El Cobijo Andalusian Holiday Villa

My family and I stayed at El Cobijo for a month, to celebrate a significant birthday this August. It instantly felt more like a ‘home away from home’, than simply a holiday rental.
The owner met me at the start of my stay, and showed me around (which was a nice touch).
The house is spacious and comfortable, even when we had family and friends also visit. The views are incredible, and we spent many an evening enjoying the terrace as the sun came down.
I can’t recommend this place enough, and it will always hold a special place in our memories, after being the backdrop for our best family holiday ever.

My only constructive feedback, would be that the slabs around the pool could do with some TLC; however this is a very minor point compared to everything else.

Thank you El Cobijo - you were amazing!!

This is a magical spot! The home has everything you would ever need for a family trip. Plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. Gorgeous views of the countryside - especially from the patio where we enjoyed many meals, coffee and wine. It's close to Ronda and all the amazing sights to see. The owner Raynold is wonderful, has fantastic tips and knowledge of the area and was always fast to respond to our questions. We will be most certainly be coming back for a visit in the future!

Stayed for 2 weeks in June either side of a friends wedding and had a wonderful holiday. Brought our 18 month old daughter + grandparents and had a lovely family holiday.

Great facilities and lovely pool area with BBQ. Four double bedrooms all have en suites and are a great size, plus x2 single beds in “the den” downstairs, which also has its own bathroom.

Raynold the owner was really helpful and great communication if we needed anything. Arriate is a lovely traditional Spanish town with some nice bars + a small supermarket. It’s a 15 min drive to Ronda from the villa.

If you have a small child there is a cot but it’s quite a traditional one with low sides so we had to put it down the side of our bed in case our daughter decided to try and escape! It worked out fine but you might want to bring a travel cot.

All in all highly recommended.

A Paradise away from home
It really is an amazing villa perfect to spend either all your time in or use as base to explore the area. Great location with Arriate a short drive away or Ronda 10 mins away. We were 4 adults and 4 kids. Plenty of sleeping space, great variation of eating areas (veranda, by pool, indoors), amazing big kitchen with lots of food basics (spices, oil, etc.). Two dishwashers which was great for us as we cooked most meals in the villa. BBQ at pool (wood/coal) which is easy to use, keeps hot for a long time and easy to clean. Pool is bigger than it looks on photos and salt water which was nice. We went in mid-May and water temp was good! Lots of toys, games, books etc. for adults and kids. Big garden for kids to run around in. Internet not super strong, works for emails - but ensure you download some movies for the kids beforehand. Great friendly host who was quick to reply both before and during our stay. Very well looked after, super clean for such a big place and overall an awesome place!

One of the most relaxing and comfortable places we’ve ever stayed. From the moment we arrived we felt instantly at home thanks not only to the wonderful surroundings, but also to Raynold’s genuine warm welcome extended to both us and our dogs! We spent five wonderful days at the house for my birthday and had a fabulous time enjoying the beautiful house and stunning backdrop! We visited vineyards and ate in some great restaurants but it was the house and pool that really made our trip. The beds are super comfy and the attention to detail was spot on without ever feeling stuffy - a rare combination! We will be back for sure!!

We spent a glorious month in September in El Cobijo, not the easiest place to find just on the outskirts of Arriate, but well worth it when you get there. The house is large and comfortable with the benefit of all bedrooms ensuite and all of generous proportions, with very comfy beds. We loved the spacious ground floor, which flowed effortlessly from the well equipped kitchen through to the dining room with a large table, and then the pleasant living room with doors opening to the terrace with table and chairs and a magnificent view across the vineyards to the mountains. The house doesn't feel at all like a holiday villa but more like staying in a family home, it is comfortable and welcoming and we could have stayed longer!! Various family and friends visited during our stay and all loved it as well.Mari & Natalie were the wonderful ladies that came every day to make our beds, clean the bathrooms, and do a general tidy up and what a good job they did...they were fantastico !! There is a delightful pool area a short distance from the house, where it was easy to relax and soak up the sun. The house is ideally placed just less than a mile from Arriate so an easy stroll into the town for coffee in the mornings and evening tapas. There are some excellent restaurants nearby and Ronda only 10 minutes away, we utilised the services of Antonio who was larger than life and was more than happy to taxi us to and fro! We visited Seville, Jerez and Medina Sidonia all within easy reach.All in all a wonderful stay, thank you Raynold and Theresa for sharing your wonderful property with us.

Our group of eight stayed at El Cobijo in May. Weather was great as it wasn't too hot and the nights were perfect. It was a wonderful experience. The villa is nicely appointed and has a great view from deck and the house. It was very convenient to the smaller villages we visited and was close to Ronda. We enjoyed going to Arriate each day to shop at the panaderia, carniceria and super Mercado to get fresh food. The vendors in town were very friendly and accommodating. It was an easy drive to Sevilla as well. We had a chef come in three nights and she prepared some wonderful meals. We also ate two nights at the Muelle de Arriate where the food was excellent and we enjoyed our conversations with Frank the owner. Our group was from Houston and Colorado and has travelled extensively and were very happy with this choice. We cooked our own meals of veal and fresh fish on two nights. All in all a great experience and we would go back.

