Casa Olea - Southern Spain, Spain
About this Chic Retreat
Casa Olea is a small boutique b & b hidden in the countryside between Cordoba & Granada in Andalucia. This stylish chic retreat is perfectly placed for exploring the region's Moorish sites and is surrounded by ancient olive groves, mountains and river woodland in the glorious Andalucian countryside. This traditional farmhouse has been renovated and re-styled with simple, bright interiors created by local artisans, and outside, there is a swimming pool and sun terrace and hammocks under the pergola, perfect for an afternoon siesta. Owners Claire & Tim have ensured that the casa is as eco-friendly as possible with 100% green energy used for heating and hot water, using a biomass boiler and 6 solar panels. In the evenings, enjoy a cocktail and delicious local cuisine while you watch the beautiful sunsets. The entire casa is also available for exclusive rental on a catered or self-catered basis, ideal for families or friends.
Accommodation
There are 6 individually-decorated rooms at Casa Olea, all offering gorgeous mountain views. Inside, the rooms have a simple style with white walls highlighted by dashes of colour with original wood beams and hand carved shutters creating a natural and homely feel. All rooms have super king-size beds or large twins fitted with Egyptian cottong bedding and goose-down duvets and individual features such as the antique wash boards in the Almendro room which has 2 wrought-iron balconies looking out over the olive groves & the medieval Moorish watchtower and one of the original farmhouse doors used as a headboard in the Higuera room. The en-suite bathrooms have rain-showers and some have bath tubs, all decorated in Nazari-style tiling. Almendro is the largest room which can also be used as a triple or family room, while Membrillo offers the very best vistas of the casa, where you can watch the sun go down over the mountainous Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park. Luxurious bath products and towels are provided and there are a few Bose iPod docking stations available on request.
Activities
Take a book and head to the spacious sun terrace for a morning read or a cooling dip in the swimming pool before heading out along one of the walking routes through the Olive Groves and up to the Medieval Moorish watch tower perched on a hilltop close to the house. For the adventurous, Casa Olea has mountain bikes to rent. A good cycle route is to follow the Via Verde, the old 'Olive Train' railway to Zuheros, one of Andalucia's most picturesque Pubelos Blancos (White Villages). Visit the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba, both easily reached just an hour's drive away, or discover the nearby Priego de Cordoba with its gorgeous Baroque churches and narrow streets. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ubeda & Baeza are also well worth the visit while you are in the area. Surprisingly, skiing is also available in the Sierra Nevada near Granada between December and April. Tennis courts are available a 20-minute drive away and there is a good golf course an hour's drive in Antequera.
Dining
Casa Olea serves good, honest food with fresh seasonal produce sourced locally, with award-winning local hams, cheeses and olive oils and wines from across Spain. Breakfast is buffet-style with cereals, breads, cold cuts including local hams, cheeses and choritzo, home-made jams, yoghurts, fruit and juices, all served in the breakfast room or out on the terraces. Enjoy the sumptuous home-cooking for dinner with evening meals based on Spanish and Mediterannean dishes. There is a set menu each day with a choice of 2-3 starters, mains and desserts and all dishes are freshly prepared on the day using locally-sourced seasonal produce. Your hosts can also recommend of the best places for dining out.
Rates
Rates at Casa Olea are per room per night and include breakfast and 8% VAT. Dinner is charged at EUR 17.50 + VAT per person for 2 courses and EUR 22.50 + VAT for 3 courses (excl. drinks). Extra beds for children/adults are charged at EUR 25 per night. Casa Olea does not accept children under the age of 7, unless the house is booked privately. Please enquire for info and prices for exclusive rental, on a self-catering or catered basis. Full payment should be paid upon departure.
Note - as from 2012, Casa Olea will only be accepting children aged 7 years and over. Younger children are of course very welcome when the house is booked private for exclusive use.
* Rates in EUR
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made less than 28 days prior to arrival will be charged the full amount by credit card.
Additional information
- Neareast Airport: Malaga / Granada.
- Distance from Airport: 1.5 hours / 1 hour.
- Additional Info: Casa Olea is a 1 hour drive from Cordoba "AVE" Station.
Budget Chic Retreats
Good for:
padding around barefoot & re-awakening the sensesFacilites:
bar, restaurant, swimming poolRates starting from
per room per night
Members also receive
A welcome drink
Other hotels in Spain
- Finca del Monasterio, Cantabria
- Villa Soro, Basque Country
- Casa Romana Hotel, Seville
- Hotel V, Andalucia
- The Town House, Marbella
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