Ruggedly Handsome

Ruggedly Handsome: Andalusia

Hidden away in Andalusia's mountainous interior, this villa is blessed with some incredible views of Spanish hillsides and the uninterrupted skyline. As you might hope, there are plenty of spots from which you can drink in this beautiful panorama, including a swimming pool and a sunken hot tub positioned right at the edge of the glass-walled terrace.

As if that wasn't enough, the dining table on the verandah is sure to be the scene for merry dinners that stretch long into the night – perhaps with dishes served straight off the barbecue. There's even a ping pong table just in case you brought your competitive side with you.

Probably quite sensibly, the home's interior doesn't attempt to better the stunning natural surroundings and lies on the minimalist side. That being said, it's plain to see that care and attention have gone into the design, particularly the sleek kitchen and the cosy fireplace that sits in the corner of the living room.

The local town of Árchez is only three minutes away in the car and offers a handful of restaurants and the start of a hiking trail. If it's outdoor excursions you're after, the vast Sierras de Tejeda National Park starts just five minutes' drive away and will please hikers and climbers with the wealth of routes and scenic points. On the other end of the scale, the golden sands of Playa de la Caleta de Vélez are a thirty-five-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*The home is spread over a single floor.
*The kitchen is lacking some basic crockery, such as wine glasses.
*This home is short on wardrobe space, so we'd recommend packing light.
*The bedrooms and living room have warm/cool air conditioning.
*Parties and celebrations are allowed upon request.
*Two of the bedrooms share a bathroom.