Simply perfect, fantastic in every way!
That's what guests said about this superb villa near Ronda which combines elegance, style and comfort in abundance with its inherent Spanish charm ...
"We (8 friends from Norway) reluctantly left this property after 14 wonderful days in July. OK, the temperatures at the time was too high, but with the nice pool, air condition in the bedrooms, and the house a bit cooler, we enjoyed every moment. At our arrival, we were surprised over the high standard of the property. Big bedrooms with large baths, a fantastic kitchen with all the best of equipment, a terrace with a fantastic view over the surroundings etc. The friendly welcome and help from the owners was also much more than one could expect. And not to forget, every day the maid Maria cleaned up and made the house spotless. Big thanks to her. The surroundings with spectacular Ronda and charming Arriate were also very nice with good food and friendly people. Our group have had similar vacations in Italy and France several times, but ZC17 definitively takes the first price. This is in fact the first time that we seriously decided to return for another holiday. We recommend it to anyone who will visit Andalucía.
"
"Is ‘idyllic’ too strong a word? What if your day begins with the crowing of a rooster and the songs of a dozen nearby birds? And lunches are enjoyed on a sunny porch overlooking a breathtaking valley. What if your evening includes an in-home cooking demonstration on the art of making a true Valencia paella shared around a comfortable dining table with eight of your closest friends? And what if bedtime meant retiring to a comfortable bed in a beautifully appointed bedroom with screened-in windows to let in the sweet night air? On a more practical note, this property made it easy for our group to live together seamlessly. There were plenty of private spaces to curl up with a book, a well-organized kitchen with a handy island and two dishwashers, en-suite private baths, a gorgeous swimming pool with assorted pool toys, and two convenient washers and dryers. And you couldn't ask for better hosts. They both were easily accessible when we needed them—with everything from nearby restaurant recommendations to tips about Ronda and other nearby places to visit. So is ‘idyllic’ too strong to describe one of the best weeks of our lives in one of the most stunning locations we’ve ever experienced? Hardly.
"
"We are a group of adults who enjoy touring, cooking, drinking wine, conversation and feeling that we truly are away from our busy daily lives. We like luxury that is coupled with warmth. Views are essential as is a property that offers a unique local experience vs. a sterile tourist environment. ZC17 more than lives up to its description and reviews. My gauge for a good vacation and a good property is how I remember the vacation when I am back in my routine. More than a month after the stay I could not shake the feeling that I truly did have a home in Andalucia. The property is impeccable, the owner is charming, knowledgable and gracious, the nightingales sing. Our habit was to enjoy morning exercise, breakfast and coffee and then spend the day touring various towns and attractions. Evening found us back at our home away from home, relaxing and enjoying dinner. We did hire a local cook for several dinners which made the evenings even more relaxing....and the food was delicious. For cooks, it is easy to purchase the best ingredients locally so as to make use of the beautifully supplied kitchen. The owner provides on point information on all manner of activities, restaurants and shopping locations. "
"Our criteria for a family holiday in Spain was: A villa with 5 bedrooms, ideally each with ensuite facilities; the ability to walk into a nearby village for food supplies, a morning coffee and exercise (Arriate); a 10-15min drive to a town for sights, history, restaurants, tapas bars, shopping (Ronda); no more than a 2 hour drive/train to Seville/Granada/Cordoba to appreciate history and culture, and about an hour to the coast for golf, or a ferry across to Tangiers; and a house with the space to come together for a meal and yet also to be able to find a quiet area to read a book (of which they provided many), listen to music (broad selection of CD's), or keep up-to-date on the internet.
This property met all our wishes and more. The owner was most hospitable and recommended places to visit, wines to drink, restaurants to visit and even directed us to a guest chef who cooked and served a special celebratory meal at the villa. The housekeeper made sure everything was clean and as-new each day, and the kitchen had every appliance to make life easy. Some days were by the pool, others exploring Ronda and surrounds and there are so many picturesque 'Pueblo Blancos' - Setenil, Grazalema, Olvera, Gaucin, Zahara and more. Indeed it was a wonderful 14 days, made so much more enjoyable because the owners shared their house, possessions and their memories, and that is a special gift for which we all thank them. Our family are well travelled, but all agreed it was the best family holiday we have had."
