Villa Description
The English owners of this villa have always loved the area and used to holiday here when they worked abroad. Such was their affinity for the region that they decided to build a house in their favourite spot. They bought the land and its surrounds in 1999 and the house was finished in 2001. The family stay here as often as they can which gives the villa a certain warm ambience, a tell-tale sign of a proper home.
The house is very easy to find from Ronda town, the route is a short distance, about fifteen minutes in the car. Drive past fields of black bulls (you know you really are in Spain!) and turn into a private estate off the main road. Follow a tarmac road for 1km through an estate of Spanish oaks and herds of glossy, brown cattle grazing in the paddocks. Electric gates open up to a gravel drive which takes you to the entrance courtyard of the villa.
The house is built with a south-facing covered veranda at the back of the house, to take maximum advantage of the sun and the beautiful views of the Serranía Ronda. Large birds of prey circle on the thermal currents above the mountains and are a common sight throughout the year. Spotting eagles while having lunch on the terrace adds something a little special to the day.
The terrace dining table has seating for eight and three double, French windows lead directly into the living room. There is also direct access from the kitchen to the terrace. The patch of bare earth close to the house is known as an era; it's a threshing floor which is over a hundred years old. As eras are usually circular, this one is unusual for its square shape.
The living room is spacious and sunny, made cosy with two large sofas, tasteful rugs and a wood-burner that is set within the open fireplace. Antique furniture, some from the owners' time in the far-east, give this room a distinctly colonial country house flavour. The Edwardian dining table (before being extended) seats six very comfortably.
The gorgeous swimming pool is surrounded by lawn, a short walk through the trees from the dining terrace. At 12m long and 6 m wide, it's a good size for serious swimmers. Accessed by shallow Roman steps and shelving gently, it's good for serious paddlers and splashers too. The chlorinated pool is not heated so the swimming season starts in May and lasts until early October. A poolside shower is provided for guests, as are sunbeds and pool towels. The mature encina (Spanish oak) trees around the pool offer delightful shade and habitat for large, white owls whose gentle calls can be heard at night. During the day, little birds are active, their soothing songs and the gentle breeze blowing through the leaves all adds to the experience. It's relaxation in its purest form.
The surrounding grounds are extensive and the 'untended' wilder extremities of the estate provide a walking trail in a natural landscape of gorse and indigenous vegetation. Walk up to the boundary of the land and take in the magnificent views of the Sierra Ronda that lie before you. There's an interesting, ancient stone-lined pit in the undergrowth which could be the ruins of an old lime kiln, its origins are uncertain.
The owners and their family are all keen tennis players so the tennis court is of full size and well maintained. Racquets and balls are provided for guests to use.
The practice golf course comprises three holes which approach a large, walled green (370² yards.)
The first hole is a short par 4 (231 yards). Drive shot is uphill over a small woodland area. The second hole is a short, lofted par 3 (95 yards). A professional, deeply cushioned tee mat is mounted and angled to offer a narrow view to the green through the Spanish oak trees. To hit the green demands a tee shot of accuracy and finesse. The third hole is another par 3 from elevated ground just beyond the swimming pool.
The green is not maintained to professional greenkeeping standards - it is mown twice a week, which keeps the grass (PennCross bentgrass and Agrostis Solonifera Kingpin) at a height of about 5 mm. Nonetheless, it is a very beautiful target to aim at, and offers excellent chipping and bunker practice. In short, it is a lot of fun.
Golf clubs, both men's and women's are available for guests.
The living room has double doors for access into a less formal, light and airy kitchen/diner. The dining table here seats six and is a cheery hub of the house, ideal for family breakfasts. You'll probably want to spend most of your holiday meals eating al fresco, which is easy to do as French doors lead directly onto the rear, south-facing terrace. With its quarry tiled floor, cushion-covered bay window seat and dresser full of pretty china, this dining area has a country kitchen feel. Although the house has central heating, a woodburning stove provides extra warmth in the cooler months.
The kitchen itself is neat and bright with its white units. It has an American-style fridge freezer with ice-making facilities, an electric oven topped by a four-ring gas hob, dishwasher and extra freezer. The washing machine is situated in the garage, close by.
