14, San Jaime

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Apartment |1 bedroom |Sleeps 4

La Chucha in Carchuna

From £225 per week |  From £50 per night

1 night minimum stay

Changeover flexible

Be the first to write a review

Key info  Swimming pool, beach or lakeside relaxation, balcony/terrace, car advised, no pets allowed

About the home

This tastefully furnished one bedroom apartment is set right on the beach - any closer, and you would get your feet wet. It's in a private two-storey building quite literally off the beaten track - reached by driving along the beach itself via an unmade 'road'.

The apartment nestles beneath the lighthouse, El Faro Sacratif. It overlooks the pool and terrace, which lead straight on to La Chucha beach which is a 2 mile stretch of sand and shingle. It is on the first floor, and comprises a kitchen, dining area, lounge with balcony overlooking the pool and sea, one twin/double bedroom with similar balcony, and a newly refurbished bathroom with bath, shower, bidet, WC and washbasin.

Although on a map it looks as though the N340 road runs close to the apartments because it is separated by the steep cliff behind the apartments there is absolutely no road noise, in fact it is so peaceful that for most of the time the only sound you hear is that of the waves.

Fabulous sea views, the beach, and the shared swimming pool are the immediate attractions. But you also have the Alpujarras mountains within a short drive - a superb region that was recently declared a national park. It's well worth exploring for its pretty white villages, spectacular scenery and fascinating history. Granada, with the marvellous Moorish palace of the Alhambra and its fantastic cathedral, is also within easy reach and well worth a visit.

The large local town, Motril, is worth a visit and offers a variety of shopping and supermarkets as well as restaurants and bars. Along the coast in each direction are more beaches and great little seaside villages, such as Calahonda and Castell de Ferro, where it's easy to feel part of local life, visiting markets, bars and restaurants.

This area of the Costa del Sol is known as the Costa Tropical. It's blissfully quiet in all but high season (late July, August and very early September) and in spring, autumn and winter the beach is often deserted. Most holidaymakers here are Spanish families on their annual August break, or on day trips to the seaside – especially from Granada. It is un-touristy and unglitzy (particularly compared with Marbella or Torremolinos and similarly developed regions) and you will find a few phrases of Spanish will come in very handy.

The area is a bit scruffy at the edges, and the La Chucha beach is of grey sand, but the area itself has its own appeal. The scenic backdrop is the foothills of the Alpujarras mountains, themselves leading up to the great ranges of the Sierra Nevada, often snow-capped even in early summer. Keen skiers could try the slopes at the resort there, during the season.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
* Sleeps a maximum of four. The bedroom has two single beds that can be zip-linked to form a king-size double. The sofa in the living room converts to a further double bed. There is also a foldaway travel cot for tots.

* Fully equipped for a holiday – including bed linen, beach towels and towels. Plus washing machine, iron and ironing board, a cassette/CD player, a wide selection of books and games, guide books on Spain and Spanish phrase books, electric fans (for when it’s just too hot!), basic store-cupboard food stuffs and cleaning materials.

Further details outdoors:
The apartment has a full length first floor balcony that looks directly out to sea across the pool terrace. The balcony has attractive wooden chairs and a table for alfresco eating.

* Communal pool is for private use of apartments and only busy in high season.

* We keep loungers and chairs to use around the pool. There is also a sun umbrella to take to the beach if needed, and we usually have a range of pool toys/buckets and spades for children to use.

* We have a small portable barbecue, too, which is great to take down to the beach and sizzle up a few fresh sardines on...

Photos

 

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View from the balcony

 

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More from the balcony

 

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The apartment is on the first floor

The Costa Tropical region

The region is mountainous, with coastal stretches of sand/ fine stones.

Even in winter, the climate is mild and it's quite possible to sunbathe as early as March, in shelter, and as late as October or even November. That said, it can also rain, and it's worth looking at a short-term forecast before you leave. Summer is invariably hot and sunny, with temperature peaking as high the mid-30sC, with very occasional storms.

