Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

At the end of a long and sometimes steep track, through the electric gates and there lies the finca: a grand retreat beneath the Ronda mountains, with views to the distant Med. Blissfully private, with bags of space, its sprawling, low-lying buildings rise up the hillside in gentle steps: you get a lot of house for your money. Inside is designer-smart in creams, taupes and golds, ceilings are lofty and beamed, floors gleam beneath fine rugs, sofas are vast and modern art dots walls and glass-topped tables. Bedrooms have a restrained luxury and a smart rustic style: cool tiles, wrought-iron sconces, shuttered windows; the master suite flourishes both fireplace and jacuzzi. There's a fleet of rooms for relaxing in, dining spots inside and out, and a cook's dream kitchen – do-it-yourself or hand over to the friendly live-in couple who do breakfast every day (and shop and clean). Pick fruit from the orchard, vegetables from the garden, purchase homemade breads and jams. Steam away in the sauna, cool off in one of the pools (inside or out), gaze at the views from the pool-side 'mirador'. Swanky, stylish, wow!