Charming House with Pool nr Granada/Costa Tropical

Casa del Huerto is a rural tourism villa located on the edge of Melegis, Lecrin Valley's "citrus" village. Set in orange groves, and with big views over the village and the countryside of the Sierra Nevada, the villa has a pool, WiFi & lots of space to eat "al-fresco" in the garden. Casa del Huerto is a rural tourism villa located on the edge of Melegis, Lecrin Valley's "citrus" village. Set in orange groves, and with commanding views over the village and the countryside of the Sierra Nevada, the villa has lots of space for a large family to enjoy their holiday in style. The villa has a large open plan living kitchen dining room on the ground floor and a separate cloakroom. Large double doors give views of and access to the back garden which has the pool (6 mt by 2.5mt) and a selection of avocado, orange and other trees. There is a neighbour with two windows to one side of the pool, but these windows are always covered by blinds. These same neighbours are friends of ours and they are very discreet, however we do ask that guests keep noise in the garden/pool to a minimum after midnight. On the first floor there is the master bedroom with king-size double bed and ensuite bathroom, and there is another twin-bedded room and a full bathroom apart. Upstairs in the tower there is a further twin-bedded bedroom, and access to the large roof terrace. The Valley of Lecrin is a startlingly beautiful area which occupies one of the most privileged positions in Spain. The area itself is midway between the Costa Tropical, famous for its verdant cultivation of exotic fruits and sugar cane, and the city of Granada, home to the Alhambra and the Albaicin, Spain´s most potent historic attractions. So much history abounds around the city of Granada that it would be impossible to tell all here. Home to the last empire of Spain´s Moorish era, Granada was finally taken by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492 after more than 700 years of Moorish civilisation, which shaped the city and the area for ever. All of Granada's attractions are within easy reach of the house, as are the various beaches and resorts of the Costa Tropical. Last but not least, the south facing villages of the Sierra Nevada are also a short drive away. This area, known as the Alpujarra, has been written about by Gerald Brenan ("South from Granada") and Chris Stewart ("Driving Over Lemons"). Melegis is a most prosperous village in the orange and lemon growing zone of the Valley of Lecrin. Today the agriculture is still important and the village is celebrating its culture by having two orange festivals each year. In addition, locally, there is a restaurant bar within walking distance of the house called "Los Naranjos". The village has good links to the motorway but is itself very quiet, with only the occasional van selling bread or fish or other local produce passing through. The house, garden and pool. I give directions and info on things to see, places to eat and drink, take people for walks The surroundings of Melegis, the friendly people, the access to Granada, the Sierra Nevada and the beach There is a bus service but you are better with a car GUEST REVIEW We arrived in Melegis for the first time in 2000 and have visited several times since. Casa del Huerto is a very comfortable house with a lovely back garden and pool, enough outdoor seating for up to eight people, and just the right size pool too. Inside the house is well equipped and has ample space in the bedrooms, bathrooms and living area. The village of Melegis is near to Granada but has none of the "urban" feel of Granada´s surroundings. It is pure olive and orange grove country, and there are several restaurants and bars which offer free tapas and delicious local food. The views around the village are lovely, and there are many enjoyable walks. I would also recommend walking to a fiesta in another nearby village and then walking home as the sun sets, the setting sun plays on the Sierra Nevada to great effect. We went to the beach several times and to Granada for evening tapas as well - it is only 30 mins each way. I would also mention that Maria has been very helpful to us in the past in pointing out good attractions and live entertainments happening locally. Nigel from Paris