The first thing that strikes you is the magnificent location, south facing, perched on the side of a hill with expansive views and one of the best swimming pools in Andalucía ...
South facing, perched on the side of a hill, views extend over the surrounding hills and valleys to distant farms and the coastal mountain ranges beyond.
Ten minutes drive from the pretty white village of Colmenar, through olive and almond covered hillsides brings us to this property, a very attractively restored 19th Century Andalusian farmhouse.
The first thing that strikes you is the magnificent location, south facing, perched on the side of a hill, with expansive views over the surrounding hills and valleys to distant farms and the coastal mountain ranges beyond.
The farmhouse is situated within its own seven acres of olive and almond trees, a supremely tranquil, very beautiful and private environment where only the soft sound of clinking goat bells and the breeze rustling through the trees will interrupt the peace.
And the house does this location proud, too. A rustic, rural country farmhouse, gleaming white in the southern Spanish sun, it has been carefully renovated and restored by it’s English owners to create a very comfortable and friendly home.
The renovation has kept faith with materials which have served so well over the centuries, cane ceilings, eucalyptus beams and thick lime-washed walls.
Throughout its restoration, tradition has been carefully maintained: materials used are those which have served so well over the centuries, including cane ceilings, eucalyptus beams and thick lime-washed walls which keep the heat in during winter, and out during summer.
The house is tiled throughout and thick Andalusian rugs cover the floors, another typical feature which combines Spanish style with its Moorish past.
With three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining room and lounge there is plenty of space to enjoy the country charms of this property.
The outside dining area consists of a porch to shade you from the sun (but with a fireplace to keep the chill off in spring and autumn when eating outside) and an outside barbecue area including kitchen area with fridge, sink and cupboards. This is in addition to the main kitchen in the house.
Delightfully rustic and charming throughout, there are all modern conveniences too - flat screen satellite TV, DVD with surround sound, WiFi internet et al.
On the ground floor there is a fully equipped country kitchen, a wood beamed dining room, bathroom and a large, spacious living room up a couple of little steps.
Delightfully rustic throughout, there are all modern conveniences too. The comfortable, colourful living room has a large, flat screen satellite TV, DVD with surround sound and there are plenty of DVD’s to watch and books to read. The main downstairs rooms now have under floor heating as well as their log burning stoves.
One thoughtful little detail here is a notice board with local information about horse riding, quad bikes and other things to do locally, as well as an excellent selection of restaurants in the surrounding area.
The dining room is the ‘hub’ of the house with doors leading off to the lounge, staircase and bathroom and is decorated in keeping with the house’s rural style, an intimate area where you will enjoy a change from alfresco dining outdoors.
The charming country kitchen is as homely as can be, suitably equipped with all mod-cons.
Upstairs (the staircase is steep compared to modern houses) there are three bedrooms, one double and two twins. The Andalusian theme continues, the furnishings delightfully traditional under their eucalyptus beams and cane ceilings.
The house is tiled throughout and thick Andalusian rugs cover the floors, another typical feature which combines Spanish style with its Moorish past.
Beware of the shutters … they do such an excellent job of keeping out the light that you may have unintended lie-ins!
Thick floor rugs and Andalucian wall tapestries complete the Spanish feel. If you are staying at the beginning or end of the season, there are electric wall heaters to keep away any chills.
Under its traditional beamed ceilings, all the amenities of a quality holiday home are here, furnishings made by local craftsmen, WiFi internet access, satellite TV, DVD and a music system.
At the front of the house runs a shaded, cobbled patio, and to the side is the wonderful, filtered infinity swimming pool with sun terrace, sun loungers and a brick built barbecue area alongside. Just behind, outdoor dining is provided under the porch.
As you gaze over its infinity edge you can almost feel yourself floating off into the valley beyond!
Enjoying expansive views over the surrounding hills and valleys towards distant coastal mountain ranges and beyond, this is one of the best swimming pools in Andalucía. As you gaze over its infinity edge you can almost feel yourself floating off into the valley beyond!
The outdoor dining area is probably where you’ll enjoy the majority of your meals, situated just off the kitchen adjacent to the barbecue area where you can dine outside enjoying the Mediterranean climate in total privacy.
There is a rustic pergola to shade you from the mid-day sun, together with a teak table and chairs from which to admire the pool area and plan your next swim, possibly listening to the water cascading over the infinity edge beyond.
Within the flower beds, rosemary, thyme and mint are available so please feel free to use them. In return, please feel free to give them a drink (your recycled dishwater is perfect) to allow them to thrive in the hot Spanish sun.
Pretty villages, beautiful countryside and dramatic mountains, beaches of powdery sand and sparkling clear water, Andalucia's great historic cities ...
And, should you grow restless of this rural paradise, there is lots to do nearby: pretty villages to explore with their authentic Andalusian character, the timeless countryside of La Axarquía with it’s beautiful lake, La Viñuela as it’s centrepiece, and the dramatic mountain terrain of the Montes de Málaga.
Walking, horse and mule riding, cycling, quad biking and other outdoor pursuits can be enjoyed. A little further afield, Mediterranean resorts such as Nerja and Torre del Mar are less than half an hour away and the historic city of Granada is an easy day trip.
Elsewhere there are donkey sanctuaries, wolf and flamingo parks. And, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge your palate at any one of numerous ventas and restaurants that dot the area. There are some excellent ones (full details are in the house).
Wherever you go, you will be happy to return here, where the character and atmosphere of a previous era blends gracefully with the comfort of modern conveniences. Beautiful views and an unchanging peace and tranquillity will not fail to impress.
"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 April to September, inclusive)
Pool cleaning and maintenance takes place once a week
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Please, no smoking indoors
The gardener comes every Wednesday morning for an hour
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week
RB/VTAR/MA/1372
| 2023 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 24th March | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 25th March to 9th June | 1,290 € | 2,580 € |
| 10th June to 25th August | 1,490 € | 2,980 € |
| 26th August to 6th October | 1,290 € | 2,580 € |
| 7th October to 8th December | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 9th December to 31st December | 1,290 € | 2,580 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | — | — |
5 km (the last 1 km along a track easily driven in an ordinary car) from Colmenar (Thursday market, bars, restaurants, small supermarkets, banks, taxi service) in La Axarquía region (Province of Málaga)
