Country Apartment in a Stunning Location in the Mountains
Peaceful Rural Location, Ideal for Walking Holidays
Sleeps 2 (1 Bedroom)
|
|
This is the 'real' Spain - a working village in the mountains of Andalucia, about 35km SW of historic Ronda and a 2 hour drive from Malaga airport. Our accommodation has all the necessary bits and pieces for you to enjoy either a short or extended self-catering stay. A dedicated guest terrace leads to our swimming pool, and all with exceptional views. We are a 10 minute walk from the village of Estacion Cortes de la Frontera and are on a small hill overlooking the Guadiaro river. Walking birdwatching, or just chilling out are the main reasons guests come here...and there's all of historic Andalucia on your doorstep to explore. The small single track railway stops at the village station and allows journeys to Algeciras and even Granada. Sevilla is a 2 hour drive and the sophistication of Marbella and Puerto Banus is just over an hour's drive away if the tranquility gets too much for you. We are registered with the Andalucia Ministry of Tourism and our number is: VTAT/MA/00653.
|
|
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 October 2011 - 31 March 2012 | £45 | 2 | ||
| 1 April 2012 - 30 September 2012 | £50 | 2 |
Notes on prices
The price is for the apartment per night which sleeps 2 people. See our own web page for details of any special offers: www.holidayfinca.com. For stays in excess of 2 weeks, we may be able to negotiate special deals with each client. In Winter months you should budget for additional heating costs in the form of gas bottles - say £15 - £25 per week.
Changeover day
Changeover days are flexible as we recognise that your travel arrangements are determined by factors which we have escaped from. If you want a mid-week break or a long weekend - no problem. We do, however, want a minimum 2 night stay.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | The bedroom has a standard sized double bed with more than adequate storage in the rustic pine wardrobe and chests. Flagstone floors keep it cool and the room is light and airy, bathed in morning sunshine. We also supply high quality bedding. |
| Bathrooms: | A large, Spanish tiled bathroom with bath and shower over, bidet, basin and wc give a touch of luxury. All soaps and towels are supplied and changed when needed. We also provide bath robes and a hairdryer. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen/dining area has a fridge, microwave / grill, two ring hob, toaster, kettle etc. Sufficient plates etc for 4 people are provided and there are 2 chairs and a pine dining table. |
| Utility Room: | As the apartment is attached to our own home, we are quite happy to share our washing machine in our utility room with our guests. |
| Living Rooms: | The living area is the same as the kitchen/diner described above. In addition to the dining table, there are two easy chairs and we have BBC/ITV etc. TV and a radio/CD player. There are umpteen books about the area including walking and driving routes. |
| Other: | You will find a welcome hamper (A seasonal fruit bowl along with local produce, eggs, bread, chilled beer, soft drinks, wine, milk, tea, coffee, olives etc). There is a WiFi facility so you may use your laptop/other internet device from the apartment. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
We provide towels - including poolside towels and these are changed weekly, along with the bed linen - twice a week in the warmer months. We provide a basic daily "maid" service. We keep the apartment non smoking, but provide ashtrays for outdoors. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove fridge microwave washing machine iron/ironing board satellite tv tv internet access room fans cot barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) shared pool |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
We look after a number of rescued cats. We cannot, therefore, have other pets as well. We are happy to share our facilities with our guests and, for example, you may borrow our washing machine and ironing board, borrow any of our books or CDs, pick from our herbs and veg patch etc etc. You may also choose to integrate into our way of living or remain completely private - we'll respect either choice, but don't forget we are always on-hand to advise on places to go, things to see, what to ask for in Spanish or even to take you to local attractions if you don't fancy driving. In the house we don't find airconditioning is needed as the design of the building - with wooden shutters over small windows and with thick walls, along with the flagstone floors - keeps the interior cool during the days. Winter warmth is provided by a safe, wall-mounted, balanced flue, gas fire.
Outside
Our finca is set in an acre of land overlooking the Guadiaro river and has 70 white grape vines and, in April to June, an abundance of wild flowers. We have an 8 metre pool (used May to Sept as it's heated by the sun) which our guests share with the 2 of us. There are two seperate terraces for guests, one with a table and chairs for dining, and the other with sun loungers and some shading from the sun. Outdoor cooking facilities are also available, dependant upon the time of year, in the form of a brick-built barbecue (although there are severe restrictions on outside fires in this part of Andalucia because of the very real danger of "forest" fires). From April to October, you may use outdoor gas burners/cooking rings as an alternative (as the Spanish do) and we also have a large gas powered barbecue as well. There is adequate off-road parking on our land and it is quite secure.
