Karl | Owner
Ireland | USA | Spain

Spain Favorite | What I enjoy most about Spain is the rich culture, easy-going way of life, and the close-to-perfect weather. It has also been a great home base for exploring the rest of Europe. We just need the rest of our family and friends to move here. 😁

Karl was born in Ireland and moved to the US at age 13. While on a conference call at his last job at an aerospace company, the idea of retiring and moving to Spain popped into his head. 

Karl uses his training as a Chemical Engineer to perfect his pool maintenance skills. When not checking water pH levels or casually skimming debris off the surface, he enjoys brewing craft beer, hiking, sailing, and all things involving numbers, spreadsheets and technology.

Sandra | Creative Director
Faial, Açores | Los Angeles | Casares, Spain

Spain Favorite | Landscape. Spring wildflowers.

Favorite Food | Spain’s red bell peppers & courgettes! And, the vino tinto.

Born in Portugal, Sandra grew up in California and owned a fashion company in Los Angeles. Ready for a more tranquil life among nature, she traveled for a year searching for somewhere green and sunny. She made the move to Southern Spain in 2019. 

“I have always enjoyed making a home, gardening and welcoming friends so working at the Villa is a natural fit to what I love doing.”

Lisa | Head Chef | Events Coordinator
Farnham Surrey, England | Estepona, Spain

Spain Favorite | I love the Spanish culture, the wonderful laid-back way of life. I love the way whole families go out together. Spain is such a sociable nation.

Favorite thing to cook | Definitely the wonderful Tapas which are so traditional in Spain and of course Paella.

Lisa trained as a professional chef in England and has a real passion for learning to cook different foods from all over the world, “I can always be found with my head in a cookery book.”

She moved to Spain in 2002 and spent the first few years with her three children. She started making English cakes and pies for local shops, that led to private cooking for dinner parties, and ultimately catering for weddings and celebrations. She became the head chef at Villa Bermeja in 2012. “Bermeja is a magical place which I love being a part of.”

Sebastian | Maintenance Manager
Zuromin, Poland | Estepona, Spain

Spain Favorite | I love the tapas and Fritura Malagueña. Really, I like all the food here.

Sebastian has been enjoying the Spanish sunshine with his family for nearly 20 years. His extensive construction background makes him an invaluable member of the team. He is always positive, knowledgeable and can fix just about anything. He speaks four languages and enjoys countryside motorbike rides and taking his dogs to the beach.

Renata | Housekeeping Manager
Zuromin Poland | Estepona, Spain

Spain Favorites | The weather and the beach. I adore going to the beach.

Favorite Food | Paella de Mariscos

Renata was a natural at embracing Spain’s warm weather from her native Poland. She moved here in 2004 with her husband and 2 children. She and her team are instrumental in keeping the Villa well maintained and organized. Always with the perfect tan, she loves relaxing on the beach and takes advantage of its proximity whenever possible.

Agustin | Landscape Manager
Casares, Spain

Spain Favorite | El Campo (the countryside)

Agustin is a Casares native and has been with the property for 25 years. He is the master tractor driver making the perfect circles around the islands in the lawn. As the longest member of the team, he has tended to and watched the evolution of the landscape. He planted the noble pine which now stands at over 30m high.

Bailey | Head of Security
Los Angeles | Casares, Spain

Spain Favorites | Sunbathing, Swimming, Hiking

Bailey is one lucky rescue dog who’s come a long way from the city streets of Los Angeles. Oblivious to the amount of paperwork it took to get him here, he has acclimated to country living without a hitch. He is a team “catch the ball” player and a self-starter creating a position for himself as “Head of Bird Security.” Although he is very dedicated to his post, fortunately he has yet to catch one.