Fascinating and fabulous
Note: Due to change of ownership, there are some alterations pending to this page (the pool has been tiled, natural stone marble tiles around the pool, ...) and updated photographs will be added soon...
This has to be one of the most outstanding, beautifully crafted and characterful properties
anywhere in Spain, lavishly and lovingly furnished in a splendid Moorish theme ...
"Just a brief e-mail to say that what a lovely stay we had at ZC44 last week. Despite the wet start to the week, the sun came out and we are able to make full use of the facilities including the pool (crazy brits that we are!) which warmed up a little. Please also pass on our thanks to Victoria and the house team who cooked up a delicious supper on the day we arrived and ensured the bedrooms and bathrooms were clean and tidy throughout the week. It was a wonderful location for all the family to celebrate my Mum and Dad's 'significant' birthdays and we will have many happy memories to look back on. "
Bedrooms
Seven (five doubles and two twin bedded).
Pool
Private swimming pool
15.5 m x 11.0 m, 0.75 m - 2.0 m deep plus circular (shallow) part for young children.
Location
1 km from Gaucín in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Price
From 2,940 € to 7,300 € per week.
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Villa Description
Glorious nature
A huge panorama of magnificent, mountain majesty spreads out in front of your eyes. It's absolutely wonderful.
A short walk from pretty Gaucín village, this has to be one of the most outstanding and characterful properties anywhere in Spain.
In as peaceful a spot as it's possible to find, set within its own glorious 15 acre estate of cork forest, wild woodlands, olive and almond groves on the mountain slopes of La Serranía de Ronda, a huge panorama of magnificent, mountain majesty spreads out in front of your eyes. It's absolutely wonderful.
The vast, craggy outcrop of the Crestellina Ridge rises up on one side of the horizon; in the other direction, the floodlit ruins of Gaucín's Moorish castle, Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) stand proud on their rocky promontory at the summit of Hacho Mountain.
Between them, the mountains open up to reveal the deep valley of the Rio Genal, which leads all the way down to the Rock of Gibraltar and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. Beyond, the peaks of Africa and Europe merge under a deep blue sky.
Views are stunning, whichever way you turn.
Arabian Nights
White-washed walls, doors and windows in bright ocean blue, exquisite furnishings, rugs and fabrics combine effortlessly with all modern comforts.
A traditional farmhouse which wraps around a huge central courtyard on three sides, it has been transformed it into a wonderful country house full of beautiful art, antiques and Moroccan artefacts. If a house can be an adventure, this one is. Both fascinating and fabulous in equal measure.
Lavishly and lovingly furnished, you will find Moorish-influenced touches, both inside and out. Whitewashed walls, doors and windows in bright ocean blue, colourful rugs and rich fabrics combine effortlessly with all modern comforts.
But let's start outside ... the gardens on the slopes all around the house are fantastic, immaculately maintained throughout the year by the gardener.
Walk-ways weave through mature trees and colourful shrubberies to hidden terraces and delightful, secret corners.
You will discover fountains, flower-covered walls, shady sitting areas and what seems like every indigenous flower and shrub in Andalucía. Divine, wild woodland gardens are complemented, of course, by the fabulous mountain views.
Oh, what a pool ...
A spectacular infinity swimming pools that appears to float above the trees, its azure-blue waters merging into the sublime nature all around.
One of these pathways leads down the slopes to a most spectacular infinity swimming pools. Glistening gloriously blue in the sunshine, its chemical-free, salt waters are utterly irresistible.
It's a huge pool, an irregular shape but more or less 15 m x 11 m with a circular, shallow kiddies bit as well. There's solar-powered heating to extend the swimming season and the whole area is securely walled and gated.
Stunning at night, too, with a thousand stars twinkling up above.
The large poolhouse is equipped with a fridge, changing room and shower room and also provides a shady seating area. There's a ping pong table, plenty of sunloungers, seating and space for all.
Set on its own terrace about 30 metres below the house, it's a magnificent pool complex in an outstanding natural setting. Oh happy days ... we suspect that you may spend quite a lot of your time here!
Beautiful gardens
Walkways lead here, there and everywhere through the mature trees to hidden terraces and delightful, secret corners.
