Cortijo Cuevas del Marques
A traditional Andalusian country house, set in its own grounds in the campo at a few minutes drive from famous Ronda. With panoramic views over the valley towards the remains of the old Roman town of Acinipo perched on a rock in the distance. An elegant retreat, with lots of privacy and plenty of space, indoors as well as outdoors.
2-10 persons
| Beautifully restored, this cortijo has all the charm of a true Andalusian country home. Cortijo Cuevas del Marqués draws its name from the tradition of cave dwelling in this area, still in use in nearby Setenil. A tree lined driveway leads you to this carefully restored country house. |
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Passing under the arched gateway you arrive at a classic Andalusian courtyard. |
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| The Cortijo stands on four hectares of its own land. Being surrounded by its own extensive grounds ensures an intimate and private setting. The land is lush, bordered by an almost perennial river that attracts an enormous variety of plants, birds and even mammals such as the mongoose. The cortijo has been meticulously restored in the traditional Andalusian style, with the use of many antiques and characteristic authentic details. |
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| When you step into the entrance hall the impression of authenticity is reaffirmed. The authentic terracotta floors, wood beamed ceilings and soft-edged plastered walls confirm the rustic credentials, albeit with a distinctly stylish feeling. There is an atmosphere about this place that sets it apart from many a charming yet stuffy country property. |
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| From the entrance hall you continue through to the spacious, bright and airy living room. It has comfortable couches and a romantic wood burner. The whole house has central heating, ensuring a comfortable stay in winter as well as in summer. The house offers satellite TV and wireless internet. It has double doors opening onto the terrace. The transition between indoor and outdoor living is seamless. |
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| The living room opens to a lovely terrace at the back of the house, overlooking the fields towards Acinipo. It is about as perfect a terrace as one can imagine, languidly casual and as pretty as can be. The beautifully landscaped gardens around the house some beautiful ancient olive trees and many typical Mediterranean shrubs and fragrant herbs like rosemary and lavender. |
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| There are many lovely spots that invite one to sit down and take in the beauty of the setting. It is one of the most serene and peaceful locations anywhere in Europe. Sheep\\\'s bells clinking gently in the distance, birds singing happily in the trees, a fleeting glance of an eagle soaring high overhead. Only these magnificent sights, scents and sounds of country living to keep you company. You will wile away many a happy hour here, whatever the time of day or night. |
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| The attractive swimming pool is surrounded by spacious terraces with lots of terracotta pots with colourful plants, fragrant herbs and flowering shrubs. There are plenty of sun beds. A shaded outdoor dining area is situated to the side of the house and the pool area. It offers a large dining table comfortably seating up to twelve guests. Ideal for al fresco dining, especially on a warm summer day. |
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| The pool area enjoys the very best of the views, across fields and pastures to the old Roman town of Acinipo perched on a rock in the distance. It makes a great hike from the estate to these roman ruins, and it is also fun to reach on horseback. From Acinipo you will have breathtaking views back across the valley, framed by the remnants of a once thriving Roman town. There are many longer hiking trails around here, each of them offering further spectacular views. |
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| The country kitchen is joyfully rustic yet bright, and with all mod-cons and equipment. There are plenty of pots and pans, china, cutlery and glasses. A delightful kitchen which will inspire you to rustle up something delicious. For a smaller group the large country kitchen with its breakfast table is a great place to start the day. |
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| From the kitchen doors lead out to both the outdoors dining area at one side, and the elegant indoors dining room on the other. The antique wooden dining table easily seats eight. It is a joy to leisurely dine here with romantic candlelight. |
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| At the other end of the entrance hall a curved corridor leads to the four doubled bedrooms of the main house. The first bedroom makes use of a separate shower room with fiery oxblood walls. |
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| It has a large walk-in shower and classic white fixtures. All materials used are of high quality, adding to a great feel of comfort. |
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| All bedrooms are spacious and have wardrobes with plenty of space for your belongings. The three bedrooms further down the corridor all have their own en-suite shower rooms; one has a large on and two are smaller. |
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| All bedrooms are immaculately furnished in casual, country style. The owners have collected antiques and artefacts from all over the world to re-create the authentic feeling of this old cortijo. |
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| The pretty guest cottage is set aside from the main house at the other end of the main patio. It looks out to the patio, where you can sit back and relax and enjoy the atmosphere of times long gone by. |
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| Downstairs the cottage has its own elegant open plan living- dining room with a cosy wood burner. It has a chaise longue and a couple of elegant chairs, and a dining table. |
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| Here you will also find the bathroom with toilet, basin and a romantic roll-top bath. The double bed is upstairs, tucked away under the authentic wooden beamed ceiling. |
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| Cortijo Cuevas del Marques is a perfect home to gather with friends and family. It radiates warmth and comfort, and is surrounded by the peace and beauty of nature. This is a wonderful place to either put your feet up and just relax at the pool, or to go out and get a flavour of some of the historic sights and stunning countryside of Andalucia. |
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| Location: From Ronda it is 20 minutes by car to Cortijo Cueves del Marques. Ronda has all facilities. It is app. 20 minutes from the house to Setenil de las Bodegas, where cave homes continue to be occupied. Some have been converted into quaint little tapas bars and restaurants that add colour to this steeply set village, that also offers some small shops. It is 90 minutes to the airport of Malaga or Seville and less than 60 minutes to the beach of Marbella. Surroundings: Apart from the truly stunning scenery around Ronda (Serrania de Ronda, Sierra de las Nieves, Park of Grazalema, Zahara lake etc.), there are numerous remains of ancient civilizations in the area, including some of Europe’s most beautiful cave painting in the Cueva de la Pileta. Ronda’s spectacular Puente Nuevo spans the deep canyon that divides Ronda’s old and ‘new’ quarters, and there are Moorish palaces, Renaissance mansions and Andalusia’s best preserved Arab baths. Within a 2 hour drive are Seville, Granada and Cordoba. And close to Ronda are a series of enchanting ‘white villages’ clinging to spectacular mountain locations. An easy drive away are good beaches and golf courses. Even a day trip to Morocco is possible from Tarifa on the Fast Ferry, which crosses the Strait in just 40 minutes. |
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For more information see ANDALUCIA
