Dreamy cottage with pool in natural seclusion, Aracena, Andalucia

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Rustical´s review                                                  See prices

As you approach the villa along the (somewhat uneven) country track through gorgeous countryside, you just know that you are going to end up somewhere special.

And on arrival the feeling of being immersed in so much beauty is quite overwhelming. It is so private, so secluded in nature and delightful, that you may well feel that you have lucked upon the home you always dreamed of.

Thanks to its aspect it manages to be ensconced by forests and yet still maintain unspoiled views of the surrounding area, including a pretty whitewashed village far in the distance. Its intimacy is reminiscent of an English landscape but with two notable differences: the biodiversity and the sun. The countryside is amazingly rich in varieties of wild trees, plants, shrubs and flowers. Surprisingly, given the vast number of hours of summer sun that pass endlessly by here, this is not one of Spain’s dry zones and winter rains create the conditions for nature to thrive. Read more about the Sierra de Aracena.

The cottage was bought by artist owners 20 years ago and patiently restored by them over these many years, combining handcraft with a sensitive understanding of rural charm. We loved the earth-coloured floors and the pebble mosaic at the house entrance. It's a fresh, light-filled house, with furnishings and decoration chosen to complement the bucolic setting; it might be an Ikea item, it might be an antique: the criterion is whether it fits and feels right.

Decoration is deliberately low-key so as not to overload the senses on coming into the cottage from such a lovely Andalusia scene.So don´t look for matching cutlery or a dishwasher, but do expect a perfectly well-equipped kitchen for cooking meals, which can be enjoyed outside on the lovely verandah. This is accessed from either of the house’s two living room areas. The kitchen also has dining chairs and tables and a walk-in pantry for food storage.

All the rooms have large windows to view the deeply relaxing scenery, complemented by super-comfortable latex mattresses in the bedrooms. One of the double rooms is en-suite while the other double and twin share a bathroom.

Close by, a short path guides you to the pool area which has different spots to sit or sunbathe, surrounded by woodland. The swimming pool is not blue but grey in order to integrate in the natural surroundings.

The pretty village of Los Marines is nearby and the lively market town of Aracena is a short drive. We'll send you local information for Aracena, including restaurant tips, as one of your holiday documents.

Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: reception leading to kitchen/dining area with steps down to living room. From kitchen steps lead down to 2nd living room. Both living and sitting areas have French windows opening to front large terrace with furniture and partly shaded.
First floor: three bedrooms: two double-bedded (of which the master room has en suite bathroom and small balcony), one twin-bedded; bathroom.
Outdoors: the house is surrounded by a terraced garden leading up to the pool, and two further terraces are attached to the house.  There are extensive private grounds.

Facilities
Equipped kitchen; woodburning stove; TV / DVD; washing machine; private swimming pool (8 m x 5 m); shaded pergola pool area with sunloungers and hammock; all bedding and towels provided; large private wooded grounds; private parking oin site.

Notes:
-Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from 05 May to 28 September, 2012.
-Please note that arrival at this property must be no later than 10 pm.
-Although the final part of the track to the house is rather bumpy, we no longer feel it is necessary to insist on a 4x4 vehicle as it is now negotiable in any normal car with high clearance.
-Pets may be accepted on request.

Location and distances
Deep countryside location, access via a 2-km track to be negotiated with some care from  Los Marines.

Los Marines (basic facilities)	2 km of unsurfaced track
Aracena (market town, most facilities)	6 km
Sevilla and Airport	1 hr 30 mins
Atlantic Coast (excellent beaches)	1 hr 30 mins
Jerez Airport	2 hrs 15 mins

Booking information for this property
Changeover day: normally Saturday
This property has a 100% cancellation fee within 4 weeks of the booking start date

Prices and dates