Idiosyncratic vintage country estate with large swimming pool

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Rustical´s review                                                  See prices

There are some grand old houses where time seems to stand still. Peacefully retired in its country estate off a leafy lane, approximately halfway between two villages and less than ten minutes from Aracena (see Aracena map) this home has the comfortable feel of a much loved place that has been in the family for a long time.

Not unlike an eccentric gentleman of class, the property seems to be quite happy to be a somewhat frayed around the edges, knowing that its charm comes from personality rather than smartness. The original iron fittings remain where others may have replaced them with wood and taps are no more than functional.

The property is suitably provided for in facilities such as dishwasher, music system and central heating in winter months, although there’s no TV and somehow one would seem out of place.

You drive through high gates into thirty acres of grounds, studded with mature oaks, and up the large, white farmhouse sitting on the hillside, from where it surveys the sun-lit, green countryside of Sierra de Aracena near Seville.

Cross the broad cobbled, courtyard, pass under the vine that runs along the façade and you enter an atmosphere of by-gone days.

The house is very comfortable. The wood-beamed living room has a certain splendour, set off by antique mirrors and lamps, the red-and-white lozenges of the original floor tiles underfoot. There’s a large open fireplace and in one corner stands a grand piano. You might want to take a book down from the villa’s collection and take it out through the French windows to read on the terrace.

Also on the ground floor, a fully-equipped kitchen communicates with a dining room for eight guests and there’s a laundry room and an extra bathroom, too.

The four bedrooms upstairs consist of an en-suite Master bedroom, two twins and a room with two large bunk beds for children. The Master suite has a dressing room and its own private walled patio, a sizeable, intimate area planted round with roses. The other three rooms share a bathroom (each also has a washbasin).

On weekdays, a maid comes to clean for two hours (included in the price of the holiday rental) and cooking services can be arranged on request.

For leisurely holiday meals al fresco, a vine-covered trellis by a brick-built barbecue shades a long dining table, and another area has been set apart to sit under the olive trees.

We found the outdoor areas, of which there are several, frankly a little run down on our last visit, even if we appreciate that others may tell us that fussiness isn't expected of time-worn patios. We simply try to be fair and say what we saw. The grounds do have plenty of natural charm. Explore over the hill and you will find a hide-away nook for lovers!

The swimming pool is a generous ten by five metres. It is positioned above the house and at a discrete distance, where privacy is complete and the views are terrific. A solar heating system takes the chill off the water.

Castanuelos village is walking distance (1 km). It’s a pretty hamlet, although there’s little there apart from a small shop for basic provisions. It is Aracena at 9 km that will inevitably draw you to its charming market town bustle and more than decent restaurants.

The property's country estate is situated within the Natural Park of the Sierra de Aracena, where plenty of little white villages, sights, walks and wildlife can be discovered. Our Local information guide (we send you an up-o-date file before you travel), recommends places visit, restaurants to try out.

Flamboyant and historic Seville is an hour and a half away for day trips, as are the huge sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz . Good road communications mean that it’s easy to go into Portugal – and even to fly into Faro and drive to the holiday property from there.

Facilities
Gas hob; oven; microwave; toaster; kettle; coffee maker; fridge freezer; dishwasher; washing machine; tumble dryer; iron & board; CD/tape/radio; cot on request; overhead room fans in bedrooms; central heating; open fireplace; gated swimming pool (10 m x 5 m, 1.1m - 2.0 m deep and solar heated) with terrace; barbecue; garden and pool furniture including sunloungers; all linen provided, except pool towels.
 
Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: living room with French windows to terrace; kitchen; dining room; bathroom (shower over tub)/WC; laundry room.
First floor: 4 bedrooms: one suite with double bed, bathroom (shower over tub)/WC, dressing room/walk-in wardrobe & private patio; two twin-bedded rooms with washbasin; one two-bedded bunkroom with washbasin; bathroom (shower over tub)/WC.

Notes:
-The swimming pool will be open from 30 March to 31 October 2012, weather permitting.
-Price includes 2 hours’ maid service Monday - Friday (additional cooking service available on request).

Locations & Distances
Located in open countryside, 1 km from the small village of Castanuelos, Aracena.

 

Aracena (market town, good restaurants, famous grotto)	9 km
Sevilla (city and Airport)	1 hr 30 mins
Costa de la Luz (excellent sandy beaches)	1 hr 30 mins
Jerez Airport	2 hrs 30 mins

Booking information for this property
Changeover day: normally Friday in High Season
A 150-euro security deposit applies to this property. This will be refunded three weeks after your holiday, subject to reductions for breakages or damage.

Prices and dates