The House

The main house comprises two well-furnished bedrooms (both with overhead fans, one with air-conditioning) with attached bathrooms (one with a dressing room), a sitting room, dining room (seating 6 comfortably) and kitchen, all on one level. It has been beautifully, colourfully and interestingly furnished with bits and pieces from all over the world - many items having been made, sourced or restored by the owners. French doors opening off every room, along with terracotta floors and double height ceilings keep it cool and airy in summer; and there’s a blazing log fire and plenty of rugs to keep it warm in winter. It is very much a home from home rather than a formal villa, being cosy, relaxed and intimate.

Outside boasts a spacious, sun-filled terrace looking straight over the hills and out to sea. There is a lovely bamboo pergola covering an al fresco dining area and comfortable daybeds. A flight of steps leads up to the glorious pool terrace which has plenty of sunbeds and 2 charpoys in the shade. It is surrounded by orange, olive, cork, almond and palm trees, and also affords incredible views, especially from the huge hammock!

A further flight of steps leads up to a terrace garden (perfect for a game of boules); the Sala (a huge four-poster day bed surrounded by a shrubbery and with yet another view; and The Casita which is home to a spacious bedroom / sitting room and sumptuous bathroom with separate tub and shower. Two vast windows look directly out to sea from the bedroom; and to the mountains from the bathroom - given its elevated position above the house, it has possibly the best views of all. A high ceiling, air-conditioning (both hot and cold), oodles of space, antique Indian doors, wonderful artefacts and colourful furnishings, all add up to a dreamy place to rest your head. It can be rented in addition to the main house but not separately.

Ambalama is small, compact, impossibly romantic and ideally situated for exploring the area – the famous village of Casares is a short walk away; the historic ‘white towns’ of Gaucin, Cortes de La Frontera and Ronda are close by; the buzzy hubs of Marbella, Estepona and Soto Grande are also a short drive away; the hill walking is superb, especially in Spring when all the wildflowers are out in abundance; there are golf courses and fine restaurants galore; and there are plenty of beaches down the hill.

Facilities / Facts

  • Overhead fans in all bedrooms, sitting room and dining room
  • Air-conditioning in 1 bedroom in the house and the Casita (not necessary elsewhere)
  • Double beds in all bedrooms (can be converted into 6 single beds)
  • Gas hob with electric oven
  • Small dishwasher
  • Clothes washer
  • Fridge / freezer
  • Drinks chiller
  • Bathtubs with overhead rain showers and ‘telephone’ showers (separate shower and tub in the Casita)
  • Unheated, swimming pool – shallow end 3ft, deep end 6ft”
  • Large sala (daybed) in a secluded garden terrace area
  • Wifi (complimentary)
  • Telephone for local calls (complimentary)
  • TV with access to UK TV channels (can be temperamental)
  • DVD player – with a range of DVDs
  • CD player – with a range of CDs
  • Hair dryers in all bedrooms
  • Bath and pool towels provided
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Meat slicer
  • Coffee bean grinder
  • Magimix
  • Blender
  • Nespresso machine (capsules NOT provided)
  • Board games, card games, outdoor games
  • BBQ (gas – naked flame outside is illegal in Spain)
  • Comprehensive ‘House File’ full of useful information on the house and environs

Additional services available

ADDITIONAL CLEANING: should you require additional cleaning / clearing up after meals, this can be provided.
Cost per hour: €15

Airport Transfers: Although we deem it essential that you have a car at Ambalama (due to being in the countryside and at the top of a hill), should some of your party wish to arrange taxis from either Malaga or Gibraltar, this costs approx. €90 and €70 respectively. We can give you the number of our local taxi service who will know the way to the house, so that you don’t spend hours looking for it. More than 2 cars parked by the house will be cramped!

Massages on site
There is an excellent masseuse who lives in a nearby village and who will come to the house for treatments. She is highly qualified and experienced and exceptionally good. She gets booked up early so if keen on having a massage, we suggest you contact her at least 2 weeks in advance on sophie@sophiekdavis.com
Cost: approx. €70 - €80 per hour

Yoga on site
There is a lovely yoga teacher who lives nearby and will happily come to the house to run yoga classes – from beginners to pros. The terrace outside the house is the perfect yoga platform! She is excellent and can also provide good therapeutic or relaxation massages. Her name is Nina Gouveia and she can be reached on Gouveia.nina@gmail.com. Best to book her early as she gets booked up.
Cost: approx. €70 per hour