"It is now a little while since we returned to New Zealand after our trip to Europe, and a lovely week in Andalucia with our family. I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed staying at ZC17. It was very comfortable and spacious, and in a delightful rural location, yet close enough to all the places we wished to visit. The owner was also very helpful and kind, and nothing seemed too much trouble. We had a wonderful time!
"
Bedrooms
Five (four doubles, one twin bedded children's room).
Pool
Private swimming pool
10 m x 4 m, 1.2 - 2.0 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, 1½ km from Arriate in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Price
From 3,060 € to 3,510 € per week.
Close
Villa Description
Simply perfect
"The whole experience was simply perfect. Everyone was extremely helpful and saw to everything to make our stay as enjoyable as possible".
This elegant and very spacious villa offers style and comfort in abundance as well as inherent Spanish charm.
Situated 10 minutes north of Ronda, just 1½ kilometres outside the delightful little market town of Arriate and set within its own three acre estate, it enjoys peaceful seclusion and very tranquil, panoramic views over its own olive groves and the surrounding countryside.
Easy to get to (the driveway leads down to a little road which meanders through the countryside from Arriate), it is surrounded by olive groves, lawns and pretty flower beds. These extend down gentle slopes to a small brook, opening up beautiful views - to Ronda in one direction and across a long, rural horizon all the way to the dramatic peaks of the Grazalema mountains. It's delightful.
The delights of Andalucia
"I heartily recommend this villa to anyone who wants to experience the delights of Andalucia".
The villa is pretty good too! It's big, 400 m2, beautifully constructed and decorated, an immaculate home.
A very grand house indeed, one which strikes exactly the right balance between opulence and homely cosiness. With all the amenities of a finely equipped, lived-in family home, it is both stylish and comfortable.
A wide, graveled driveway leads up to the house where there's plenty of parking space, both at the front and rear (where there's a covered parking bay for two cars, very much appreciated in the heat of high summer). Lawned gardens wrap around the villa, spilling down the slope to the olive trees beyond.
The main entrance is a splendid affair, an ornate "Moroccan" archway inviting you inside through magnificent, carved wooden doors (a special feature here are the beautiful antique doors) to an impressive entrance hall.
First-rate
"We cannot say enough about the location, the magnificent views of olive trees, having nature as company all around and the wonderful accommodation".
Built around a central courtyard, most of the accommodation is on this ground floor.
There is seamless integration between the marvelous kitchen at one end, through the large dining room to the ample sized, beautifully appointed living room. This, in turn, opens to a wide terrace which runs along its length and enjoys the best of the countryside views.
The kitchen is special. The owners ran a well-known and very successful Spanish restaurant in Manhattan, so the ability to entertain family, friends and guests, and to enjoy fine cooking and dining were primary goals taken into consideration when the villa was designed.
Fantastic in every way
"The home is immaculate and beautifully built and furnished. We had everything we needed - and more".
It's a proper kitchen and has everything - a huge, eye-level electric oven as well as a wood-burning clay oven (although this requires some experience to use), 5 ring-gas hob, microwave, American-style fridge / freezer (with cold drinks and ice dispenser), two dishwashers (it's a real family home!), and all the rest. There's plenty of working space, including a wooden kitchen island in the centre.
You will be tempted to hang around in here (there's a decent sized breakfast table and chairs), listening to something good on the Bowers & Wilkins iPod docking speakers, chatting to Mum as she rustles up the lunch!
The dining room is attractive too, its long wooden dining table comfortably seating ten. Spotlights overhead set the mood and the peaceful ambience is further enhanced by views to the gardens and countryside on two sides, to the internal courtyard on another.
