Formerly known as ‘Golden Springs’ but now appropriately called 'Secret Garden', this is an exceptionally pretty Andalusian Villa with a superbly quiet and secluded garden, ideal for two couples. Situated at the very end of a quiet cul-de-sac is a huge bonus, adding to the feel of a getaway from the madding crowd. This villa has been described by guests as "a gem".
The living area has a wonderful feel about it, being open and bright. All the large veranda doors in the living room and master bedroom have top-quality high-security doors, which do not have the ugly iron bars, often (appropriately) known as “wreckers”.
The villa is effectively a bungalow, being built on one level and the only significant steps are to reach the front door from the entrance gate. Once inside, the living area is all on one level, making it easy for elderly people to safely enjoy.
The substantial professionally designed and maintained garden and numerous terraces, as well as the pool are exceptionally secluded and include lawns and beautiful mature bushes and flowering plants. Built in traditional Andalusian style, it has been upgraded throughout. It now has a large, shaded veranda with dining table and chairs, leading onto a large terrace with panoramic views. This gives a choice of either indoor or outdoor dining, both accessible directly from the kitchen. The garden has a rustic thatched pergola with lounge style seating and top-quality large screen TV. Perfect for enjoying your favourite programmes and situated next to the lovely BBQ area, in harmony with the exotic garden planting.
LOCATION
Being at the end of a cul-de-sac affords ‘Golden Springs’ exceptional peace and privacy. One rare feature is that despite the convenient location, there's an almost complete absence of traffic noise from either of the motorways. This is due to the privileged location, nestled in a valley running east-west, but which still allows full morning sun and almost all of the evening sun too. Go to sleep and wake up in complete silence, or if you prefer to have the windows open, you can hear the wind rustling the palm trees on the hillside and song from the abundant wild birds, for which the area is noted.
SWIMMING POOL, TERRACES & GARDENS
The Villa benefits from its own private swimming pool, WHICH CAN BE HEATED UPON REQUEST at an extra charge of €30 or £26 per day (ask for our guide to the villa for more details). The target temperature for the pool heating is 30 deg. C, which is much higher than most properties offer but not like a sauna. Most people prefer not to have pool heating between the months of June and September. Both the large terrace and the roof-top solarium boast amazing panoramic mountain, campo and sea views.
There are many mature flowering plants as well as a pergola and adjoining BBQ area with the garden being professionally maintained and designed by multiple Chelsea Gold Medallist. The garden is really quite exceptional.
One of the best features of both the pool and garden is that because of a cliff which forms part of the property, they are not overlooked at all, except from distant remote campo, as the photos show, giving a sense of seclusion and complete privacy.
INTERIOR
‘Golden Springs’ is finished to a high standard of luxury and has unlimited high-speed fibre Wi-Fi access for all the family. There is a 65-inch Smart TV in the living room and another in fed by an IPTV system which has an enormous selection of HD channels, as well as catch-up and hundreds of HD play-on-demand movies, all of which are free to view. There is a similar independent TV system under the pergola which is viewable from the pool. Top quality Bluetooth speaker for either indoor or outdoor use is available.
The accommodation is spacious throughout. The Master Bedroom has a supremely comfortable queen bed with optional mattress topper of some might find the mattress a bit too hard for their taste. The newly built (April 2025) Jade Bedroom has two high-quality single beds, which can be combined to make a double bed using a mattress topper which is provided.
Both bedrooms are equipped with brand-new nearly silent reverse-cycle air conditioners which cna both cool and heat as required, Both bedrooms also have ceiling fans - preferred by many over air conditioning. The living/dining room has two ceiling fans and also a reverse cycle air-conditioner if you should need it.
For the winter months, all four of the air-conditioners are reverse-cycle and are able to heat. There is a fan heater in the Master bedroom and the newly built e-suite bathroom for the Jade bedroom has underfloor heating. The living room has a rustic style wood burner, generating a magnificent amount of heat.
