A little slice of heaven
Secluded and peaceful, comfortable and relaxing, this is country living at its ultimate best, in one of the most beautiful countryside locations anywhere ...
"Arrived to rather cloudy and mild weather -which stayed for 2 days only. After which the sun shone and we had beautiful hot days and lovely warm evenings. The house is lovely, vey well equipped and lovely comfy beds. The pool speaks for itself -wonderful! 3 generations were kept happy at all times with plenty to do and see within just an hour drive. Gaucín is a lovely village, friendly and has everything you need for provisions, etc. Ronda is always worth the drive out and the views, these are wonderful. Great house, great location, great company, great wine, thank you!"
"The house and pool were fabulous! Everything you need is provided for and it feels like a home. Easy to prepare meals and the kitchen is really well equipped. The bedrooms were all very comfy and relaxing. Fans everywhere which is thoughtful. The pool is the best we have ever had - so beautiful. We had it heated and it was like a private spa. Our boys cried when we had to leave!"
"Thanks for such a fabulous 3 weeks in your enchanting villa. The kids lived out all their fantasies roaming the land. We loved the warm "home" and pool! Many thanks!"
Bedrooms
Four (three doubles, one which can be unzipped as singles if preferred, one bedroom with two doubles).
Pool
Private swimming pool
L shaped, 20 m x 4 m, 1.2 m deep, with shallow part for children 4 m x 2 m, 0.6 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, 6 km from the village of Gaucín in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Price
From 2,540 € to 3,490 € per week.
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Villa Description
Magical
Deep in the majesty and glory of the Serranía de Ronda, this beautifully converted farmhouse does its location proud.
The setting is magical, deep in the majesty and glory of the Serranía de Ronda, six kilometres from pretty Gaucín village. Here, this beautifully converted farmhouse does its location proud.
Situated within its own, 20 acre countryside estate there's nothing but magnificent nature all around. It doesn't matter which direction you are facing, thickly wooded hillsides and dramatic mountain scenery beckon. It has to be one of the most beautiful countryside locations anywhere …
Views are far, wide and very handsome, encompassing the broad sweep of the valley of the Rio Guadiaro with the Ronda and Grazalema mountain ranges beyond. Accessed via a half mile laterite, car ready track, it's delightfully rural and completely private here. This is the perfect place for a truly relaxing holiday.
As one client said, "it's a little slice of heaven".
Something special
Just below the house is an enormous lake, its cool fresh waters and accompanying wildlife complimenting the forested hillsides quite beautifully.
The estate comprises the main house (featured here) with its magnificent 20 metre long swimming pool, stables for a few horses, a distant cottage (200 or more metres away) and a couple of out-buildings which have been converted into holiday apartments. These will not be occupied when the main house is rented out on its own.
There are no horses in residence for the time being, so, apart from an occasional glimpse of one of the caretakers, you will have all this wonderful space and fabulous countryside completely to yourselves.
One very special feature (and very rare in Andalucía) is the enormous freshwater lake which is just below and to the side of the house. Its cool fresh waters and accompanying wildlife compliment the forested hillsides all around quite beautifully.
Sympathetically restored
The original farmhouse dates back to the 1700's. Completely restored and landscaped, it's now a beautiful and much loved home.
The original farmhouse dates back to the 1700's and has been completely and very sympathetically restored and landscaped. It's now a beautiful and much loved home.
Built into the hillside, there are terrace spaces galore which wrap around three sides of the house, each with its own ambience and quality, each offering the best of the wonderful views at different times of the day - or night.
On various different levels they connect together with a few steps here, a few steps there. It's as attractive as can be, although perhaps not best suited for guests with walking difficulties.
From the ample parking in the grounds just below, 11 steps lead up to the house, warm and welcoming in its comforting, terracotta hues.
The hub of the house
As pretty and homely as can be, the huge kitchen is a delightful room which exemplifies all that's wonderful about the Andalusian lifestyle.
The huge kitchen is the hub of the house, a really beautiful room which exemplifies all that's wonderful about the Andalusian lifestyle. Light floods in from plentiful windows (all double glazed), from the doors which open to the terraces outside and from skylights in the high, sloping ceiling. Birds sing happily in the trees outside, It's lovely.
A gorgeous, polished oak table (seating 10) takes centre stage. There's masses of workspace wrapping around two sides of the room and there are delightful features everywhere.
