Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfection

Guest: Susan from Connecticut, USA
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 12/17/11

Review Submitted: December 4, 2011 Date of Stay: November 2011 We were 2 families of 4 in this beautiful home November 2011. El Cobijo is a beautifully constructed and decorated home (the pictures are nice but don't do it justice), with every possible need tended to: books, maps, amazing stocked kitchen, stone floors with radiant heat, large dining room, beautiful living room with cozy fireplace, free WIFI, 4 bedrooms with incredibly comfortable beds and each with it's own lovely bathroom, 2 Miele washer/driers, a basement with bunk beds and kids toys that were enjoyed by the four kids in our group, a million places for kids to play hide and seek in, Mari who cleaned every day and kept the place spotless, etc, etc. On top of that, Raynold is a wonderful host, on site while we were there but completely invisible (separate entry/quarters) readily available for advice, but unobtrusive. The kids were shocked/puzzled to find out a few days before we lift that Raynold was living there! We communicated mostly via text messages given expensive phone rates and that worked well for us. Raynold and Teresa also own a restaurant in Arriate (El Muelle de Arriate) which was not crowded the night we went (off season) but delicious food with excellent service. The area is gorgeous, close to Ronda, surrounded by olive trees, easy lovely drives to Granada, Sevilla (both <2hrs). Raynold also directed us to some really special places close by (Roman ruins and a cave with prehistoric drawings) which we really enjoyed. Made for a beautiful, restorative yet stimulating trip.

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Wonderful retreat in Southern Spain

Guest: Alex B.
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

... With the surrounding countryside ideal for outdoor adventure, El Cobijo works as a wonderful personal luxury spa for a group of 3 or 4 couples traveling together to explore Andalucía! With the surrounding countryside ideal for outdoor adventure, El Cobijo works as a wonderful personal luxury spa! The owner, Raynold, was there to greet us and made us feel instantly at home. We highly recommend El Cobijo! In fact, this was our second visit in two years and we know we would love to go again.

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Wonderful retreat in Southern Spain

Guest: Alex B.
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

To start with our long list of the 'things we love about El Cobijo', we would start with sunset dinners on the west facing porch with views across the olive groves and mountains. The house itself is beautifully equipped and decorated -a great combination of fine furnishings with a very comfortable, rustic country charm- and there is ample opportunity for large gatherings and private retreat. Each of the suites is spacious with it's own closet and bath, nicely separated from the communal area ...

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El Cobijo, Ronda Spain

Guest: Virginia U.S. (Arlington, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 11/29/11

We three American couples cannot speak highly enough of El Cobijo, a villa near both Ronda and Arriate Spain. We visited in early October. What views from the front porch!!! The villa was in first-rate condition, and the grounds and pool were well maintained. The owner was extremely helpful knowledgeable about local attractions and eateries and helped us shape our stay...which was completely delightful. The owner also runs a nearby restaurant which is superb. I heartily recommend this villa to anyone who wants to experience the delights of Andalusia. In addition to the beautiful town of Ronda, we loved the smaller town Arriate, whose citizens were infallibly courteous and helpful. There are Roman ruins 15 minutes to the north, and our party also took advantage of a lovely horse-riding trip at a local stable along the high, serene ridges leading up to Ronda. We also drove 90 minutes to Jerez, and enjoyed the Royal Escuela equestrian exhibition, which takes place on Thursdays. At nights, the Arriate-Ronda band practices for the Seville festival, and you can hear their horns puffing near twilight. Want to go back to El Cobijo!!!

Owner response:Thank you Andrew for your very kind words! We love this area and like to share it with our family, friends and visitors. For those who can travel outside the summer vacation months (March-June and September-November) the area is truly delightful as base from where to undertake plenty of excursions and sightseeing trips.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Simply Perfect

Guest: Stefan V. (Luxembourg)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/15/11

The whole experience we had at El Cobijo was simply perfect. Everyone was extremely helpful and saw to everything to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. We even received baskets of their garden produce which we tried to do justice to in that large wonderful kitchen. The recommendations for dining and places to visit gave us confidence in venturing out in a new city so we enjoyed Spanish cuisine at its best. We also cannot say enough about the location, the magnificent views of olive trees, having nature as company all around and the wonderful accomodations. The house was grand but cozy with all the amenities of a finely equipped and lived-in home. All the comforts were provided in the proper areas of the home. The rooms were spacious and private, each with their own ensuite baths. There were various living areas all around to read (with ceiling-high bookshelves), relax, and listen to music with an incredible sound system. The pool and grill were also favored areas of play for our family. We felt very lucky to have found such a spectacular vacation spot. We hope to return at the next opportunity and we thank the owners for sharing their great property with us!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful villa near Ronda

