Luxury Farmhouse Villa with Private Pool and Mountain Views
- Mountainous
- Village / Rural
- Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Baby Equipment
- Internet Access
- Log Fire
- Courses Available
- Cycling
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Tennis
- Therapies
- Walking
- Watersports
- Child Friendly
- Cook available
- Ideal for honeymoons
An Andalucian idyll in the heart of the soaring Serrania de Ronda mountains, Alcantarilla is a villa in Andalucia which offers space, style and peace of mind. A converted Spanish farmhouse that has served the rolling smallholding for centuries, it now combines comfort with history. The luxury 7 bedroom farmhouse has been renovated to the highest standards and is an excellent choice for those in search of family villa holidays or large group holiday rentals.
Preserving all of its original features - from the pantile roofs and doors to the ancient Moorish aquaduct that still functions to this day - there is very much a sense that you are treading on hallowed land. And indeed you are, for this winding valley was once populated by the Romans and later became the frontier between Arabic and Christian Europe, with fortresses lining its river and a famous battle taking place in the 15th century near the house. Only ten minutes from Ronda in a quiet, sleepy corner of the beautiful Llano de la Cruz valley there are stunning views towards distant shimmering mountains and 5 acres of terraced fields, orchards and formal gardens to explore. Encircled by two streams (the Guadalcobacin reaching sea at Sotogrande), the farm is verdant throughout the year and the sound of water is ever present.
Ronda boasts Andalucia's best collection of restaurants and is also home to one of the best-preserved ancient Arabic cores in the world, with a warren of tiny passageways leading to former Moorish palaces and private homes. On top of that is the much fabled tajo, or gorge. Ronda has a good selection of shops and entertainment in the form of theatre, flamenco and, even opera. Also nearby are the fascinating white-walled mountain towns of Setenil de las Bodegas and Grazalema. Further afield - each around an-hour-and-a-half by car - are the majestic Imperial cities of Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Jerez and Malaga. Walks go straight from the door, with half a dozen itineraries already mapped out for guests, while some of Spain's best hikes through the Sierra de las Nieves and Grazalema national parks begin less than half an hour away by car. Mountain bikes can be hired and other local entertainment includes ballooning, quad-biking and riding.
Getting There:
This villa in Andalucia can be found in the sleepy, rural Llano de la Cruz between Ronda and nearby Arriate, ten minutes away. Both Sevilla and Jerez airports are an hour and a half away, while Malaga airport can be reached in an hour and a quarter.
Nearest Airport:
Ronda 10 minutes
Nearest Train Station:
Ronda 10 minutes
Nearest Ferry:
Malaga 80 minutes
Nearest Restaurant:
Arriate (15 mins walk)
Nearest Beach:
80 mins drive
Nearest Shop:
Arriate (15 mins walk)
Car Hire:
Advised
Interior Details
Sit in the comfort of the master suite and private terrace and watch the sunset behind the distant mountains. Sleeping 14, all bedrooms are located on the first floor and consist of four doubles and three twin bedrooms. There are three bathrooms with showers upstairs and a shower room downstairs . All are fitted with travertine and white marble detailed with traditional hydraulic tiles. There are three sitting rooms to choose from, one with an American bar pool table and the other two with open fires. All open onto outside terraces.Two have televisions offering UK free view channels and Spanish channels. There are also speaker dock systems for mobiles, and CD and DVD libraries and wifi throughout the house. Choose a book from the extensive collection of art, travel, and Spain related books and novels and settle down in a quiet corner. There are two well appointed kitchens, one with a large range oven and both with dining areas seating 6.The dining room, seating 14 is adjacent to the green kitchen and has a log burning stove for the winter. At the centre of the house is a traditional Andalusian double height atrium with a sitting room below and a gallery above affording access to bedrooms and a reading area by a balcony overlooking the garden. In addition to the fires we have a central heating system for the colder months and during the heat of the summer the thick stone walls and shuttered windows keep the house beautifully cool. There are fans and mosquito nets in every bedroom for extra comfort.
Exterior Details
Encircled by a river and veined by a stream, the five acre property was originally a walnut and apple farm. Now it is filled with a more extensive range of fruit and nut trees, as well as an organic vegetable plot and a mature garden planted with roses, lavender, iris, herbs and lawns. An 11 metre gated swimming pool with spectacular views of Ronda and the Grazalema mountains is encircled by grass and shaded by pergolas. A mini kitchen allows for light lunches by the pool .There are wooden sun beds,sofas and dining tables for a full days relaxation. A badminton net and toddler play park can be found nearby. By the house, table tennis on the lawn below the wisteria-clad dining veranda keep children entertained should a meal take a more leisurely pace than they prefer. Sofas, hammocks and chill out cushions can be found on the cobbled terrace and in the Andalusian courtyard, where a fountain cools the air. A bbq and separate dining terrace under vine is a just step away from the indoor pool table. The terraces down to the stream are ideal for kicking a football or alternatively reading in a hanging chair under the shade of a tree. Discover the Moorish aqueduct at the end of the allotment and fill your basket on the way.
Further Details
There is a daily maid service and staff are on hand every day for advice and help. There are two hectares of stunning gardens with numerous fruit trees and flowers as well as a vegetable garden, all of which are available on request. The owners can organise a local fruit and vegetable box, as well as a wide range of meals by the housekeeper and other nearby chefs. They can also arrange babysitting, massages, horse-riding, vineyard tours and many other activities. Please ask for details. While you are just ten minutes to Ronda by car, you are only 15 minutes walk to Arriate, one of the friendliest white-villages of the Serrania de Ronda. Well provided for with a good butcher, greengrocers and supermarkets, it also counts three or four excellent tapas bars, including the atmospheric Almacen, whose owners like to experiment with what is known in Spain as 'cocina creativa' or creative cooking.
Conditions of Rental
Deposit of 50% is to be made on booking this villa in Andalucia. Upon receipt of the deposit, we will send you a reservation confirmation. The balance must be paid at least 2 weeks before arrival. Please contact us about renting for long weekends or shorter stays - minimum 5 nights (exc Jul & Aug when it's 7 night minimum).