The extensive courtyard terrace at the heart of the property is another lovely outdoor space, calm and tranquil with lots of trees and huge pots of flowers and shrubs. Shaded sitting areas are dotted about here and there amongst the leafy greenery, the scent of orange and lemon filling the air. It's the hub of the house as the three wings of the farmhouse wrap around the courtyard. Many of the rooms have direct access to it.
On the other side of the house, the main living room opens to another massive terrace, this one is a splendid, covered al-fresco dining area with an enormous dining table, two huge brick barbecue / fireplaces at either end.
Steps lead down to more terracing below and out into formal gardens. Views from here up to the castle, high on the hillside beyond, are splendid. And there are several other terraces around and about the property; many of the bedrooms have their own private outdoor spaces.
A voyage of discovery
Stylish but very relaxing, colourful and comfortable, one moves serenely from room to room, from one wonderful surprise to another.
The house itself is huge, seemingly going on for ever! One of those places where it's neccessary to go on a voyage of discovery and then go around it all again, just to be sure that you know where you are.
The kitchen is big and very attractive with a pleasing country-style. Mind you, there's nothing old-fashioned about how it's equipped; it's fully functional with absolutely everything one could ever need to conjure up a banquet. There's plenty of workspace too, both on the worktops around its perimeter and on the lovely wooden kitchen island in the centre of the room.
The kitchen leads through to the main living / dining room which is ... simply enormous. Its size is matched only by its comfort and relaxed ambience.
There's a spacious dining area at one end, sofas and easy chairs gathered around the fireplace in the centre of the room, Moorish-style bench seating beyond. Wonderful things are everywhere - beautiful artefacts, books, lovely lamps, prints and wall hangings.
It's all delightfully colourful, comfortable and casual, a room to relax in. Modernity is provided by a 42" flat screen TV, a DVD player and a Bluetooth BOSE speaker.
There's lots of light too. The room opens through huge double doors to the central courtyard on one side; through French windows to the dining terrace (and those castle views) on the other.
Health and happiness
"There is an amazing energy about the place that makes one feel so well. I fell in love with it straight away"
Next along this wing comes a second living room, if anything even more serene and only a little smaller. As everywhere in this marvellous house, it's full of exquisite things and provides a cosy retreat away from the TV and music next door.
Moving on we reach bedroom 1, a roomy double with a queen-sized bed and doors opening out to its own private terrace. The Moorish-style en-suite bathroom has a huge walk-in shower (no bath tub). This is followed by Bedroom 2, another beautiful room, delightfully furnished in Moroccan style with a king-sized double bed. The en-suite bathroom has both a walk in shower and a bath tub (with shower over). The room also has its own private terrace behind.
The third wing begins with a small living room which contains a basic kitchenette and dining area. Next comes bedroom 3, with twin beds and en-suite bathroom (shower over a bath). Bedroom 4 is just a little apart, a few steps up behind the living area. This bedroom has twin zip-link beds which can be kept as two single beds or joined together as a superking size bed. There is an en-suite walk in shower room (no bath tub) and doors opening to the garden.
Divine!
Spacious, sumptuously white, exquisitely furnished, very Moorish in style
Returning to the main wing of the house (where the living rooms are located), grand staircases sweep up (from both sides of the huge wooden entrance doors) to the first floor suites.
One of these stairways takes one up to Bedroom 5 which is the Master Suite and, needless to say, really amazing! Spacious, sumptuously white, exquisitely furnished, very Moorish in style. Its graceful arches open through to fabulous, picture-window views across to the castle. It's divine!
The en-suite bathroom is equally gorgeous. It has a walk-in shower and bathtub.
At the top of the stairway there is also access to the terrace outside which extends the lenght of this main wing of the house.
The hub of the house
Calm and tranquil with shady sitting areas under the leafy foliage of trees, flowers and shrubs, the scent of orange and lemon filling the air.
The other stairway leads up to Bedroom 6, another beautiful, king-sized double room with a huge en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower, bath tub and dressing area). Like on the other sde, doors at the top of the stairway open to the terrace outside. Again those stunning castle views.
Bedroom 7 located between these two principal bedrooms, and is accessed from the external terrace.
This is a twin bedded room with a lovely style all of its own, the beds either side of a classic Moorish archway which leads through to the en-suite shower room. All very pretty.
A very special place
Here there are just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company. It's peaceful, serene - and majestic.
