If you could award more than 5 stars I would! Steph and Terry first welcomed us to their Spanish oasis over 10 years ago. We are now regulars with two trips booked for 2022 already. The houses have everything you will ever need and if not Steph and Terry will have it. They have thought of everything. The houses are Spanish style and the pool area is simply outstanding. It’s setting allows you to enjoy the wildlife whilst being just a short drive from the town and beach. I thoroughly recommend Steph and Terrys, for a short break, your ‘two week summer holiday’ or a longer winter stay. I’ve stayed on my own and felt completely safe and relaxed, right up to the other end of the scale, with a group of 17 family and friends. I can’t speak highly enough of Cortijo La Calera! Catriona

It is absolutely great! We have been here with 2 adults and 1 eight year old. The house has everything… from herbs and every cutlery possible to clean bedrooms and a huge pool in front of the house. Steph and terry are very nice and open to give all sorts of useful information. Still they very much respect privacy. The location is very quiet and 30 min away from the beach. We would recommend this house to everybody who likes all above! ❤️Angelique

A beautiful and recommended place to relax in the middle of nature. It has all the needs you can imagine and more; Very comfortable beds, swimming pool and super nice surroundings, total privacy, etc. We will definitely return to be able to enjoy this paradise again. 100% recommendable and the hosts are very attentive and very discreet at all times, it seemed as if we were in the sun your “paradise” we have spent two wonderful weeks and we found all needed .

My family and I have just returned (sadly) from a wonderful two weeks in Stephanie’s hideaway. It was blissful there. The house is beautiful and a credit to Stephanie and Terry for all the work and attention they have lovingly put into restoring it. The house is very well equipped and we certainly could not have asked for any more. It is full of quirky and authentic artifacts , which really add to its character. The weather was hot during our stay but the house was lovely and cool inside with the shutters closed. The pool is just beautiful, with lots of loungers available. The area is really quiet and rural but having said all that it is still not far to the nearest village or lots of nice restaurants. Steph and Terry were exceptional. They were on hand with any help or suggestions, booked restaurants for us, gave us directions and Steph even located a rescue Great Dane for us. Amazing. Thanks you both for a wonderful experience and hopefully we will return soon. Kate.

We’re asking Steph to post this review because we don’t do Facebook but we definitely do La Calera!

We’ve lost count how many times we’ve visited but we do know we came for the first time almost 12 years ago and we became hooked. On each visit we discover another layer of beauty and culture in the Axarquia region – and beyond. We feel immersed in the experiences we’ve had of the regional cuisine, music, and dance.

Steph and Terry are amazing hosts – incredibly knowledgeable about the local area, its history, its tourist sites and hidden gems. As well as the informative file of info in the cottages they will always be able to recommend a new restaurant, book a ticket for an event, give you the location of an off-the-beaten track feria (village festival), warn you of an unexpected public holidays or simply tell you which supermarket is closed today!

La Calera has everything we want on a holiday – laid back, tranquil, beautiful surroundings and immaculately clean, well equipped cottages. Terry’s care of the pool and gardens is clearly a labour of love while Steph’s attention to detail in the properties comes from years of hospitality experience.

Dear Steph and Terry

I want to thank you for that beautiful week we spent in La Calera. Definitely the week passed by too quickly. The whole house was very clean and for us as a group of five guys it was very big and comfortable. The pool area is wonderful with the view over the hills, the pergola and of course the pool itself. We enjoyed our stay A LOT and you made us feel very welcome – thank you, we appreciated that! Thanks again for providing us with fruits, drinks and other things on the first day.

I wish you all the best and who knows, maybe another time ?

Regards, Renato

Extraordinaire ! Nous avons vraiment beaucoup apprécié notre séjour. Nous avons savouré les lieux rustiques et très propres. C’est très calme. Stéphanie et Terry font preuve de beaucoup d’attention et de gentillesse. Ils nous ont donné de bons conseils sur les restaurants et les activités des environs.

We’re a couple, visiting in April wanting to escape the busy city life, for which this place is perfect. It’s beautiful and quiet, the surroundings are amazing and there are several long and short hikes nearby. The place is super nice and had all we need; private terrace, swimming pool, bbq, indoor fire place, and stunning views. Steph and Terry are wonderful hosts, always available but also respectful of your privacy. Their continuous effort to keep the garden and property in top shape really shows. We would definitely recommend this place.

An extraordinary place to recover and to relax, i.e. paradise for us. The hosts have been marvellous hosts, very kind and accommodating, a big plus to anyone‘s start for such a holiday.

