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A stylishly converted farmhouse close to Ronda with included daily housekeeping
- villa215 m²
- Sleeps: 8
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 4
- Min. Stay: 7 nights
A secluded home-from-home with spectacular views and daily housekeeping
Bedrooms
Casablanca
Cadiz
Cuzco
Cueva
Casablanca, reached by a steep wooden staircase, has a gorgeous view and its own small lounge with French windows leading out to a small jasmine-clad balcony. The lounge is a real eagle's nest is decorated in a warm ochre wash. There is loads of hanging space in the wardrobe and tasteful lighting. Cadiz, in a separate wing. is the highest room at El Tejar and is a twin. It has windows on three sides so is a really light room. There are framed black & white photographs & attractive applique lamps. Cuzco, in the same wing as Cadiz, is another spacious twin room. It too has windows on all three sides and has access to an almond-shaded terrace & steps down to the pool. Cueva is the lowest room in the house, well away from other rooms. It is a double & has been decorated with framed prints from Morocco. It has a small annex with a single bed & has access out to a terrace by the pool. All rooms have CD players with a selection of Spanish music. All linen & pillows are top quality.
Amenities
Featured
- Swimming pool
- Internet
- TV
- Satellite or Cable
- Washer & Dryer
- Children Welcome
- Parking
- No Smoking
- Heater
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 4
- CadizToilet, Bath with shower
- CuzcoToilet, Bath with shower
- CuevaToilet, Shower
- CasablancaToilet, Bath with shower
- All of the rooms have attractive bathrooms. The pressure in the showers is excellent and there is masses of hot water. There are heated towel rails. Sinks are marble topped with masses of space for toiletries and there is attractive ceramic tiling and retro-style taps. As well as a large overhead shower rose there is an additional 'telephone' shower as well, of course, as a large bath tub. Cueva is the only room which has just a shower rather than bath. There are plenty of towels awaiting you at El Tejar, as well as bath mats. We pride ourselves on the fact that you will find all bathrooms spotless and gleaming when you arrive.
Safety features
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisherThree extinguishers in different points of house
- Exterior lighting
Location Type
- mountain
- Rural
- village
General
- HeatingRadiators in all rooms and bathrooms, along with heated towel rails.
- Linens provided
- Washing machine
- Clothes dryer
- Parking available
- InternetFast internet with desktop iMac
- Towels available
- Wireless Internet
- Wood stoveThere are woodburners as well as radiators in both the dining and sitting rooms.
- Iron & board
- Hair dryer
- Paper towels
- Shampoo
- Basic soaps
- Toilet paper
- Living RoomComfortably sitting up to 8 with large French windows leading out to the terrace.
Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Hob
- Oven
- Microwave
- BBQ
- Coffee maker
- Toaster
- Blender
- Pantry items
- Dishes & utensils
- Kitchen
Dining
- Seating for 8 people
- Dining Room
- Childs highchair
- DiningThe dining room is open plan, leading off from the kitchen, meaning that you can still be sociable when peparing food. Meals can also be prepared for you using organic produce by the housekeeper.
Entertainment
- Television
- Satellite/Cable
- StereoAll bedrooms have music systems in addition to that of the sitting room
- DVD player
- BooksHundreds of books. The owner of the house is a writer and bibliophile...
- GamesBoard games
- Music librarySmall slection of CDs as well as a welcome gift of a compiulation of our favourite Spanish music
- ToysA 'baby box' can be provided on request with all kinds of toys
- Video librarySmall selection of DVDs
Outside
- Garden
- Kayak/canoeCanoes can be hired on the Zahara reservoir
- BicyclesCan be rented in Ronda at very resaonable rates
- Deck/PatioChoose between two terraces for dining alfresco.
- TennisThere is a hard surface tennis court @ 10 minutes
- GolfThe nearest golf course is at Arcos de la Frontera, 45 minutes from El Tejar
Suitability
- wheelchair inaccessible
Pool / Spa
- Outdoor pool
- Private poolLovely secluded circular pool surrounde by lush greenery, with plenty of sunloungers
Onsite Services
- Massage
- Private chef
- Housekeeper included
Notes
- Tucked away in a corner is a computer, a new iMac, with free 24 hour access as well as fast wifi if you're travelling with a laptop. El Tejar is not suitable for toddlers because of the steep stairs. But children aged 4/5 and above will love the house. Parents should note that the swimming pool is a uniform 1.6m deep. Babysitting possible: our friendly housekeeper can babysit on weekday evenings. (This is for an additional charge). Longer term rentals only considered in our Low Season i.e. between early November and the end of February.
Policies
Cancellation Policy
- 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
- 50% refund (minus the service fee) if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.
- No refund if you cancel less than 14 days before check-in.
Damage and Incidentals
You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property that is caused by you or your party during your stay.
House Rules
Children allowed
No pets
Events allowed
No smoking
Max guests: 8
Cleaning practices
High-touch surfaces cleaned with disinfectant (e.g. countertops, light switches, handles and taps)
Check in and check out with no person-to-person contact
Cleaned with disinfectant
All towels and bedding washed in hot water that’s at least 60ºC
Follows regional health guidelines: Measures to reduce infection (Spain)
Map
The pretty village of Montecorto is at the edge of the Grazalema National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, which has some of the best hiking in Europe.
The owner of El Tejar has written the Cicerone guide to the best walks in the area - The Mountains of Ronda & Grazalema. You will find a copy of the guide at the house: it describes 32 walks which are all within driving distance.
