Property Description
This is a remarkable villa in an outstandingly beautiful location, just minutes away from some of the very best beaches in all Spain.
In the wooded heart of the Natural Park of La Breña, this is a protected area of dramatic cliffs, many of them rising up more than 100 metres from the shoreline, thick "umbrella" pine forests, dunes and spectacular views over the blue waters and beautiful beaches of the Atlantic. It serves as a refuge for an incredible profusion of bird life and is unique, like no where else in Andalucía.
The beaches are simply fantastic; a mix of long, sandy stretches and secluded, rocky coves. The simple, laid-back tourist villages are a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol; little Los Canos de Mecca, just ten minutes from the villa, is almost a throw back to the days of Woodstock and of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Relaxed and very casual, it retains a bohemian air.
Just a little further on, El Palmar, with its handful of shops and a good selection of restaurants is perfect for a lazy day on the beach. Its "super sized" golden beach offers the best surfing on this stretch of coast and hosts Spain's national surfing championships each March. Tourists, mainly from Sevilla and Madrid, come in increasing numbers these days but it's not over-run and is perfect for families who enjoy its long, clean, golden sands.
What makes the beaches of this area so appealing is that they are not backed by ribbons of modern development, but by sand dunes, farmland and dense pine forests, by vast fields of sunflowers and rolling pastures. It's how the coast of Spain used to be – and long may it retain its unsophisticated yet intoxicating charm.
Conil de la Frontera, a little further up the coast, is a town with plenty of character and an ideal spot for an early evening stroll before sampling the delights of its excellent fish restaurants where the specialties include locally caught tuna.
Even closer to the villa, just 20 minutes away, is the small fortress town of Véjer de la Frontera, which rises up almost 200 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views for miles around. A dazzle of sugar-cube houses high on its dramatic ridge, this is the crown jewel of Spain's pueblos blancos, the whitest of all of Andalucía's white villages!
There's lots of history (a castle, medieval walls, the minaret of the old mosque, churches, convents et al) and lots of pretty, flower filled courtyards and small plazas too. But it's not just a museum piece, there's a lively, fun atmosphere and some excellent boutique hotels, bars and restaurants.
And, of course, there's Tarifa further along the coast, another small town of great character and history, these days, the mecca for wind and kite surfers. It's position at the point which not only separates Europe from Africa but also the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean gives it a unique micro climate.
So, there's a million things to do and enjoy from here! Historic towns such as Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda and Sevilla are all within easy reach. There's the wonderful natural beauty of the Alcornocales National Park, excellent golf courses nearby, fabulous bird watching, hiking and biking in the forests.
Gallop on horseback, windsurf or just sunbathe and swim on the endless, white beaches of the Costa de la Luz. There are whales to watch in the Straits of Gibraltar and, of course, there's the magic of Morocco. You can whiz across by helicopter from Barbate (just along the coast) or, more conventionally, by high speed catamaran from Tarifa or by ferry from Algeciras.
A great setting for a truly unforgettable holiday in Southern Spain and this villa is the perfect place from which to enjoy it all.
A little country road climbs up into the Natural Park from the seaside village of Los Canos de Mecca, winding through the dense pine forests to the tiny hamlet of San Ambrosio - a cluster of houses and a bar / restaurant in a clearing in the woods. It is here, at the end of its own private driveway (with electric security gates) on the very edge of the village that you will find this magnificent villa.
A beautiful, four bedroomed property, it is situated at the top of a hill, within two acres of tranquil, private grounds surrounded by olive groves. Views of the stirring landscape all around, to the Atlantic Ocean beyond, are wide and handsome.
There are a few other houses and small farm holdings on the hillsides around about so it's not completely isolated and you may, on occasion, hear a dog barking or a rooster crowing. But when all is said and done, this is just about as private as one can be, so close to the golden beaches of the Costa de la Luz.
It was built from scratch only a few years ago but you would never guess - its interior designer owner has painstakingly created it to look as though it could have been here for centuries. Her understanding of Arabic construction styles and craftsmanship and the use of authentic, traditional materials throughout make this a very special house indeed.
Walls are thick and the house keeps deliciously cool, even in the warmest of summers. Also, it has been cleverly designed: living rooms and bedrooms open through huge French windows to the world outside which allows the sea breezes to flow right through the house, keeping everything fresh and temperate.
From the ample private parking (with plenty of shade provided by mature trees) one enters through high, ornate metal gates (which date back to the 1940's) to a huge walled, cobbled entrance patio which features an ornamental fountain.
There are fruit trees planted here and there, a Moroccan table and chairs in the corner. It leads across to the massive, antique wooden entrance doors of the villa.
The marble entrance hall (with guest W.C. leading off) opens to the main living room under its high, traditional brick and timber ceiling. It's spacious and gorgeously airy in summer, the breeze flowing in and around the house through two sets of huge double doors which open to the long terrace which extends the length of the house.
Cosy in winter too, with a comfy 4-seater sofa and easy chairs gathered around the log fire. There's space for dining, a big flat screen satellite TV, beautifully bound rare books, classy original paintings and quality artifacts. But it's not a stuffy place, it has a very relaxed and casual ambience. A proper, lived-in family home, designed and furnished for leisurely living.
Folding wooden doors open to the enormous and fabulously equipped, fully fitted kitchen alongside. This also has double doors which open to the terrace. Top of the range Neff and Bosch appliances and bags of room make this a splendid place to rustle up something delicious for those long summer lunches and romantic dinners on the terrace outside.
