Setting

Overlooking the tree-covered Rio Genal Valley this luxury villa is set in 6 acres (2.5 hectares) of landscaped and natural garden with the dramatic Sierra Crestellina rising up almost vertically behind the property. Here you can see eagles and vultures soaring over the limestone peaks. The house is inside the “Parque Naturale de Sierra Crestellina”, an official nature reserve of outstanding natural beauty with many rare birds, animals and flowers.

From the house you look: north to the white village of Gaucin with its Moorish castle; east towards the limestone crags of the Grazalema National Park and the Serrania de Ronda; or west over the rolling cork-oak covered hills of the Alcornocales National Park. From the top of our land you can see the Moroccan Rif Mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar.

The house has been designed to make the most of the views – and the outdoor living and dining that is such a wonderful feature of life in this beautiful corner of Andalucia.

From the living room you walk out onto an arched verandah with a Moroccan-style day bed, table and chairs – perfect for that evening drink watching the sun set over the Alcornocales National Park (there is a convenient lemon tree in a pot on the verandah). Speakers on the veranda connect to the house sound system so you can enjoy soothing music whilst you dream, or simply listen to the sound of water splashing from the orange tree avenue fountain and rill. Small children enjoy sailing boats down the rill!

Outside the kitchen there is a large rustic pergola, screened from the sun by a bougainvillea hedge, with herbs in pots for your use, a large gas BBQ and a large table (seating 8).

The front door (an antique wooden door from a house in Cordoba) opens on to a sheltered south-facing patio with a table seating 6 to 8 and is perfect for a winter lunch or breakfast in spring.

All bedrooms have a balcony, patio or (from the master bedroom) a large covered verandah with day bed, (and rowing machine!) – and, of course, stunning views.

The 11.5 x 5 metre private pool (for your exclusive use) has large sun terraces, a small lawn and a covered pergola with hammocks, a dining table and sun loungers. The 360 degree panoramic views from the pool terrace are amazing. The lavender hedge smells wonderful too. The pool is a salt pool – so no green hair or stinging eyes! Guests are very welcome to enjoy whatever fruits and herbs are in season – we have oranges, lemons and figs – and various fresh herbs. If you come in October/November you can help pick (and preserve) the olives! And our lovely gardener, Manolo, will sometimes let you have produce from the vegetable plot when he feels they are ready… tomatoes, potatoes, onions, aubergines, courgettes, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, French beans, broad beans, peppers, chilli.