Stay: The Olive Grove
Malaga, Spain
I have no plans to go to Andalusia anytime soon, but for the record, if I did, I’d like to stay here. Owner Alan Hazel and his partner Marc Wils bought this dreamy, rustic Andalucian farmhouse almost three years ago and spent about eight months renovating the property (George Michael was their first guest!). The same family owned and farmed these hillsides for many generations, and still maintain many of the surrounding vineyards. These days, Alan and Marc live in the Olive Grove when it isn’t rented. “It is very much our home and the renovations and upkeep a personal labor of love. We get regular visits from family and friends and we love to entertain… Christmas dinner is already planned for here with the family.”
Here, Alan gives a personal explanation about what makes the Olive Grove so special, beyond the obvious aesthetic beauty.
I fell in love with the location and the feeling of grandeur and majesty from the surrounding nature before I ever set foot in the house. I told my partner Marc that I wanted to live here when we made our first visit to see the property as soon as I stepped out of the car. The edge of the pool nearest the sea is one of my favorite places. You get a ‘top of the world’ feeling as the landscape drops away into the valley below and spreads out to the Mediterranean, while La Maroma, the imposing peak looming above and to the east at over 2000m, dominates the landscape and gives you a sense of permanence and power to balance the sea. With the enormous eucalyptus tree giving shade in the afternoon and a summer kitchen with barbecue giving shade at all times, there is always a comfortable place to take in the serenity. My favorite thing about the design of The Olive grove itself is all of the comfortable and serene indoor and outdoor spaces, each with a different feel, but all of them inviting; garden terraces surround the house (all on one level), while five reception rooms/lounges and two covered terraces ensure a luxuriously comfortable space at any time of day or night.
The courtyard is also very exciting for us. We added this ourselves and designed the planting scheme along with the pergola structures and hand selected, roughly cobblestoned flooring. Marc is the principal designer and he has carefully maintained the authentic Andalusian rustic nature of this old farmhouse, while updating and modernizing to add chic but simple luxury. I love the terra cotta floors, wood beam ceilings, the little ‘huecos’ (cubby holes built into the 20-inch-thick walls) and giant fireplaces, plus the wooden doors and windows with inside shutters. The hammam-style master bath is a standout design, also Marc’s idea, custom built and walled in with an archway to step through into the bath. The gallery walkway connecting one end of the house to the other through the courtyard is a clever design, and the indoor/outdoor combination of the drawing room and its covered terrace space makes for another of my favorite spaces. The outdoor space mirrors the indoor space and both have a fireplace, but with a plant bed growing colorful climbers up and over the natural cane roofing and many potted plants, the outdoor terrace blends beautifully from its connection with the house, to its connection with the wild landscape beyond. We have also added notable landscaping on the approach to the property so that the entrance and first impressions are a fitting welcome and inspire the importance of the place along with cohesion of design. In the same way, we have created grassy spaces near the pool and extended the gardens to complete the well-maintained, though natural feel that ties the property to the stunning surroundings and maximizes the views. All in all, what is most impressive about the design to me is this feeling of balance and cohesion that allows it to feel like a traditional and historical farm house, but at the same time a luxurious home with all modern comforts–all the while tying into the magical, imposing beauty of the surrounding landscape.
La Maroma is the name for the tallest peak in the wide region at over 2000m and looms above The Olive Grove, dominating the landscape to the east. The peak is snowy every winter while views of the African mountains across the Mediterranean are visible from the property more often. The nature reserve that contains this peak begins about 1km from the property with its pine forests and imposing rocky faces rising up majestically. The park is home to native eagles, falcons and other rare birds, mountain goats and Iberian lynx.
The Details
Sleeps eight, with possibility of two extra. Four bedrooms. Rent it at uniquehomestays.com.
22 February 2013 | Matthew Hauke Said:
Hi there, I’m interested in using the final image of the set in a non commercial project and was wondering if you could point me towards the photographer/owner. Or if it is you yourself would you allow me permission?
Thanks,
Matt
02 April 2013 | Nishi Jain Said:
Meghan, this place is absolutely stunning. It truly is a labour of love. Homely, quaint, set amidst such natural beauty–it is actually a dream home. I wasn’t surprised when you said George Michael was their first guest, I am surprised that other celebrities didn’t come rushing here 🙂
…But I wonder how easily accessible the property is.
19 November 2014 | BookTaxi Said:
we love Spain, we love travelling and we love your blog!
Many thanks for sharing a different perspective and incredible pictures…
we have added your blog to our “blog we love” section in our site http://www.booktaxibarcelona.com/blogs-we-love
Congratulations!
BookTaxi Team
27 June 2017 | http://muzichitz.xyz Said:
Its good as your other content : D, appreciate it for putting up. “Even Albert Einstein reportedly needed help on his 1040 form.” by Ronald Reagan.
27 June 2017 | http://muzichitz.xyz Said:
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your website is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What an ideal site.
27 June 2017 | http://notioncoiffure.xyz Said:
I haven’t checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
27 June 2017 | http://pkraw.xyz Said:
Simply wanna remark on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the articles is really fantastic. “I have seen the future and it doesn’t work.” by Robert Fulford.
27 June 2017 | http://pkraw.xyz Said:
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.
28 June 2017 | jak zabránit vypadávánà vlasů Said:
F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I am very happy to look your post. Thanks so much and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
28 June 2017 | hair loss and hair growth products Said:
Very nice pattern and great content material , hardly anything else we want : D.
28 June 2017 | hair regrowth products uk Said:
You have observed very interesting details! ps nice site.
28 June 2017 | urychlit růst vlasů Said:
I really like your writing style, great information, thanks for posting : D.
28 June 2017 | bättre hårväxt Said:
You have mentioned very interesting points ! ps nice internet site . “High school is closer to the core of the American experience than anything else I can think of.” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr..
28 June 2017 | få ditt hår att växa snabbare Said:
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
29 June 2017 | anti chute cheveux efficace Said:
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
29 June 2017 | cheveux chute Said:
F*ckin’ awesome things here. I am very satisfied to see your post. Thank you a lot and i am looking forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
29 June 2017 | inhammen Said:
You have remarked very interesting details ! ps nice internet site . “The world is dying for want, not of good preaching, but of good hearing.” by George Dana Boardman.
30 June 2017 | haare nachwachsen Said:
I think you have remarked some very interesting points , appreciate it for the post.
30 June 2017 | vitaminas para el crecimiento del cabello Said:
Merely wanna input on few general things, The website design is perfect, the articles is rattling wonderful : D.
30 June 2017 | haarausfall was hilft wirklich Said:
What i do not realize is in fact how you are no longer actually a lot more neatly-favored than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably when it comes to this matter, made me for my part believe it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved until it’s something to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. All the time handle it up!
30 June 2017 | el crecimiento del cabello Said:
I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
30 June 2017 | kauhean minun hiukset on putoaminen Said:
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.
30 June 2017 | lääkkeitä varten hiustenlähtö Said:
Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!