Steph and Terry’s place is a beautiful retreat. Despite being only an hour’s drive from Màlaga, you feel in a world of your own. The surroundings are gorgeous: hills, valleys, trees and rocky outcrops complemented by dramatic sunsets. You’re greeted by birdsong every morning. The terrace is a perfect place to enjoy breakfast in the morning and a bottle of wine (or two) at night. I now feel totally recharged after a hectic few months in the UK. Steph and Terry are charming people, Brits who have lived in Spain for 16 years, whose warmth and knowledge of the local area is second to none. They were always around to lend a hand, give advice or simply just have a chat. I cannot recommend this place enough! Thank you so much for having us, we’d love to come back again!

Steph and Terry were phenomenal hosts and their cottage could not be in a more beautiful spot! We had a brilliant long weekend of cycling throughout the surrounding mountains and coastline, and seriously appreciated coming back to flop in the pool on the sunny terrace.

Steph and Terry are wonderful, generous hosts who provide a warm welcome, plenty of local tips and a charming start kit of bread and a fire built in the gorgeous traditional fireplace. Their knowledge of the surrounding area and local goings-on is incredibly helpful and allowed us to discover beautiful, friendly restaurants, super delis and a nifty shortcut to the stunning white-housed mountain town of Comares. As a solo traveller for part of my time, Steph was endlessly helpful and supportive to make the trip possible. So if you, like me, were worried about making a mountain retreat happen without a car it is possible and very worth it. Steph’s directions were spot on, and she was kind enough to collect from the local town. The space is very well-kept with everything you could possibly need; the kitchen well-outfitted and bedroom gloriously dark at night with thick traditional shutters. Thank you, Steph and Terry, for making this getaway so peaceful, so valuable, and so full of that gorgeous mountain life.

It’s my 2nd stay at Steph & Terry’s property, I can clearly say that it is a piece of heaven on earth! It is perfect for a  peaceful rest in the middle of the nature and away from any stress. Steph & Terry are the perfect hosts, very reactive, caring and available whenever needed. The property was perfectly clean and fully equipped. They also made everything ready for our late arrival so we could find a warm interior and bed. We will definitely come back!

We really enjoyed our stay. Brilliant location to enjoy some peace and quiet but still plenty to do nearby. We enjoyed having walking options straight from the front door and the Sierra Tejeda National Park so close by. An excellent place to stay.

Comfortable house in a beautiful setting. Walks in the area possible. Imagine birds, flowers, bees and clean air The nice hosts and owners, Steph and Terry will make your stay complete.

I stayed at this lovely cottage for about 10 days on my own and had a marvelous time. To me a five star review is not enough to express how I liked this place. If possible I would have given 10 stars. I fell in love with this cute and cozy cottage that is carefully decorated with good taste and style (and not just filled up with loads of IKEA stuff). On my arrival Steph showed me around the house and there was fresh fruit, wine, yummie cookies and drinking water as a welcome. The cottage just has all you need. A good equipped kitchen, a nice and hot shower, a comfortable bed ( with amazing views..) and a cozy outside terrace ideal for having just breakfast or for just spent all day relaxing on the couch. For those chilly evenings there’s a huge fireplace to sit next to. All rooms were equipped with a heating system, and Steph even put an electric blanket on my bed because Andalusian winter nights can get quite cold. I think that is what I so much liked here, it’s all in those little details. Everything is being taken care of. For those working online: excellent wifi around the whole property! The hosts are just superfriendly and helpfull. Steph brought maps and a walking guide when she found out I love to make long walks. After having climbed la Maroma ( big hike up to 2026 meters) I found a tupperware with a freshly baked cake by Steph in it on my doorstep. I think carrot cake never tasted that good in my entire life! Around the house there’s a beautiful garden with lots of birds and special trees and flowers. And the view from the terrace is just beautiful every time of the day ( and night..). The house is located very convenient for day trips as well. It’s just a half hour drive to the coast, and also for exploring the mountains and villages more inwards it’s great. I think this cottage is perfect to stay in at all seasons. Again, I can highly highly recommend a stay at La Calera. The house is just bliss and so are the hosts. Don’t hesitate, just book!

We had a lovely time in this charming apartment. Everything is there, nothing missing that you need on the material level and to discover the surroundings. Terry and Steph are adorable and delighted to share their good plans! Stayed an extra two days. We want to return again to find the calm, and beauty of the place. Everything is thought of to have a real relaxing and tranquil time! Thank you!!!!

After driving through the country and visiting many beautiful places, we liked to come back here, so, so nice and romantic “Spanish farm” and the kindest of hosts. Thank you so much.

