote. From here it's just five minutes to the mountain top village of Iznájar (and Andalucía's largest lake which surrounds it); in the other direction busy little Rute is also five minutes from here.

And fast roads (almost all motorway) will quickly and easily take you to Granada, Córdoba and Malaga (all one hour away), or to Marbella, Seville or the ski resort at Sierra Nevada, just 90 minutes away.

Here you are perfectly placed to take in all the major sites of Andalucía, its three great historic cities, the beaches of the Costa del Sol and some of Europe's finest ski slopes.

Antequera, and its excellent golf course, is just 40 minutes away. Other places of interest and beauty well worth a visit include Ronda, El Torcal Natural Park (near Antequera), the Alpujarras and Gibraltar, as well as Priego de Córdoba and the other towns and villages of the delightful Subbética Natural Park on your doorstep.

Five minutes away, the lovely, traditional village of Iznájar (with its castle dating from the 8th Century and church from the 16th Century), has spectacular views over the 32 kilometre-long lake, the Embalse de Iznájar (also known as The Lake of Andalucia). Safe bathing and water sports are enjoyed on its sandy Valdearenas Beach. And whilst in Iznájar, try walking from the bottom to the top: if you weren't in shape before, you will be when you get there …

Rute, in the opposite direction is as traditional and genuinely Andaluz a pueblo as you will ever find. Both villages have supermarkets, banks, restaurants and bars.

Last but not least, we should mention the friendliness of the owners who are always pleased to help.

They move out when the mill is rented (you will have it all to yourselves) but Stefan and Petra will arrange everything the way you want it, organise group transits to and from the airport, as well as professional chefs, flamenco nights, yoga instructors and massage therapists. And all the advice you need on places to visit or where to eat and drink. All the little details which add up to a truly exceptional holiday.

one of the suites

THE MILL IN DETAIL	back

THE THREE SUITES

(1) Garden Apartment : On the ground floor alongside the swimming pool, and accessed through a big, shaded terrace, this apartment comprises two enormous and quite beautiful double bedroom suites (one of which was built for wheelchair access) and a large kitchen/dining/living room. The theme is a delightful mix of classic Moorish furnishings set against modern, white walls; one has a fabulously carved, dark wood four-poster double bed; the other is equally impressive with a huge king-sized double bed. Both bedrooms have spacious sitting areas and smart en-suite, walk-in shower rooms.

They are accessed by a short corridor leading from an open-plan living / dining room with a functional corner kitchen, ideal for rustling up a simple meal or two for the family.

(2) Berber Apartment : Wide external stairs lead up from the pool to this first floor suite. As its name suggests, furnishings are beautiful Moorish pieces, style is white, bright and modern.

Like the Garden Apartment below it, one enters to a large and attractively furnished open-plan living / dining room with an identical corner kitchen. At the rear, this living area opens to a lovely terrace with peaceful views to the olive covered hillsides.

There are three bedrooms, two smart twin bedded rooms on either side of the corridor which leads on to a splendid and really tasteful double bedroom with a huge sitting area. All three bedrooms have en-suite, walk-in shower rooms.

(3) White Apartment : Also on the first floor, alongside the Berber Apartment, this equally attractive suite has a rather different distribution. One enters to a large living / dining room with a kitchen area to one side. At the rear of this room is the main double bedroom, its bathroom (with shower over an ornate bath tub) alongside.

Stairs lead up from the living room to the second (twin) bedroom and its en-suite shower room on the floor above. It has terraces both at the front and back and on the second floor.

MAIN HOUSE

This has a more traditional Spanish, homely style. One enters to a comfortable living / dining room. The large kitchen is alongside, properly equipped for preparing meals for the whole group. It backs onto a private rear patio with orange and lemon trees, one of several spaces which are perfect for everyone to eat together al-fresco.

Upstairs is another huge sitting room (which can be made up as a bedroom if preferred). Two bedrooms, a double with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and a twin bedroom with en-suite shower room lead off. Stairs lead up to a roof terrace above.

CENTRAL HALL

This enormous, 140 m2 room is a fabulous space, separating the apartments from the main house. With its huge open fireplace at one end it has been developed into a superb and very comfortable sitting / dining room, big enough for the whole group to sit around. At its far end there is a games area with a pool table, table football and table tennis.

view from the shaded terrace beyond the pool

TV LOUNGE / DINING ROOM

Alongside the Garden apartment (accessed from the same shaded terrace in front of the pool), this 70 m2 room has another large dining table (many clients take this outside in summer so they can keep an eye on the children playing in and by the pool) and casual seating gathered around a large flat screen satellite TV (Freeview programmes, BBC, ITV etc), with DVD and a CD player. It's another space which can be converted into extra bedroom if required. At the rear it opens to a big garden / terrace.

