15 days holidays in Cortijo

Mike and Maureen

Los Banuelos has to be visited to really appreciate the beauty and tranquility of it's mountain setting. Harriet and Paul let us sample their idyll for a few days and stinted nothing to ensure our holiday was entirely memorable for young and old alike. Visits to The Alhambra, snorkelling and exploring the local cuisine were an added bonus but, in truth, relaxing in such wonderful surroundings was such a complete experience that every minute had to be valued. We would like to keep Harriet and Paul's secret but . . . .

We had a wonderful holiday in this beautiful home. It is well equipped, clean and very well maintained. The house has been cleverly designed creating lots of places to sit and enjoy the breathtaking views and pool. We spent a relaxing and peaceful 2 weeks layzing by the pool, reading books and magazines from the bookshelves. Our boys (ages 10, 7 and 4) had a geat time jumping in the pool, swimming (there is no shallow end) and playing on the pool table. The owners Harriet and Paul give good care and advice and we would not hesitate in recommending this lovely holiday home to any of our friends and family.

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Un mot s’impose : merveilleux !
Situation parfaite pour ceux qui apprécient le calme et le silence.
La vue panoramique est extraordinaire de jour, comme de nuit pour les étoiles.
La ville, les commerces, les restaurants, les différentes plages, ne sont qu’à 20 mn de voiture, sans embouteillage et l’exercice de conduite est un vrai bonheur.
La maison est très originale, l’aménagement très fonctionnel.
Le « + », c’est l’eau potable, qu’il est inutile de remonter en bidon de 5L, comme on a l’habitude en Espagne.
La décoration correspond en tout point à nos goûts.
La terrasse fleurie est un ravissement au petit déjeuner et au dîner.
Pour le déjeuner, préférez l’ombre en été… (il est possible de remonter des restaurants qq plats à emporter, y compris une pælla)
La piscine est superbe, de dimension parfaite, revêtue d’un carrelage bleu foncé pour une plus belle couleur de l’eau.
On est « comme à la maison » dès les premières minutes.
Enfin, pour finir, l’accueil est absolument parfait.
Nous reviendrons.

We spent a week at this unique and magical place in June and it was everything we had hoped for and more. Paul and Harriet designed El Cobertizo as their own home and their talent for style and loving attention to detail make all the difference between this and the normal, often rather sterile, luxury rental property. Whatever we wanted to do, whatever the time of day, the perfect spot was always there. Bask in the sun on a choice of terraces, swim in the pool, or relax with music or a book in the shady Moorish Kasbah - then eat in the big country kitchen or sit out on the terrace and watch the sun go down with glass in hand and fresh fish on the barbecue!

The location is superb, high in the hills, totally calm and peaceful, yet only 20 minutes from local beaches and the Almunecar restaurants, shops and market. We also spent a day in Granada and visited the Alhambra - well worth an early start and amazing scenery en route! The owners are charming hosts, never obtrusive but always available to help if needed.

A wonderful week - and hastening to book another in 2010!

We had such a fantastic time the first time we stayed at this unique property that we came back the following year and brought friends with us, who talk the experience all the time. 360 degree views, the stunning setting, great comfort and absolutely everything you could wish for makes for an unbeatable holiday. This house has been built with love, dedication and great flair. You can't help but fall in love with it and you can easily stay here for days on end, chilling out and relaxing. Absolute seclusion but only 20 minutes from Almunecar, which has a fantastic food market, great shops, a Moorish castle, an old town, excellent restaurants (such as Bar Emperador near the Sol Melia) bars (make sure you go to El Convento's roof terrace in summer) and a water park. The park in Alumecar hosts lots of festivals e.g the Food Festival in June and the Jazz Festival in July which attracts international artists. There are beaches a plenty from naturist to family, a very pretty marina from where you can charter a boat, scuba diving schools, hang gliding in the mountains and, of course, skiing in the Sierra Nevada in the winter. And you are within an hour of the Picasso Museum in Malaga and the Alhambra in Granada, if you like highbrow culture. Like us, we are sure you will leave raving about your holiday and wanting more.