Difficult to leave this paradise, Steph and Terry welcome you in a tastefully renovated house , surrounded by nature on the table some fruit , cool drinks , everything you want to be welcome after the long journey (1700 km) . We liked the location and charm of the house, hospitality, cleanliness, and comfort. Change of scenery for us Our very discrete hosts were always willing to learn or to troubleshoot. We have spent 14 wonderful days Full documentation to guide you in your discoveries, and they are numerous, too short a stay will not be enough. Nature lovers, this place is for you. ”

2 weeks , gone so fast, lovely place. Steph and Terry are very kind and helpful. Our first time here but definitely not the last! Paradise !!!

It was a marvellous time spending our holiday with Steph and Tierry. Really, the most beautiful place to stay. Everything is arranged and the responding is quick and secure if you need anything. The house is a dream to stay in and the views magnificent. I highly recommend this place!!! Wish I could stay longer.

Thank you for a lovely stay! We were really looking for a rural retreat to calm down and this is the perfect place. It’s location is spot on and we did a lot of excursions to nearby attractions inc. Alhambra, Granada , Ronda , Camino del Rey, Malaga, Comares as well as some lovely beaches. Steph and Terry are very attentive and always there to help, at the same time as respecting your privacy. We felt very welcome from the start and throughout our stay. We would love to come back

First visit with family, grandchildren and daughter. Was very pleased with the house and thank you for your warm relationship and hospitality. And Family. Henry, Timofey, Lukas and Yelena. 2 weeks gone… can we stay indefinitely?? Can’t thank you enough for making our stay special as ever. Till next time xxx

Very nice spot in lovely nature. We liked the calmness and peacefulness of the place and relaxed right away. 20 mins car drive to sandy beaches,50 min’s from Malaga and the airport. The stay gave us all that we wanted: city: touristic: shopping: beach: chill and countryside sensations from the pool and garden views. Thank you for a great stay.

Stephanie and Terry were great about facilitating our stay — their directions and map were key in getting us there! The place is quiet, secluded, and has an amazing view. We felt a million miles from home, which is what we were looking for! We really enjoyed relaxing by the lovely pool and exploring the small villages in the area.

We had a great stay! The house was clean and cosy, we had a private terrace, really beautiful view and surroundings, great swimming pool and Stephanie and Terry were very helpful and friendly. I can definitely recommend it! Hope we will come back some day.

Stephanie and Terry are very good hosts, making you feel at home at their marvelous place. They share all the information you need, and really care about their guests. They provided us with a nice welcome package, which we happily consumed on the hot and sunny days. The house is a lovely place in a beautiful landscaped garden with pool. An excellent place for total relaxation.

We arrived at Steph’s and Terry’s beautiful cottage and received a warm welcome including a little welcome pack which was very useful. Both Steph and Terry were great hosts, they were there when you needed them but respected your privacy. The cottage was very well equipped, we cooked some lovely meals in the evening including some nice bbq’s. The area all around the cottage and the views are just stunning. It was the most peaceful and relaxing holiday we ever had and will definitely return some time soon. Thank you  xx

Dear Steph and Terry, once again a BIG THANK YOU for the fantastic time we had at your little cosy cottage! You are by far THE hosts that managed to make us feel special from A to Z! From the first contact, over to the pre-arrival information, the warm welcome, the hand book and all the little details made it all so fantastic! The cottage is beautiful! It seems like you thought of EVERYTHING! There is really nothing missing! We felt home away from home while sitting on the terrace surrounded by pure nature enjoying our holidays We will be back!

What a lovely place with a very welcoming couple. They are there when you have a question or just for a talk. Never to much to explain where to go, what to do etc. And they supply you with a lot of information . A nice welcome package is there when you arrive. The casita it self has an atmosphere that make you feel home, a good kitchen, a fine shower and a pleasant bedroom. But the terrace it the place to be. In the morning for sunrise and in the evening for the moon and stars. But also for just listening to nature. The surroundings are beautiful: there a less houses in this area, no noise, with a lot of nature around and daily live. And for me: the bench at the beginning of the 3 km long track to the house! I gives you lovely views, also on the walk to reach it. A wonderful place to spend time and to come back every day from a day out. There are many walks in quick reach by car, nice authentic villages, beach in 30 minutes and so much more. There are more rooms/houses to rent. But the all three have a very private space outside.

