Villa Description
This distinctive, characterful, superb holiday home enjoys an authentic, rural Andalusian setting, a great place just to "be", the hustle and bustle of life drifting away the very moment you arrive.
On the hillside above the little and very traditional pueblo of Ermita Nueva in the province of Jaén, the south facing views extend far and wide across patchwork fields and rolling hills of olive trees taking you on a wondrous far reaching journey through the eyes to the highest peaks of Sierra Nevada beyond, covered in snow through the winter and spring months.
So, so peaceful, it's a view which is impossible to ever tire of.
The property makes best use of this wonderful vista, which can be enjoyed from the lounge, from both bedrooms, from the front terrace and from the swimming pool which is situated just behind (and above) the house.
It is the most delightful of settings, a place very much at peace with itself.
The rural tranquillity is enhanced by the leafy shade and seclusion offered by the magnificent, 400 year old holm oak tree, a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region, which overhangs much of the front terrace. A completely private space to enjoy outdoor meals, some shelter when needed from the hot Spanish sun and, no doubt, a sundowner or two.
Inside, all is spacious, comfy and cool. It's an attractive home which, although recently built, offers charm and sophistication as well as excellent facilities. The new owners have decorated both inside and out adding colour and elegance as well as extra little touches and improvements, both inside and outside.
They have transformed the outside space adding ornate Romanesque paving and a designated car port and wood-store along with beautiful pillars and ornate wrought iron railing spanning the length of the new driveway, providing protection from the steepness surrounding the oak tree.
The attractively decorated and furnished living / dining room / open-plan kitchen extends along the length of the house: at one end, the fully equipped kitchen, at the other, the comfortable living space.
This living space boasts a chaise lounge and a sofa, a small square dining table that can accommodate 4 people which is positioned to get a full view of the oak tree and scenery beyond.
On this level there is also a shower/WC.
Upstairs (please note that the stairway is not railed) are the two attractive bedrooms. In both rooms, beds can be either two 90cm singles or one super king size double, seamlessly connected for total comfort. Both rooms are spacious, both have beamed ceilings, both enjoy the wonderful view.
Not a bad place to wake up to the early morning birdsong! The birdsong is so beautiful and there are many species to be seen from both the bedrooms and anywhere outside this wonderful property. The second bathroom, which has a bathtub with easy use shower, completes the distribution.
Throughout, furnishings are of good quality. It is equipped down to the very last detail with satellite TV, mosquito nets on all windows, an independent freezer (as well as a fridge, of course), dishwasher, WiFi etc and air conditioning in the two bedrooms.
At an altitude of 1,000 metres, summers are warm and sunny here but pleasantly comfortable.
A delight all year round, and being only an hour and half away from the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada it is a perfect base for those ski lovers wishing to enjoy the best of both worlds through the winter months. With its stunning open fire-place and a generous store of wood in the newly built garage for guests use.
Thick walls and double glazed windows keep the house cool in summer, warm and cosy in winter. And just to make absolutely sure, there's central heating as well as the cheering, open fireplace around which the sofa and armchairs are arranged.
Steps lead up the bank to the swimming pool which is located just above and behind the house. A lovely, south-facing sun trap, the terrace surround is equipped with sunloungers, dining table and chairs and a sunshade. It is completely secluded and private.
Ermita Nueva is a rural hamlet famous for its delicious, plump cherries as well as its olives. Still an agricultural area, the people here are friendly and the lifestyle remains unhurried.
As yet, few tourists have found their way to this part of Andalucía and welcomes are still warm and genuine. The village boasts a little (but very well stocked) supermarket, a bakery and and two bar, as well as a famous, award winning cheese shop, that has won awards making it the best cheese of its kind in Spain. There are full details of this and all tourist information in the house, along with a full range of games, cards, books and interesting things to look at. The owners have thought of everything!
Five kilometres from here is Alcalá La Real, a Moorish fortress town dominated by its magnificent 15th Century hilltop castle. These days it's a more work-a-day, unpretentious and authentically Spanish market town. More or less tourist-free, here you will be doing your shopping in Real Spain!
Just below the village lies the main Granada to Córdoba road, so from here it's very easy to visit either of these great cities. Granada is just 40 kilometres to the south (little more than half an hour away by car), with Córdoba some 120 kilometres to the northwest.
Granada is, of course, a must-see city. A city of classical beauty and incredible herritage, the jewel in the Spanish Crown.
The mesmerising Alhambra Palace and its exquisite gardens; the narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful walled gardens of the ancient Arab quarter, El Albaicín; the magnificent Renaissance Cathedral; the caves of Sacramonte, nostalgic legacy of the gypsies.
Córdoba too, is another wonderful place to visit. Once the largest city in the world, the thriving capital of Al-Andalus, the Moorish kingdom in Spain, it's very picturesque and the Mezquita is one of only a handful of man-made places in the world which literally takes your breath away.
There are some fantastic places to visit around and about, too: The rural beauty of the Poniente Granadino lies to the southwest of the house, a region which leads naturally on to the Subbética de Córdoba, another really lovely area of pretty villages set amongst rolling hills and mountains.
At the house you will find information about these areas, including information of best places to eat in and around the area.
Priego de Córdoba (30 minutes away), is delightful and dignified, a convivial provincial town with a beautiful historic centre. A perfect example of Andalucía at its most refined and authentic.
So there's a wealth of wonders to explore in this lovely part of Andalucía, far away from the ex-pats and sun seekers on the Costa ... which is what staying here is all about ...
Villa Details
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from April to October each year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from May to September, inclusive)
Care should be taken with young children and anyone with wobbly legs as there are some steep drops in places and because the stairs have no balustrade
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in high season
Prices are inclusive of central heating costs and firewood
Prices are inclusive of a starter pack of essential groceries etc.
Maid service is provided weekly (inclusive in the price). Additional maid service is available on request, for a supplement
Villa Prices
2020 Season Dates | Sleeping 2 per week |
Sleeping 4 per week |
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Prices are the same throughout the year | 1,110 € | 1,220 € |
2021 Season Dates | Sleeping 2 per week |
Sleeping 4 per week |
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Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Prices are inclusive of central heating costs and firewood in winter.
A 250 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
½ km above the small village of Ermita Nueva (basic facilities); 5 km from Alcalá La Real (all facilities) in El Poniente Granadino region (Province of Jaén).
Montefrio 30 mins; Priego de Córdoba 40 mins.
Granada 45 mins; Jaén 1 hr.
Sierra Nevada Ski Resort 1¼ hrs; Salobreña (and Mediterranean beaches 1½ hrs).
Granada 45 mins; Málaga 2 hrs; Sevilla 3 hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
The western frontier of "Al-Andalus", the old Moorish Kingdom of Granada, it's a region of great natural charm and welcoming people …
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An authentic, Spanish market town (pop: 21,000) dominated by its very impressive 8th C fortress, the scene of frequent battles between Moors and Christians …