Entre Pinos. Modern Andalus, beach access and views

Conjure up in your mind the image of a typical Andalusian house (whitewashed walls, beamed terraces festooned with colourful plants, shady courtyards and sun-bleached roof tops); imagine it right by the sea (the sound of the waves, views of the sun setting over the horizon, its own little pathway down to the beach); and then add in the creature comforts you might miss from home (underfloor heating, your Miele kitchen appliances, your king-size bed, your power shower, WIFI inside and out)…..there you have it, Entre Pinos!

Built on three levels, to take full advantage of its unusual terrain in the low sandstone cliffs just 125m back from the beautiful Roche beach, Entre Pinos has been designed as a luxury holiday home and so as to make the very most of its unique setting and views. The views of the sea can be enjoyed from the first floor and the magnificent roof terrace. The living areas, both inside and out, are spacious and open-plan, and have been created with families and groups of friends in mind; yet each of the five bedrooms, as well as having an en suite bathroom, has its own terrace, balcony, or garden, so there is plenty of intimacy too, when you want it.

The house has two main entrances: one on to the Beach Level from the path that leads up from the sea; and the other on to the Pool Level from the parking area (shared with the neighbours) at the end of the quiet cul-de-sac. To best appreciate the design of Entre Pinos, you should enter at the Beach Level. The beach path brings you into a garden that will surprise you with its vegetation. Ferns, mini palms, and cannas in the shade of the pines accompany you to the Andalusian patio, which is enclosed by two suites and wooden beams above. The thick wooden doors in the middle open into an entrance hall and large games area (with ping-pong table) and the main staircase, and it is around this that the Entre Pinos story really unfolds: first the Beach Level and the cool patio; then the Pool Level with the main living area and pool suite; on the Upper Level, the sea starts to come into view; and then finally up to the spectacular Roof Level, from which you not only get fabulous views over the Atlantic to the west but also over a carpet of green umbrella pines to the east. You are, after all, entre pinos!

If you enter the house on the Pool Level, a hall brings you through to a large (50sqm) open-plan living/sitting room/kitchen area, with sliding glass doors opening on to the large terrace and swimming pool area beyond, with its sun-lounger area and large built-in barbecue. This floor is also home to a third suite, which opens directly on to the pool area. The remaining two suites are on the Upper Level, one enjoying the full morning sun (with an ideal breakfast terrace), and the other a view through the pines to the sea. This level also contains a more intimate terrace, again with sea views, and connected to the pool area below by one of two traditional whitewashed staircases. The second of these staircases leads from this terrace up to the even higher roof terrace. Sit up here and watch the sun go down with a chilled fino; stay a little longer and you should get a beautiful night sky, the twinkling lights of the ships moving through The Strait, and the soothing sound of the nightingales in the pines.

Entre Pinos works well for both small groups and large (thanks to its different levels) and also in every season. The lush vegetation in the gardens and the house’s open-plan design (plus air-conditioning should you want to use it) mean that the summer temperatures are always pleasant; and the underfloor heating and the clever combination of wood finishing with the traditional Andalusian tiles all make for a cozy atmosphere in the cooler months.