Rustic accommodation in “Driving over lemons” country, Alpujarras

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AP34(2) Tomillo Cottage

If you really want to get off the beaten track and end up in the genuine wilds of La Alpujarra, this is it. As you arrive, you can see on the other side of the river the farmhouse owned by Chris Stewart where “Driving over lemons” and his other whimsical stories about life in La Alpujarra take place. You can rent this or the other holiday casita and share the vast pool and outdoor areas, or enjoy exclusivity for a modest supplement.

Some Andalusian rental homes have been done up so much that they are indistinguishable from English country houses, complete with chintz, lace, double-glazing and Laura Ashley. Not here! This is the real thing when it comes to the rustic Alpujarra experience.

That doesn’t mean rough-and-ready: this eco-accommodation won the Times Travel Green Space Award for the Best Play to Stay in Europe 2008. It does mean ecological simplicity, solar-power and frill-free living. Oh, and a massive, filtered swimming pool (the pump is powered by a generator).

The property is owned by an English couple who have been living in the craggy wilderness for many a year. They have renovated this cottage on a lower terrace from the main farmhouse (where a separate, independent apartment is also available), for couples who want to hear bees gathering thyme pollen for honey and the clonk of goat bells, the river below and very little else. When the local shepherd’s flock tramples the field, the scent of thyme is released to waft up, hence the name of the cottage: Tomillo, or thyme.

Tomillo Cottage is set at a discrete distance from the farmhouse apartment, with which it shares a very similar style and facilities. The kitchen area is at the centre of the main room this time and the living area occupies one end, with dark slate flooring. There’s a small gas oven in addition to the hob.

The bedroom has a regular-size double bed, table and pine dresser. The en suite tiled shower room is unusually long, spacious and light, running along most of the length of the cottage, and you have views out while you shower!

The best spot is outside: a shaded and very relaxing area with sunloungers near the cottage. It's right by the edge of the terraced land, from where the views are enormous.

If you prefer not to share the outdoor areas and pool with another couple, then you can take advantage of a special offer price, which keeps the other one-bedroomed casita closed and unoccupied while you are there.

It's hardly a necessity, as the finca is extensive enough and the accomoodation well separated to ensure a considerable measure of privacy. The cottage has its own access via steps to the swimming pool which, at a huge 15 by 8 metres, is large enough in itself for two couples to occupy without even hearing each other’s conversations.

Shared exterior areas are planted with jasmine, lavender, canna lilies and herbs, oleander and broom. Grey water from the accommodation is used for watering the flower gardens.

An open courtyard leads across to the swimming pool area, which is shared with a maximum of one other couple (if at all). The pool really is immense and it’s deep, too: 3 metres at one end. There’s a poolside shower and sunloungers can be left in the sun or placed in the shade of an olive or lemon tree. At night time, solar lights mark each exterior step, and full moon illuminates the entire landscape.

Steps go down to the river and the 18 hectares of hillside belonging to the property, where you are free to roam.

Solar power permits more than adequate halogen lighting and it can recharge phones and camera batteries, but no hairdryers or laptops, please. All water needs are met by a healthy natural spring. A washing machine is available (no charge) and if internet is an urgent requirement, you may ask the owners for use of their connection – but this is essentially a retreat for people who intend to disconnect and relax, for reading and board games or exploring the land around.

The nearest restaurants and services are in Orgiva, 20 minutes away. Popular excursions are to Granada or beaches on the coast (both 1 hour).

Facilities (Tomillo Cottage)
4-ring gas hob & oven; kettle; coffee machine; gas-powered fridge; solar-powered lighting; washing machine on request; swimming pool (15 m x 8 m, 1.5 – 3.0 m deep); sunloungers; pool shower; furnished shaded area; barbecue; woodburner; all linen provided (and pool towels available at 5 € per week).

Distribution
All on one floor: open plan living / dining room / kitchen; one double-bedded room; shower room/WC.
Exterior: shaded terrace furnished with sunloungers; shared lawned garden and pool area; parking.

Notes:
-The swimming pool will be open from 02 April – 29 October, weather permitting.

Location and Distances
On rugged mountainside looking down on Guadalfeo River, 8 km from Orgiva. The 3 km track to the property is fairly bumpy, and the entrance drive is decidely steep, but it is manageable in a normal car.


A short Orgiva video

Orgiva (market town, most facilities)	8 km
Granada (and Alhambra)	1 hr
Costa Tropical (beaches)	1 hr
Granada Airport	1 hr 15 mins
Malaga Airport	2 hrs 15 mins
Almeria Airport	2 hrs 30 mins

Booking information for this property
*When Tomillo Cottage is booked with exclusivity, the other one-bed casita is closed and unoccupied, giving you private use of the swimming pool and outdoor areas.

Prices and dates