We have just returned home after a two month stay at the villa - we loved every moment.
Having never visited Spain before we were unsure about how to select a location and property, but the gods favoured us and we chose a location and home that were impossible to improve upon.
The location of the villa, at the top of the hill in Caleta de Velez gives it the advantage of magnificent 360 degree views - a whole stretch of coastline and hills and mountains behind. There are no properties to the rear, just the Baviera Campo de Golf and the neighbouring properties are all well kept individual villas. It's very quiet and peaceful. Just 900m down the little road lies the small town of Caleta which together with Algarobbo just further along, provides everything for daily needs and some excellent supermarkets (Mercadona in particular). There are lovely walks along the seafront towards Torre del Mar, which were an almost daily pleasure. Quite honestly we rarely ate out - the kitchen at the villa is very well equipped and a delight to cook in (lovely views from it too), so we preferred to stay at home and cook local foods, enjoying them on either of the lovely terraces, or at the cosy dining table inside. The photos of the outside and the pool show it exactly as it is - stunning - and we even used the pool when we got into March. The layout internally suited us perfectly - not too big for just two of us, but ample for more if required. The fact that it's comfortably modern was a big attraction to us, as we're not lovers of the dark, wooden interiors that most villas seem to offer.
Whilst we didn't get to meet Antonio and Melvine, we had lovely and regular contact with them and couldn't have wished for more helpful and friendly hosts. We did get to meet some of their family, including one of Antonio's brothers, a well renowned local artist who painted all the works of art on the walls of the villa - again, this made it so much more special than just a couple of Ikea prints!
The lovely city of Malaga is just a twenty minute drive away and we visited several times, exploring different parts. Granada too is just a short and interesting drive through the mountains. More locally, the towns of Nerja and Frigilana are a pleasure to visit and stroll around.
We have already booked a long return visit for next winter and are looking forward to it immensely.