This lovely house made us feel at home right away. The views are spectacular and the quite and starry nights mesmerizing! Steph and Terry are really friendly and helpful, love you guy’s! In the middle of olive country with a dash of citrus, almonds and carob trees you can feast your eyes as well as your mouth. Granada and the Alhambra is only 90 min’s by car. The beach is a 30 min drive. All the sierra’s and peak’s in the area are perfect for hiking. And after that a quick dip in the pool!

12 perfect days in this genuine Andalucian country landscape – mixing lazy hours in the mornings with active afternoons “en la naturaleza”. Wonderful hosts sharing our interests of birds and flowers and always ready to advise or help. This is a special “feel good” place, the best. Thank you

It’s all been said …agree 100%. Wonderful Cortijo,everything catered for,fabulous pool which is enjoyed every day + beautiful countryside. Blue skies daily and such helpful and friendly hosts. Perfect.

Totally great week. 5 Happy boys and 6 very satisfied adults.

The house is a chocolate box of unexpected surprises,as though entering in a story book.Everything is cute and clean.
The pool- well we needed it and loved it, spent hours in it! The scenery is fantastic and the cats and dogs contributed to the atmosphere of the house and it’s surroundings.
Merci! Tack, Thank you, Muchas Gracias.

We had a lovely time in the charming apartment. Everything is here,nothing missing you may need.
Terry and Steph are adorable. stayed an extra two days. We want to return again to the calm and beauty
of the place.Everything is thought of to enable a real relaxing and tranquil time! Thank You!

Steph and Terry are very nice hosts, helpful in every situation. We spent wonderful holidays in their lovely apartment. It’s perfect for everybody who loves to have a relaxing time.

A fantastic place for a relaxing getaway! The apartment Casita Buho Real has a really nice authentic Spanish countryside vibe, very charming. Nice facilities with multiple terraces, barbecue & big inviting swimming pool. The view of the surrounding landscape is stunning. Steph and Terry are great hosts, very helpful. Highly recommendable!

We enjoyed a very relaxing and peaceful stay in the lovely and very tidy Casita Buho Real situated within beautiful surrounding gardens. Steph and Terry are very good hosts and always there to help. We can highly recommend La Calera, the apartment and the location and will be back soon.

We enjoyed everything about our stay in the mezzanine, which is small but very adequate for two.
The collection of three places available for letting has been planned to provide each with its own secluded sitting space outdoors, as well as common use of the pool area. The rural setting is a delight, and the garden is beautifully planted up and well maintained. Well equipped kitchen and comfortable beds. The hosts could not be more helpful, considerate and informative. They have worked very hard to create a really good place to stay.

We decided to stay away from the busy Malaga and came across with this lovely and peaceful place. My partner and I rented an apartment which was actually a small house with a very cosy living room, charming bedroom, suitable bathroom and our own terrace in the garden area. The garden is very well looked after and it has swimming pool to share with the other guests
although each house had its own terrace so you have plenty of privacy. You need your own vehicle to get to restaurants or shops but there are a few minutes drive away or you can ask Steph to get some shopping for you in advance! Steph and Terry were very helpful all the way through with directions, suggestions or walking literature. I truly recommend this place if you look to explore “los pueblos blancos” of Malaga and staying in a quiet place only 20km away from the beach.

This was our most enjoyable stay in southern Spain so far! The country house “La Calera” is situated in the beautiful hinterland of Malaga, very comfortable by car, romantic calm and well connected to the world at the same time. The “Cortijo”, where formerly a large family with their animals lived, was elaborately and with love and handicraft skill restored. It offers full comfort to relax – you sleep well, sit well in the house and out on the terrace. The pool offers refreshment and lots of romantic corners to relax and read. In the house you have the complete accessories for cooking, baking and barbeque. We were a whole family and only cooked ourselves – perfect! The host couple from England, Stephanie and Terry, made us the holiday very pleasant. They are warm, explain a lot of the history and the present of the surroundings, you feel integrated. Great respect for their performance in the restoration, as well as for the professionalism and heart as they do the vacation rental, and their attentive accompaniment of the guests in everyday life. The surrounding area of La Calera is characterized by gentle green fertile hills. Olives and almond trees, citrus, avocados and mangos grow everywhere. On every piece of land something is cultivated. Walks are so much more interesting. Thank you for a wonderful holiday, and see you again.

The place of Steph and Terry is a wonderful place to relax and forget the everyday life. We were beyond impressed with every bit of this place: the view, the silence, the beautiful terraces around the house and the pool. The cottage was very cosy and perfectly equipped. Steph and Terry are amazing hosts and they give a lot of information about the area. Looking forward to come back soon.