A classic Andaluz patio, this is another lovely feature, furnished with a Moroccan table and chairs and prettily planted with geraniums, orange and flowering shrubs, jasmine clambering up the white walls.
Wide, sliding wooden doors open through from the dining room to a beautifully appointed living room, a very serene and comfortable space indeed. It's classically furnished with plump sofas and easy chairs gathered around an open fireplace, a beautiful, antique writing desk in a corner. There are books, maps, decorative pieces, photos and original art.
No TV (that's downstairs), this is a room to relax in, its tone enhanced by an excellent sound system and lots of CD's to choose from.
Location, location!
"If your travels bring you to Southern Spain, don't miss the opportunity to stay here, only a few minutes from Ronda".
A really lovely living room, it opens to the entrance hall at its far end and to the covered terrace outside, through two sets of double glass doors which run along its length.
Here you can relax in a big hammock or gather together around the outdoor dining table (which seats 10). Views are far and wide, to Ronda and the distant sierras. Steps lead down into the gardens.
On the other side of the entrance hall, a corridor leads through to a guest cloakroom and the bedrooms.
Three are on this floor, generously sized and well appointed, each with a different colour scheme. One is green, one yellow and the other is blue. One has a queen-sized double and a sofa / futon. The other two have king-sized double beds. They all have ceiling fans, air conditioning, and well proportioned en-suite bathrooms (shower over bath tubs).
Restorative yet stimulating
"Our every possible need was tended for in this beautifully constructed and decorated home. It made for a fabulous, restorative yet stimulating trip".
The master bedroom suite (king-sized double) is upstairs. Very attractive, high ceilings, excellent insulation, double thick walls, window glazing and marble floors throughout, along with air conditioning and a ceiling fan, all contribute to a calm and temperate ambience.
There is satellite TV and a quality audio system in the bedroom. It is delightfully lit by balcony windows on two sides and opens to its own, furnished, private roof terrace with lovely views. The huge en-suite bathroom has a shower over the bath tub and a walk-in shower.
On the lower floor is a children's lounge / bedroom. Designed as a "children's den", there's satellite TV (Spanish digital and international channels including some English language stations), DVD, Playstation and toys. Two single beds are either side of the TV with sofas beyond. A perfect place for kids to make their very own. This is the coolest room in the house so does not need or have air conditioning or a fan.
A wonderful retreat
"We just loved it. With the surrounding countryside ideal for outdoor adventure, the villa works as a wonderful, personal luxury spa".
Also on this floor there's a bathroom (with walk-in shower) and the laundry room which houses two washing machines and two tumble driers as well as a good sized second fridge.
A real family home, it is very generously equipped and has all amenities. Beds are comfortable, there's underfloor central heating throughout and WiFi broadband internet connection. The water pressure in the showers was described by one client as "awesome". Mari, the lovely cleaning lady, comes two hours each weekday to keep everything spotless for you.
So, there's no shortage of wonderful living areas and different spaces to enjoy in and around the villa.
The perfect host
"The owner was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about local attractions and eateries and helped us shape our stay. He is a wonderful host".
Some 30 metres away from the house, there's the splendid pool area, carefully located in a very private spot. "Splendid" is the word … the gorgeous pool (10 m x 4 m with a saltwater filtration system) is wrapped by a wide sun bathing terrace furnished with quality sunbeds and parasols. At its far end, the pool house incorporates a roofed, poolside bar with barbecue and a shower room.
For sure you will spend a great deal of time here, it's a heavenly spot. All around there are a million places for kids to play hide and seek in, and lots of different garden and terrace corners where you can settle down, relax and just soak in all the wonderfulness.
One of Andalucía's prime locations, there are other properties dotted about on the hillsides but there's nothing close by. Here you will enjoy seclusion and all the rural peace and quiet you could wish for.
At the same time, you are very handily placed for visiting many of Southern Spain's best holiday destinations.