Sheep's bells clink gently in the distance, an eagle or a kestrel soars high overhead; birds singing happily in the trees - here there are just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company. It's peaceful, serene - and majestic.
But it's not remote. Reached via a fairly steep and mostly unsurfaced 700 metre track, this blissful and hidden retreat is just a 10 minutes walk, or a few minutes drive to the village. The farm track which climbs up the hill to the village does get a bit rutted after the winter rains but is generally kept in pretty good 'nick, negotiable in an ordinary car with appropriate care.
From Gaucín, the world is your oyster - the Costa del Sol, the Costa de la Luz, Ronda, Sevilla, Morocco beckon ...
It's a good 10 minute walk to the village for anyone in reasonable condition - and even quicker on your return as it's all downhill. So, an evening stroll up to town is certainly in order. And well worth it too because it's a lovely village, a classic pueblo blanco, often described as one of the prettiest in Spain with good amenities, bars, restaurants and shops.
Rates include four hours maid service each day, five days a week (provided by lovely Victoria, the housekeeper, who lives with her husband in self-contained, private accommodation beyond the central courtyard on the other side from the main house. Victoria is completely devoted to the property and ensures that everything is clean and in running order.
A welcome hamper is provided and by prior arrangment Victoria is able to provide a pre-arrival shopping service so you have what you need in the house, ready and waiting for your arrival. Vicoria is also able to prepare a simple supper for you on the day of arrival (by prior arrangement).
Extra maid service, laundry, babysitting, lunches etc. can be arranged for a small supplement. The property’s English speaking manager is also on hand to assist guests with all aspects of their stay.
Dinners can also be arranged with advance notice. An excellent chef from the village comes down to prepare these.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Kitchen
- Guest cloakroom
- Living / dining room
- Al fresco dinning terrace
- 2nd living room
- Owners Study (locked)
- Bedroom 1 : Double (queen-sized bed) with en-suite walk-in shower room and private terrace
- Bedroom 2 : Double (king-sized bed) with en-suite walk-in bathroom (walk-in shower and bath tub with shower over).
- Small living /dining room with kitchenette
- Bedroom 3 : Twin-bedded with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- Bedroom 4 : Double (Superking) or Twin beds with en-suite shower room (walk in shower) and doors to the gardens
- Central courtyard
- Various terraces (including the walled and gated pool terrace)
- Gardens and private grounds (15 acres)
First Floor
- 3 bedrooms:
- Bedroom 5 : Double (King) bedroom suite with en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower and bath tub with shower over) and doors to the terrace
- Bedroom 6 : Double (King) with en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower, bath tub and dressing area) and doors to the terrace
- Bedroom 7 : Twin bedded with en-suite shower room (bedroom is accessed from terrace)
- Terrace
Facilities
Entertainment
- 42" flat screen satellite TV (UK Channel Information)
This property has a Freeview box but due to changes to the UK satellite services currently does not receive UK terrestrial programmes, BBC, ITV etc. We will provide updates if this situation changes. - DVD
- Selection of CD's, DVD's and books
- BOSE Bluetooth portable speaker
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Open fireplaces in both living rooms
- Central Heating throughout (surcharge in cooler months)
- Washing Machine, Tumble dryer, Iron & board (a laundry service can be provided)
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hairdryers
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner and shower wash)
- Cot & Highchair available (cot linen is provided)
Kitchen
- Eye-level electric oven
- Gas hob (5 rings)
- Microwave
- Fridge / freezer
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Coffee machine
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
- There is also a small (quite basic) kitchenette in the 3rd wing of the house with gas oven, 4-ring gas hob and fridge / freezer
Outdoors
- Fenced and gated, salt-filtered swimming pool (15.5 m x 11.0 m, 0.75 m - 2.0 m deep with access steps) plus circular (shallow) part for young children. Solar heated
- Pool terrace
- Pool house with fridge, changing room and shower room
- Table tennis table
- Sun loungers and parasols
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- 2 brick barbecues on the dining terrace
- Night lighting
- Gardens and grounds
- Covered Parking for 3 cars and uncovered parking for 3 more
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pool (which has solar heating to extend the swimming season) will be open from April to the end of October.
Rentals for this property run from Saturday to Saturday in high season, but can be flexible at other times.
In winter months the house is available as a four bedroom property.
