El Cortijo

We had room for all six of us across three generations, and nobody felt cramped. The kids could run around the big garden without us worrying about the road. There was loads to do out there too: a basketball hoop, volleyball net, tennis court, mini-golf, a pool, and a large lawn. The pool was cleaned and kept in great shape every week. Three playgrounds are within a 10-minute walk, and we could walk to the beach and restaurants as well. The owner speaks excellent German and was so accommodating. Whenever we had a question or needed something, they sorted it quickly and easily. We spent a month here last spring and loved it. The house and setting are beautiful and relaxing. We liked it so much that we returned in winter. It was up to 18°C during the day, and even then the pool was clean and well maintained. I just had to take a quick dip! We were also allowed to pick lemons and oranges from the garden. It's such an idyllic spot, and I could really switch off after a long workday. Already looking forward to going back.

The beach is an easy walk away, and the garden feels like a little paradise, with the pool as a lovely extra. My aunt and her three children spent three weeks of their May holiday here. The house is very spacious, beautifully furnished, and fully equipped. The host is friendly and helpful, and we'd highly recommend the chalet.

BE CAREFUL We had a terrible experience renting this garden house through Atlantic Ocean Properties. They required payment in cash and charged us for the gardener from January through March, even though nobody came to do the work for those three months because, they said, it wasn't necessary. The gardener turned out to be the owner, not a professional. The pool was also supposed to be cleaned by the gardener, but it wasn't cleaned in April or May, during the hottest part of the year. Sandstorms sometimes happen, and the pool was filthy. We asked for it to be cleaned and nothing was done, so swimming felt unhygienic. For the last five days, we couldn't reach either the agency or the owner. We wanted them to inspect the house before we left, but they never came. It all felt planned: he kept our deposit and told us to contact our insurance company. I wouldn't recommend him. He also doesn't speak Spanish, which makes communication difficult.

Finca El Cortijo gave me the energy and good feeling I needed, away from the crowds but still just a 20-minute walk from the beach and tourist center. The Phoenician temple of Hercules is nearby too, and I suspect it has something to do with the positive energy around the area. After a 12-hour journey and very little sleep the night before, I arrived around midday and already felt refreshed, even before seeing the facilities. It was clearly the right place for my spring break. We arrived in early April, and the pool was ready and lovely to swim in. Before the trip I'd seen a Google photo of it looking dirty, with bad water marks, and got in touch with the owner. He explained they use preservatives over winter and prepare the pool for spring, which is what they did. We enjoyed the trampoline, basketball, badminton, volleyball, mini-golf, sun loungers, hammocks in the shade, and a covered picnic area with a big table beside the barbecue. The house was bright, and the kitchen was excellent and well equipped. The owner was always ready to help, like a genie in a bottle, even with odd requests. We got a larger blender for gazpacho, extra plates and glasses for a party, a large and a small frying pan, rope, sandpaper, whatever we needed, usually within half an hour. The only extra fee was for cleaning I requested before and after the parties. Family and friends visited during our stay, and almost everyone remarked that the property has something special that makes people feel joyful and relaxed.