El Cañuelo is a tiny hamlet in between Malaga and Granada. We're about an hour from Malaga airport but as culturally distant from the Costa del Sol's more famous towns (Torremolinos, Marbella and Puerto Banus) as it's possible to be!
El Cañuelo is a delightful Andalucian hamlet of about 25 houses nestling 2,800 feet up in the mountains and about half an hour by car from the coast at Torre del Mar/Velez-Malaga (not to be confused with Torremolinos). Torre del Mar is approximately 30 minutes east of Malaga and about half-way to Nerja.
The views from all our houses are superb, stretching South, down through the hills towards Lake Viñuela and the sea: on a very clear day (usually only in winter) you can see the Rif mountains of Morocco stretching across the horizon some 160 kms away. Life is tranquil and relaxing with only goat bells and such country sounds to disturb the peace. This really is rustic unspoilt Spain.
Our houses are ideal for people looking for an away-from-it-all holiday in a traditional Spanish village atmosphere, yet within easy reach of more usual pursuits - the Costa del Sol beaches for sea and sun and the Sierra Nevada for winter and spring skiing.
Although set in countryside, with only tracks for access, there are, just over the hills and about 3 kms away in opposite directions, the two appealing small towns of Periana and Ventas de Zafarraya with a good selection of bars, restaurants, shops, banks and a petrol station. In both these towns you are unlikely to see anyone but local Spaniards. The larger historic town of Alhama de Granada - pop. 5,000 - (where there are hot springs gushing out into the river and a Ronda-type ravine) is about 30 minutes away, and there are a number of other attractive smaller towns within half an hour or less.
The hamlet is also ideally placed for seeing some of the more magnificent parts of Andalucia.
Our Houses
The old houses, "casas", have retained as much of their original characteristics as possible. We have put all necessary modern facilities into the bathroom and kitchen but tried to keep the home-built rustic charm of the other rooms.
The new houses, "casitas", are extremely conveniently located along-side the bar and overlooking the garden and pools with fabulous views down to the lake with the sea beyond - and the mountains of Morocco on an exceptionally clear day.
We bought old farmhouse doors and windows over a longish period and then designed and built the casitas around them. Where possible we have used old tiles, railings etc and antique furniture. From the back (street side) the houses look like the style of building one would expect in a typical Spanish village. From the front we have compromised the appearance to provide wonderful terraces from which our guests can enjoy the fabulous panoramic views to the South.
The Casas
Casa Los Alamos
Casa Los Alamos is a detached house at the top of El Cañuelo, around 120 metres from the Bar. Sleeping 8 people in 4 bedrooms (1 double, 3 twins), Los Alamos also has 3 bathrooms, a sitting/dining room, a further (enormous) summer sitting room and a kitchen. It has parking at the door and two large terraces (as well as a balcony leading off the master bedroom). Most importantly, the views are quite superb.
Casa Santo
Casa Santo is a detached house next door to Casa Los Alamos. It sleeps 6 people in 2 double and 1 twin bedroom. It also has a sitting room, kitchen (with separate laundery room), bathroom and separate lavatory. Car parking is close by (just down some steps to a clearing) and, like Los Alamos, it has stunning views and a lovely terrace.
Casa Pepa
Casa Pepa is a single story detached house half way up the village and about 70 metres from the Bar. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms (one double and one twin) and has a sitting/dining room, two bathrooms (one en-suite) and kitchen. Just because Pepa is lower down the hill does not mean that its views are any less spectacular! It is surrounded by beautiful terraces.
The Casitas
All our casitas can take an extra bed in the sitting room, or even two at a pinch, and have fully equipped bathrooms (Felipe & Amarilla have 'jacuzzi' baths), kitchen areas and small bars: also each one has its own parking area. Casitas Estalagmita, Felipe, Cabrero & Amarilla have washing machines.
Casita Amarilla
Casita Amarilla has a bedroom with a double bed and another with 2 singles.
Casita Felipe
Casita Felipe has one bedroom with a double and a single bed, and a further bedroom with two singles.
Casita Cabrero
Casita Cabrero has two bedrooms: one double and one with 2 bunk beds.
Casita Campestre
Casita Campestre has a double bedroom with en suite bathroom and a large sitting room with kitchen. It also has a lovely south facing terrace and access to a spiral staircase which is only for the use of casita campestre and pantano, and takes you down to the gardens and swimming pool area
Casita Vista del Pantano
Casita Vista del Pantano is similar to Casita Campestre but has two single beds instead of a double.
Casita Estalagmita
Casita Estalagmita is one of the three casitas approached from the track side. It has one double bedroom and another with two single beds together with a large sitting room, kitchen and bathroom and a lovely terrace.