I went to the Spanish resort that is still 28C in October
MY early summer holiday a distant memory, the Costa del Sol seemed just the ticket for some autumn sunshine.
Leaving behind rainy Blighty, I was soon lying by the pool in Spain lapping up the rays — and throughout our stay in the first week of October temperatures ranged from 26C to 28C.
We were in the Ramada Hotel and Suites resort near Fuengirola, next to the beach and just half an hour from both Malaga airport and party town Marbella.
It comprises beautiful self-catering apartments spread over five areas — and TEN pools.
The main pool is adjacent to the resort’s most popular cafe and bar, Zac’s, and has a lively vibe.
But I found the one closest to our apartment, in the Sierra Marina area of the resort, was an oasis of calm, with a lovely sea view and a quiet, respectful group of holidaymakers.
Another bigger pool, served by a bar and restaurant, is on sister site the Wyndham Grand which shares its facilities, including a gym and spa, with the Ramada.
I indulged in an hour-long facial which was a wonderful way to kick off a relaxing holiday. My daughter enjoyed a circulation-boosting massage, and there were numerous other tempting treatments to try.
The massage with bamboo sticks, which sounded more painful than it was, came recommended by a fellow guest.
While there are plenty of places to eat out, I prefer a little independence on holiday and our apartment offered everything we needed to get the best of both worlds. As well as its two comfy bedrooms and bathrooms, there was a roomy lounge and kitchen, with dining table, cooker and large fridge.
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But its finest feature, given the glorious weather, was the large balcony overlooking the Mediterranean — big enough for a table with six chairs, two comfy armchairs and a parasol, so we could enjoy casual lunches of fresh bread, meats and cheeses bought from the on-site store.
There were also plenty of options for eating out, from budget-friendly Zac’s to Restaurant El Tajo — not owned by the resort despite being on site, and serving authentic Spanish food including a lip-smacking paella which has to be ordered 24 hours in advance.
We particularly enjoyed the Wyndham site’s Safari restaurant which offers a huge array of gorgeous tapas — I thoroughly recommend the baked provolone cheese — as well as dishes to suit all tastes, from pasta to fish and steak.
There is also a lounge bar for late-night drinks, hosting singers most nights, as well as other live entertainment including the popular Flamenco night at the poolside bar.
The sprawling, hilly nature of the resort means a lot of walking — I easily hit my 10,000-step target every day.
But for those less able or willing to get about there is a handy road train you can hop on and off at various points across the complex.
Away from the resort, the town of Fuengirola is a 30-minute walk or €9 taxi ride and its pretty squares are teeming with bars and restaurants.
Perfect off-peak getaway
Half an hour away is also Puerto Banus, a stunning marina lined with designer stores and restaurants and packed with yachts worth millions.
It is a hangout for the glam Marbella crowd and well worth a visit — although prices here are sky high.
But I recommend leaving the main marina by taking the stairs to the coastal path, where restaurants line the clifftop and you can watch the spectacular sunset over the sea while enjoying a meal of locally caught fish and seafood.
The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife
The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife.
Its narrow, picturesque cobblestone streets are lined with unique boutiques and jewellery stores and lead to the stunning Plaza de los Naranjos (Square of Oranges) which, good to its name, is lined with fruit trees as well as beautiful flowerbeds.
But closer to our resort, nestled in the mountains above Fuengirola, was the biggest treat of the holiday — the village of Mijas Pueblo.
One of the “white villages” typical of this southern Spanish region of Andalucia, it welcomes visitors into a main square overlooked by the beautiful town hall.
Behind the square are quaint narrow streets of white buildings, with picturesque blue flowerpots adding a splash of colour.
Brightly painted crockery and leather bags are sold in tiny stores and upstairs terraces in many of the eateries offer a view over the main square, mountains and sea.
Another highlight for me was the La Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena (Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock), a tiny but beautiful church carved into the natural stone of the mountain by friars in 1548.
Along with its warm weather, the Costa del Sol has an average of just 35 days of rain a year, most of which falls between November and January.
It’s also a golfer’s paradise, with 70 courses, and with year-round sun is the perfect off-peak getaway.
GO: Fuengirola
GETTING THERE: Fly to Malaga with easyJet from Gatwick, Luton, Southend, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham with fares in November from £17.99 one way. See easyJet.com.
STAYING THERE: A classic junior suite at the Ramada Hotel is from £65 per night. A two-bed apartment in the Sierra Marina is from £108 per night. See ramadacostadelsol.com.