Guest: Kim (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

Our family stayed at this property for a week in June 2011. It was fantastic in every way. The home is immaculate and beautifully built and furnished. Stylish and at the same time it's very homey and comfortable. We had everything we needed. Lots of US adapters and the wireless internet worked well. Best of all, and this is petty for some, awesome water pressure in the showers, even on the top floor. The master suite was very nice, as are all the bedrooms, making this an ideal house for a group of all couples. The grounds with lovely gardens and olive trees was just beautiful. We loved sitting on the porch in the evenings and soaking in all the wonderfulness. Raynold and Teresa did a great job when they built this house! The home is just a mile from the small village of Arriate and about 4 miles from Ronda. We spent some time in Ronda and also took day trips to other points of interest; Granada, Gibraltar and Tangier, Morocco. We hope to return again some day!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

El Cobijo, Arriate, Spain

Guest: Bill (Summit, NJ, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/23/10

If your travels bring you to southern Spain, don't miss the opportunity to stay at El Cobijo only a few minutes from Ronda. Host Raynold von Samson provides excellent customer service and a villa that is well maintained (daily maid service) with 4 bedrooms, all with king sized beds and modern bathrooms. A terrific kitchen with 2 dish washers provides space for entertaining. While the weather was a bit cool, the pool was maintained daily. 2 washing machines and dryers keep your clothes fresh and clean. Location, location! Many ot the White Towns are within easy driving distance. Fine dining, when not cooking at home, is within easy reach. We enjoyed a week of fine weather in early October which is not unusual in Spain.

Owner response:In mid October you can expect daytime highs to be in the 70s, while in the evening when the sun is gone and especially in the early morning hours, temps can be in the 40s only. This is also due to Ronda's elevation of about 2000 ft.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Fabulous Week

Guest: Deb (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/02/10 Review Submitted: 10/11/10

Our week long stay at El-Cobijo could easily have turned into two or three weeks. We were a group of 10 adults, and we used the house as a base from which to explore southern Spain. The property itself was clean, comfortable and attractive. We spent the evenings on the porch overlooking the lovely countryside. At the end of a day of touring, we took advantage of the pool and the chaise lounges. The kitchen was a gathering place in the mornings - dishes, glassware and silverware were all of high quality, and there was sufficient room for people to move around. We appreciated the fact that there were 2 dishwashers! One evening we used the services of Deborah, the visiting chef - she prepared an excellent dinner that featured several dishes of the region. The dining room table seated all 10 of us easily. Raynold and his caretakers, Marie and Salvador, are attentive and helpful. This is a lovely spot - we heartily recommend it and hope to return ourselves!

Owner response:Deborah will prepare you a meal on premises. She offers many delicious menu choices to select in advance and will do the necessary purchases (except beverages). She works together with our caretaker's wife who comes to help in the kitchen and with table service. Please inquire for Deborah's rates. The kitchen maid is paid separately for the evening.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Simply Fantastic

Guest: WV Margaret (Hedgesville WV)
Date of Stay: 09/24/10 Review Submitted: 10/14/10

Our experience with the owner and the property was superb throughout. Our group of 8 adults gives this rental our highest recommendation. We especially enjoyed the terrace and the beautiful sunsets. The pool was inviting and refreshing. The house was very livable, comfortable and beautifully decorated - everything promised and more. Raynold responded promptly to our inquiries and was most helpful with his suggestions. We had a great meal prepared for us by his recommended chef. We also hired Raynold’s recommended driver with his Mercedes minibus to take us to Granada, another wonderful experience. Raynold is considering a temporary flag/marker at the end of his driveway that will help arriving renters identify his property. One of our group spoke fluent Spanish, a real plus. If you don’t speak Spanish, you should consider having a cell phone to call Raynold, who speaks perfect English, should you need his help. We have stayed in a good many rentals throughout the world. I must say this one is probably the best.

Owner response:Thank you Margaret for a great idea to place a visible and colorful flag at the driveway entrance on the day of a guest's arrival.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Simply Fantastic

Guest: WV Margaret (Hedgesville WV)
Date of Stay: 09/24/10 Review Submitted: 10/14/10

Our experience with the owner and the property was superb throughout. Our group of 8 adults gives this rental our highest recommendation. We especially enjoyed the terrace and the beautiful sunsets. The pool was inviting and refreshing. The house was very livable, comfortable and beautifully decorated - everything promised and more. Raynold responded promptly to our inquiries and was most helpful with his suggestions. We had a great meal prepared for us by his recommended chef. We also hired Raynold’s recommended driver with his Mercedes minibus to take us to Granada, another wonderful experience. Raynold is considering a temporary flag/marker at the end of his driveway that will help arriving renters identify his property. One of our group spoke fluent Spanish, a real plus. If you don’t speak Spanish, you should consider having a cell phone to call Raynold, who speaks perfect English, should you need his help. We have stayed in a good many rentals throughout the world. I must say this one is probably the best.