Coast/Beach
If beach time is essential, Sabanillas is a 1 hour drive south and Estepona a wee bit more. Gibraltar is 75 minutes by car and Marbella and Puerto Banus about 90 minutes. The Atlantic coast of Spain - Tarifa along to Cadiz - is about 1.5 - 2 hours drive away with some of the few remaining unspoilt beaches in this part of Spain. These latter are noted wind surfing areas.
Golf
Sorry. We don't play golf. But you are an hour's drive from the coast where there are enough golf courses to satisfy any golf "nut". Sotogrande is about a 70 minute drive away and Valderama is, of course, part of that complex.
Travel
The most used airport is Malaga (2 hours drive away) - but guests also use Jerez (90 mins) - Sevilla (2 hours) or - the closest - Gibraltar (75 mins) We have even had guests arrive from Granada by train and our local station is a 10 min walk away.
For those using Malaga airport wishing to hire a car, we recommend Helle Hollis with whom we have negotiated a discount - book on-line and quote "Friends and Family Discount F0859 for your 15% off.
Distances
Ronda, with it's famous bullring and medieval Arab buildings is a 35 Km drive along spectacular mountain roads (or by train) and the equally historic, but far bigger, city of Sevilla is a 2 hour drive. Closer to hand are all the "pueblos blancos" (white villages) for which Andalucia is renowned and where you can lose a day just wandering the steep, narrow alleyways. Limestone caves are on the doorstep including the famous Cueva de la Pileta with it's prehistoric cave paintings.
Further details
Our village has the basic amenities - shop, bank (that opens for an hour a couple of days a week!) and several bars where you can eat magnificently for next to nothing. Neighbouring villages have more to offer such as dedicated restaurants (!) and banks which open every day (!) - but only in the morning. Seriously, this is a "chill-out" location for those who love the mountain scenery and the traditional way of life of the "old" Spain.
It's also the norm that itinerant sellers of local produce pass the finca and you can buy locally baked fresh bread every morning, fruit and vegetables once or twice a week, fish (almost) every day and, according to the seasons, things like chestnuts, melons and water melons, all from the men and women who grow them.
Booking notes
We want a 25% deposit to secure each booking, with the balance payable 1 month before arrival. Each of these payments is non-returnable should you change your mind. To make life easy for our UK guests, we have a UK bank account so you can transfer the money, usually at no cost to you if you use on-line banking. Some banks - notably Nat West - may charge you for this service.
Guest comments
By Brian Redwood from Victoria, Australia.
...The apartment is just perfect and you seem to have covered everything....the views from the sun terrace are truly beautiful...
Julie McGuinness, Glasgow.
Thank you so much for making us so welcome and providing everything that we could need to make our stay here perfect. We have fallen in love with this part of Spain and with your beautiful "finca"....
Alan and Fiona Leighton, Londonderry, NI.
We have had a wonderful few days, very relaxing for us. Thank you both for the warm welcome and your hospitality throughout our stay.
Stephen and Linda Roy, Norwich.
A very relaxing week. Loved the peaceful view from the sun terrace. Accommodation perfect for 2 and very homely - a lot of hard work has gone into making the finca such an attractive place to stay.
Owner profile
About the owner
We are a prematurely retired couple from Hertfordshire in the UK and have lived in our finca in Spain for 9 years during which time we have continually developed the house and its surrounds. We are know locally as the "cat people" as we have made it our business to try and care for some of the unwanted and (usually) unloved cats in the village. We currently have 7 who share and enhance our life and that of our visitors.
David was a garden designer in the UK whilst Hilda worked for easyjet. We can converse in passable Spanish to help our visitors and can advise on places to go/eat at/visit as well as places to avoid!
Year purchased: 2001
For booking and further information
Property Ref S4177
David and Hilda Hammond
Tel: (Spain) + 34 951 168 114
Mobile: (Spain) + 34 660 831 217
Owners Website: Click here
Send an email to owner
This form may only be used for genuine enquiries about renting this property.
Use of this form for other purposes including unsolicited commercial marketing is strictly prohibited.
Your message will be sent by email to the property owner.
Owners Direct also retains an archive copy for the property owner to refer to.
If you do not receive a reply to this email within 2 or 3 days, please try contacting the owner by telephone.
Your email address will be added to our mailing list, for receipt of occasional newsletters and holiday information.
If you do not wish to be added to this mailing list, please uncheck the box above.
Please refer to our privacy policy.
International Dialling Access Codes:
From Europe dial 00 in place of +
From USA dial 011 in place of +
If phoning from outside Europe or USA please consult your telephone directory for international dialling access codes.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in March 2006,
and has advertised this property with us since April 2006.
Property Ref S4177
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.