6 Bedroom Villa in Ronda

WHOLE HOUSE:
The sleepy, bucolic valley that cuts north from Ronda has recently seen a big influx of newcomers from northern Europe. Gazing out from El Noque's sheltered courtyard to the jagged outline of the Grazalema mountains, to groves of olive and almonds and ripening wheatfields, it's easy to understand why this area has pulled so hard at their heartstrings.

The region's best craftsmen helped the previous owners transform this once-simple farmstead into the valley's most luxurious rental home 3 years ago. Sticking to an all-white palette, which lends the house a wonderfully light, clean and uplifting quality, they cut no corner on cost or quality. The pool, gardens and bedrooms are all picture perfect; the kitchen and drawing room as chic as rustic chic can be. Every last detail of this remarkable self-catering home has been conceived for pampering with perfection.

Set within 7 acres of pasture, with lavender-lined pathways and a horse grazing in the paddock, this place is idyllically pastoral. Choose between self-catering or having El Noque's chefs come in to cook for you.
A housekeeper on call - Renata can arrange everything from massages to airport pick-ups to flamenco performances.
The adjacent apartment would be perfect for families who were bringing their own cooks or nannies.
The underfloor heating and open fire mean you'll be just as comfortable in winter as in summer.


The all-white colour scheme that imparts such a bright and fresh quality to the downstairs has been carried through into the bedrooms, all reached via a staircase which angles up from El Noque's airy hallway.

These are the sort of rooms you might expect to find in the best boutique hotel, with every conceivable spoiling detail. Egyptian cotton sheets, quilts and bedspreads are all top of the range (courtesy of The White Company), mattresses are of the firm-but-soft-on-top variety, whilst the earthy tones of the terracotta floor tiles are beautifully juxtaposed by white painted roof beams and cream linen curtains and cotton durries. All wooden furnishings - tables, writing desks, dressing tables - have been painted a soft tone of ivory with an antiqued finish, which further enhances the mood of pale perfection.

The master bedroom, Room 1, is at the southern end of the house. Balconied French windows (like all others in the house these are shuttered and mozzie-netted) ensure the room receives maximum light, and it benefits from having a kingsize bed, an open hearth and a Bosé iPod dock. It has the largest bathroom with a separate bath and walk-in rain shower as well as double sinks set in a long sweep of marble surface.

Rooms 2 and 3 are slightly smaller - though still with kingsize beds - and have low-ceilinged bathrooms slotted in beneath their angled eaves with separate tubs and showers but just a single sink. Room 3 has a single bed too, and can be set up as a triple. Room 4 is the smallest double. It has a standard double bed and is the only room without a separate shower though it does have one hoisted above its tub. There's also a small single bedroom, Room 5 (this with no bathroom), which would be perfect for a baby or a young child.

All rooms are centrally heated and you're treated to all kinds of extras like towelling dressing gowns, heavy cotton towels, heated towel rails, big Kalderei tubs, a hairdryer, handmade soap from The Soap Company and masses of space for your clothes in the fitted wardrobes.

Should you need additional space for your group there's also a separate apartment at one end of the building. This has a smaller bedroom with a standard sized double bed, its own sitting room with a sofabed, and a small kitchen. It could be perfect for a family who were travelling with their own staff, or would be fine for teenagers wanting a bit of distance from their folks.

iPod dock, Mosquito net, Baby Cots, Oven, Barbeque, Hairdryer, Garden, Guest lounge, Daily maid service, Off street parking, Airport Transfers, Cleaners are provided twice during the week to keep the house looking at its immaculate best, Masses of toys, games and kiddie paraphernalia, Lunch & Dinner by Arrangement, In-house cook. (contact for more info.) Kids: El Noque couldn't be better for kids. The pool would provide entertainment for hours and hours in summer, and the surrounding 7 acres of estate would be a great outdoor playground at any time of year. There are masses of games in a big chest in the house, both for babies and young kids, as well as all kinds of swimming paraphernalia out by the pool. There are 2 cots, a high chair and the possibility of a babysitting and/or nanny being provided for a supplementary fee.

Art classes, Cooking classes, Creative writing courses, Food and wine, Historical sites, Hot air ballooning, Nightlife, Swimming, Well being, Yoga.

Activities:
-Spend your afternoon chilling out by the pool after a long, lazy alfresco lunch.
-Treat yourself to a massage or session of shiatsu: Renata will arrange everything.
-Head into Ronda to cruise its many tapas bars.
-Ride the train south from Ronda, have lunch at one of the sleepy railside stations then return in the late afternoon.
-Hike in the Grazalema Park: the trails are amongst the best in Europe.
-Head to the beach for the day. Even in summer, thanks to Renata's insider tips, you can still find empty coves.
-Ride up into the hills on an Andalucian thoroughbred horse: there are stables very close.
-Take a thrilling paragliding flight in tandem. You're a short drive from one of Europe's major centres for the sport.

• Nearest Airport : Malaga at 60 miles distance;
• Nearest Town : Ronda at 5 miles distance
• Travel Info: 10 minutes drive from Ronda