Clients love it here. Comments include, "We had a fantastic two weeks at the Cortijo. This lovely villa with pool was enjoyed by the whole family (all 16 of us! - ranging from 2 to grandparents). We felt so at home it was truly difficult to leave, and all of us agreed that we'd love to go back".

Another wrote, "This villa is fantastic for large groups. We had a group of 24 people for a week to celebrate my 30th birthday. The house is split into four/five separate living areas, which is great for a group this size as there are plenty of places to retreat to. I can't give more praise to the owner, and this wonderful villa in a great, tranquil location".

An ideal base for discovering inland Andalucia and the coast, this marvelously restored olive mill is also the perfect venue for walking, bird watching and cycling … or just getting away from it all and relaxing in the sun.

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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

SUITES :

(1) Garden Apartment : Ground Floor; all on one level :

Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen

2 double bedroom suites (one of which has wheelchair access) with sitting areas and en-suite, walk-in shower rooms

(2) Berber Apartment : First Floor (accessed by an external stairway); all on one level :

Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen

3 bedrooms:
2 twin bedded rooms with en-suite, walk-in shower rooms
1 double bedroom suite with sitting area and en-suite, walk-in shower room

Rear terrace

(3) White Apartment : First Floor (accessed by an external stairway); mainly on one level, the twin bedroom is upstairs:

Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen

Double bedroom

Bathroom (shower over an ornate bath tub)

Stairs lead up to a twin bedroom with en-suite shower room

MAIN HOUSE :

Ground Floor :

Living / dining room

Furnished rear patio

Kitchen

First Floor :

2nd living room (which can be made up as an extra bedroom if preferred)

2 bedrooms:
1 double with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
1 twin bedded with en-suite shower room

Stairs lead up to a roof terrace above

CENTRAL HALL :

A 140 m2 sitting / dining room with games area (pool table, table football and table tennis)

TV LOUNGE / DINING ROOM :

All on the Ground Floor : (accessed from a shaded terrace in front of the pool); a 70 m2 room with large dining table and casual seating; TV , DVD and CD player

Rear garden / terrace

WALLED COURTYARD GARDENS :

Terraced Moroccan gardens

Gated and fenced swimming pool

Outdoor shower room

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Facilities

Satellite TV (Free to view) • DVD • CD Player • Selection of DVD's and CD's • WiFi internet (bring your own laptop) • Pool table • Table football • Table tennis

Under-floor central heating in the Suites and in the TV lounge / dining room • Open fireplace in the Central Hall • Open fireplace and electric panel heaters in the Main House • Air Conditioning in the two living rooms of the Main House • Fans in all bedrooms

Main House Kitchen : Electric Oven • Gas hob (5 rings) • Aga • Grill • Microwave • Fridge • Freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery

All 3 Suite Kitchens : Ceramic hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge • Dishwasher • Toaster • Kettle • Coffee pot • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Pleae note that 2 of these kitchens do not have ovens or freezers

3 Washing machines (in the Main house and two of the Suites) • Irons & boards

All linen is provided (but not pool towels) • Hairdryers • Extra single beds can be added according to clients requirements • 4 Cots & 4 Highchairs are available

Gated and fenced filtered swimming pool (10 m x 5 m, 1.2 m deep) with underwater lighting, accessed by full length steps

Pool terrace and lawned surround • Various other patios and terraces • Moroccan terraced gardens with night lighting • 10 sunbeds • Australian Sail shades • Pool shower • Pool W/C's • Charcoal barbecue • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Ample parking

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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 late April to September, inclusive)

Prices are inclusive of firewood and heating costs

Additional services (cooking, flamenco nights, yoga instructors and massage therapists etc. can be arranged on request (payable locally)

Drinks (juice, water, beers, spirits) can be purchase in advance from a wholesale distributor. Clients will be refunded at the end of their stay for any unopened bottles

A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week

Additional cleaning can be arranged on request (payable locally)

One of the double bedrooms in the Garden Apartment has been designed for wheelchair access and there are ramps in the gardens to aid access

Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in high season

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