Casa Almadraba. Cortijo-style, courtyard, beach (200m)

Situated less than 200m from one of the finest stretches of sand on the Costa de la Luz, Casa Almadraba offers a combination of beach, comfort, and mature gardens that is very difficult to find on the Cádiz coast. Within the exclusive residential area of Roche, the house is located in a quiet cul-de-sac that terminates with steps leading down to the perfect Atlantic beach that stretches some 7km in one direction, where it finishes at the abandoned tuna fishing port of Sancti Petri, and 500m in the other, where low sandstone cliffs rise to form a series of tiny sandy coves and rock pools known as the Calas de Conil. Built less than 20 years ago, the house is Andalus in style, with white-washed walls and terracotta roof tiles. It sits in a mature garden, shaded by umbrella pines and surrounded by palms, rubber plants, bougainvillea, and wisteria. It has a stunning 10m x 5m chlorine-free pool that is fully enclosed and is surrounded by a traditional brick terrace and bamboo pergola that filters dappled sunlight for the ideal siesta.

The décor is simple yet comfortable, with whitewashed walls, lovely black and white prints of the surrounding area, and high-quality furnishings. It is a house that is both cool and fresh in the summer (all the bedrooms have traditional esparto blinds) and cosy in the winter months (there is central heating and an open fire). Previous guests have enjoyed, in particular, the enclosed pool area and the choice of sitting-out areas (entrance patio, dining terrace, pool, and garden). There is satellite TV, DVD, and a music system.

Accomodation at Casa Almadraba is on two floors. The ground floor includes a pretty entrance patio full of scented plants, a large drawing-room with separate dining area, fully-fitted kitchen, large double bedroom with bathroom and direct access to pool, and a small bedroom with shower-room. As well as the entrance patio, the drawing-room also has access on to a covered terrace used for dining (built-in BBQ in the garden), and the dining area accesses onto the swimming pool. On the first floor we will find three bedrooms (one double and two twins) and three bathrooms (one ensuite).

There is off-road parking for one car, although there is no problem leaving the car on the road. A walk of about 500m will take us to the local shop, pharmacy, a couple of bars and restaurants, and childrens’ playground. Roche also has its own tennis and padel courts and five-a-side football pitches. In the summer months, there are several beach bars/restaurants to choose from within walking distance, some of which are now staying open all year. A 5-minute drive will then provide you with a far larger selection of both bars and restaurants. The area offers an endless list of activities and if you book with us, we provide you with detailed information on all our recommendations, details on local amenities, and our up-to-date guide to the best of everything! You could spend a wonderful holiday here without a car, and just hire bikes; but, assuming you will have a car, it’s 15 minutes to Conil, 20 minutes to the hill-top village of Vejer-de-la-Frontera, 30 minutes to Cadiz, 40 minutes to Tarifa and Jerez, and 90 minutes to Seville, all of which are well worth visiting.