Can you really find a villa on the Costa del Sol that has everything? This four-bedroom villa at La Cala Golf in Mijas comes remarkably close. With a flexible layout, separate staff accommodation, excellent facilities and high-quality finishes, it's a rare example of a family home that's hard to fault.
A luxury villa that is hard to fault
We've seen a great many villas over the years, and there are usually things we would change. Sometimes it's the layout, sometimes the bedroom arrangement, and sometimes the design looks wonderful in photographs but doesn't work particularly well as a family home.
Recently, though, we were looking at a four-bedroom luxury villa at La Cala Golf in Mijas, and found remarkably little to criticise.
Of course, no home suits everybody, but we always try to look at a property from the perspective of different potential buyers, rather than simply considering whether we would like to live there ourselves. And this particular villa seems to offer an unusual amount of flexibility.
Getting the bedroom arrangement right
We've written before about our preference for family villas where all four bedrooms are on the same floor, particularly when there are younger children.
This villa has three generous bedrooms on the first floor, all with en-suite bathrooms. One is large enough for twin beds and two children if necessary, so we think this arrangement would work well for most families.
The fourth bedroom is on the lower floor, with an adjoining bathroom. It would be ideal for guests who want their own space, or perhaps a teenager who would appreciate a little more independence, particularly with the gym, games room and home cinema nearby.
Four bedrooms really does mean four bedrooms
Quite often, a villa advertised with four bedrooms turns out to have three principal bedrooms plus a bedroom in the staff quarters.
Here, there are four proper family bedrooms plus a separate staff suite, complete with its own bedroom, sitting area, bathroom and kitchen.
In a home of this size and standard, some families may want a live-in housekeeper or nanny, and it's good to have accommodation for them without sacrificing a family bedroom. Alternatively, the suite could provide additional space for visitors.
A house designed for living and entertaining
The principal living accommodation is on the ground and first floors, while the lower level includes the gym, sauna, games room, bar and home cinema area. We particularly like this separation. Different members of the family can enjoy different activities without disturbing one another.
There are also two guest WCs on the ground floor, with further bathroom and shower facilities downstairs. It's a small but important practical detail, particularly when entertaining or having visitors to stay.
Outside, the landscaped gardens, swimming pool and extensive terraces provide plenty of additional space for relaxing and entertaining.
Quality without going too far
We were particularly impressed by the standard of the fixtures, fittings and finishes.
We've seen expensive villas where the design is so individual that it becomes a matter of very particular taste. Others are perfectly acceptable but rather bland. This villa seems to avoid both extremes. The quality is excellent, with considerable attention to detail, but the design doesn't overwhelm the people who might live there.
The practical specification is equally good, with underfloor heating, hot and cold air conditioning, double glazing, solar thermal support and home automation.
A villa we find difficult to fault
There is no such thing as a home that suits everybody. Some buyers will want all four bedrooms together, while others may prefer a completely different architectural style.
But when we consider the different families who might live here, the way they could use the accommodation and how their requirements might change over time, we find very little we would want to alter.
The bedroom arrangement works, the separate staff accommodation adds flexibility, the entertaining facilities are well positioned, and the quality of the finishes is particularly good.
After over 25 years selling property on the Costa del Sol, we've learned that there's usually something about a property we would change. With this particular villa, we're struggling to find very much. And that's not something we say very often.
If you have a wish list for your ideal property, we will do everything we can to help you find it. Call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com.
