Visually La Cazalla is a delight. Everything looks fabulous. We stayed in the cottage in the grounds and really appreciated the privacy and opportunity to look after ourselves. We still saw other guests at breakfast, where there was scope for casual conversation about the day's plans and where one had been so far. There's plenty to do in the area - visiting Ronda itself, nearby caves with prehistoric paintings, driving tours as well as just hanging out at La Cazalla itself. There's a lovely walk from the front of the property down into a canyon and we also walked from the property into Ronda rather than driving. That took a bit over an hour each way and made a change from driving around. It gave a chance to see the countryside more directly.
Plan your arrival as well as you can - maximum maps - especially if you're coming from a different direction to that which is assumed on the website.

Staying at this property was one of the highlights of our vacation. If you are interested in exterior and interior home design and like spending time in an idyllic setting then this is the place for you. For us, staying at La Cazalla added a separate and very satisfying aspect to our visit to Ronda. We are still talking about how special this property was. The house is beautiful both in its design and decor (there are many rock outcroppings incorporated into the house), there's lots of space to relax, and the outdoors are simply beautiful. Yes, there's a dirt road to travel to get to the property, but it's not that bad and adds a bit of adventure to your stay. All in all, the dirt road is a little over 1 km, and it takes less than 10 minutes (about 5 km total) to drive to "old" Ronda where many of the sights and restaurants are located. If you like a property which is not only comfortable and gorgeous, but interesting and unique as well, La Cazalla is not to be missed.

As noted in some of the prior reviews, Maria is particular about the property. We found Maria to be an interesting, warm and gracious host who made our stay more memorable. She's very knowledgeable about Spain, Ronda, and the history of Spain and we had several very interesting conversations with her.

If peace, tranquility and a relaxing haven are what you are looking for, then I highly recommend La Cazalla. Breathtaking scenery, total peace and seclusion, no TV's, no phone signal (!), no passing traffic, and on most occasions - the pool to yourself! This is the perfect place to unwind or grab some peace and quiet and a switch of from the usual day-to-day. The rooms are large and the home very warm and welcoming. Hosts, Maria and Rodriguez are delightful and very helpful and if you like animals, they have a pet dog (and couple of cats) that are always super-pleased to see you! The pool is surrounded by gorgeous smelling wild lavender and mint and the sunbathing areas discretely designed so that you are seated in two's with privacy and shade. The property has some lovely tracks to explore from which I understand there are some scenic walks/hikes. There is a 3km bumpy track/road (un-tarmaced) to the property, taking you down to the floor of the valley, but this was in no way a hinderance and actually added to the charm and authenticity of the property. Once at the top of the track, you are on the fringes of Rhonda, which is 10 minutes (max) from the house. I would definately return and would consider this one of the most private, delightful, beautiful and peaceful treasures that I have ever stayed in. Take a good book (or two).

Dinner was not available during our stay, but this provides a good excuse to head into Rhonda for dinner at some of the lovely scenic restaurants there. Breakfast at the house was lovely. Pic-nic lunch available upon request (although the bedrooms have fridges if you wanted to stock up from one of the local supermarkets, as we did).

(P.S. This would also be an ideal and unique (small) wedding venue - or ideal for 4/5 couples holidaying together, if you wanted to book the whole house. )

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, definately recommend it if you are looking for somewhere private, intimate, pretty and QUIET. Just lovely!

This place has the potential to be amazing - but is rather spoilt by the somewhat uptight atmosphere. The write up describes it as a 'private house' and this is the key to unlocking why it doesn't work. It is a house not a home. Maria has obviously spent a good deal of time and money on setting this place up - but the fact that she is so particular about EVERYTHING, it makes it almost impossible to relax. The breakfast is pre-measured out into exact portions, there appears to be a rule for and a time to do everything. The setting should have been really relaxing but you were just on tender hooks trying not to upset Maria! In the end this became a joke amongst the people who were staying as otherwise it would have ruined all our holiday's.

The long, pot holed track is longer and more pot holed than the write up - so be prepared. Also be prepared that Maria only serves dinner when she wants to (only one of the three nights we stayed). This means that you have to make the trip down the pot holed track and back to eat - the same for lunch!
On the night that they did do food - There was no choice (this is tricky if you have a vegetarian or even someone who doesn't eat one particular thing that she is serving). One couple were made to feel like a right pain even when we were all paying 40 Euros a head plus drinks. We thought this was unreasonable. The food we did have was good and Rodrigo is clearly a good cook.

Maria has a whole book of notes from people who have loved staying here and this is proudly displayed - we were left wondering whether since these glowing reports in the early years she has lost the passion she once had or whether this suits a specific type of person who is very happy to work around Maria's rules and ways. We do not consider ourselves to be hard to please or bad mannered - far from it. But we left feeling that we had been an inconvenience to someone who we had paid several hundreds of pounds to stay with!

We loved Andalucía and have recommend all the other places we stayed.