THE FINCA
The sitting room is double-heighted and the gallery that runs along it allows you fully to appreciate this dramatic and eclectic space. It truly is the heart of Finca Serena.
The walls are filled with brightly coloured abstract paintings and middle eastern textiles abound. At one end of the sitting room is a contemporary wood burner and two period Swedish armchairs making it a perfect spot for reading or simply enjoying a drink.
At the other end are two comfortable cushion-packed sofas – inviting and conducive to lounging and watching TV: there is a large Bang & Olufsen TV and surround sound system for precisely that purpose. There is a wide selection of live TV channels, a smart box for Netflix, Spotify etc. and a collection of movies on DVD. The sitting area opens out onto a covered terrace with one comfortable outdoor sofa and two chairs.
Kitchen & Dining
The recently remodelled and renovated kitchen and dining area is equipped with everything the exacting chef could desire. It has a large island allowing several people to prepare food at the same time and a rustic dining table that can sit eight people. Antique French copper pots, Spanish plates and local art adorn the walls making it a welcoming warm space for entertaining or just passing the time. A large French window opens out onto the dining terrace which has a teak table which can seat up to ten people and has wonderful views to the pool and the valley.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Finca Serena has four bedrooms. The large master bedroom is located on the first floor. It has an ensuite bathroom and a balcony with stunning views of the Crestellina mountain, the Mediterranean beyond and, on clear days, the Rif mountains of Morocco. Furnished with antiques and decorated with Ottoman prints and fabric it is both exotic and traditional.
On the floor below are two bedrooms which share a bathroom with a large walk-in shower. One of these rooms has twin beds and the other a king size double bed.
At the garden and pool level is a fourth, blue, bedroom with a king size double bed and its own bathroom.
All bedrooms have air conditioning, beautiful views and ample cupboard space.
Terraces
The multiple terraces of Finca Serena lend themselves ideally to Mediterranean outdoor lifestyle.
There is a large dining terrace off the kitchen with a table that can sit up to ten people. This makes it an ideal place for al fresco entertaining and sharing those long Spanish meals with friends and family whilst enjoying the stunning views. The kitchen terrace leads down to the pool and garden level where the gas barbeque can be found.
The sitting room opens up through large French windows onto another generously proportioned terrace, perfect for the early morning coffee, pre-dinner drinks or simply whiling the time away. In true Andalusian tradition the terrace is adorned with Mediterranean potted plants which make it a lovely place to sit and enjoy the truly spectacular views to the Crestellina mountain.
From the sitting room terraces steps lead down to the pool. Here, framed by bougainvillaea, wisteria and plumbago, is a further terrace, complete with sofa and armchairs, for those who want to escape the heat of the day whilst spending time by the pool.
Gardens
The house sits within two acres of grounds which are populated with many mature trees which used to be part of a working farm (olives, almonds, figs, oranges, lemons, carobs and pomegranates). Guests are welcome to pick whatever is in fruit at the time.
Closer to the house itself is an extensive landscaped garden which has been recently lovingly restored by the head gardener and caretaker Beny, having been a jungle when we first took over the house. Leading through the garden is a gravel path to allow you to take a little gentle exercise and enjoy the different vistas and angles. For those who require a rest there is a bench overlooking the valley (our personal favourite location for sundowners)
Cats
Feral cats proliferate in the Andalucian countryside but there is one particular cat (Carmencita) who lives in the grounds of the Finca and who performs important pest-control duties.
Property Manager
Guests are met by the Property Manager and Gardner Beny. He will deal with any requests and is the guests’ very popular go-to person throughout their stay – he is available on a 24/7 basis.