The Costa del Sol on the south coast of mainland Spain, has always been a favourite destination for the sun-seeker. There are wonderful sandy beaches, and a wide variety of resorts to choose from. From the relaxing atmosphere of the smaller villages such as pretty Frigliana, to the exclusive resorts of Puerto Banus and Marbella, there’s a location to suit everyone.
The main season for the Costa del Sol (translates to coast of the sun, or sun coast) runs from May through to the end of October. These months are best if you like the sun, with average temperatures during July and August reaching 26ºC. You can travel there during the winter months, with the days still providing a welcome break from the cold.
With so many luxury hotels to chose from in the Costa del Sol, we have selected just a few to show you some of the tasteful, and sumptuous hotel rooms where you can relax and unwind.
Ikos Andalusia Hotel
This wonderful 5-star hotel is located beach-front in the resort of Guadalmansa, 13km from Estepona. It’s also close to the exclusive resort of Marbella, surrounded by countryside, and with the benefit of a long sandy beach. Perhaps soak up the sun alongside one of its 7 outdoor pool areas, and there’s an adult-only quiet zone.
There are 411 rooms and suites at the Ikos Andalusia, all located over 4 floors. Rooms range from double/twin rooms with garden view, to deluxe two-bedroom suites with private pool.
All rooms come with furnished balcony or garden, floor to ceiling windows, air-conditioning, heating, bathrobes, coffee and tea facilities, DVD and CD player, flat screen TV, hairdryer, mini bar, safe, slipper and WiFi.
The standard rooms have views over the gardens or pools, but guests can upgrade to Mediterranean views. Ranging from 33m² rooms for 2 people to 125m² rooms for 6 people, you can select a room type to suit the size of your party. Of course, if you book a room with private pool, then you have all the benefits of being independent if you wish. Alternatively, you can enjoy the pool areas, and the nearby beach.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace
This is a smaller 5-star hotel with just 132 elegant rooms, suites and villas. Located between the exclusive resort of Marbella and Estepona, the hotel is inland, just under 3km from the beach. If you enjoy golf, then this will be ideal for you as it’s surrounded by no less than 3 golf courses.
Palatial in appearance, guests will undoubtedly enjoy the hotel’s elegant and traditional style with a stunning pool area surrounded by lush trees.
Bedrooms are tastefully furnished with classic works or art adorning the walls. Each room is individually decorated, varies in colour/style, and come with complimentary WiFi. Choose from a deluxe room sleeping up to 2 adults and 1 infant (25-42m²), up to their Villa Obama with a private rooftop and pool. This sleeps up to 5 adults and is 495m².
Interconnecting rooms are also available that sleep up to 6 adults. Some rooms even have a jacuzzi on their private terrace, and a fully equipped kitchen. As you can see, if you wish to remain independent on your holiday, the Anantara Villa Padierna would be a good choice. The pool area and other hotel facilities are available if you wish to venture away from your room.
The room shown above is an example of their suites for up to 3 adults. However, all rooms come with TV, safe, bathrobe and slippers, DVD player, hairdryer, ironing board/iron, coffee making facilities, mini bar, bathroom with bath and shower, air-conditioning. Some rooms will have view of the golf courses or lake.
Kempinski Hotel Bahia Beach Resort and Spa
This 5-star luxury hotel is also quite small in comparison with other hotels in the area, with just 145 rooms and suites, located over 7 floors. Situated on a sand and pebble beach, the hotel does offer lovely Mediterranean views. Just over 5km from the resort of Estepona, you can still find a selection of shops, bars and restaurants just 500m from the hotel.
There are 3 outdoor pool areas surrounded by lawned sun terraces, and lush palms. You can even relax on one of the Balinese beds.
Rooms range from a deluxe room sleeping 2 adults (45m²), to a grand suite with sea views (100m²). All rooms feature a balcony, safe, coffee/tea facilities, flat-screen TV, desk, bathroom with bath and shower. Some of the rooms have garden view, or pool view, or sea views.
The junior suites and grand suites come with exclusive luxury bathroom amenities. Choose from Salvatore Ferragamo, Aqua di Parma, Natura Bisse and Molton Brown. If you are a family, and would like interconnecting rooms, this is possible (but are limited).
Puente Romano Beach Resort
This 5-star hotel is located in the popular and exclusive resort of Marbella, with the benefit of being sea-front. In fact, it’s on Marbella’s Golden Mile with a lovely sandy beach. You will still need to travel into the resort centre as it’s just over 4km away from the hotel. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and sun terraces, surrounded by tropical palms. Alternatively, head to the adjacent beach with its water sports.
The hotel has 217 rooms, suites and villas located over 3 floors. Ranging from junior suites (55m²) with a living room and terrace with garden views, through to the exclusive Villa La Pereza with 4 bedrooms and private pool. All rooms are tastefully decorated and greys, whites and creams, and there are 11 room types to choose from in addition to the villas. The photo below is of a deluxe junior suite which comprises bedroom with adjoining lounge area, 60m², partial sea or garden views from the terrace, flatscreen TV, in-room tablet, coffee facilities, bath and separate shower.
There are 8 upgrades available in the suites, right up to the imperial suite located on the top floor of the hotel. This has 190m² of space, private terrace with jacuzzi, marble bathroom with whirlpool bath, private sauna and rainfall shower, 80-inch flat screen TV with bluetooth, in-room tablet, coffee machine, wraparound deck with sea views.
Elba Estepona Gran Hotel and Thalasso Spa
This 5-star hotel is 5km from the resort of Estepona, and just 3km from the nearest golf course. The Elba Estepona benefits from a beachfront location with a sand and shingle beach. There are 2 outdoor pools located adjacent to the beach, with ample room on the sun terraces.
