This magnificent, majestic mansion in the hills has real charisma and exquisite, grandiose style. It is impossible not to be captivated by its sumptuous elegance and comfort ...
One of the most stunning and spectacular houses in all Spain, it is a reflection of its American owners' exemplary good taste and very grand, lavish style.
This magnificent mansion in the hills has real charisma and exquisite, grandiose style. It is impossible not to be captivated by its sumptuous elegance and comfort.
One of the most stunning and spectacular houses in all Spain, it is located in a totally private valley surrounded by the richly forested hillsides of its 70 acre countryside estate. It’s a glorious and utterly peaceful setting befitting of such a majestic, palatial property.
12 kilometres north of Ronda, here there is nothing – and nobody – to intrude on your peaceful revelry. There are no other houses, anywhere.
Just sublime countryside and joyous, uninterrupted views down the long valley and then up to to the ruins of Acinipo (the remains of a Roman city created more than 2,000 years ago), the distant peaks of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range crossing the far horizon.
Here there is nothing - and nobody - to intrude on your peaceful revelry, just sublime countryside and joyous, uninterrupted views.
From the little road which winds up into the hills en route to the pretty white village of Setenil, a long (4 kilometres), but wide and decently maintained farmers track takes one ever deeper into this gloriously tranquil part of Andalucía.
It is a completely rural landscape, mile upon mile of mature cork oak forest opening up here and there to olive groves and small farms.
Even when you are inside the estate gates, you still have no clue as to what lies over the brow of the hill, there is seemingly nothing but leafy greenery and gorgeous nature to behold.
And then … there it is, the trees open up to reveal this resplendent and absolutely enormous villa basking in the sunshine on the terraces below.
It exudes quality and character, an intoxicating blend of antique riches and modern convenience.
It’s a fabulous spot, a long valley sloping down immediately below the villa offering tremendous views, a craggy rock face rising up dramatically and almost vertically to one side, richly wooded hillsides gliding across the horizon on the other side of the valley.
Designed and built to the exacting specifications of its American owners some 15 years ago, it is a complete reflection of their exemplary good taste and very grand, lavish style.
It exudes quality and character, a classically beautiful home exquisite in every detail and comfort. Unabashed luxury from top to bottom, inside and out, an intoxicating blend of antique riches and modern convenience.
And it’s huge too, almost 700 m2 of built space which is constantly being improved on; all rental incomes are re-invested in the house to maintain and enhance its immaculate, luxurious style.
Resplendent under its weathered, terracotta roof tiles, the villa extends around the front courtyard on three sides behind impressively arched colonnades.
Behind its enormous, wooden entrance gates lies this glorious mansion. One enters to a richly planted and beautifully serene Andaluz courtyard, a tranquil fish pond at its centre, sitting areas here and there. Leafy greenery and colourful plants compliment the soft, golden hues of ochre walls and the bright blue sky up above. It’s compellingly relaxing.
The villa, resplendent under its weathered, terracotta roof tiles, extends around this courtyard on three sides behind impressively arched colonnades.
A very wide, beautifully furnished hallway runs the entire length of the central wing of the house, the principal living rooms leading off behind.
This is no ordinary hallway … huge terracotta lions stand guard either side of the main entrance doorways; luxurious marble floor tiles, a massive open fireplace and stunning renaissance paintings are just some of its superbly elegant and outstanding features.
In fact the whole house is a mélange of wonderful antiques, fabulous paintings and classically beautiful furnishings, the private 18th and 19th Century collection of its owners, one of whom is among the most respected art dealers in the world.
It’s a collection which reflects both his superb eye and his extensive travels with items from all corners of the globe.
At the far end of the hallway, the kitchen leads off, the first room in one of the side wings of the house. It’s huge, like all the rooms here, and impressively equipped with top quality appliances, stainless steel cupboards and marble work surfaces.
It has everything – American style fridge / freezer with an ice dispenser for drinks, an enormous five-ring hob, double ovens, a microwave – even an open fire to cook on too – dishwasher, espresso coffee machine et al. A professional chef’s dream kitchen, there’s lots of creative space and plenty of room for a big breakfast table.
