Cortijo El Hoyo Spain

The charming Cortijo El Hoyo radiates charm and stands in rural countryside just outside the village of Villanueva del Rosario, affording spectacular distant mountain views from its garden speckled with trees all helping create a private and quiet setting.
The house is built on two-levels in ‘cortijo’ style with whitewashed exteriors in keeping with the local Andalusian feel, terracotta tiled steps and as its crowning glory, a wonderful poolside and raised seating terrace offering sweeping views. Everything about the interiors is cosy, with country-style dark wood, typical Spanish furnishings and ornaments complementing the traditional character. There’s also a distinct Moorish ambience highlighted by colourful tapestry cushions, filigree ornaments, candles and paintings adorning many of the walls. The charming lounge is comfortably furnished with sofas and a fireplace, and features a wood-beam ceiling – it’s the perfect spot for cosy nights in curled up watching a movie. Close by lies the dining room, and the owners have furnished it with a wonderful large dining table that’s made for enjoying meals altogether as a group. Across from here, you’ve got a conservatory type room that faces the garden. Natural light floods this space making it an incredible suntrap for surveying the great outdoors. In terms of the kitchen, a real quintessential farmhouse-style space prettily painted in a cheerful blue and white is on hand. Adequately equipped with coffee machine, microwave, dishwasher, oven and tempting you into cooking up delicious meals.
There is also a comfortable second sitting room on the first floor, providing the flexibility for two families or groups wanting to holiday together but still have some independence.
All five bedrooms are all in keeping with the rest of the traditional feel of the house – quirky and characterful. The master bedroom features a double bed and en-suite with hydro massage bath, along with its own private furnished balcony ushering in lots of natural light. Other bedrooms include a double bedroom with en-suite, plus bunk beds ideal for the little ones, a twin bedroom featuring a staircase leading up to a separate single bed, and a further two double bedrooms all with en-suites. There are also an additional three bathrooms, and for extra wow, a sauna.
Outside, the charm and quaint romance of the cortijo are evident. There are four showpieces here – a large pretty covered terrace at the end of the garden where you can eat breakfast each morning, sip cocktails in the afternoon and dine al-fresco at night, revelling in the holiday ambience, sunbathing areas including a sheltered terrace ideal for enjoying alfresco treats cooked on the barbecue, the pool where you can soak your muscles and cool off on hot summer days, and a thatched roofed dining area, more scope for dining and letting the hours slip away.
All in all, the Cortijo El Hoyo is an oasis away from the hustle and bustle, a calm retreat where you can rest and restore, soak up the Andalusian ambience.If you fancy leaving the main tourist trail behind, this little-known area north of Malaga City has an unspoilt, quintessentially Spanish feel that’s just right.
Villanueva del Rosario is perfect for enjoying the age-old attractions and grandeur of this beautiful region of Andalusia.
Surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains – south east of Antequera, on the side the Cerro de la Cruz hills and sheltered by the Jobo and Camarolo Mountains – this unspoilt whitewashed village is famed for its beautiful countryside, and also its excellent olive oil –it lies within olive groves and wheat fields dotted with pretty Andalusia ‘cortijos’ (aka farmhouses).
The surrounding hills are a spectacular backdrop, given that the limestone has been worn over time to create numerous ridges, jutting rocks and sheer precipices of impressive dimensions.
For anyone seeking adventure, you are in the heart of serious hill walking terrain, so make sure you bring your walking boots and explore one of the trails. You can also go mountain biking, horse-riding or bird-watching in the forested hills and it’s also a popular spot for potholers who come to explore the many caves in the nearby mountains.
In exploring mood? There are two copper age archaeological sites in the area – one at the Finca Tardón and another in the Peñon de Oso area of the nearby mountain. Climb up the hillside in the village itself and you’ll see the shrine built in honour of the ‘Virgen del Rosario’, patron saint of the village. Keep walking uphill and you’ll reach the natural spring ‘El Nacimiento’, which provides the drinking water supply for the village. Higher up the mountain leads to the Hondoneros plain at the base of the Sierra Los Camarolos and Sierra Gorda Mountains. A truly idyllic country paradise, with mountains streams, pine and oak forests and some of the best climbing.
As well as being an idyllic spot for fresh air and country walks, there’s also rich village life, which includes some very colourful fiestas. The village comes alive in the first week in August as it celebrates the ‘feria’ (fare) with ‘La Veladilla del Carmen’, and in October there’s another fiesta to celebrate, the patron saint, ‘La Virgen del Rosario’.
Within the village and in the surrounding area lie some authentic restaurants and tapas bars where you can feast on appetising local dishes in the sunshine. Try the exquisite homemade ‘tortas de bizcocho’ sponge cake, made from local almonds and olive oil.You’ll also find local workshops and gift shops selling homemade ceramics and rugs and a friendly, unhurried atmosphere that extends into peaceful nights of wining and dining. Nearby villages include Antequera, Archidona and Loja.
And don’t forget to explore further: Malaga City is also a short drive away. A historic city filled with wide boulevards and medieval treasures, there’s more to Malaga than many think. Add its splendid beaches and superb coastal views and it’s great for combining sightseeing, sunshine and rich Spanish culture. When you’re not relaxing on the sands, tour its hilltop Moorish castle and impressive Arab citadel, with its archaeological museum, before admiring its stately cathedral, art galleries and atmospheric old quarter, home to cobbled streets heaving with tapas bars, bodegas and restaurants serving fried fish and shellfish delicacies. Malaga offers an intoxicating blend of old and contemporary Spanish nightlife, from exciting flamenco clubs to hi-tech discos pounding out the latest tunes.At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Please contact our Excellence Luxury Villas concierge team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport transfers- Babysitting/childcare services
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!