Both bathrooms have top quality showers (please allow up to a minute for the hot water to arrive). The Master bathroom is particularly large and has a bath. Water pressure is very good, making your showers an invigorating experience! There is an additional outdoor shower to enjoy poolside after your swim, which is solar heated. Don't miss the newly installed rustic toilet under the pergola
The spacious kitchen is fully fitted and modern, with top quality NEFF oven, hob, grill, convection microwave/grill, dishwasher, washing machine, American style fridge. There is enough storage for the whole of Spain and all the other items you would usually expect from a luxury accommodation. The kitchen gives out on to the dining, or directly to the veranda with its stunning views, giving a wide choice of dining areas.
SAFE
Key can be obtained from the Management Agent at the time of checking in.
PARKING
There’s private off-road parking for up to two cars and being at the end of a cul-de-sac, there’s no passing traffic.
LOCAL AMENITIES
Although we consider a car to be an advantage, it’s by no means essential all the time, since within 5-6 minutes’ walk to the bottom of the hill (steep though), there’s the heart of Cerros del Aguila, with 3 restaurants and bars and a small but well-stocked supermarket which is open into the late evenings. Apart from the villa’s private and very secluded pool, if you’re a keen swimmer, the community has one of the best community pools we have seen, located next to an excellent restaurant serving both Spanish and Western cuisine at most reasonable prices.
NEAREST TOWNS
We chose this house partly for the ability to be able to reach all destinations on good roads, without resorting to motorway driving - which we don’t enjoy much. So, all the driving times given here are on pleasant roads and can be shortened if you’re happy to go on the motorway. ‘Golden Springs’ is located exactly mid-way between our two favourite towns on the coast – La Cala and Fuengirola.
Eight minutes’ drive to the coast in the Westerly direction lies the former fishing village of La Cala, which is one of the most popular and up-and-coming villages on the whole Coast. La Cala market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, with lots of fun and tremendous bargains to be had. There’s a new wooden walkway linking La Cala to other coastal villages and we recommend the lovely 15 min walk from La Cala, in the direction of Riviera, to the Garden Bar, where the best fish and chips can be had with a lovely sea view thrown in.
If you prefer more shopping and night life, 8 minutes’ drive to the coast in the Easterly direction lies the town of Fuengirola, which has every amenity, even a quaint theatre, which is very well worth visiting.
If art and breath-taking scenery is your thing, we recommend a pleasant 15-minute drive inland, where the charming delights of the incomparably picturesque village of Mijas Pueblo await you.
All these towns have numerous fiestas at various times of the year and are highly recommended.
NEAREST BEACHES
The closest beaches are La Cala and Fuengirola, playa del Ejido, playa de Santa Amalia, all about 8 minutes easy drive away. We probably slightly prefer La Cala beaches over Fuengirola, as there are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. If water sports are more your thing, then the 'fun beach' in Marbella is only 10 minutes further (if you take the motorway) where you can make the most of jet skis, water skiing, para sailing, banana boat rides and much more!
AIRPORT
Malaga airport is about 25 minutes away. As we don’t particularly like using the motorway, as an alternative, we prefer to drive to nearby Fuengirola to hand over our car and then take the excellent train service which runs every 15 mins to the heart of the airport.
GOLF & OTHER NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
The most local of the many golf-courses in the area is Golf Cerrado del Aguila, which although only 9 holes, is reputed to be one of the prettiest on the coast and has a well-equipped gym. Or if you prefer 18 holes, we recommend El Chaparral, just 6 minutes’ drive away, which also has a superb and affordable restaurant with excellent sunset views. There are of course so many other golf courses within 10-15 minutes’ pleasant drive – take your pick!
Other attractions include superb country walks right from the back garden, horse-riding a short distance away and tennis is available next to the community pool.
SMOKING
We would appreciate it if you would kindly NOT smoke inside the villa. Thank you!
SUMMARY
We adore this villa and hope you will feel the same from the moment you step through the door to the moment you leave. It has a wonderful atmosphere and for location and privacy, it’s extremely hard to beat. Diana and Robert wish you a very happy stay!