It is a predominantly agricultural area, with some cultivation under plastic terracing, and sugar cane was until recently a dominant crop - though it is still grown. Every so often you will hear bleating and the tinkling of bells, too, as the local goats make their way down from the mountain to the beach and back again.

This is also one of the few regions left in Spain where complimentary tapas are still served. Order a beer or a glass of wine, and you can expect a small dish of anything from peanuts or olives to spicy potatoes, tender pieces of lamb, fried shrimp or grilled sardines, ham or cheese. It's a great way to lunch and you can easily tapas-hop your way along the beach, trying out the summer-only beach restaurants - chiringuitos - all the way along.

For provisions, less than a quarter way along the La Chucha beach is camping site ‘Don Cactus’, with a shop selling basic supplies and fresh bread. Don Cactus also has public telephones, a cash point, a bar and restaurant – all within easy reach for those without transport.

The nearest large town is Motril, about four miles away, where the shopping is good. There are banks, cash points, a market, and a good modern hospital with an accident and emergency unit. Closer still is the small town of Calahonda, at the far end of the beach about two miles away, with a selection of bars, restaurants, a small market and bakeries for your daily bread. plus banks. The road is flat, so it is walkable for the fit. Or hire bikes for Don Cactus Camping.

Also within a short distance, on the coast with similar facilities, is the village of Torrenueva to the west, and Carchuna on the other side of the coast road.

We keep a 'hot tips' book for visitors to add their suggestions to in the apartment, and also keep guide books there, in which you can find a host of things to do in the region. Nearer to home, and worth visiting for lunch, day trips nearby are Calahonda at the end of the beach, Castell de Ferro, a seaside village to the east. The best local beach is probably La Rijana, set between these two, a gorgeous sandy horseshoe cove that usually has a summer-time bar restaurant set up there. North of Castell is the pretty village of Gualchos, which has several good bars and a summer barbecue restaurant, as well as a rather smart hotel, and the more remote Lujar is reachable from there too.

Salobrena, a higgledy piggledy white town a few miles down the coast with a terrific hill-top Arab castle and a large beach is a short trip. Further on, the more touristy but fun Nerja, is a longer drive or bus ride further east. Nerja is popular with Brits, so if you feel a longing for Sun & Sangria plus fish and chips it is worth a try. The caves are really stunning (and cool).

And if you have children (or just fancy a splashing time) there is plenty to do in Almenuecar, a few miles west, which has an aqua park and several other attractions.

Older waterbabies might enjoy snorkelling off the beach at La Chucha right on our doorstep, and in the off season it is popular with surfers and bodyboarders (bring your own gear).

A longer drive, east towards Almeria, brings you into the very dry hot desert area where many of the 'spaghetti Westerns' were filmed. A couple of the sets have become attractions, if you're keen.

There is horse-riding and other activities such as hiking available up in the Alpujarras, though you would be advised to check these out and book before leaving the UK.

The fascinating city of Granada is just over an hours drive north and is a must for culture-vultures, with the fabulous Moorish palace and gardens of The Alhambra, the great Catholic cathedral, the old Arab quarter and much much more.

Granada is also close to the stunning mountains of the Sierra Nevada (80 minutes by car) where in the winter months you can ski - and in the summer enjoy fantastic mountain walks. Look out for the resorts of Borreguiles and Puerto La Ragua.

Don’t miss:
§ Granada and the Alhambra palace and gardens
§ Breathtaking views from the mountain road between Motril and Gualchos
§ Churros - 'clouds', in Spanish - deep-fried light fresh dough, eaten for breakfast
§ A lunchtime tapas crawl in high season along La Chucha beach where the summer-time-only beach restaurants and bars set up
§ The huge, dramatic caves at Nerja
§ A drive through the dramatic mountain scenery and villages of the Alpujarras
§ The pretty white hillside villages of Frigilliana and Gualchos

The Carchuna / La Chucha area

To get the make the most of a holiday here, it's best to fit yourself into local time. Lunch is 2pm at the very earliest, up to 4pm-ish, followed by a couple of hours siesta, between 4-6pm when almost everything will close. Dinner is 9pm-11pm ish (later in high summer, it's not uncommon to go out to eat at midnight, and dine at 1am) . Any earlier and you’ll be the only people in the place. It is quite normal to take children into restaurants and bars, even late at night, and Spanish children easily stay up until midnight, rested from their afternoon siesta.