One of the three double bedrooms is situated on the ground floor. Although it doesn't have its own en suite facilities, the ground floor bathroom is nearby. The bedroom is a good size with plenty of room for a desk at the window, a wardrobe and chest of drawers. An antique radio casing houses a CD player.
The ground floor bathroom, with its view to the pool, is smartly decorated with blue and white tiles. It has a walk-in shower, wc, bidet and sink. As well as the bathroom, there is a convenient ground floor cloakroom with a wc and hand basin.
The final room to mention on the ground floor is a study, ideal for an hour or two's retreat, or if you prefer, it can be converted into a double bedroom to allow for a couple of extra guests during your stay. Like all the other rooms in the house, it is spacious and airy, with a large window which has a view to the pool. This room, and others in the villa, houses a wide selection of books from thrillers to classics, you'll not be short of reading material here. Alternatively, you could spend some private time on the internet (good signal Wifi is available throughout the house). The oriental artwork is from Hong Kong where the owners lived for many years, the oil paintings are by artists local to Ronda.
Let's move upstairs to a large and comfortable first floor. A delightful feature of this floor is a circular viewing point, a mirador with a table and four chairs, it's a picturesque spot to share a few hours playing games with the family.
Just next to the mirador is the pristine sauna room, a larger than average family-size, complete with shower, wc and sink.
Both upstairs bedrooms are doubles, one with a double bed, the other is a twin bedded room. A terrace connects both bedrooms. The twin bedded room has views to the mountains and its own private terrace overlooking the garden. It's so quiet ... just the whisper of the wind and the sounds of those beautiful white owls is all you'll hear as you drift off to sleep.
The double bedded room has en suite bathroom facilities, a bath tub with shower over, wc, bidet and sink. A full length cheval mirror will ensure you look your best before heading into Ronda.
Although you may want to spend all your holiday relaxing in the comfort of your own home from home (and why not?) the town of Ronda is only fifteen minutes away and is a real 'must see'. With its romantic history and outstanding beauty, Ronda has been the inspiration for poets, artists and writers.
There's a lot to do in the city itself, but first photos should be reserved for the breathtaking Puente Nuevo or 'new bridge' above the canyon of El Tajo. Then stop at Spain's oldest bullring, built in 1784. Its museum houses a collection of authentic costumes and memorabilia of the corrida. For a look at Ronda's Moorish past, visit the medieval baths. They give a taste of what life was like in 13th century Islamic Spain. Finally, a glass of red wine and some tapas completes the tour!
Staying on the theme of wine, Ronda is an up and coming wine region and what could be more interesting than a trip to one of the local bodegas? Los Aguilares, Chinchilla and Conrad are some of the better known bodegas which offer tours and tasting.
Other activities, to name just a few, are mountain walking following the route of the pretty Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), horse riding and hot air ballooning. And if you fancy a full round of golf after all your practising at the villa, the magnificent 'Antequera Golf' with its 18 hole course is only an hour away.
This house and its location offers so much for a holiday: relaxation in peaceful surroundings and an opportunity to sample iconic Andalucía.
Villa Details
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 early October).
Catering/babysitting/extra cleaning services can be arranged if requested in advance.
Firewood is included in the rental price.
Linen is changed mid-stay for two-week holidays.
A supplement is applied if you wish to use the sauna (50 Euros) and central heating (100 Euros) per week payable locally.
The treehouse close to the pool belongs to the owners' son. It is currently under repair and will be available from mid-August.
Please, no smoking in the villa (and please take great care outside too, in the dry summer months).
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday.
Villa Prices
2021 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
1st January to 23rd April | 2,130 € | 4,260 € |
24th April to 17th September | 2,490 € | 4,980 € |
18th September to 31st December | 2,130 € | 4,260 € |
2022 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
There is a supplement of 50 Euros per week for the use of the sauna payable locally.
For winter bookings, there is a 100 Euros per week supplement for central heating payable locally.
To sleep eight people the study is set up as an extra double bedroom with sofabed.
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
Villa Location
In open countryside, 12 km from Ronda (all facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Grazalema 45 mins; Marbella 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Gibraltar 1¾ hrs; Tarifa 2 hrs; Cádiz 2 hrs.
Costa del Sol 1½ hrs; Costa de la Luz 2¼ hrs.
Málaga 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 1¾ hrs; Jerez 1¾ hrs; Gibraltar 1¾ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.