There is a virtually indestructable childrens play area so parents can relax.
There is direct access to the front courtyard and also access to the gardens and barbecue area to the side of the house. Behind is a laundry room with its huge, commercial-purpose washing machine and dryer.
The room beyond the kitchen in this side wing of the house has been converted into a play area for children with a TV, sofa and a table for eating, drawing or whatever.
It is all perfectly presentable but deliberately created to be indestructible so that children or teenagers can enjoy themselves here without worrying (their parents) about fine, irreplaceable antique furnishings being damaged.
There is also a 6th bedroom (twin bedded with en-suite bathroom and a small service kitchen) alongside, ideal for the children’s nanny perhaps, or for grandparents or anyone else wishing for a bit more independence.
The view, across the gently rolling hillsides of the estate's mature woodlands to the ancient Roman settlement in the far distance, is a joy.
Returning to the main wing, on the opposite side of the hallway from the kitchen is the hugely elegant, almost regal, dining room with an immaculate, 19th Century English mahogany dining table and chairs at its centre.
The palest of light blue walls with faded rose colored silk curtains and a superb array of detail such as the ornate candelabra overhead and the 18th Century fireplace alongside, original paintings
and antique furnishings. The marble floor tiles reflect the same lovely blue/grey and white theme.
On three sides of the room, french windows open to the sunny world outside and soft light pours in, enhancing its calm, welcoming ambience. The view, across the gently rolling hillsides of the estate’s mature woodlands to the ancient Roman settlement in the far distance, is a joy.
The house is a mélange of wonderful antiques, fabulous paintings and classically beautiful furnishings.
To one side it opens to a wide and well maintained lawn surrounded by a pretty and genuinely English herbaceous border, a lovely, shaded outdoor pergola and barbecue area for al fresco dining alongside.
Other doors open to the vast, wide sun terrace which runs the entire length of this wing of the house and leads on, in turn, to other garden areas and the pool on lower terraces.
The next room along the hallway is the “small” sitting room (although it’s bigger than most people’s main lounge), a more modern, beautifully appointed and very relaxing room.
Delightfully furnished and very stylish, it’s a lovely room to take a few moments off from the rest of the world, to settle down with a good book perhaps. Doors open to the sun terrace outside and to the views down the valley.
It also doubles up as the TV lounge; a massive, 52″ flat screen TV, DVD player and stereo system are hidden away very discretely in a concealed cupboard.
The main living room is one of the biggest rooms imaginable; its seemingly acres of space are home to furnishings of fabulous quality.
The main living room comes next, one of the biggest rooms imaginable!
Two blue, 4 seater sofas are drawn up alongside a huge open fireplace; the seemingly acres of space on either side are home to superb furnishings which include an 18th Century German armoire, antique French painted columns, a pair of very comfortable recamiers; the perfect place to read. A collection of Chinese porcelain and countless other fine and really exquisite pieces complete the setting. The hand-woven Indian carpet was especially commissioned from Jaipur and took eight months to make.
Light pours in from french windows which run right along the length of the room as well as to the side, enhancing its marvellous charm and fabulous quality.
Further along, beyond a guest cloakroom, the hallway extends around to form an impressive library corner with hundreds of bound volumes lining the walls from floor to ceiling.
For a little musical accompaniment there’s a CD player here and a computer too (there’s WiFi throughout the house).
At the far end of the hallway is the very classy and beautifully furnished master bedroom suite with its own sitting area, king-sized bed and wonderful views from French windows which run along two sides of the room.
The master bedroom has its own sitting area, king-sized bed and wonderful views. Impressive as it is, even more so is its huge marble bathroom suite.
Impressive as it is, even more so is its huge en-suite marble bathroom suite, the gorgeous, greeny-grey ribboned tiles beautifully offset by a marble bathtub, white marble washstand and fluffy white towels.