As guests have testified time and again, it's a great location and, with class and comfort in abundance throughout the villa and its surrounding gardens and pool area, this is a wonderful home, a real and very well maintained one, tailor-made for a great holiday.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall
- Kitchen
- Dining Room
- Living room
- 3 bedrooms :
- (1) Green Room : double (queen sized bed) & Futon / single sofabed, with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- (2) Yellow Room : double (king sized bed) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- (3) Blue Room : double (king sized bed) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- Guest cloakroom W/C.
- Shaded, furnished al fresco dining terrace (accessed from the living room)
- Internal "Andaluz" courtyard
- Gardens and Grounds including an olive grove and a vegetable garden
First Floor
- (4) Master bedroom suite with king-sized double bed, en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub & walk-in shower) with access to a private, furnished roof terrace
Lower Floor
- (5) Children's bedroom / games & TV room with 2 single beds and adjoining lounge area (with Futon / single sofabed)
- Bathroom (walk-in shower, no bath tub)
- Laundry / utility room
Facilities
Entertainment
- Satellite TV (Spanish digital and international channels including some English language stations) in the TV lounge/games room downstairs and also in the master bedroom
- DVD
- Playstation
- HiFi audio in the living room and also in the master bedroom
- iPod docking speaker
- Binoculars
- Collection of CD's, DVD's, books & maps
- Children's toys
- 2 bicycles
- Fax
- Local activity & restaurant guides
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Open fireplace in the living room
- Underfloor Central Heating throughout
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling Fans in all bedrooms (excluding childrens room)
- 2 Washing Machines, 2 Tumble dryers, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hairdryer in all bedrooms
- 2 Travel Cots & 2 Highchairs available (cot linen is not provided)
Kitchen
- Large, eye-level, electric oven
- Gas hob (5 rings)
- Wood burning clay oven
- Microwave
- American-style fridge / freezer (with ice and cold drinks dispenser)
- 2 Dishwashers
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Blender, Coffee grinder & machine
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
Outdoors
- Salt water filtered private swimming pool (10 m x 4 m, 1.2 - 2.0 m deep with entrance steps and underwater lighting)
- Pool shower & W.C.
- Pool terrace with night lighting
- Pool bar
- Sun beds, sun shades, deckchairs, hammock
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Barbecue
- Night lighting
- Gardens and grounds
- Covered parking
- Remote controlled entrance gates
Notes
The unheated pool is available for use from May until October, inclusive. Outside of these dates the pool is covered and cannot be used.
The owners may occasionally be on the premises in a separate and entirely private part of the villa (with its own entrance) during the rental season
During high season the changeover day can be Friday, Saturday or Sunday. At other times, start and finish days for this property are flexible
Prices include maid service two hours a day (11am to 1pm), Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)
Towels are changed twice each week; bed linen once per week
Additional maid service can be arranged on request (payable locally to the maid)
Guests are cordially invited to a welcome snack with ice cold cava upon arrival
Basic provisions such as soap, washing powder, toilet paper etc are provided
The kitchen is usually well stocked with basic provisions and dry goods
Cleaning products, washing powders, toilet paper etc. are also provided
Prices are inclusive of central heating and firewood
The pantry can be stocked on your behalf prior to arrival if requested (for a supplement)
If you wish to have a private chef cook one (or several) meals during your stay, this can be arranged in advance at a very reasonable price. The chef will purchase all the ingredients for your meal at a nominal cost; you provide your own beverages.
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 17
| 2019 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 26th April | 3,060 € | 5,690 € |
| 27th April to 28th June | 3,510 € | 6,540 € |
| 29th June to 6th September | 3,840 € | 7,180 € |
| 7th September to 4th October | 3,510 € | 6,540 € |
| 5th October to 20th December | 3,060 € | 5,690 € |
| 21st December to 3rd January 2020 | 3,510 € | 6,540 € |
ZC 17
| 2020 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 4th April to 11th April | 3,510 € | 6,540 € |
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Security Deposit
A 300 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
Villa Availability
ZC 17
Availability 2023
Please contact us for latest availability and to reserve the villa.