My husband and I rented this lovely villa with 5 of our friends in August 2010 on a self-catering basis and we had a really great time. The villa is in a great location very close to Arriate which is a charming little town with very Spanish shops and bars.
The villa itself is beautiful and homely and very spacious. The pool has stunning views across the Andalusian mountains and all the rooms and bedrooms are charmingly decorated and very comfortable and well equipped. The owner was very kind and helpful and provided lots of information and the whole rental process was very straightforward. We would definitely love to rent this villa again in the future!

What an amazing place; where to begin. First, the property itself: absolutely stunning. An easy and well-planned layout with beautiful and comfortable furnishings. We really felt as though we were staying at the home of a friend of a friend who made the home available to a select few. The fabrics, lighting, rugs, dishes, bedding, towels, etc. etc. were all top notch. I took a few cues to put into place at my own home. The setting is truly breathtaking; the views over the valley to Ronda in the distance are mesmerizing. I often found myself just staring out a window. Next, the owners: such warm and genuinely hospitable people. Upon arrival I was horrified to get my car stuck in the driveway and as my wheels were spinning and digging a hole in the gravel, Raynold calmly helped me get "unstuck", all the while with a smile and with zero attitude. The owners have compiled a great information book which lists local restaurants, grocery stores, hikes and other tourist-friendly information as well as detailed information about the house itself. Light switches are labeled which takes the guess work out of figuring out what they control. The lighting was so perfect; dimmers throughout the house created the perfect mood. Finally, the location: again, perfect for anyone who wants a base to explore Andalusia and its beautiful scenery & towns. But beware: it's tough to leave this place. As we were fighting the crowds at the Alhambra and deciding on where to have lunch, we both spontaneously said "let's go home" and bolted back to the house to enjoy the afternoon. It's that kind of place. I'm reluctant to rave about the home too much for fear that the "secret" will get out and we'll never be able to book it again. But owners like Raynold and Teresa deserve to be praised for the experience they have provided us travelers. We'll be back for a month next time.

“GREAT PROPERTY, GREAT LOCATION
Without repeating everything other reviewers have said, let me summarize by saying all of the positive things said are true. We were a party of 8 adults. The house is well appointed and offers a beautiful view across olive groves and fields to the distant mountains. We had chef Maria prepare wonderful dinners for us 3 nights, ate at El Muelle de Arriate 2 nights and prepared our own 2 nights with ingredients obtained in Arriate. The village is charming and "real", unspoiled by too many tourists. The local shops had everything we needed. El Muelle is very good and we had fun joking and chatting with the owner, Frank. Raynold arranged a visit to a local winery located in a restored monastery. The owner, Flávio spent a long time with us talking about the wine as well as many other subjects. We enjoyed Ronda and the various white villages and typically ate lunch in one of them. A day trip to Seville with a walking tour was worthwhile, but it was nice to leave the hordes of tourists and come back to the tranquil El Cobijo. We have recommended El Cobijo and the area to many friends."

Beautifully well appointed villa with amazing views.
This villa is so thoughtfully laid out and very beautiful. The owners have a stunning view across the hills. They are most welcoming and helpful whilst not being in any way intrusive. The house is perfect for families and has many different areas to read and relax. We had a really memorable week.

“Luxury and privacy in a peaceful setting
We, party of ten family members, had a wonderful week at the beautiful villa El Cobijo. The house was clean, spacious and well equipped; we didn't miss a single thing. The owner, Raynold von Samson, was very hospitable and gave us some good tips where to go and what to see. We made day trips to Sevilla, Ronda, Cordoba and the pueblos blancos. We made hikes near El Bosque or just stayed at the villa to enjoy the beautiful view or to take a dive in the pool. We really enjoyed our stay and we are all sure that soon we will return to this little piece of paradise."

El Cobijo was a fantastic base for our week stay in Andalucia, southern Spain. Located just outside of the lovely city of Ronda it not only was a short distance to the town center, but it also served as perfect base for our route of Andalucia's charming white villages. The house, exquisitely decorated, provided us all the necessary amenities and struck a perfect balance of feeling at home away from home.

Having the owners only a short distance away provided us with an even more authentic Spanish cultural experience. While allowing us complete privacy we benefitted from their local knowledge which added to an already amazing experience.

The outdoor space was an absolute highlight. The pool and exterior seating area gave us the opportunity to dine outdoors for all of our meals and enjoy the incredibly beautiful surroundings of the Serrania of Ronda.

From my first email to Raynold, our experience with El Cobijo was amazing. He speaks several languages fluently, making it easy to communicate. His depth of knowledge of Spain and his thoughtful, thorough and quick responses made planning our trip so easy. It was like having our own travel agent!

