Casa Sofia is a well equipped comfortable villa with a heated pool for all year round use, and has a pool side kitchen/dining area ideal for romantic evening meals. The house, which is decorated with original works of art, is in an elevated position in a very attractive rural setting, both peaceful and secluded. From the house and pool there are amazing panoramic views of mountains across a beautiful valley, regularly visited by birds of prey. The living room has large picture windows from which guests may enjoy these views from indoors. The living room, kitchen and bedrooms are air-conditioned/heated. The terraces and the façade of the pool side building are finished in local stone. Accommodation details: there are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fitted kitchen, lounge and dining area. Outside there are two terraces, linked by a path suitable for wheelchair users, a swimming pool and a pool side kitchen with dining facilities. The double bedded room is furnished with a 1.5m bed, built-in double wardrobe, an en-suite bathroom with shower, vanity unit, and toilet, and air-conditioning/heating.
The second bedroom is furnished with twin beds and a double wardrobe, and air-conditioning/heating. A fold-up bed is available for a 5th guest.
The family bathroom has a full length bath with a shower and shower screen, a vanity unit, toilet, and bidet.
The living room/dining room has large picture windows on adjoining sides of the room, so guests may fully appreciate the views across the valley. It is tastefully furnished with two sofas, and a dining table and chairs for five persons; the TV reception includes Spanish tv; guests can watch UK internet tv, using their own laptop, tablet etc. connected to the tv; an Amazon Fire Stick is available. Please discuss internet tv with the owner at time of booking.
There is an air-conditioning/heating unit to keep this area of the house at a comfortable temperature all year round, and an efficient log-burning stove is an added attraction.
The kitchen is fully fitted and equipped with a full size gas hob and electric fan oven, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a fridge-freezer, a toaster, iron and ironing board.
There are terraces on both sides of the house: there is extensive terracing around the swimming pool; there are hardwood garden furniture, parasols, sun-loungers, and tables and chairs; the second terrace, which is situated outside the kitchen door is equipped with a table and chairs; it is a wonderful sun trap for alfresco meals, and to enjoy sunny weather in winter, autumn and spring. There is a wooden fence between the house and the pool area.
Swimming pool: adjoining the larger terrace there is a heated swimming pool for use in all seasons. There are panoramic views of mountains from the pool side.
Pool side kitchen/dining area: this building overlooks the swimming pool with mountains in the background. This spacious facility includes a fitted kitchen, a gas barbecue, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, dining furniture, original paintings, and wide opening doors. There are hand-crafted, natural stone pillars and terracing, with a wooden pergola with a natural coverage of grape vine to provide shade. The washing machine and tumble dryer are located in this building.
Energy saving measures:- solar panels provide domestic hot water with excellent water pressure for showering, virtually free of charge. Solar energy, an efficient electric heat pump and a thermally insulated cover ensure that the swimming pool can be heated economically for use all the year round. The combination of both an efficient wood burning stove and air-conditioning/ heating units ensures that this house can be heated efficiently for use all year round. To encourage energy saving, we have chosen to lower our rental prices, while, at the same time, to charge guests for the amount of electricity consumed at the current cost price of £0.13/€0,14 per unit; the number of units used will be calculated at the end of the rental period. Some electricity is from solar panels. Guests who want the pool heated to coincide with their arrival, pay £50 in cash, when they arrive, towards the cost of pre-heating the water; if the actual cost is less than £50 they will receive a rebate. We take a damage deposit of £250/€350 from guests on their arrival at Casa Sofia; we return this less the electricity charge before guests' final departure. Paintings in the house and pool side kitchen are Nalini Cook's original works and are for sale.
We will be flexible regarding arrival and departure times, if we can.
We allow guests to bring their pets, so long as these guests ensure that their animals are under control at all times, and are kept off the furniture in the house.
In January 2024 guests, who were staying at the house, shot a video on the property; the link to watch the video can be seen on our page on clickstay.
A brief summing up:-
Casa Sofia is situated in a very attractive, elevated rural setting amidst an orchard of almond trees in undulating countryside with mountains in the background in Santa Maria Del Cerro 6 km from the picturesque, friendly village of Villanueva De La Concepcion in Andalucia, Southern Spain. From the house there are wonderful views across a beautiful valley. The area is visited by a variety of birds, including predators, and is ideal for walking, as the weather is often cooler and less humid than on the coast. The owners, Nalini and Barry Cook, live nearby. Nalini is a practising artist and teacher, and offers tuition to guests in her studio. The house is well equipped. Wifi internet is available.There is air-conditioning in the living room and bedrooms, and a wood-burning stove for the winter months. From the dining area there are brilliant views through the expanse of picture windows. The lounge is tastefully furnished with comfortable sofas, dining table and chairs for five persons, and a television. Throughout the property there are many original works of art painted by Nalini Cook. Abundant hot water is supplied by solar energy. Outside there is a covered heated pool, and two terraces, linked by a path suitable for wheelchair users. Near the pool there is a large covered fully equipped pool side kitchen with dining facilities. The terracing around two sides of the pool and the façade and floor of the kitchen is finished in locally cut natural coloured stonework.
The house sleeps 4/5, as a folding Zed bed is available. All the windows have mosquito screens. Two terraces are connected by a path to enable access for wheelchair users: the larger terrace surrounds the pool on three sides; the smaller terrace, located near the kitchen entrance is equipped with a table and chairs for breakfasting etc. It is a sun trap in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Sun loungers, outdoor furniture and two fixed sunshades are provided. At the back of the larger terrace there is an outdoor kitchen, dining area and pergola to provide shade, with outstanding scenic views across the pool. This facility includes a fitted kitchen, gas barbecue, refrigerator, microwave, plates, cutlery, dining furniture, original paintings and hand-crafted natural stone mosaic floors and walls. Solar panels provide an abundant supply of domestic hot water to cut costs and pollution. The owner offers home made curries & breads, a 'taxi' service, baby-sitting, art lessons, etc.