There is a separate exit to the gardens at the side of the house.
The terrace is wonderful, 17 metres long, with a marble dining table for 12 under a wide cane awning and plenty of space for other easy chairs, sunloungers and parasols. Views are panoramic, over the pool and garden below and across the gently rolling hillsides which lead down to the sea.
There are two ample-sized double bedrooms on this floor. Individually decorated, they have top quality English mattresses and fine bed linen of 100% Egyptian cotton. They feature walk-in wardrobes with lights that come on automatically when you enter and big French doors to let the breezes flow through.
One of the bedrooms has its own private, furnished terrace. They share a stylish bathroom (with walk-in shower). Plastered in Moroccan tadelakt, the floor tiles are beautiful as are other delightful features.
A wooden staircase (with a child security gate at the top) leads down to the lower floor.
This lower floor is, effectively, a separate house as it has its own living room, fully fitted kitchen and dining space as well as two more bedrooms and two bathrooms. There's independent access too (via a stairway which leads down through the gardens from the parking on the terrace above). A laundry / storage room leads off.
Ideal if the villa is rented by two families as they can both have their own space and can get up, make a cuppa or whatever, whenever they want.
Equally it can just be one big house on two floors, open to all with four bedrooms, two living rooms, two kitchens etc.
The kitchen isn't quite the size of the upstairs one but is nevertheless well equipped. This opens directly to a dining area (seating six) which - of course - opens to the lovely world outside through double doors. As does the living room alongside.
There are two bathrooms, one with shower over the bathtub and a walk-in shower, the other with a walk-in shower only. The two bedrooms (both doubles) have French doors opening either to the gardens or to the side of the house. Everything is of the same excellent quality as on the higher floor.
All bedrooms in the villa can be made up either as doubles or as twins, as required.
Outside, shade is provided for furnished areas by bamboo coverings and a lovely old olive tree. Beyond, wide stairways lead down through richly planted gardens to the pool below. Fenced and gated, it's a gorgeous spot, the turquoise waters of its 11 m x 5 m pool offset by lawned surrounds planted with shrubs, trees and colourful flowers.
The mosaic-tiled pool has wide, circular entry steps which double up as a place where little children can safely splash about. Surrounded by olive and palm trees, lavender and rosemary, here it's peaceful, enclosed and sheltered, a divine place to be.
This is the perfect place for anyone who wants to discover real Spain, the wonderful country which lies beyond the facade of "costa" tourism. A truly captivating house, it's unique and utterly enchanting, designed and created for leisurely living.
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Property Details
Ground Floor :
Entrance hall
Living / dining room
Kitchen
2 bedrooms:
(1) Double with king-sized bed and access to private terrace
(2)
Double / twin with king-sized bed (twin zip-linked beds which can be made up as either a double or a twin, as preferred)
Bathroom (walk-in shower, no bath tub)
Guest cloakroom
Part shaded 17 m long dining terrace (furnished)
Entrance courtyard (furnished)
Gardens and grounds
Lower Ground Floor :
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Laundry / storage room
2 bedrooms :
(1)
Double with king-sized bed and access to the gardens
(2)
Double / twin with king-sized bed (twin zip-linked beds which can be made up as either a double or a twin, as preferred) and access to the gardens
2 bathrooms, one with bath tub & walk-in shower, the other with a walk-in shower only
Gardens and grounds
Facilities
Satellite TV (some channels in English; also German, French etc) • CD / Music System with ipod connectivity • WiFi Internet via local service provider (bring your own laptop). The signal strength is variable, sometimes poor, so cannot always be relied on
Open fireplace in the living room • Central heating (available on request for a supplement. See note below)
Upper Floor Kitchen : Electric Oven with grill (at eye-level) • Large gas hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Large fridge / freezer • Wine rack • Dishwasher • Toaster • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Lower Floor Kitchen : Electric Oven • Ceramic hob (4 rings) • Large fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Kettle • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Fenced and gated filtered swimming pool (11 m x 5 m, 1.0 m - 1.7 m deep) with night lighting
Pool garden surround • Garden & Grounds • 4 Sunbeds • Sunshades • Day beds • Pool shower • Barbecue (charcoal) • Night lighting on the dining terrace and in the gardens • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Private parking • Electronic entrance gates
Notes
The swimming pool is open from April to September
If requested, central heating is provided for 230 euros per week (payable on arrival)
A weekly change of bed linen and towels plus cleaning is included for rentals of more than one week
A welcome pack can be provided on request (for a supplement, payable locally on arrival)
Extra maid service can be arranged on request (payable locally on departure)
Smoking is not permitted inside the property
Rentals for this property normally run from Friday to Friday
Location
On the outskirts of the hamlet of San Ambrosio (one bar / restaurant); 10 mins from Los Canos de Mecca (some facilities); 10 mins from Costa de la Luz beaches; 20 mins from Véjer de la Frontera (all facilities). Note that there is a quicker but bumpier route to Vejer, through the forest which takes 10 minutes but must be driven with care
Tarifa 1 hr; Jerez 1 hr; Cádiz 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¾ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Marbella 2¼ hrs; Málaga 2¾ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Jerez 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¾ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs; Málaga 2¾ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Car Hire
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About the La Costa de la Luz
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