Pride of place goes to the massive AGA range cooker, immaculate and shiny-blue at one end of the room. It incorporates an electric oven and 4 ring gas hob as well as its fire-driven oven and hot plates, so don't worry, there's no need to have it lit on a warm summer's day!
This is just one of many special features in a room full of delights. As pretty and homely as can be, it's the absolute dream "country-style" kitchen.
The sort of room that you are happy to hang around in for hours at a time, it has a TV with full Sky service so you can indulge in your culinary skills to your hearts content and, at the same time, not miss a shot at Wimbledon or a goal at the football.
Just in case the hundreds of channels available through Sky are not enough for you, there's also a DVD and Ipod docking station to keep you company too.
It is, of course, very well equipped. There's everything one could need from the dishwasher to the Magimix and sandwich toaster. An alcove houses two fridge/freezers, one of them American-style with an ice maker.
Cool and serene
The casual, country style is evident throughout the house … but with Sky TV, DVD, Wii games console, HiFi surround sound and WiFi too.
Next comes the absolutely vast living / dining room.
Cool and serene under its ancient beams, a variety of lovely furnishings are scattered about in seemingly random fashion; a fabulous Moroccan chest here, comfy sofas there, coffee tables crammed with interesting books, games and jigsaw puzzles … colourful rugs strewn around on the old terracotta floor tiles.
Double doors on three sides of the room open to the different terraces outside.
Enhanced by subtle lighting (which can be controlled by dimmer switches), it's all entirely in keeping with the casual, country style which is evident throughout the house … but with Sky television, DVD, Wii games console, HiFi stereo, surround sound and WiFi internet connection just to remind you - and the kids - which century we are living in.
Magnificent nature
It has to be one of the most beautiful countryside locations anywhere … in every direction thickly wooded hillsides and dramatic mountain scenery beckon.
Leading off from the living room, a short corridor leads to a full bathroom (shower over bath tub) and to one of the bedrooms. Spacious, very pretty and with a quality king-sized double bed, it enjoys fabulous views to the mountains beyond the rear terraces. A delightful room.
Stairs lead up from the living room to the three bedrooms on the floor above (note that the stairs are unguarded on one side so care needs to be taken with tiny tots).
The first is a spacious and prettily decorated children's room with two double beds, a ceiling fan and balcony views from its French windows.
It's another happy and pleasing room but please note that it shares the bathroom next door with the master bedroom further along.
A lovely bathroom it is too, with its Moroccan-style curves and ornate graces. But, for reasons best known to whoever designed the house, it is open at the top to the master bedroom, so its privacy is limited. See the photo below (at the top of the Distribution details); the beams you see there are in the master bedroom beyond and behind.
Beautifully appointed
Under its high beamed ceiling, the spacious master bedroom has the lot. On one side double balcony windows look out across the lake; on the other side huge windows open to a fabulous view of the valley below.
One word describes the master bedroom … wonderful. A really huge room under its high, beamed ceiling it has the lot - a gorgeous king-sized double bed, a massive dressing area, an antique writing desk and armchair, an open fireplace as well as a radiator, ceiling fan, TV (Sky of course) and DVD. If that sounds cramped, it isn't, it's a beautifully appointed and spacious room.
On one side double balcony windows look out across the lake; on the other side the huge windows open to a magnificent view of the valley below, wrapped all the way round by a panorama of glorious mountain terrain. It's stunning.
The fourth bedroom is another splendid room. When we visited, it was still made up as a very classy and spacious study-cum-office space. Very attractive and delightfully furnished, the owner has now converted this into a lovely double bedroom suite (the bed can be unzipped as two singles if preferred).
Absolutely heavenly
The different terrace spaces are delightful. The icing on the cake is the fabulous swimming pool, 20 metres long, in a gorgeous situation on top of a little hill surrounded by ancient olive trees.
Replete with comfy armchair and sofa, lots of books, a good sized (Sky) TV and DVD, attractive wall hangings and modern art, it's a delightful room with its own small but very rewarding terrace at one end, an en-suite walk-in shower room at the other. Plus access to a rear terrace, the great outdoors and the walk-way up past giant mountain rocks to the pool on the hillside a little above.
The outdoor terrace spaces are divine. At the front is a huge sun terrace which looks out across the lake and beyond to the the dramatic, craggy summit of Hecho mountain which rises up almost vertically from the valley.
At the rear there is another ample terrace, cane-covered and furnished with several round Moroccan tables and a gas-fired barbecue. The view, if it's possible, is even more rewarding from here, encompassing a vast bowl of the Ronda mountains stretching right across the horizon. It's just fabulous.
