If you want a truly relaxing experience, there’s really no need to leave this vast resort with its array of swimming pools, restaurants and bars.
Our garden view suite at the Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol(Image: Beth Abbit)
It’s 2.30pm and the gentle beat of Latin EDM is waking me up from a glorious and much-needed siesta. As I fling open the patio doors I can hear the unmistakable sound of aqua-aerobics.
My toddler – also fresh from his nap – nods and flails his arms in a movement that can only be described as Kate Bush-esque. His newly discovered moves are to become a running theme of our seven-night stay at the lovely Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol.
During a quiet, post-Easter holiday stay, we are treated to blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Crucially for our son’s first trip abroad, it was warm enough for shorts but the mercury never reached the ‘hot and sticky’ point.
Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol(Image: Beth Abbit)
We are staying in a two-bed premium suite at this upscale Andalusia resort. And after a rather hairy ride in our hire car from the airport I instantly feel my blood pressure drop as we admire the view of the Mediterranean coastline from the hillside reception.
Our suite boasts a patio, beautiful garden filled with glorious, well-maintained tropical plants and a hot tub. The garden overlooks the nearby restaurant and swimming pool but we never feel overlooked ourselves and it certainly wasn’t noisy – apart from those brief blasts of aforementioned afternoon dance music.
The sparklingly clean kitchen is well-equipped with everything you need to make basic meals, which do on several occasions during our stay. Crucially, it also includes a dishwasher, washing machine and drying rack – all of which we quickly discover are essential during a stay with a messy two-year-old.
The pool at the Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol(Image: Beth Abbit)
The cool, calm, spacious master bedroom features a shower and spa bath and there are televisions in each of the bedrooms and spacious living area with good wifi throughout.
This vast site – which also includes the Ramada hotel and suites – is the perfect jumping off point for Malaga’s cultural hotspots and lively nightlife and Marbella’s chic shops, yachts and golfing.
There’s a supermarket very close by if you’re planning to self-cater. And the nearest beach is just a few minutes away by car, or a longer walk downhill. But I’d recommend taking some wheels if you’ve got small children.
Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol(Image: Beth Abbit)
A little train that travels around the resort dropping residents off at the restaurants and apartments doubled as an entertaining, albeit sedate bonus for our thrill-seeking toddler to enjoy.
If you’re staying for a while and fancy a trip further afield, guest services can arrange trips to Gibraltar, beautiful Cordoba, Ronda, Granada and Seville. But be warned, these towns and cities are quite a distance.
We opted to take the car up the hill road to the picturesque village of Mijas, famed for its donkey-drawn carriages, white-washed houses and breathtaking mountain views. It was certainly a hit with our lad who spent the afternoon stuffing his face with croquettes and shouting “more donkeys”, much to the surprise of his new equine friends.
The dramatic view from Mijas during a cloudly Spring afternoon(Image: Beth Abbit)
We also spent a day in Malaga old town, meandering through the maze of lovely shops, parks, ancient walls, incredible artworks at the Museo Picasso Málaga and marvelling at the wonderful Pompidou Centre.
The city makes for a lovely day out, but I’d advise against driving in as we found ourselves trapped in two extremely tight and busy underground car parks before we actually managed to find a space. It is far better to get the air-conditioned train from Fuengirola, which is easily walkable from the resort.
But to be honest, if you want a truly relaxing experience, there’s really no need to leave the resort, with its array of swimming pools, restaurants, bars, fitness centre and a treatment room – where I was treated to a very relaxing massage.
Our two-year-old loved pottering around the complex(Image: Beth Abbit)
A Kids Club and Teen Zone, for children aged 4 – 15, offering a variety of activities is completely free. And for those under 3 there’s a nice little ‘Tots and Toddlers’ room equipped with bricks, books, balls, tents, toys and colouring.
There is an array of pools on the site, ranging from those that provide space for an early morning swim to the lovely heated pool which was occupied by dozens of happy kids of varying ages during our April visit.
Our boy particularly loved the waterfall features and enjoyed splashing and paddling in the shallows. And when he’d had enough we could sip on a coffee on the sun loungers while he tucked into an ice cream from the poolside bar.
Some of the best paella I have eaten(Image: Beth Abbit)
I’ll leave my highest praise for the Safari restaurant – an airy, welcoming eatery staffed by some of the friendliest, most patient staff I’ve encountered since becoming a parent.
The restaurant puts on a wonderful buffet breakfast each morning, with a choice of hot dishes including smoked salmon and an English breakfast and an array of juices, cereals, pastries, meats, breads and fruit.
It’s also a lovely place for dinner, although be warned that if you order a drink during Happy Hour, you will get two. I’ve struggled with more devastating problems if I’m being honest.
Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol(Image: Beth Abbit)
One of our most memorable early evening meals here was enhanced by fruity Sangrias, one of the most flavourful, seafood-packed paellas I’ve ever eaten and some lovely live music from a local singer. And when she launched into a cool rendition of ‘Fever’ it inspired our little lad to bust out yet more inspired dance moves.
Start as you mean to go on, I say.
Prices at IDILIQ Hotels & Resorts’ Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol start from £1,050 for a seven-night stay during the summer (June – August). www.wyndhamgrandcostadelsol.com
Comments are closed.