Exclusive Converted Olive Mill with Private 10 Metre Swimming Pool:
Molino Bajo, for 200 years the centre of the olive business in Melegis and reportedly the producer of the finest olive oil in the province of Granada, is a converted olive mill that offers a most unusual and luxurious holiday retreat.Lovingly renovated in 1998 and furnished to the highest standard with a consistent Moorish/Moroccan theme, the house has retained many of the original fittings from its milling past, which make unusual features throughout. Interesting and innovative design ideas have been used to create both comfortable and stylish areas for relaxation, whilst also providing vast entertaining, dining and outdoor spaces. Atmospheric Moroccan lighting is provided throughout Molino Bajo, both inside and out. The house comfortably sleeps 8 adults, with 4 large bedrooms (2 double and 2 twin rooms), and 2 large bathrooms.
The pool measures 10 metres by 4, varying in depth from 1.2m to 2.5m. The main terrace has many teak sun loungers with the highest quality cushions, a stunning outdoor dining area with vast Moroccan vintage mosaic-tiled table, a beautiful barbecue area and even a mosaic tiled fountain. There are also many seating areas to lounge around on the lower terrace, providing shade if desired. The upper terrace features a large Moroccan pergola complete with lanterns, sofa and arm chairs and provides stunning views across the valley - perfect for sun-downers, playing group board games or just generally chilling. During spring and summer the terraces receive unbroken sunshine from dawn until dusk without being overlooked, offering the perfect secluded area for swimming, sunbathing or lounging around with a good book.Molino Bajo offers a group of friends or a large family a truly memorable holiday. You can enjoy a round of golf, go skiing, visit the historical city of Granada, head to the beach or just relax in the sun, all in the same week. There is a fabulous family-run restaurant/bar 2 minutes walk down the road that is known as the best in the area. Granada is a 25 minute drive, as is the nearest beach, and the Sierra Nevada ski resort is just under one hour away
The Interior:
The living roomis a spectacular 40ft long entertaining area which keeps nice and cool in the summer, and with a Moroccan-style open log fire and under-floor heating for winter use. Two 7ft high original olive urns, “Tinajas', which used to be used for olive oil storage, frame the fire place and make a dramatic feature of this unusual room. Moroccan-style lighting has been used throughout to provide a variety of atmospheric lighting effects. There are three main seating areas in this vast room - one that centres around the fire place and is ideal for pre or post dinner drinks and board games, another with three sofas that make up the TV watching area (large Smart TV) and at the other end of the room a sunken, amphitheatre-style pit area. The room contains many modern and vintage Moroccan pieces of furniture and decoration and beautiful rugs compete the comfort and atmosphere of the room. The original olive press and two further Tinajas make up the entrance to the dining area.
The dining areais divided from the living space by two more enormous tinajas, and the original olive press. In its centre is the “Knights of the Round Table” dining table, constructed from the original millstone, which can comfortably seat twelve or more people and makes a great setting for impromptu banquets. Above the table hangs part of the machinery of the mill from which Moorish lanterns are suspended. There is another seating area beside the dining table with scatter cushions and an original Moroccan mosaic table. Again, Moroccan lighting and furniture complete the look and feel of this unique room.
The kitchenis fully equipped with dishwasher, washing machine/dryer, microwave and conventional ovens with a separate hob, both gas and electric. It has marble surfaces throughout and local Andalucian crockery is provided for use by guests. French windows open out onto the sun terrace where the original conical millstones have been set into the ground to provide the base for a huge Moroccan mosaic outdoor dining table, perfect for barbecues or just relaxing in the shade with a cocktail. Next to the kitchen is the original olive weigh-bridge, which is still operational and surprisingly accurate.
A beautifully lantern-lit corridor leads one from the kitchen to the downstairs bedrooms and bathroom, and stairs at the end of this corridor lead up to the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. (I need to provide photos of the corridor and staircase)
The bedrooms are all named after the local olive types that were used in the production of olive oil at Molino Bajo. Every bedroom has a fan.
“Cornicabra', also known as the “Blue Room”, is the large downstairs double. With a large double bed complete with an original white ornate Moroccan bed head, it features a blue washed painting effect and its own fireplace. A large chandelier above the bed is paired with Moroccan lanterns to provide an atmospheric lighting effect. Wooden beams are set into the ceiling and vintage Moroccan furniture and rugs set the tone of the room. French windows lead directly out to the sun terrace and pool area, perfect for those pre-breakfast morning dips. There is an Andalusian-tiled bathroom with bath and shower next-door.
“Picudo”is the upstairs double and, although smaller than Cornicabra, it is many people’s favourite room. Complete with a large double bed and Moroccan head board the room exudes light and has French windows that lead out to the upstairs sun terrace with its own table and chairs located directly outside and just a few steps away from the beautiful Moroccan gazebo. There is an unusual double-shower bathroom next-door.