We had an incredible time during our stay at the cottage! Steph and Terry are very helpful in anything you might need and have several really good recommendations for restaurants and shopping. The cottage is very clean and everything one might need for cooking or a nice BBQ is provided. We can absolutely recommend a stay!

La Calera is worth a visit! Here you can leave your soul and feel comfortable all round! Simply fantastic! The house, the pool, a beautiful garden, easy to reach super hosts! All in all 5 stars!!

Agaves, Aloes, Olives, Bouganvillea (white, pink and coral), Jacaranda, Hibiscus, Bamboo, assorted succulents, Yukka, Birds of Paradise and Geranium strive for ascendancy around the deep-blue crescent shaped pool. But the Carob, with its drooping seedpods stands head and shoulders above the rest. Frangipane, Zebrina, Tradescantia and Jasmine dot the eyes and cross the t’s.

The Carob appears welded to large chunks of rockslide – furtively covering a filled in cave that has secrets to tell of the Spanish Civil War.

The immense sky above is impartial as Kestrels, Eagles, Bee-Eaters, Golden Orioles soar and flit hither and thither. Swallows and Swifts swoop gloriously and skim the pool for wasps, bees and blue or red translucent dragonflies.

Apart from the usual sunbeds and parasols scattered around the pool there are two secluded sitting spots; one under the huge Carob, tinkling with wind chimes, and ours, the enchanting pergola nestled amongst Bamboo and assorted Bouganvillea.

Behind the pool, as the ground ascends past the numerous Olives the view is enriched by Pena de Hierro (the rock of iron) which many, many years ago jettisoned large boulders onto the world below.

I could mention the steep twisting drive up to the three rentals, the breathingtaking views and the elevated gardens. The delightful Casa Algarrobo, and the Casitas, Gorrion and Buho Real, but I won’t, I have said enough. Suffice to say La Calera is heaven on earth. Paradise.

Many thanks Terry and Steph for making it so.

Terry and Stephanie were the most perfect, welcoming hospitable and friendly hosts. La Calera is stunning. The views, the accommodation, the pool, the gardens, all beautiful and set against the dramatic backdrop of La Peña de Hierro complete with resident eagles for you to spot from the pool. A stunning farmhouse and cottages they have renovated over the years and the love shows. All absolutely stunning, every inch paradise. The house was exceptionally well equipped and very clean with everything you can think you might need and more. We absolutely loved that the location whilst secluded is only 10 minutes away from shops and restaurants. Highly recommended. Would go back in a heartbeat.

We had a fantastic 5 days here, living in a little, breathtakingly beautiful bubble. Steph and Terry are incredibly welcoming and so helpful! We’ll definitely be returning!

We’ve had an amazing time at Stephanie and Terry’s finca. The little casita was exactly – and maybe even better – than described or shown on pictures. We loved the fact that we had our privacy (two private terraces), but Stephanie and Terry are extremely open for contact. The communication before starting our trip was very pleasant and Stephanie was quick with answers and responses. During our stay we could easily reach out to our hosts if we needed anything – like help driving our little Panda up the drive way – or a guide to a specific restaurant or store. The surroundings of the finca, all the plants and flowers and the amazing pool made our stay complete. We would absolutely recommend this place and we hope to get back to this lovely place one day. Thank you so much dear Stephanie and Terry!

Sad to be leaving. Perfect week away with our 3 month old baby.

Thank you for everything! It’s an amazing place. Great hosts.

This place is exactly what I wanted – peaceful and beautiful. Steph and Terry are perfect, relaxed hosts and very thoughtful to ensure your stay is comfortable.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay – despite the drenching – the whole area received the first two days. The sun came out – hoorah. A lovely relaxing time, lounging by the pool, walking up the hillside , beautiful views and sunrises and sunsets. Had a great day out in Comares, the nearby white village. Our first time in Spain and we will hopefully be back.

Thank you both for your wonderful way of being. You are so thoughtful, kind, positive warm people. We have enjoyed every day of our 4 weeks here in your lovely paradise. It has been way more than we expected and ever dreamed of. Thank you for giving our daughter, Olivia, unforgettable experiences. We hope to come back soon. It was also nice that you had some of your regulars here who are also wonderful people. Thank you so much.

We are absolutely in love with Steph and Terry’s place! Everything was perfect, so here’s our top 5 of our stay: 1. The house itself (VERY clean and has a lot of charm). 2. The pool. 3. The peace and quiet (great escape from the city!) 4. The location. The mountains and the views are just amazing! 5. Last but definitely not least: Steph and Terry, the cats and dogs, and also the other guests. We could not have enjoyed it more and we’ll definitely come back!