Excellently equipped, clean, well-maintained villa, with great views over the village and the sea.
Loads of space inside and out. Air-con in all the upstairs bedrooms. Kitchen was well-stocked with various utensils and cutlery.
Outside, the pool is fantastic and thoroughly cleaned twice a week. There is more than enough tables, chairs and sunbeds. We were in a group of 11, and the place never felt crowded. There is a nice shaded dining area at pool level, where you get to look out over the sea while you're eating. There were also some pool toys for the kids in an outside store-room.
The villa, from a distance, looks as if it is quite high up a hill, but the route up loops back and forward, so the incline is gradual rather than steep. My elderly parents were able to make it up two or three times a day in the scorching heat without any trouble. As a result of the height, you get the wonderful views, and are not overlooked.
From the villa, it is only a 2 minute stroll to the main promenade in the village, where all the services are. On booking, I was worried that Benajarafe was a bit of a one-horse town, but there are more than enough little restaurants and beach bars to choose from when eating out. There is a small shop, which proved adequate for our needs. There is also a well-stocked bakery, chemist, bank, and a butchers.
The bus-stop is a further two minutes away and will take you to Torre del Mar, one way, and Malaga the other. Go-karting in Almayate, 10 minutes on the bus, was great fun, and Torre del Mar has great inflatable slides on the beach for the kids. Bigger supermarkets also.
Benajarafe is a place where the Spanish holiday, so English is not widely spoken. But we found everyone very helpful and friendly. Even if your Spanish is a bit rusty, making a basic effort is appreciated.
The beach is superb. During the week it can be quite empty. I had to remind myself that I was in the Costa del Sol in the height of summer at times.
Kieran, the owner, was very helpful throughout the whole process, and did us a big favour in arranging an extra room to be made up at short notice, then letting us stay on in the villa on our last day due to a late flight, rather than lugging our bags around the village all day. We also arrived early, but the nice couple who look after it, had already got the place ready for us, after Kieran notified them.
Thoroughly recommend this great villa, in a smashing location. We're definitely booking for next year.