LUXURY RURAL VILLA FOR RENT NEAR GRANADA, SPAIN
Property Summary
A spacious and beautifully appointed villa for 6 to 8 persons, with disabled facilities.
Set in its own extensive grounds in the rolling hills of the Lecrin Valley, Los Alisios combines the best of rural charm and modern comforts.
With spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, it is ideally located between the romantic city of Granada and the Mediterranean.
Living Room - split-level with dining area and open plan kitchen
Bedrooms - 3 doubles (plus 2 sofa beds in living room), 2 en suite
Private Heated Pool - 12 x 6 metres
Location - open countryside in the Lecrín Valley near Granada
Price Guide - £1580 to £1950 per week
House and Surroundings
Los Alisios was completed in 2006 and combines modern comforts with traditional features. It is surrounded on the east and south sides by flowering borders and tiled terraces with retractable awnings. Interior and exterior flow together, especially when the full length glass doors are folded back, giving the appearance of a room without walls. The main entrance opens into a very large living room on 2 levels. The upper level is a cosy living area with fireplace and TV (and large sofa bed), with glass doors to the terrace outside, and mountain views.
The lower level has a double height ceiling and more retractable glass doors, and contains a further seating area (with the 2nd sofa bed), an open plan kitchen, and dining area.
The kitchen has generous counter space and is fully equipped with oven, ceramic hob, double sinks, and a large American style fridge-freezer with cold water and ice dispensers (see Facilities for more details of kitchen equipment). The property has a large vegetable and fruit garden where guests are welcome to help themselves.
In the dining area there is a table and 6 chairs but, with additional leaves, this can be extended to seat 8 or 12 people. More tables are to be found immediately outside on the terraces, overlooking the pool.
For the disabled if needed
Off the upper area of the living room is a twin bedroom/study although, if preferred, this room can be arranged with only one bed for the option of more space (this would be more convenient for a wheelchair user). There is a large window to the east and also a glass door leading out to the terrace. Just across the hall is a bathroom especially adapted for the disabled with large basin, WC, and an open shower with seat.
Four steps lead down from the upper to the lower level of the living room, and here is a small electric chair lift to give easy access to the dining areas and south terrace.
The pool below is accessible by car for the disabled.
The bedroom suites and patio
A staircase leads up to a partly enclosed patio, with fountain and round table with chairs as well as sun loungers. On one side a stable door leads into one of the guest suites, with a king size bed and en suite bathroom.
The bathroom contains a bathtub with shower, WC and basin set in a fitted cupboard (with spare linen and towels). The room has a window looking out to the patio and glass doors to a small balcony with chairs.
A second door on the other side of the patio leads to the Master Suite with windows on 2 sides plus glass doors to a large terrace where stairs lead down to the south terrace and to the pool. There is a king size bed composed of 2 twin beds together, which can be separated if preferred. A curtained doorway leads to the bathroom containing bathtub and separate glassed shower, both with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada, and double basins. In addition, a full length mirrored door leads to a separate enclosed WC. The washing machine is located in the bathroom for convenience and laundry can be dried on extendable lines on the bedroom terrace.
Sun loungers are also provided for this private terrace.
The pool
With views across the valley and pine woods to the Sierra, stairs lead down from the south terrace to the pool (with sun loungers) set in a sheltered spot bordered by small lawns and flowering plants. The pool is an irregular shape, approximately 12 by 6 metres, with a depth of between 1 and 2 metres. It is usually open from Easter through September and is heated when necessary. Sun loungers are located by the pool.
Location
Los Alisios is set in 8 acres of olive and almond trees at an altitude of nearly 1000 metres, ensuring cooling summer breezes and fabulous views. It lies between the villages of Conchar and Albuñuelas at the north end of the Lecrín Valley, midway between the Mediterranean and the romantic Moorish city of Granada with its famous Alhambra Palace. The Valley is bordered to the east by the western end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, whose snowy peaks of more than 3000 metres deliver the water vital to the orange and lemon groves at its heart.
Lecrín was known as the ’Valley of Happiness’ in the time of the Moors, who established the dozen or so tiny white villages linked by irrigating streams, fields of olives and almonds, and vineyards. Goats and donkeys still feature in the rural agricultural life. This corner of unspoilt tranquillity was very remote until the construction, just over 10 years ago, of the motorway linking Granada to the coast. Although Los Alisios lies alone in its hillsides of rosemary, lavender and pine woods, the proximity of the motorway means that you can be sipping coffee in the plazas of Granada (to the north) or having lunch on the beach (to the south) in less than 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you prefer snow and mountains, the Sierra Nevada ski resort is only 40 minutes away.
