TRAVEL
VILLA MAYA :
THE JEWEL IN MIJAS ’ S CROWN
DRIVING 20-MINUTES FROM MALAGA AIRPORT , AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE IN EVERY SHIMMERING SECOND OF THE BREATH-TAKING MEDITERRANEAN BACKDROP , I FELT THE STRESSES OF EVERYDAY LIFE FALL AWAY WITH EVERY FOOT WE CLIMBED TOWARDS VILLA MAYA . ALTHOUGH I KNEW THE SIX-BEDROOM VILLA PROMISED A MODERN , SUPER-LUXURIOUS EXPERIENCE , WHAT I HADN ’ T EXPECTED WAS TO BE COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY . NOT JUST BY THE AWE-INSPIRING LOCATION AND THE IMPECCABLE INTERIOR DESIGN , BUT BY THE PALPABLE RELAXATION THAT ENVELOPS YOU AS SOON AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE GATE AND CONTINUES TO SOOTHE YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING UNTIL THE MOMENT YOU LEAVE . BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
Accessed via a private gate and stone steps that lead you down a garden path towards the front door , the first thing you notice is the beautiful banana trees that line the panoramic terrace and set the scene for the villa ’ s Southeast-Asian style . Immediately , there is an authentic and calming sense of nature , which continues throughout the property in the high-end natural materials and earthy tones the owners have thoughtfully chosen in their design . A symphony of white , cream , chestnut , taupe and walnut , rich in real wood and with pops of colour added by fascinating photography , animal print and quirky objet d ’ art , the interior is heavenly – and incredibly stylish .
That said , there is no air of pretension at Villa Maya . Although the interior is impactful from the outset , the entire experience here has been designed as a welcoming home-away-from-home . Cleverly , every effort has been made for both adults and children to truly relax – the former made possible in part by a friendly and extremely talented housekeeper who goes above and beyond to keep the villa spotlessly clean and organised while being utterly unintrusive , and the latter by the 10-metre heated swimming pool . Before we knew it , all three kids – still wideeyed from realising they each had their own en-suite bedroom and wall-mounted digital TV – had their swimmers on and were making the most of the amazing array of inflatables and pool games supplied .
Very much about inside-outside living , the property itself is based over three levels with three huge bedrooms on both the pool and lower level – all six ensuite – and an opulent , very comfortable living / dining area at the top . Double doors slide open across the entire living area , so you can simply step – cocktail in hand – out onto the expansive terrace and survey the endless views across the Sierra de Mijas mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea .
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