El Molino del Conde

El Molino del Conde is located between two villages, the nearest is Fuente del Conde, 2 kms away. It has a small shop and a very friendly bar/restaurant (summer 2023: currently closed due to change of ownership). The village of Villanueva de Tapia is 3 kms from El Molino and has a number of grocers shops, a daily market, 2 banks and a number of bars which also serve food.

There is a lovely walk to Fuente del Conde through the olive groves above El Molino del Conde. Villanueva de Tapia is a very pleasant half hour walk from El Molino, along a country lane.

The local supermarket is in Archidona (about 15-20 minutes away by car) and is open from 9:00am until 9:30pm Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday). We'll give you directions when you arrive. Local shops are closed on Saturday afternoons. Almost all shops close on Sunday (but all bars and restaurant are open).

It's worth using the supermarkets for fresh milk, butter, brown bread, cereals, fish and wine. Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, beer and many other products are also available in the local markets and villages.

We have tennis rackets and balls, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, petanque balls (the Spanish version of the French Boules) and a volleyball. There is often a football, but we are usually a little dependent on the previous guests having looked after it!

If a particular piece of sports equipment is going to be important to you, please let Kimberley know in advance.

For more information about sport facilities at El Molino del Conde, see The Pool, Gardens & Studio

We provide sheets, hand towels and bath towels. For two-week stays, there is a mid-stay change of linen. We don't provide pool/beach towels (but we do have a number that you can borrow if your suitcase is just too full!)

Catering is available, either through the amazing Travelling Kitchen or two equally wonderful ladies from the local village who can cook a range of Spanish dishes for the adults but can also do (for example) simple chicken fillets for the children. Hiring the ladies from the village generally works out at about 10 or 12 Euros per person for a range of tapas followed by a main course (excluding drinks but including shopping and clearing up). Both options know El Molino very well and get rave reviews from our guests.

Whilst for most non-residents it's not possible to complete the legal formalities of a wedding service in Spain (couples usually complete the formalities in their home country either before or after their celebration at El Molino del Conde), many couples choose to have a Blessing as part of their ceremony or to work with the lovely Natasha Johnson who is a Humanist Celebrant and has led several beautiful ceremonies at El Molino del Conde
Natasha: www.MalagaMinister.com.

For more information about wedding celebrations at El Molino del Conde, see Weddings.

Yes, we have 5 cots/cribs and access to more if needed! We also have high chairs. Please make sure Kimberley knows your requirements before you arrive so that she can have everything put out for you.

Minibus rental (with driver) is available through ViajaenMinibus.com. They are reliable and know El Molino del Conde. They can offer airport transfers for groups and can quote for day trips and excursions.

If you're just visiting the area for a couple of days to come and look at El Molino (for example, while preparing to run a course or celebrate a wedding) you might like to consider staying at Almohalla 51 in Archidona or El Olivar on the other side of Lake Iznajar. Accommodation is also available more locally and in our valley itself which gives flexibility if you have a number of guests coming for a wedding celebration or just need to accommodate a few extra people.

Three bedrooms in El Molino Viejo have air conditioning: The Hayloft, The Yellow Suite and Jasmine's Room. 

All rooms have fans.

For more details about each of El Molino del Conde's 10 bedrooms, see The Bedrooms.

The house is thoroughly cleaned between guests and mid-stay for two-week bookings.

If you would like help with cleaning during the week we can easily arrange this. Our cleaners usually work in pairs, 8 Euros per lady per hour. You pay them directly at the end of the week (cash), or  Kimberley can pass on the money for you. Exact hours can be decided during the week - they're very flexible and know the house very well.

Yes, the tap water is completely safe to drink.  We also have one tap in the kitchen which slow filters the water.

There is a barbecue on the terraces by the swimming pool, built from stone from the stream, with an iron BBQ grille. It uses charcoal (there is often some left behind by previous guests, but it's still a good idea to have it on the shopping list if you plan to barbecue early in your stay)

In addition, if you enjoy outdoor cooking, we have large a portable gas ring and cylinder, specifically designed for big paella pans (which we also have).

Yes, but please be aware that the internet signal  is mobile-based, the walls are very thick and El Molino del Conde is in a valley.

The wifi is usually perfectly good for e-mail, but please set the expectation with your group that it won't cope with lots of people logged on at once trying to do complicated things! A measure of patience is sometimes required.

Kimberley, our manager, will be there to look after you when you arrive, will be around whenever you need her during the week and is always on the end of a phone.

Handover days at El Molino del Conde are always extremely busy for her, so please do let her know if your arrival time is going to be different from the time you agreed with her! Her mobile is: 0034 679 781 233

The contracted arrival time (in the terms and conditions) is 4.00pm, with departure by 11.00am on your final day.

Particularly during the summer months, we have to stick quite closely to that - there is usually a group leaving and a new one arriving every Saturday, and it takes a few hours to prepare the property in between. This preparation also includes the outside areas, so the team also need full access to the pool and gardens.

However, of course we like to help as much as we can, so do ask if it will be possible to drop bags off early.