El Tejar
Montecorto near Ronda, Andalucia, Spain
An old tile factory, perched above a sleepy village in the Ronda mountains, refurbished with oodles of style as a self-catering villa (sleeps 2-6)
Montecorto is one of a string of pueblos blancos which
stretch westwards from Ronda across the Grazalema National Park.
Narrow streets of white-washed houses tumble down the mountainside
to a diminutive square: it gets busy here when a car or donkey
passes by. At the top of the village sits El Tejar ('the tile
factory'), once a highly popular B&B, and now available as a
stylish villa for 2-6 people, or even 8 at a pinch.
From its cobbled terraces and exuberant gardens, which wrap around
a spring-fed pool, you look out to a panorama of almond and olives
groves, oak forests and distant peaks. This delightfully rambling
edifice, spread over a dozen different levels, takes its decorative
cues from India and North Africa where the owner, a writer and
guide, has lived and worked. There are bright kilims, ochre washes,
Rajasthani throws, intricately carved Moroccan mirrors and bright
geometric pottery. The house has 4 large bedrooms, all
with their own bathrooms and private terraces. A friendly Spanish
housekeeper comes in each day to clean and tidy, and can prepare
delicious Andalucian meals if you wish.
Reviewed by Virginia Cornish-Bowden
Last updated 17 May 2012
Highs
- A bright and welcoming house, festooned with bougainvillea, honeysuckle and jasmine
- Montecorto is a friendly village, well away from the tourist trail
- Fabulous views from the terraces, lounge and bedrooms
- The housekeeper is friendly yet discreet
- Hundreds of books including an extensive collection on Spain
- This is no normal rental villa, but a truly beautiful home which is now open to guests
Lows
- It's reached via a steep track which cuts up through a pine forest
- Don’t expect any English to be spoken in the village shops - but spanglish and gesticulating should do the trick
- Food in the village restaurants is of the cheap-and-cheerful variety. For gourmet cuisine, you’ll need to drive into Ronda
- You’ll need a car to get the best out of a stay here
- Minimum stay: 5 nights in low season, 7 nights in high season