Last, but not least, is the dining terrace to the side of the kitchen. A better place to start the day with your coffee, fresh orange juice and tostada is difficult to imagine.
From here, a stairway leads up the hillside to the swimming pool (there are 15 steps). And what a beauty it is! A spectacular 20 metres long, it has a gorgeous situation on top of a little hill surrounded by ancient olive trees. So quiet, so beautiful, an absolutely heavenly spot.
L shaped, it includes a child's shallow pool in the foot of the L (4 m x 2 m) where the azure blue water is just 0.6 m deep. The main part of the pool is 1.2 m (4 ft) deep throughout, so perfect for a game of volleyball! It has a cover and can be heated, so is ideal for extending the swimming season from spring through to autumn. There's a W/C and shower room just below the pool terrace.
Lovely sitting areas at both ends of the pool are furnished with comfy, quality loungers and parasols.
Life doesn't get any better than this!
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Kitchen
- Pantry / Larder
- Living / dining room
- Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- Bedroom Nº 4 : double (king-sized bed)
- Various furnished terraces (some covered, some sun terraces)
- Estate grounds
First Floor
- 3 bedrooms :
- (Nº 1) master double (with king-sized bed)
- (Nº 2) children's bedroom with two double beds
- (Nº 3) double (the bed can be unzipped as 2 singles if preferred) with en-suite walk-in shower room
- Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Facilities
Entertainment
- Satellite TV with slave monitors in the kitchen and two of the bedrooms (UK Channel Information)
This property has full Sky box which receives the usual Sky channels (Sports etc), 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 (also one in the kitchen and in the master bedroom)
- Hi Fi stereo
- Surround Sound System
- Wii Games Console
- iPod docking station in the kitchen
- CD's and DVD's
- Good selection of books, games (for all ages) and jigsaw puzzles
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Open fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom
- Wood burning stove in the kitchen
- Radiators
- Double glazing
- Ceiling Fans in master bedroom & children's bedroom
- Portable Fans
- Iron & board (see note about washing service below)
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hair dryer
- Cot & Highchair available (on request). Cot linen is not supplied
Kitchen
- Aga range cooker (with electric oven and 4 ring gas hob incorporated as well as the fire-driven oven and hot plates)
- Microwave
- 2 fridge / freezers, one American-style with ice maker
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Magimix, Sandwich toaster, Coffee machine
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery, Wine racks
Outdoors
- Filtered swimming pool (20 m x 4 m, 1.2 m deep) plus a child's part (4 m x 2 m, 0.6 m deep) with night lighting. The pool can be heated (in Spring and Autumn for a supplement, see note below)
- Pool W/C and shower room
- Sun beds, sun shades, hammock
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Barbecue (gas)
- Various covered and open terrace spaces
- Estate grounds
- Parking
Notes
If requested, and for a supplement, the swimming pool can be heated to extend the pool season in spring and autumn weeks. Pool heating in winter is not available.
Heating for the pool is on request, charged at 40 Euros per day (paid locally on arrival). We recommend that you request its heating for at least two days in advance of your holiday, too, to bring it to a comfortable temperature ready for your arrival.
There is a cottage on the estate, some 200 or more metres from the main house, which is occasionally used by the owner.
Please note as well that there are resident cats around the property should this be an issue for you.
Rentals for this property can start and finish on any day of the week.
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week.
Babysitting, cooking services (breakfasts) and additional cleaning are available on request, payable locally.
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 99
| 2020 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 20th March | N/A | N/A |
| 21st March to 10th April | 2,540 € | 4,820 € |
| 11th April to 24th April | 3,170 € | 6,020 € |
| 25th April to 1st May | 2,540 € | 4,820 € |
| 2nd May to 26th June | 3,170 € | 6,020 € |
| 27th June to 28th August | 3,490 € | 6,640 € |
| 29th August to 9th October | 3,170 € | 6,020 € |
| 10th October to 31st December | N/A | N/A |
ZC 99
| 2021 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Notes
Heating for the pool is on request, charged at 40 Euros per day. We recommend that you request its heating for at least two days in advance of your holiday, too, to bring it to a comfortable temperature ready for your arrival. Please note that this is paid for locally on arrival.
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 99
Availability 2023
Please contact us for latest availability and to reserve the villa.
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Villa Location
Location Map
In open countryside, 6 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga)
Location
In open countryside, 6 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
San Pablo de Buceite (basic 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 1¼ hrs; 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.
