Stunning Costa Del Sol resort is perfect base for exploring gorgeous region that offers history, scenery & cuisine

LOOKING down from the summit of Monte Calamorro and tracing the Costa Del Sol to the west, we could just about make out the hillside which was our luxury home for the week.

We were at an altitude of nearly 800 metres after a serene glide up the mountainside in the cable car which runs from Benalmàdena, above neighbourhoods lined with private swimming pools, over the motorway, and up the rocky slopes.

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With a ten-year-old in tow who can barely walk to school without moaning and groaning, this was definitely the way to go.

At the top of Calamorro is a cheery cafe, while a short hike up the steps takes you to the summit.

We were treated to the awesome sight of three eagles — at least I think they were eagles — circling above the mountain, hanging in the wind.

There’s a bird of prey show near the cable car station, though that day’s shows were cancelled due to the wind. Either the birds had been let out for some exercise, or we got very lucky.

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At the terrace outside the cafe, our daughter Anna — delighted with her hamburguesa at the top of a mountain — said: “I can see the Wyndham!” And despite my initial doubts, she could.

As the crow flies — or the eagle — the Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol is eight-and-a-half miles from the summit of Calamorro. You can also see the African coastline on a clear day.

Much of the Costa Del Sol could be surveyed from the summit — an awesome sight and a reminder of the scale and depth of a region I’d never been to.

The lazy stereotypes may be of hoards of Brits battling for sunbeds and hunting for bacon, eggs, and beers. In reality, the Costa is what you want it to be.

The Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol, where we stayed for five nights, turned out to be the perfect place for exploring all sides of this marvellous corner of Spain. The resort is near Fuengirola, the bustling seaside town dominated by holiday apartment blocks, bars and cafes.

Many people don’t think of space when they think of the Costa Del Sol, but the Wyndham has it in abundance.

It’s a sprawling hillside estate with “micro resorts” clustered around pools, bars and restaurants.

At one side is the Ramada Hotel, and the other is the Wyndham Grand apartments and suites, split into three areas with increasing levels of luxury — San Diego, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara.

We visited in October half-term — craving an escape from the cold and dark of Glasgow in autumn. We were rewarded by blue skies and sunny days — and temperatures of 23-25C, but without the crowds.

My wife Cordelia even managed a plunge into the sea, emerging triumphant but cold and needed reviving with tea and cake in a nearby café.

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Our apartment was bigger than our house back home. It had two bathrooms, a luxurious shower and a hot tub where Anna whiled away happy evenings sipping an array of different flavours of Fanta (raspberry was a hit).

We cooked in the well-equipped kitchen and the welcome package included a thoughtful array of tea, coffee, bread, milk, eggs and biscuits. Our micro resort had two pools — one unheated and one warmed up.

We enjoyed early(ish) morning swims, making the most of the quiet time to do some lengths and for Anna to teach Cordelia how to do handstands and somersaults without being too embarrassed by people watching.

You could easily while away your holiday without leaving the resort.
We ate dinner on our first night at the fantastic Safari restaurant — stuffing our faces with paella and seafood, while Anna had her favourite spaghetti Bolognese.

The food, presentation and service were top-notch, and the busy open kitchen was a sight to behold.

We also ate lunch at the relaxed Zac’s bar — highlights were the amazing lentil soup, the beautifully presented Caesar salad and the great service from Fabio and Maria.

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We also had an awesome meal at an all-you-can-eat sushi bar in Fuengirola, where you order on an iPad, and a robot (seriously) is among the waiting staff.

There was a grocery shop at the Santa Cruz suites where you can pick up all the staples, souvenirs and even Heinz beans.

There’s a gym, tennis court and a multisports pitch, and a free twice-daily kids club provides fun activities — from a movie night to Spanish lessons and arts and crafts.

Service across the resort was impeccable, and cheap car hire was made easy with help from friendly guest services staff.

There’s a tractor train to get around if you need it, and it’s an easy walk down to the beach via small tunnels or a footbridge running under the road between the resort and the sea.

The Wyndham is a great base to explore the region more widely.

Gibraltar, Granada and Seville are all driveable. We had planned to see Alhambra in Granada, but left it too late to get tickets — there’s a six week wait, so plan ahead.

Málaga itself is beautiful, its pedestrianised historic centre lined with bars and restaurants. The Picasso Museum — the artist was born in Málaga — is a must see, along with the city’s main Museo de Málaga.

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We loved the Picasso Museum’s tranquil courtyard café, complete with a fun interactive display for children to make their own Cubist creations.

We couldn’t get over how clean and well-organised the city is — bordered by stunning parks and a world-leading Victorian botanical collection.

We sat outside in a bar where  Anna enjoyed a customised juice and took in squares and streets lined by lemon and lime trees bearing fruit.

For shoppers, the region is a dream. A huge Myramar mall in Fuengirola has all big high street names and a Carrefour supermercado with an array of fresh food.

Fuengirola is only about 20 minutes’ walk from the Wyndham, and a well-kept esplanade connected to the town centre via a stunning new footbridge.

And at the end of a glorious few days, there was no better way to cap off our holiday than the trip up Monte Calamorro, looking down on some of the places we’d got to know.

The dizzying heights were especially apt given that at the Wyndham Grand, we’d experienced a week of the high-life of the Costa Del Sol — a historic and fascinating region that we’ll definitely be back to explore.