Lunchtime and early evening are the best time to go out to a bar for tapas (free nibbles given to you each time you order a drink). Bars vary in type and quality – look out for where the locals are to find the good ones.

Do try 'menu del dia 'at lunchtime which is a set menu, normally very good value and comprising a two or three course meal, bread, wine, beer or soft drinks. Also do try having breakfast out – tostados con tomate, zumo de naranja and café desayuno (hot tomato toast, fresh orange juice and large white coffee) is the norm and delicious. If you’re in a town or village for breakfast look out for a 'churreria' – often no more than a take-away shack. They sell churros which is utterly delicious and very wicked (like fresh doughnut) - take your purchase straight into the nearest café, order a hot chocolate and get dunking along with all the locals.

All summer long, you will hear the sound of distant firecrackers, marking the start of local fiestas, the village celebrations of saints' days and patrons. Local publications will give you details of what's on and where - although there are things happening during the day, best time to go is at night, late.

How to get there

14, San Jaime What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

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The apartment is easily reached via a choice of three airports, Granada, Malaga, and Almeria, offering guests a good choice of scheduled and budget flight options. All are less than two hours away by car, all or most of the journey on recently constructed motorway. Details will be sent on booking.

While we recommend car hire to get the most from your stay, it is also possible to reach the apartment by coach / bus from all three airports. the Andalucian coach equivalent of National Express is Alsina Graells. It has a great website (English version available). These buses stop within 1/4 mile of the apartment.

For care hire, www.carjet.com offers a competitive service for hire from any Spanish airport., as does the easyCar site. UKM Car Hire on 0034 952 473 400 (Engish spoken) offer a good service from Malaga where they meet you at the airport - no queing with everyone else with your hire voucher.

Activities near Carchuna

Guestbook for 14, San Jaime

"Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! We loved the apartment and the complex. I can honestly say that I have never felt as comfortable anywhere else. Falling asleep and waking with the sound of the waves; the burring of the cicadas. I just fell in love with the place."
Mrs Arthur, July 09

"Could rabbit on forever about how wonderful this place is - but you already know!"
Sally & Colin, Oct 09

"Had a lovely time here, weather very hot and sunny. Apartment lovely. Well equipped. Just like home from home. Plenty of nice restaurants, no need to cook."
Diane & Tony, July 10

"What a lovely stay we have had! So peaceful and really relaxing by the pool. Thanks for such a nice and neat flat, it was like being at home."
Charlotte, Nottingham, July 10

"These 2 weeks were wonderful. The flat is amazing, in 7 years of holidays to Spain we have never found such great conditions like this. The view is beautiful and the neighbours are polite and the pool is fantastic. The beaches are great to do snorkelling."
Rui & Sara, Porto, Portugal, Aug 10

"We have had a wonderful few days. The apartment feels like home and the peace and quiet is just what we needed. We are already planning our next trip."
Steph & Chris, Surrey, June 11

Rental prices

Prices for group size 4
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Winter / Spring '12	1 Jan 12	1 Jun 12	225£ 225	5050	5050	Flexible
Summer '12	1 Jun 12	1 Oct 12	275£ 275	5050	5050	Flexible
Autumn / Winter '12	1 Oct 12	31 Dec 12	225£ 225	5050	5050	Flexible

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

This is an all inclusive cost - electricity, cleaning etc.

Preferred payment method is by direct bank transfer.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact the owner

* Required fields Please check the following errors: First name * Last name * Email *   Did you mean ""? Yes / No Phone number Arrival date Departure date   Ignore calendar - enquire anway No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas T&Cs

3 years listed You are contacting Clare Methven Landline +44 01883 744210 Mobile +44 07810 432831 Languages spoken The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2008. This apartment has so far received 0 reviews.