Owner response:Thank you Margaret for a great idea to place a visible and colorful flag at the driveway entrance on the day of your arrival.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolutely wonderful stay!

Guest: PMM (Portola Valley, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

We had a simply fabulous stay at El Cobijo. It was an extended family vacation and so was a mix of adults and kids (very young ones) - the property was absolutely perfect for us...the bedroom layouts allowed for great privacy and no one felt cramped. It is a well maintained property and having Maria come in for daily service was great as we were a larger group - she did babysitting for us as well. The location was also great for daily sightseeing forays - we even went on an extended drive to Granada. We had the chef do dinners a couple of nights - and that was very enjoyable too. All in all, I think this vacation will stay in our memories as one the best extended family vacations!

Owner response:Mari and Salvador will take care of you during your stay. Mari comes every day for 2 hours (between 11 AM and 1 PM, except on Sunday and legal holidays) to tidy up. Mari will also baby sit if you come with younger children and wish to relax for a few hours. Salvador is around the house to water the garden, clean the pool and take out the garbage for you. If you wish to have a dinner or two prepared on premises during your stay, please let us know in advance so that we can arrange to reserve a local cook to prepare a meal for you. The cook will purchase the ingredients for the menu that you decide and prepare a 3-4 course dinner. Mari usually comes for additional help in the kitchen and table service.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

60th Birthday Party venue

Guest: Ducis (London)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

Wonderful place but so difficult to find even though I appear to be the first to have found it without contacting the owner! It would be really helpful to have directions and a sign at the top of the drive and perhaps a contact number to call in case it cannot be found. As for the house it is really lovely and feels very welcoming and lived in. Salvador and Marie were great, you would hardly know they were there, very discreet. Good restaurants locally and one even in walking distance. All in all it is a fantastic venue and so nice to stay in a family house.

Owner response:We advise our guests to call us (on our mobile phone) once they commence their drive towards the villa - in most cases from the nearest airport (Málaga) in order to be on stand by for your arrival. For privacy reasons, we have so far refrained from placing a sign on the road to discourage uninvited visitors. Since the villa is clearly visible from the road, it has not been a problem to find us. We very much look forward to your next visit.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable, tasteful and 'grown-up' house

Guest: J W P (London)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/10/10

Seven of us spent a very comfortable week in El Cobijo. I know the area well so no surprises there. The house is very well equipped and kept immaculate to the extent that any rubbish is collected every day. The last time I rented in the area I had to drive every day to a local petrol station to get rid of it! Only complaint - we brits are resourceful and when arriving got really close to the house (50 yards from the gate!) before getting stuck! A sign on the road indicating the correct track to the gate and we would have got there. It seems that it is assumed that no-one can find it and so the caretaker waits for the desparate telephone call before going to open the house. Quite handy being able to walk to the nearest village and also some bars/restaurants.

Owner response:We encourage calling an hour or so prior to your arrival at the villa, so that we can expect you there. It is also a good idea to call in case you have difficulties finding us. Thank you!

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

Wonderful Vacation Experience

Guest: Emauel (Bernuda)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

The property was magnificant and had some woderful features that made our stay most enjoyable. It was a place where you could relax and have quality time with the family. We were able to do day excursions and also just relax around the pool in the afternoon/evening. There service was great. This was our first trip to Spain and it will be most remembered. We loved the spacious but yet intimate aspects of this warm home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Villa

Guest: Silla (Germany)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 08/21/09

We were at the house with 9 peoples. And all of them had such a great time at that villa. The children were happy at the pool and at the garden. The kitchen was well-equipped, we loved to cook there. The service was perfect, and the landscape .... unbelievable. That was a perfect house for everyone, adults or children. Thank you for all ... Last but not least. The home-library was fantastic.

Owner response:We appreciate the comment on the library; we love to add to it as time passes, if possible in several languages. As a cookbook author, my wife keeps plenty of wonderful books from this genre as well.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Genuinely luxurious

Guest: HannahB (Glasgow)
Date of Stay: 09/05/08 Review Submitted: 09/17/08

The fantastically well-equipped kitchen, the sheer amount of space, and the fabulous view from the large terrace are just some of the factors that made El Cobijo one of the easiest, most comfortable and most enjoyable houses I have spent a holiday in. Easy to reach (by car) from Ronda, with Arriate a nice walk for provisions, it is in a great spot. A car is a necessity, not least for the amazing places to be visited within relatively short drives.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.