We’re utterly enchanted by the haciendas of Andalusia, our hearts leaping at images of their sweeping central courtyards, trickling fountains, dramatic arcades and wood-beamed ceilings.

Exemplifying the style is this gorgeous villa in Granada, inspired by the Alhambra palace and located on five hectares within the rolling hills of Lecrin Valley, with its own private flowering gardens, pine forests and orchards bearing fruit and almonds.

Upon entrance, you’ll be swept away by its grand courtyard with its giant star-shaped fountain. Antique paintings and furnishings fill the spacious and light-drenched interiors, chosen by the owners to reflect an authentic Andalusian feel. Traditional archways add grace throughout, with many doorways adorned with handpainted frescoes by a trompe l’oeil artist.

This villa in Granada can accommodate up to 14 guests if both wings are rented.

The main residence is a complete home with a living room, dining room and kitchen, plus six ensuite bedrooms. Two of them are special suites: the Hacienda Master Suite (which can be rented by itself and is perfect for couples), with two terraces and offering 180-degree views of the Lecrin Valley and Sierra Nevada mountains, and double doors opening onto a Juliet balcony overlooking a walled garden, and the junior suite La Majestuosa, an ensuite double bedroom with its own sitting room and library, leading out into the courtyard.

A separate guest wing offers three double rooms and one twin room, which are all ensuite. These rooms have private patios overlooking the Rio Albunuelos Valley and lead out into the central courtyard. One room has been designed for disabled access. They each have access to a second living room and a guest kitchen.

The villa also has a heated infinity pool with 180-degree views of the surrounding hills, and there is also a separate events hall (the hacienda is also considered one of the most romantic wedding venues in Spain).

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Housekeeping team, a private chef and sommelier, a masseuse and acupuncturist on call, an abundance of walking trails on-site, underfloor heating and radiator heating in the winter, double glazing throughout for sound and cold. Private guided tours of Granada or the white hill towns of the Lecrin Valley can be arranged for a fee, as well as horseback riding lessons or countryside rides. The villa manager can also arrange for Spanish language or cooking lessons, wine appreciation classes, flamenco lessons, yoga and meditation sessions, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine sessions, or Qigong sessions

AROUND

Located in the Lecrin Valley, the famous white hill towns of Albuñuelas, Chite, Durcal and Lecrin are all within close reach. Golfers are in paradise here, with the Santa Clara, Granada and Los Moriscos Golf Clubs also nearby.

The coastline along the Alboran sea and its wide beaches of La Herradura, Playa la Rijana and Playa de Velilla are about 45 minutes south.

The Sierra Tejeda Nature Reserve is a little over an hour away, offering some of the most coveted natural beauty of Andalusia. The famed cosmopolitan port town of Malaga makes for the ideal day trip (90 minutes away) Granada is just a 35 minutes minute trip, with the renowned cities of Seville and Cordoba further afield. 

To your northeast are the Sierra Nevada mountains, a vast land of snow-capped peaks and terrain that have been carved by many a skier and snowboarder.

The UNESCO town of Antequera is an hour and a half from the house and is considered the "Heart of Andalusia" with its Moorish fortress and medieval and renaissance era treasures. 

LOCATION

Andalusia, Spain. Nearest Airport: Federico Garcia Lorca Granada-Jaen Airport, 20.5 miles
 
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through Fall