The location of El Cobijo is perfect to use as a base for day trips. Raynold arranged for us to hire a wonderful driver, Barnabe, who took 8 of us in a van to Seville (about 2 hours by van) and Granada (2 1/2 hours) for fun day trips without the worry of parking, getting lost or drinking/driving. The lovely historic town of Ronda is a short drive and closer by is the village of Arriate where we found all we needed for grocery shopping. Just outside of town is Frank's Place -- El Muelle -- a fantastic restaurant where we went 3 times during our week-long stay. Raynold also helped us to hire a cook who prepared a wonderful meal for us.

The house itself is simply beautiful. There is a professional-like kitchen, alcove for dining, lovely en-suite bedrooms, a comfy living room with olive wood for the fireplace, a large dining room, two dishwashers, two washer/dryers, internet, TV (we never used it!), a pool (not open in March), and a beautiful terrace with stunning views. It's like Tuscany but not as crowded or expensive!

We were there with 8 people altogether and found it perfect for us to hang out for meals, do things together or separately, then meet up at the end of the day. Dividing the cost amongst the group made it very affordable, too. I can't say enough good things about El Cobijo and Raynold.

We (8 friends from Norway) reluctantly left El Cobijo after 14 wonderful days in july 15. OK, the temperatures at the time was too high, but with the nice pool, airconditon in the bedrooms, and the house a bit cooler, we enjoyed every moment. At arrival we were surprised over the high standard of the property. Big bedrooms with large baths, a fantastic kitchen with all the best of equipment, a terrace with a fantastic view over the surroundings etc. etc. The friendly welcome and help from the owner was also much more than one could expect. And not to forget, every day the maid Maria cleaned up and made the house spotless. Big thanks to her. The surroundings with spectacular Ronda, and charming Arriate was also very nice with good food and friendly people. Our group have had similar vacations in Italy and France several times, but El Cobiljo definitively takes the first price. This is in fact the first time that we seriously decided to return for another holyday. We recommend El Cobijo to anyone who will visit Andalucia. 

A group of 8 of us descended upon the delightful home of Raynold and Teresa. They made us feel so welcome and catered for our every need and more!

Our trip was a combination of a cycle tour, visiting wine vineyards and a cookery demonstration given by Teresa - an expert chef, who has written cookery books and appeared on TV.
We then sat down and ate the finished result - it was DELICIOUS!

We stayed on a Bed and Breakfast basis - and what a wonderful spread for breakfast! Freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals, eggs - everything we could possible want.

Their home is well situated for visiting all of the countryside and local towns surrounding Ronda, plus biking, hiking and visiting very interesting caves. At the same time, being a peaceful haven to relax by the swimming pool or on their lovely terrace, overlooking the olive groves and resting in the very comfortable hammock!

Their home had a rustic Spanish charm to it and we agree with the other review - ‘exquisitely decorated, and struck a perfect balance of feeling at home away from home’.

We all enjoyed our stay very much and were very lucky to be introduced to such a special place.

Thank you Raynold and Teresa for everything!

An idyllic house in a breathtaking region
El Cobijo is that rare combination of comfort, style and thoughtful design. It is a stunning and impeccably maintained property with living spaces for all moods and times of day: a sheltered courtyard patio filled with potted plants and a water feature; a shaded veranda with wonderful views; a splendid sitting room with large fireplace and well-stocked bookshelves. The bedrooms are spacious and well decorated and, in our party of 8, nobody was left feeling that they had drawn the short straw (which was a first in our ten years of renting villas together). The kitchen, indeed the whole house, was extremely well equipped, and no less attention to detail had been given to the delightful pool area. Our host, Raynold, was welcoming and helpful yet most discrete. Mari, who came in 2 hours daily, was a godsend, and the in-house catering offered by Deborah was hugely successful after a full day’s sightseeing. I have never felt so well looked after on a villa holiday!
There is a whole range of attractions on the doorstep –beautiful towns and villages to explore (Ronda, Zahara and Grazalema were favourites); a stunningly located Roman amphitheatre at Acipino (which we had to ourselves); fascinating cave paintings at Cueva de la Pileta (though the cave itself is awesome); the Garganta Verde (which seemed almost prehistoric in its lush isolation with vultures flying overhead); the Via Verde for walking/cycling (if the heat allows!). And don’t overlook Arriate itself. El Muelle de Arriate is a gem of a place with lovely food.
Further afield we visited the beautiful cities of Seville and Cordoba, and investigated the port and old town of Marbella. Plans to visit Grenada and to take the train to Algeciras will have to wait until the next visit…

Lovely family home in a beautiful setting on the outskirts of Arriate (near Ronda). The villa is large and well equipped and was ideal for our family holiday (children 7 and 4). We are most grateful to Raynold who was the perfect host. We intend to return.

Great location. Well appointed villa. Lovely host. Only negative was poor WiFi.

Excellent