Stunning villa with private pool in Axarquia region of Costa del Sol

We spent a fantastic week at Casa Beni relaxing and exploring the local area. The house is even more beautiful than the photos. The interior decor is lovely and absolutely everything is there for you to use (great kitchen facilities, games, books, maps, etc). The views are superb down to the sea. The kids spent hours in the pool and playing table tennis. The people in the village were so friendly and we loved our morning coffees at Angel's Bar. Casa Beni is a beautiful place to relax in and Canillas is a lovely little village away from the crowds. We dragged ourselves away from the house long enough to visit the Alhambra palace in Grenada and enjoyed a swim at Nerja. I definitely want to come back!

Stayed in Casa Beni for 2 weeks at the end of June 2012. Near perfect holiday. The villa is a real delight – it’s all the small touches that make it feel less like a rental and more like the home of a close friend. It’s clearly been decorated with care and taste so the kitchen comes with every fathomable cooking implement and the cupboards are stocked with locally written walking guides, good novels and more games than you can shake a stick at. The outside is just as comfortable - great pool - with a basketball hoop and table tennis for those with a more active approach to lazing about the villa. But best of all is the view, on a clear day from the enormous main terrace you can see across the mountain range to the north African coast. Many an hour was spent taking it in – complemented magnificently by glasses of cold fino and platefuls of big plump olives.
The villa can easily accommodate 6 people (3 double bedrooms). I decided to have a few days on my own first before a gang of friends arrived, this meant I had a chance to chill out and meet the locals in the village before my noisy lot descended. One of the best things about this villa is that even though it has beautiful unobstructed views (and is secluded enough to do bikini bottom only sunbathing for those with a penchant for that kind of thing) it is only 5 or 6 minute walk into the centre of the village. However a word of warning that walk involves a near 45 degree angle hill – fine for those firm of foot -but an interesting experience in a car laden with friends and bags - good clutch control is essential! I though Canillas de Aceituno was great – a village with a heart and sense of purpose (you’ll note there are actual youngish people here with children and some have jobs that don’t involve tourism – something unusual in other white pueblos in the slightly more touristy areas). It is good if you can speak a bit of Spanish – mine is poor but I gave it a go. There are two or three good restaurants, we spent most of our nights in a bar/restaurant called La Sociedad, and quite a few small shops some of which seem to have slightly bizarre product specialisations (fish and shoes for example…).
It’s rare that I would ever consider going back to the same place twice but I can honestly say Casa Beni and Canillas de Aceituno might just change that habit.

From the moment of our first enquiry with the owner it was clear that this was going to be a good holiday. Angie provided lots and lots of info and was kind and helpful. Good directions; where to shop; what to do, etc. The village of Canillas is up a very steep and winding mountain road, and the house up an even steeper road, so not recommended for those with fear of heights. Also make sure your rental car has a strong engine! It's a beautiful and very friendly village and you feel a world away from the busy coast, which is still within very easy reach for trips to the beach.

The house itself is spacious and very comfortable with excellent big beds and down pillows and duvets (comforters for USA). It's a home away from home and there are books; games; and a well-equipped kitchen. The terrace with sun chairs and dining table is hard to leave! It's a lively village with lots going on, so don't expect to be in the middle of quiet countryside! great walks from the house into the National Park. In summary: a perfect Andalucia holiday!