Directions
Los Alisios is reached by a 2-lane tarmac road (GR 3208) signposted to Albuñuelas from Exit 153 of the A44 motorway between Motril and Granada. There is no problem of access for any type of car, although a steep curve might challenge a heavily loaded small engine car. There is ample parking in front of the house. The small village of Conchar is just visible below, with the sound of its church bells drifting up on a quiet day.
Activities and Amenities in the Lecrin Valley
Watered by rivers fed by the melting snows of the Sierra, and with a benign micro-climate, the Valley is greener and lusher than elsewhere in the south east of Andalucia. It is a natural stop-over for migrating birds in spring and autumn, and so is popular with bird watchers. Several species of eagle make their home here, and visitors from Africa are common, such as swallows, hoopoos, and bee eaters. You will find a dedicated nature information centre by the lagoon on the outskirts of the nearby town of Padul. See www.estacionornitologicapadul.org
A large network of paths and mule tracks, used since ancient times, provide a range of walks and hikes from short and easy to long and challenging. Running through the Valley is the GR7, a long-distance footpath which was a pilgrimage route from Tarifa and Algeciras to Istanbul in the time of the Moors. Local maps and information are available. Horse riding and bike rentals are also on offer.
For golf enthusiasts, the 18 hole Santa Clara Golf Club is only 15 minutes away. Click here for details.
Every village or ‘pueblo’ in the Valley has at least one bar, serving free tapas with wine, beer or spirits. There are also several good restaurants to choose from, particularly in the central pueblos of Restabal and Melegis. Durcal is the largest town in the Valley and has many bars and restaurants as well as banks, chemists, supermarkets and useful shops.
We recommend that you check out the website South from Granada which contains a wealth of information on life in the Valley including fiestas, local markets, concerts etc.
Suggested Days Out
The Sierra Nevada National Park is on the doorstep, offering a multitude of ways to enjoy nature. The popular ski resort also offers a variety of activities during the summer. For more information see www.cetursa.es.
The Alpujarra is the area of foothills to the south of the Sierra, about a half hour drive from Los Alisios. This was the last refuge of the Moors following their conquest by the Christians and you will find a number of white villages dotted across a beautiful landscape of mountains and gorges. There are agricultural terraces as much as 2000 years old, and the picturesque villages with narrow winding streets offer a wide variety of arts and crafts for sale, as well as the famous ‘Jamon Serrano’, air-dried cured hams hanging from the ceilings. For more information see www.alpujarras.eu.
Less than 30 minutes up the motorway, Granada offers every attraction for the holiday maker. The famous Alhambra Palace is a magical and unforgettable experience, but there are many unmissable sites including: the old Arab quarter (the Albaicin) on the hill facing the Alhambra, the Cathedral, the Science Park (especially good for children), the gypsy area of Sacromonte, the Archeological Museum and Arab Baths, the Plaza de Toros (bullring), and the central plaza Bib Rambla where there is always something going on. There are theatres and concerts all year round as well as music and dancing in the streets, especially during the Fiesta of Corpus Christi in June, and of course flamenco. Hundreds of shops and markets offer everything from incredible bargains to elegant fashion, from leather goods to hand made guitars. There are many excellent guide books and much on-line information to ensure the best experience for visitors. For more information see www.granadatur.com.
Prices and Conditions
Prices quoted per week
| 15 May 2012 to 7 July 2012 | GBP1750 | USD2625 |
| 8 July 2012 to 26 August 2012 | GBP1950 | USD2925 |
| 27 August 2012 to 15 September 2012 | GBP1580 | USD2370 |
| 17 December 2012 to 31 December 2012 | GBP1650 | USD2475 |
Regretfully we are not able to accept children under the age of 10.
Rentals normally run from Sunday to Sunday but other days may be possible especially outside of the summer months.
Prices to be pro-rated for a 10-day booking.
Deposit to secure booking – GBP200/USD300 refundable if at least 1 month’s notice is given.
Security Deposit – 400 Euros payable on arrival, to be refunded 1 week after holiday subject to reductions for any breakages or damage.
Please be advised that there are 2 cats on the premises.
Contact Us
Any questions before you decide to book? We are happy to answer queries and deal with special requests.
Email: goedkoop.alisios@googlemail.com
Tel: 0034 678 201 499 and 0044 1428 682 316 (after 15th May 2012)
or you can use the contact form below