“Manzanilla”is the upstairs twin room, also known as the “Yellow Room”. Featuring two single beds and Moroccan style lighting and furniture, Manzanilla enjoys fabulous natural light. There are French window leading from just outside the room on to the upstairs sun terrace.
“Arbequina”is the downstairs twin room. Reached from the corridor next to the kitchen, Arbequina has two single beds and also features atmospheric Moroccan lanterns and furniture. (I need to take some new photos of this room as it has been updated since the last photography).
The Exterior:
As one enters the outer door to Molino Bajo, one steps into an oasis - the first impression is of a huge, open but private outdoor space. There is a large 10 metre swimming pool in the foreground with a galleried terrace surrounding it on two sides, with various shaded seating areas (and a Table Football).
The sun bathing terrace is slightly elevated, and is flanked by the outdoor dining table and the barbecue. Two teak recliners and six teak loungers of the highest quality and very comfortable Moroccan cushions (and of course pool towels) are provided, along with mini mosaic tables for your drinks and Kindles. The large sun terrace enjoys full-on sunshine from dawn until dusk in Spring, Summer and Autumn, so the sun-worshippers in your group will be very happy. Although the villa is in a village, the high walls surrounding the terraces/pool provide a feeling of total privacy and seclusion.
The outdoor dining area is a stunning vintage Moroccan mosaic dining table, which is covered. The table top sits upon two of the three conical millstones that used to grind on to the main millstone (which has become the indoor dining table) and comfortably seats up to ten people. Moroccan lighting and decoration throughout the outdoor space makes for a truly memorable evening dining experience.
The other conical millstone is situated in the barbecue area. A huge Andalusian style whitewashed barbecue/grill sits atop the millstone and has a Moroccan mosaic surface beneath it to match that of the dining table. The chefs in your group will not be disappointed.
Up the outdoor whitewashed staircase one will find the upper terrace with another mosaic table for two with stunning views of the valley and mountains beyond situated outside the upstairs double room. A short walk round the upper terrace one will find the stunning Moroccan gazebo. A three metre high domed metal construction with tinted glass panels provides blissful respite from the sunshine with a Moroccan sofa and two armchairs and a mosaic table. A huge Moroccan lantern is suspended from the ceiling in the centre and various lighting surrounds the gazebo. It is a perfect place to escape the midday sun with a good book or for the group to enjoy sun-downers or an evening board game session after dinner. The views of the valley and surrounding mountains are an added bonus.
The Location:
Molino Bajo is situated in the village of Melegis in the stunning Valley of Lecrin (Arabic for “happiness”). Surrounded by the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Sierra Nevada in the background and a lush valley of citrus groves, olive trees and the glistening Lake Beznar in the foreground, the location is truly spectacular. The valley offers many iconic walks and there is also horse riding for those wishing to explore the unspoilt Andalusian countryside. Melegis is home to the best and most popular restaurant in the valley, Los Naranjos, just a short 2 minute walk from the villa. in late 2022 a new gourmet restaurant is due to open a short walk up the road. You can find many other bars and restaurants a short drive away.
Melegis is, despite the appearance of remoteness, only 25 minutes drive to the historic city of Granada, 25 minutes drive to the nearest beaches at Playa de Granada or Salobrena and 55 minutes drive to the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada. There are three golf courses within a 25 minute radius. Between the months of January and early May, it is possible to ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean or play golf in shorts in the afternoon, one of only a few places in the world where this is possible. Airports can be found at Malaga (one hour and 10-15 minutes drive) and Granada (35 minutes drive).
Granada is arguably the most beautiful city in Spain and is home to the world-renowned Alhambra (recently short-listed for the Eighth Wonder of the World), now Spain’s most visited monument. The city was ruled by the Moorish Kings from 711 until 1492 and this has left a remarkable architectural, artistic and cultural legacy that permeates the whole city. The unique blend of Islamic and Catholic cultures has created a very special city indeed. For those who enjoy a glass of vino, Granada is the last city in Spain to offer free tapas with every beer or glass of wine that you order. Contact us for information about the best tapas bars and restaurants in Granada for an unforgettable night out.
The Sierra Nevada is Europe’s most southerly ski resort and also one of the highest, with pistes as high as 3300m. On a clear day one can see Africa and the Atlas Mountains from the top.
There is a great choice of beaches 25 to 40 minutes away. Playa de Granada and Salobrena are the closest and La Herradura, Almunecar and Marina del Este are very much worth the extra 10-15 minute drive. This area is where the local Spanish tend to holiday, so if you like the idea of a day at the beach without seeing fish and chips or Guiness on the menu then you have found the right place. We can recommend many beach restaurants, please contact us for details.
Alternatively, if you are seeking pure blissful relaxation for your entire stay and avoidance of contact with the outside world, simply chill out at Molino Bajo and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the valley and Melegis. With Los Naranjos on your doorstep, you don’t even have to consider the stress of cooking.
