Within half an hour of the palm-fringed beaches and vibrant restaurants of Marbella is the Casa del Rio. Located on a private 600-hectare estate in the beautiful Guadalmina river valley, and surrounded with lawns and wisteria-draped terraces, the property exudes traditional Andalucian charm, with just a hint of the region’s Moorish heritage. The village of Benahavis, with its cafes and restaurants, is within walking distance.
The Andalusian-inspired décor includes traditional wall-hanging plates and vibrant splashes of colour on fabrics, with a Moorish idiom running through the property. In addition to living areas, the ground floor includes a spacious master bedroom with bathroom and separate dressing room, whilst on the first floor are three further bedrooms, two of which can be set up as doubles or twins and open directly onto a sunny roof terrace with views over the surrounding grounds. Steep stairs lead up to a further floor with a simple room with two single beds, most suited to a nanny or teenagers.
Surrounding the property are several covered dining terraces, wonderfully scented with wisteria in the early part of summer. Manicured lawns perfect for ball games slope down to the river while a private 12m swimming pool is available and can be heated if required. A roof terrace with comfy seating and vine-covered pergola has views across the grounds and is a lovely spot for a pre-dinner drink.
The surrounding hills invite walking, biking, and riding, all of which can be arranged by the estate’s concierge, as well as trips to the Alhambra Palace, Seville, Ronda and even Morocco. Some of Europe’s finest golf courses can be found locally including Valderrama, Sotogrande, Monte Mayor, La Quinta and the Marbella Club Resort.