Montecorto is one of the 'pueblos blancos', a cluster of white hill villages which stretch from Arcos in the west to Ronda in the east. These villages are amongst the prettiest in Spain.
The village has all amenities that most guests would need: bars, restaurants, a bakers, fishmonger, chemist, doctor's surgery, petrol station etc.
Ronda, one of Europe's most beautiful and spectacular mountain towns, is just a 15 minute drive from the house. As well as fascinating historical monuments Ronda has an enormous selection of restaurants including a Michelin-starred establishment close to the famous bridge and gorge.
All guests benefit from detailed information at the house regarding walks, eating and visits.
Here are our top ten sightseeing recommendations:
1. RONDA (15min from Montecorto)
Ronda is best visited from about 3pm onwards! By then the coaches and the day-trippers are heading back for the coast and the town regains its dignity. Don’t miss: Bull Ring & Museum, Mondragón Palace, Casa del Rey Moro and La Mina, the Arab baths, main shopping street of Calle Espinel, the Alameda Gardens and if you like art, El Museo de Joaquín Peinado. My book The Mountains of Ronda & Grazalema includes a walking tour of the old town which takes in all the most beautiful monuments.
2. GRAZALEMA (25min from Montecorto)
Grazalema is the showcase ‘white village’ in our area, recently voted one of Spain’s 10 most beautiful villages with a spectacular mountain perch and loads of bars and restaurants. It once was famous for it’s cottage weaving industry. One blanket factory remains which makes beautiful woolen goods – La Fábrica de Mantas.
3. ZAHARA (30min from Montecorto)
A great day excursion is to visit Zahara after Grazalema, driving the high mountain road that links the two villages via the Puerto de Las Palomas pass. As you each Zahara from Grazalema be sure to stop at the El Vínculo olive mill to the left of the road and let the mill’s owner explain what makes for ‘extra-virgin’ oil. Cost of visit currently €3 including an oil tasting. Afterwards, climb a quarter of an hour to the top of the old Moorish tower for a stunning sunset.
4. ARCOS de la FRONTERA (50min from Montecorto)
Arcos, like Ronda, has a dramatic cliff-side perch. There are masses of churches, the most interesting being the Cathedral and San Pedro. An interesting visit is to the local convent to buy biscuits from the Convent next to the Parador (see Rough Guide). There aren’t too many tourists and a visit is easily combined with one to Jerez de la Frontera. If visiting both towns start with Jerez in the morning and leave Arcos for the late afternoon when the light is at its best.
5. THE PILETA CAVE (30min from Montecorto)
If caves are your thing, then the Pileta Cave is a must. For opening times check the website www.cuevadelapileta.org
The quirkiness of the guides’, the spluttering light of the Davey lamps as well as the ‘tites, ‘mites and paleolithic art make the vist an unforgettable part of your holiday. Wear sensible shoes – surfaces are slippery.
6. JEREZ de la FRONTERA (1hr 20min from Montecorto)
Top visits here are the old town centre, the Royal Ecuestrian School and the sherry bodegas. The González Byass bodega visit is particularly well organised.
7. MONTEJAQUE (20min from Montecorto) is a pretty ‘white village’ that you pass by as you drive to the Pileta cave. There isn’t a deal to see or do but it is nice to sit in the pretty palm-lined square and watch the world go by …
8. ACINIPO (15min from Montecorto)
Roman site high above Montecorto. The theatre has amazing accoustics and, standing at 999m, has a ridge-top view for miles and miles around. You’ll be asked for an ID number. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
9. SETENIL de las BODEGAS (30min from Montecorto)
After a visit to Acinipo drive on to Setenil, another of the white villages with a number of bodegas built into the cliff face where wine was once stored. The upper part of the town is well worth a visit, too, and there aren’t too many tourists to spoil the charm of the place.
10. SEVILLA (1hr 45min from Montecorto)
‘Must-dos’ include: climbing the Giralda, wandering the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz, visiting the María Luisa park, taking a boat cruise down the Guadalquivir and visiting the Bellas Artes museum.
And, an additional bonus to anybody with a love of good wine, Montecorto is close to some of the areas top bodegas (wineries). We can highly recommend the tastings and tours that are offered by Descalzos Viejos, Chinchilla and Conrad. A google will bring up the relevant details.
Hosted by Guy Hunter-Watts
Ask a questionAbout Guy Hunter-Watts
I have lived and worked in Spain as a freelance writer and walking guide for almost 30 years. I wrote several editions of the Sawday hotel guides to Spain and Portugal as well as my own guide to charming small hotels. I am author of four Cicerone guides to walking in Spain: Walking in Andalucía, Coastal Walks in Andalucía, The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk and The Mountains of Ronda & Grazalema.
Guy Hunter-Watts purchased this villa in 1988
Why Guy Hunter-Watts chose Montecorto
El Tejar is no ordinary rental property but rather a home-from-home. The owner lived here for more than 20 years and you will find a huge collection of books along with lots of original artwork. This warm and welcoming atmosphere also extends out into the village where you will be given the friendliest of welcomes by the people in the village of Montecorto, one of the prettiest of the 'pueblos blanks' or 'white villages'.
What makes this villa unique
Travel writer Alastair Sawday described the views from the house as 'some of the best in Spain'. The house is hidden away at the very top of the village: it's utterly secluded yet still within easy walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants.
- Languages:
- english, french, german, spanish