In The Green

Seclusion is the watchword here at this honey-brown stone villa surrounded by greenery. It sits in the Sierra de Mijas foothills, where verdant green mountains rise up beyond the towering palms. With olive groves on one side and family plots dotting the hillside, it’s a place of tranquillity. But the area isn’t entirely wild, with the Lauro Golf Course just next door and a twenty-minute drive to the buzzing city of Malaga.

In keeping with the natural surroundings, this home is environmentally conscious too, powered by solar panels. Outside, you can spend sunny days by the swimming pool which has been set up with a slide for the kids. Palm-frond umbrellas shade loungers on the lawn so grown-ups can keep an eye on the play area (with swings, a slide and a treehouse) without having to lift a finger. Plus, there’s a covered outdoor kitchen for barbecues and the dining area is blissfully in the shade.

Heading inside, you’ve got the traditional feel of terracotta tiles underfoot and a ramshackle assortment of squashy sofas, object d’art and a library of books keeping things homely. For chilly evenings, there’s a fireplace in the open-plan living area. We love the wood-beamed ceilings which go nicely with the country-style kitchen. On the ground floor, one of the bedrooms suites has a foosball table and a TV area for hanging out late at night.

Home truths:
*This villa is split across two floors so may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*One of the bedrooms has a set of bunkbeds so would be best suited to kids
*There is private parking for plenty of cars at this home and having a car is advised
*At capacity, one guest will be on the sofa bed in the living room
* The pool will be heated at 28°C from October until the end of April and the fixed glass cover installed from November until the end of March
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for infants, just ask
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Bed linen and towels are changed every seven days