The property is a restored, rural Andaluz farmhouse on the crest of a ridge in the Montes de Malaga. It comprises Casa de Luz, Casita Algarrobo and The Cuarto Rojo. Casa de Luz sleeps four, and Casita Algarrobo, two. The Cuarto Rojo is a large, luxurious, self-contained bed-sit and bathroom for two, with its own front door and balcony, but no kitchen. It can be rented to provide an additional, private bedroom with either the Casa or the Casita, but cannot be rented independently.
The Casa, Casita and Cuarto have been designed to offer generous space for the numbers accommodated and are furnished in a solid rustic style which aims to stay in character with the rural nature of the houses whilst offering a quietly up-market level of comfort. Although all part of the same building, care has been taken to ensure that each is private. An 8 x 4 metre swimming pool is available from early May to late September.
Outside a 20 metre track leads up from the road to shaded parking for three cars. Separate wooden doors in the outside wall lead to the front patios of the Casa and Casita (pictured above). The large patio to the Casa has views across the valley south towards the mountain-top village of Comares. There is a barbecue, teak table and seats for six. The small patio to the Casita is shaded by a carob tree; algarrobo in Spanish. It has a bench for two.
The location will be of most interest to couples aged 30+, perhaps with older children. You will want a quiet holiday away from the crowds of the coast, in a beautiful area, which is in easy driving reach of a wide variety of interesting towns and landscapes and yet is less than an hour from Malaga airport. Bird watchers, naturalists and walkers may be particularly attracted. There are walks directly from the house; the Montes de Malaga, and Torcal parks are within 40 minutes drive; and many other opportunities further afield in the Sierras Tejedas or the sierras beyond Granada. It is also a good base for those who want to visit Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Antequera, Baen and the many smaller historic towns and villages such as Alhama de Granada and Priego de Cordoba. The property is particularly suited to several couples holidaying together, but wanting a measure of independent space and privacy.
The layout and the furnishings are unsuitable for younger children; families with children should discuss their requirements with John and Hazel, the managers on the spot, whose details are given below. There are quite a few steps, and, as is common in old Spanish houses, those in Casa de Luz itself are steep. We ask guests not to smoke inside.
Bed linen and towels are provided. Each bed is provided with two pillows per person, a duvet and a blanket in winter, and a throw. Each guest is provided with a bath sheet, bath towel, hand towel and, for use by the pool, a beach towel. Each bedroom and sitting room has a fan.
Casa de Luz sleeps four spaciously and comfortably in two good-sized bedrooms, one king-size double and one twin, with a particularly high standard of furnishing. It is approached through a solid wooden door in a high wall that gives privacy to the patio, then up a few steps to the patio itself, where in the evenings you can sit and watch the lights of Comares on its hill across the valley. A barbecue, teak table and parasol, and seats for six are provided.
The house itself is entered through a low porch and old rustic double doors that open straight into the large salon (18ft x 10ft) with its high-beamed ceiling and fireplace across one end. The salon is furnished with two large armchairs, a sofa, and a chaise longue. For winter there is a wood-burning stove set into the large, traditional andaluz fireplace that dominates the end wall, and for summer, a fan. There is a television (free to air only), a DVD player, a small collection of books about Spain and some fiction. A glazed door leads to a small shaded balcony with a small table and two chairs, giving stunning views south to Comares.
On the far side of the salon, two pairs of double doors give access to the kitchen and dining room respectively (each approx. 10ft x 10ft). They are separated only by a work surface / bar so that they form in effect one large airy room, which, in the dining area, retains the original beam and cana ceiling. The kitchen has a four burner butane gas stove and oven, a large fridge freezer, tiled work surfaces and open shelves in rustic Spanish style. It is fully equipped with pans, casserole dishes, cooking utensils and cutlery. The dining room has a glass-fronted dresser with ample glasses and crockery for six, an ornate sideboard and a table and chairs for six.
Double doors on the far side of the dining room open to a covered porch and the West Terrace. A door under the porch opens into a shared utility room with washing machine, basin, iron, ironing board and clothes line. On the other side of the porch is the door of the Cuarto Rojo.
Steps rise from the dining room to the middle landing. The landing has a small cane sofa and chairs. From it a low door opens to the upper North Terrace which has a tremendous vista across all of Axarquia to the Sierras. There are six sun loungers and a parasol. Stairs from the far end of this terrace lead down to the swimming pool, which also has a terrace and more sun loungers.
A door leads from the middle landing into the main double bedroom with its king size bed, dressing table, chest of drawers, two bedside chests and table lights, hanging space and en suite shower and toilet.
Steps up from the middle landing lead to the second, twin bedroom and a separate bath and shower room with toilet. The twin room is equipped with chest of drawers, wardrobe and bedside chests and lights. It is charmingly painted with a sea scene, dolphins and sea horses.
The Casita offers spacious and light accommodation for two. The bedroom, bathroom, dining room and kitchen are converted from the old cuadras (stables). The entrance hall, and living room are new. Next to the front door, off the patio, there is small store room with a washing machine, and a washing line.
From the small front patio a heavy wooden door leads to the hall. Off to the left is the dining room with a window looking down into the living room. There is a solid dining table with chairs for four and a sideboard well stocked with glasses and tableware. Straight ahead at the far end of the room is the doorway to the kitchen, which has rich granite work surfaces, a four burner butane gas cooker (the gas bottle is outside on the terrace), ample cupboard space, full kitchen equipment and a fridge-freezer.
At the far end of the dining room is a small vestibule to the left with doors to the bedroom and to the bathroom. The low-beamed, spacious bedroom has twin beds with bedside cupboards, a good-sized, built in wardrobe and, in an alcove, another small, built-in cupboard. A window looks out into the patio. The low-beamed, but otherwise modern bathroom has a large shower, two washbasins and mirrors and a toilet.
Straight ahead from the front door, steps lead down into the modern living room. On the right is a massive Spanish pine bookcase with a television (free to air only), a DVD player and a small some books. Straight ahead, double doors lead to steps down to the lower north terrace and to the solid door that leads to the steps to the swimming pool. In the main part of the living room there are two sofas seating five and three coffee tables in an L shape around a built-in wood-burning stove. Shuttered and curtained windows on two sides, and the high ceiling, make this room particularly light and airy.
The long lower North Terrace runs the full length of the Casitas living room and kitchen. There are stunning views across Axarquia to the Sierra Tejeda on the horizon, and downwards over steep slopes of olives and almonds, to the river, hundreds of metres below. There is a shaded alcove