Your browser does not support this calendar (Javascript is not enabled). For availability you can contact us directly via our contact form, email or by phone.
Villa Location
Location Map
In open countryside, 1½ km from Arriate (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga)
Location
In open countryside, 1½ km from Arriate (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Ronda (all facilities) 15 mins; Grazalema 45 mins
Marbella 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1¾ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Gibraltar 2 hrs; Tarifa 2¼ hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs.
Costa del Sol 1¼ hrs; Costa de la Luz 2 hrs.
Nearest Airports
Málaga 1¾ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Gibraltar 2 hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- For trips out, you are spoilt for choice. Hemingway's favourite town in all Spain, Ronda, with its extraordinary gorge dividing the old and new quarters, is just 15 minutes away. With its mansion houses, quaint narrow streets, museums and art galleries and Spain's oldest bullring, it is well worth visiting.
- La Costa del Sol with its wealth of sandy beaches, sun, fun and nightlife is an hour further south from Ronda. It's a very spectacular trip, too, crossing up and over the Sierra de las Nieves before descending to glitzy, glamorous Marbella and a very different world!
- Here you are on the doorstep of the Grazalema National Park, one of the most beautiful tracks of mountain anywhere in Europe. Jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons are interspersed, here and there, by some of the prettiest villages in Spain - Grazalema, Zahara, Setenil and the other famous "pueblos blancos".
- On the wide, blue waters of the Embalse de Zahara (it's a reservoir but you would never know), you can swim or just enjoy the beautiful views all around from one of the little bars which open up in summer on the lake shore.
- Take the dramatic little mountain road from Zahara which climbs high into the mountains and on to Grazalema. From here you can head west, crossing right over the magnificent sierras, thickly forested with cork oak and Spanish fir, to Arcos de la Frontera on the other side.
- For something completely different, Sevilla takes 2 hours. It is impossible not to be captivated by its exuberant atmosphere: stylish, confident, ancient and proud, yet also convivial, intimate and fun-loving. If you don't know what alegría means, Sevilla is the place to learn!
- Spain's unique sherry wine region (Jerez and Sanlúcar), is well worth a visit, enhanced no doubt by stopping at one or two of the famous bodegas along the way! Jerez de la Frontera is 2 hours.
- Cádiz (2¼ hours) continues to evoke the romance, intrigue and mystery of centuries of trade (some legal, some not so) between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
- Córdoba and Granada are both 2½ hours drive from here.
Activities
- There are few better places in Europe than the Sierra de Grazalema to enjoy walking and hiking. We recommend "Walking in Andalucía" by Guy Hunter-Watts which includes six fabulous walks in the nearby countryside. The wonderful mountain terrain is equally facinating for twitchers, especially for spotting the big raptors. There are various guide companies in Ronda offering everything from one day caving adventures to hiking and bicycling trips.
- The adventurous may want to try their hand at hang gliding or paragliding from Sierra de Lijar, just up the road at Algodonales. The village recently staged the World Paragliding Championships and is home to a number of paragliding schools with courses for beginners as well as tandem flights.
- Horse trekking can be arranged at local stables.
- Bicycle hire is easily arranged in Ronda. There are excellent cycle ways in the area including the Via Verde which runs along an abandoned railway line as well as far more challenging tracks for mountain biking.
- Different water sports are on offer on the Zahara lake. Swimming is also possible at a number of secluded coves along the lakeside.
- There is no more thrilling way of viewing the Ronda mountains than from a balloon. End your once-in-a-lifetime flight with a champagne breakfast overlooking Ronda’s old town.
The Area
Ronda Mountains
The wild and wonderful mountains which surround Ronda are spectacularly beautiful, a taste of much-touted 'Real Spain' …
Read more
Arriate
Arriate appears to be a sleepy rural village, but, turn a corner, and suddenly you are in a chic and bustling small town. Well worth a visit - or two.
