Ronda Luxury Villa

Rooms

The 6 bedrooms, each named after fragrant flora, have a really intimate, private feel. Mulberry and Rose are in the main house whilst the other bedrooms are divided amongst 3 annexes, which drop down the hillside towards the infinity pool and gardens.

The queen bee is Mulberry, reached via a private staircase from the dining room. The main sleeping area has a queensize double, a roll-top bathtub and high, shuttered French windows which open onto a bridge taking you directly to the alberca pool. The bathroom has a walk-in rain shower.

Rose has lower ceilings but shares the same subdued décor: all white walls, chalky grey shutters and a terracotta tiled floor, pepped up by Moroccan rugs and pops of red. It has a bathtub and a walk-in rain shower in its bathroom, and French windows that lead to a small terrace. It's also the only room with the option of twin beds.

The remaining rooms are across the cobbled courtyard in the annexe nearest to the house. Lavender has a cosy feel, enhanced by a wood-burning stove in the old hearth, and shares a terrace with Orange Blossom. Both have comfy double beds, freestanding wardrobes and shower bathrooms. Orange Blossom also has the advantage of long views out across the valley while Lavender looks towards the courtyard.

Furthest from the main house, Bougainvillea & Lemon are in the annexe with the games room and second kitchen. Lemon is a simple, cosy double room with adjacent shower, but Bougainvillea is really rather romantic. A bed laden in blankets takes centre stage, whilst the shower room feels lifted straight from a Moroccan riad (accessed via a keyhole arched doorway with eye-catching geometric floor tiles). Shuttered doors lead out to a private valley-facing terrace which, in turn, leads to the shaded dining terrace that fronts the games room.

All rooms come with Smart TVs, beds dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets and top-spec mattresses, and piles of towels - including a second set for pool use.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• TV
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The bespoke kitchen is one of the best we've come across in a rental property. As well as a central island - which makes cooking both practical and sociable - you're treated to twin fridges, a microwave, a huge top-of-the-range hob and oven, an ice-making machine and every conceivable kitchen gadget (including 3 dishwashers!). The dining room, located in the glass-walled garden room, is its perfect partner: any meal here couldn't fail to be a special occasion.

Basic ingredients are provided to help you self-cater, and there's a small supermarket in Arriate, 5km away. Ronda offers a larger supermarket. Closer to home, you can pick your own fresh produce from the vegetable patch in the garden, and collect eggs for your breakfast from your very own hens!

When we visited, we opted to let caterers handle the cooking. We ate in the fabulous dining room, but meals often move to the poolside pergola in good weather. Breakfasts and lunches can be provided, as well as BBQs and special celebratory feasts: just let them know about your wish list prior to arrival.

If you prefer to head out to eat, there are several excellent little restaurants a short drive away. You really are spoiled for choice when it comes to tapas bars in Ronda.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Chef on request
• Dinner by arrangement
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Microwave
• Organic produce
• Oven
• Welcome hamper

Activities

• Explore the old town of Ronda, finding time to check out the Joaquín Peinado museum, the bullring and to ogle at the town's extraordinary gorge and bridge
  
• Taste fine wines at one of the many bodegas in the area: some of the best are close by
  
• Take a tour of the Pueblos Blancos - the white villages - making sure not to miss Zahara and Grazalema
  
• Hike in the Grazalema Park. This biosphere reserve has towering limestone mountains, deep gorges and a fantastic range of flora and fauna: keep your eyes out for soaring griffon vultures
  
• Explore the valley on horseback: there are riding stables just 5 minutes from the house
  
• Play tennis, pool, table football or ping-pong, or pick a film in the home cinema
  
• The concierge can help arrange a host of other activities: massage, hot-air ballooning, tennis, golf, sailing, horse-riding...

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Pool table
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Table tennis
• Tennis
• Windsurfing
• Wine tasting

Kids

The finca couldn't be better for kids, with plenty for all ages to do, and we think it makes a terrific place for a group or extended family holidays.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

You've got the run of the house's 6 double bedrooms, but note that Rose is the only one with the option of twin beds; there's a daybed in the anteroom of Mulberry, and a few folding beds and baby cots which can be put in any of the rooms.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1.5 hours (Malaga, Seville and Jerez)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The villa is a 20-minute drive from Ronda in Andalucia, southern Spain. It's equidistant between the Málaga and Jérez airports, which are both about an hour and a half away. Seville is a little further but still an easy 2-hour drive from the house.

By Air
Málaga (96km), Jerez (124km) and Sevilla (138km) are your nearest airports.

By Train
If you'd prefer to travel overland from the UK or elsewhere in Spain, check out Seat 61. The high-speed AVE train can whisk you down from Madrid to Seville (2 hours) and from there you can pick up a hire car.

By Car
See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.