The 204 rooms comprise deluxe doubles, junior suites, suites, and a Presidential suite. All rooms offer a warm decor and have private terrace or balcony with views of the gardens or sea. Each room offers a large bathroom with shower, bath, coffee and tea service, complimentary WiFi, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers, and dressing room. The suites have hydromassage showers.
The entry room is a deluxe double with garden view. This is 27m² with the above facilities and sleeps up to a maximum of 3 adults. There are several room types, working up to the suite room. The suite room is suitable for a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children, is 80m² with a living room, large terraces with sea views. This room type is shown in the photo below.
The most luxurious room type is the Presidential suite that offers 150m, a living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, stunning sea views from the large terraces. This suite sleeps a maximum of 4 adults and 2 children and benefits from 1 free entry per person to the Thalasso Spa. It is possible to upgrade to a room with sea view, otherwise you can expect a garden view.
Vincci Seleccion Estrella del Mar
This 5-star hotel is surrounded by tropical gardens, and just 350m from the beach. The exclusive resort of Marbella is 10km west of the hotel, although just 160m from the nearest bars and restaurants. Enjoy the 5 outdoor swimming pools (one with a swimming lane), or take a stroll down to the nearby beach.
There are just 137 rooms and suites located over 3 floors. The entry room is a double superior room with a large bedroom, full bathroom and a small living area with sofabed and two armchairs. You will have a safe, desk, coffee making facilities, terrace, air-conditioning, satellite TV, complimentary WiFi, slippers and bathrobe.
The junior suite (pictured here) is a larger room with adjoining lounge area. Room features are the same as above, and some junior suites can be booked as interconnecting to a superior room if you are staying as a family and want a room each.
The top specification room is a duplex suite that are over two floors. On one floor is the bedroom and bathroom and the other has a living room and a second bathroom. These suites have terraces with sea views. Of course, it can be booked as a 3-bedroom with an adjoining superior double room.
Los Monteros Spa and Golf
The 5-star grand luxe Los Monteros is just 8km east of the resort of Marbella and 1km from the beach. Here you can certainly relax around the pool, or at La Cabane Club – the most exclusive Beach Club on the Costa del Sol that is also part the hotel. At La Cabane, you can lounge by the pool on one of the luxury sun loungers or Bali beds and enjoy a cocktail and the restaurant.
The hotel features 173 rooms over 3 floors. Rooms range from a classic double room to the Royal suite. The classic double sleeps up to 2 adults and 1 infant with between 28-32m² of space. The Ryal suite sleeps a maximum of 4 adults and is 350m².
The classic rooms (as pictured), comprise bath/shower, minibar, plasma TV, complimentary WiFi, air-conditioning/heating, bathrobe, slippers and hairdryer. The highest specification for the rooms is the double deluxe which boasts 35-40m² and has a terrace with pool view in addition to the above amenities.
For the suites, these start with the junior suite sleeping up to 3 adults, 43-47m², one bedroom with integrated living area, bathroom with hydromassage bath, and a large private terrace. The largest of the suites is the Los Monteros suite at 66m with the same facilities.
Healthouse Las Dunas
This 5-star grand luxe hotel is in the resort of Guadalmansa, just beside a long sandy beach. Being located between Estepona and Puerto Banus / Marbella (10km away), you can relax during the day at the hotel, and then travel into the main resorts for some lively evening entertainment, or visit the restaurants.
The hotel offers guests retreat areas for self-care and personal reflection. There is a lovely pool area as well as relaxation and wellness, cleanse and detox, and other care programmes.
With just 55 suites, this is certainly a place to get away from it all. Each of the luxury rooms and suites are light and spacious and each comprise complimentary WiFi, teach and coffee service, sea or garden view, bathroom with separate bath and shower, mini bar.
The entry room is a deluxe with sea view, offering 50m² of space. There are another 7 room upgrades until the top room of the Presidential suite. This has 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, lounge area, wonderful terrace with sea views and a total of 260m².
The room featured in the photo above is a sea view suite offering 70m² of space. There is a spacious bedroom and bathroom, separate living room and a furnished balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.
Finca Cortesin
A luxury hotel with traditional Andalusian architecture. Quoted in Conde Nast Traveller magazine – “This is certainly one of Europe’s smartest places to escape to”. You know you’re in for a treat when staying here at Finca Cortesin. There are manicured gardens, spa treatments, pools, and a beach club.
The hotel is just 67 spacious rooms and all feature 4m high ceilings! Rooms start with a junior suite with 52m² of space. It offers marble bathroom with bath, walk-in rain shower, private patio or terrace, luxury amenities, flat screen TV, internet, and safe.
Next are the executive suites, family suites, pool suites and then the Cortesin suite (as featured in the photo below). This stunning suite is spacious at 180m² and also with 4m high ceilings. You will have a stunning lounge area, separate bedroom and a sizeable marble bathroom – again with bath and walk-in rain shower.
Additional to the suites, are 2 villas with private pools. If you are looking to be completely independent, but also have the benefits of being within a hotel, then perhaps one of the villas would be ideal for your stay.
Of course, there are many more luxury hotels in the Costa del Sol, and we will shortly be brining you details on those that can be found in the main city of the region – ie Malaga. In the meantime, can you see yourself relaxing in at least one of the hotels we’ve shown you?
Gail Hewitt is Owner and Director of Corona Holidays. Corona Holidays are specialists in tailor-made holidays to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and European city breaks.
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