A separate twin bedded casita, sleeping two, is available at an additional cost (please enquire).
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week
Prices are inclusive of five hours housekeeping 5 days per week (exc Wednesday and Sunday) and a welcome pack on arrival.
Guests are, of course, welcome to use the washing machine etc. but if they prefer, the housekeeper can provide a laundry service (payable directly to her)
Dinners can be arranged (using a local chef and assisting staff)
Additional services can be arranged by the owner including - additional cleaning, welcome dinner, initial shop, fitness instructors, meals, babysitting
Advance notice is required for any additional services (as described above)
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 44
| 2020 Season Dates | *Sleeping 8 per week |
**Sleeping 14 per week |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 6th March | N/A | N/A |
| 7th March to 22nd May | On Request | 6,170 € |
| 23rd May to 3rd July | On Request | 6,560 € |
| 4th July to 4th September | 8,660 | 8,660 € |
| 5th September to 30th October | On Request | 6,560 € |
| 31 October to 18th December | On Request | 6,170 € |
ZC 44
| 2021 Season Dates | *Sleeping 8 per week |
**Sleeping 14 per week |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- | --- |
Notes
*The Sleeping 8 price is for the use of 4 bedrooms (ground floor double bedroom; upstairs two double bedrooms and upstairs twin bedroom).
**The Sleeping 14 price is for the main house only (All 7 bedrooms).
A separate twin bedded casita, sleeping two, is available at an additional cost (please enquire).
During the winter months (1st January to 27th April and 27th October to 5th January 2019) there is a supplementary charge of 400 Euros per week or per booking if less than one week. Paid locally on arrival.
Prices are inclusive of five hours housekeeping five days per week (exc. Wednesday and Sunday) and a welcome pack on arrival.
Other (optional) extras - additional cleaning, welcome dinner, initial shop, fitness instructors, meals and babysitting are payable locally to the housekeeper.
Security Deposit
A 600 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 44
Availability 2021
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, 1 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga)
Location
In open countryside, 1 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Casares (most facilities) 25 mins; Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) 35 mins.
Ronda 45 mins; Estepona 45 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1½ hrs; Tarifa 1½ hrs.
Jerez 2 hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Nearest Airports
Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ 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
- La Costa del Sol with its wealth of sandy beaches, sun, fun and nightlife is just 30 minutes away. Resort towns include Estepona (45 minutes) and glitzy, glamorous Marbella (under an hour).
- Gibraltar, steeped in history, VAT free shops … and plenty of fish & chips is 1¼ hours away.
- Tarifa on the southernmost point of Spain is 1½ hours from here. Looking directly across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, Africa is so close you feel that you can almost touch it!
- Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
- A taste of Morocco perhaps? The fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes 35 minutes, so you can be exploring the local souks in just a few hours. Fascinating and colourful, it really is a different world.
- 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.
- One of Europe's most important wetland reserves and bird sanctuaries, the Doñana National Park, is a popular attraction for nature lovers (4 hours). Its enormous variety of bird species include everything from flamingos to imperial eagles.
- A beautiful road winds over the spectacular mountains to Ronda (45 minutes), with its spectacular gorge and Spain's oldest bullring, Hemmingway’s favourite town in all of Spain.
- Sevilla takes 2½ 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!
- The fantastic railway between Algeciras on the coast and Ronda, to the north, stops at the little pueblo of Colmenar (20 minutes away). One of Europe’s great short railway journeys, running through landscapes which offer constantly plunging and spectacular views, this is a remarkable and wonderful way to see some of Andalucía's best and most dramatic countryside.
- There are a plethora of beautiful white villages and hilltop towns to explore and enjoy in the magnificent countryside of the Serranía de Ronda – Jimena de la Frontera, Casares and Genalguacil to name but a few.
- Nearby National Parks include the fabulous Los Alcornocales Natural Park and 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".
- Córdoba and Granada are both 3 hours drive from here
Activities
- Guided and self-guided walking, horse riding, mountain biking and yoga are all available in or around Gaucín.
- The village has an excellent municipal swimming pool, a tennis court and gymnasium.
- For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Finca Cortesin, Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 50 minutes drive.
- On the coast (both the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz) there’s every beach pursuit imaginable, from sailing and windsurfing, diving and snorkelling to whale and dolphin watching.
