Al Mar. Modern Andalus, beach access and views

Conjure up in your mind the image of a typical Andalusian house (whitewashed walls, beamed terraces festooned with colourful plants, shady courtyards and sun-bleached roof tops); imagine it right by the sea (the sound of the waves, views of the sun setting over the horizon, its own little pathway down to the beach); and then add in the creature comforts you might miss from home (underfloor heating, your Miele kitchen appliances, your king-size bed, your power shower, WIFI inside and out)…..there you have it, Al Mar!

Built on three levels, to take full advantage of its unusual terrain in the low sandstone cliffs just 100m back from the beautiful Roche beach, Al Mar has been designed as a luxury holiday home and so as to make the very most of its unique setting and views. The views of the sea can be enjoyed from the ground floor, the first floor, and the roof terrace. The living areas, both inside and out, are spacious and open-plan, and have been created with families and groups of friends in mind; yet each of the five bedrooms, as well as having an en suite bathroom, has its own terrace, balcony, or garden, so there is plenty of intimacy too, when you want it.

The house has two main entrances: one on to the Beach Level from the path that leads up from the sea; and the other on to the Pool Level from the parking area at the end of what is a quiet cul-de-sac. From the beach, you enter a courtyard, which has a bedroom suite on either side and heavy wooden doors in the middle taking you into a large hall and games area (complete with ping-pong table) and then a staircase up to the Pool Level and the second main entrance. This level contains the third suite and the living area, which is basically made up of a large (50sqm) open-plan sitting/dining room and kitchen with sliding glass doors that open on to the terrace and pool, and a glimpse of the sea beyond. The large terrace has an eating area and a sitting area, and the pool is visible from both. The terrace extends to the pool, a sun-lounger area, and the large barbecue area at the end, overlooking the tops of the pines growing on the Beach Level. From the main terrace, a traditional whitewashed staircase winds its way up to a more intimate terrace on the Upper Level, the sea views from which give the house its name! The Upper Level is also home to the two remaining suites: one faces east, with a balcony that enjoys the early morning sun; and the other west, its balcony looking over the Atlantic. From the first-floor terrace there is another outside staircase that takes you up to the roof terrace, where there is a large roof top with panoramic views over the Atlantic on one side and a sea of green (pines) on the other.

Al Mar works well for both small groups and large (thanks to its different levels) and also in every season. The lush vegetation in the gardens and the house’s open-plan design (plus air-conditioning should you want to use it) mean that the summer temperatures are always pleasant; and the underfloor heating and clever combination of wood finishing with the traditional Andalusian tiles all make for a cozy atmosphere in the cooler months.

A walk of about 300m will take us to the local shop, pharmacy, a couple of bars and restaurants, and childrens’ playground. Roche also has its own tennis and padel courts and five-a-side football pitches. In the summer months, there are several beach bars/restaurants to choose from within walking distance, some of which are now staying open all year. A 5-minute drive will then provide you with a far larger selection of both bars and restaurants. The area offers an endless list of activities and if you book with us, we provide you with detailed information on all our recommendations, details on local amenities, and our up-to-date guide to the best of everything! You could spend a wonderful holiday here without a car, and just hire bikes; but, assuming you will have a car, it’s 15 minutes to Conil, 20 minutes to the hill-top village of Vejer-de-la-Frontera, 30 minutes to Cadiz, 40 minutes to Tarifa and Jerez, and 90 minutes to Seville, all of which are well worth visiting.