A huge picture window looks out to a very private and very green little garden scene, bamboos and ivy competing with tropical plants. The walk-in shower room (with power shower) is big enough to fit half a rugby team in!
The other four bedrooms are in the third wing of the house, one accessed from the library, the other three from the front courtyard. All are individually styled and furnished but all share the same immaculate quality (and size) as the other rooms in the house.
Three have queen-sized double beds, one has a more standard sized, four poster double bed. They all have spacious, attractive en-suite bathrooms, two of them with walk-in shower rooms, two with bath tubs and showers.
They all look out through French windows to the extensive formal gardens and terraces on this side of the villa.
The lawn and dining pergola on one side and the formal gardens on the other are connected by a vast sun terrace. It's reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles!
There is central heating throughout, with the exception of the three bedrooms which are accessed from the front courtyard which all have electric radiators as well as open fireplaces.
There’s no air conditioning but it really isn’t necessary: massively high ceilings and excellent insulation keep the property beautifully cool even on the hottest of summer days.
The lawn and dining pergola on one side of the house and the formal gardens on the other side are connected by a vast, furnished sun terrace which runs all along the back of the property.
Stately stairways descend to the next terrace down which has been laid out as another formal garden area, fish ponds running down its centre, tranquil sitting areas, a herb garden at one end.
It’s all reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles!
The pool, of course, is big (16m x 6m) and beautiful with intricate mosaic tiling. There's a wrap-around sun terrace and a lovely pergola / chill-out area.
This is separated from the pool area by high poplar hedges and a few more steps. The pool, of course, is big and beautiful with intricate mosaic tiling.
At one end there is now a lovely pergola / chill-out area with high-end lounging furniture, night lighting and a bar with four stools, a small fridge and an iPod dock.
16 m x 6 m, the deepest part of the swimming pool is in the centre (2.2 m deep) with shallower levels at each end where there are entry steps into the pool. There’s an expansive, wrap-around sun terrace and lots of good quality sun beds.
A wonderfully sunny spot, views are far and wide across the joyous countryside, birds sing happily in the branches of the magnificent, gnarled old olive trees.
A magnificent home which offers exclusive and unabashed luxury, comfort, quality and style; enhanced, of course, by the beauty of its countryside estate.
In such a fantastic property there is always a little more! From the lawned area to the side of the house, two poplar trees stand guard to a wide part of the hillside estate which has been cultivated and is now an immaculately maintained, 2½ acre vineyard.
You are also welcome to help yourselves to the estate’s olives. They have more than two acres of them so there’s plenty to go around.
On one of the hillsides above the house, the owners have created a little “secret” Mediterranean garden in a hidden clearing in the trees. Just another delightful spot for you to discover as you explore this wonderful estate. A little further afield, one of many lovely walks from the estate is up to the Acinipo ruins.
Nearby Ronda is a lovely town, Hemingway’s favourite in all Spain. Brimming with history and interest, a visit to its famous bridge and bullring is a must.
The Grazalema National Park, one of Spain’s most spectacular regions, is only a short drive away. Here you will find some of the most beautiful of the famous “white villages”. Elsewhere, Arcos de la Frontera, Setenil and Gaucín are all well worth a visit.
A little over an hour’s drive through the mountains of the Serranía de Ronda will take you to Marbella and the beaches of the Costa del Sol. In the opposite direction, Seville is just 1½ hours away.
There’s lots to do from here, this truly magnificent home which offers exclusive and unabashed luxury, comfort, quality and style; enhanced, of course, by the beauty of its countryside estate.
"Words almost fail me! This is without doubt the most well appointed & beautiful rental property we have ever stayed in."
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)
Please, no smoking inside the villa
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Prices include maid service (two maids, two hours each day, Monday to Saturday)
Extra maid service can be arranged (payable locally)
Additional chauffeur, maid and babysitting services can be arranged upon request, (payable locally).
Prices include maid service, Mondays to Fridays and a welcome pack.
RB/CR/MA/01287
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
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| Prices Pending | — | — |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
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| Prices Pending | — | — |
In open countryside, 12 km from Ronda (all facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
