When it comes to holiday hotspots, Spain’s Costa del Sol has long been on the tourist map. There’s Málaga, of course, which has undergone something of a renaissance of late; Marbella, with its buzzy bars and quaint Old Town; and charming Estepona, known for its flower-adorned streets.
In fact, it’s hard to believe that there’s a stretch of this shoreline in southern Spain that has not been discovered by beach-loving visitors. But, think again. This summer, the new Fairmont La Hacienda is shining a spotlight on an untapped corner of the Costa del Sol.
Where is it?
Found in San Roque, an hour’s drive south from Marbella, Fairmont La Hacienda has opened its doors with a focus on offering restorative breaks powered by the beauty of this region of Andalusia.
Located opposite the peninsular of Gibraltar (its airport is conveniently just 20 minutes away), the hotel is found on a quiet, scenic beach, overlooked by the Punta Carbonera Lighthouse and the Rock of Gibraltar.
Style
The 153 rooms and suites, plus 47 Spanish-style villas, are all sleek and contemporary in feel. Conceived by Daar Studio, the hotel’s architecture blends into the surroundings with the terraced buildings with flat roofs, earthy tones and punctuated by pretty herb gardens found all around the resort’s paths.
Interiors, by Studio Ibu, also feel pared-back but are saved from stark minimalism with lots of tactile touches. Flooring is made from Campaspero stone and laid with jute rugs, rattan and wood furniture are dotted with linen cushions in sunshine colours and ceramic lamps have marbled shades.
The neutral palette of cream-on-cream across the resort is lifted with textiles in soft, muted colours (dusty pink, faded turquoise and burnt sienna hues) while large canvases on the walls depict sweeping, local landscapes.
Best of all, much is made of the location, with most rooms having floor-to-ceiling windows giving views across a pristine 18-hole golf course to the Alboran Sea beyond.
Food & Drink
The culinary offering is a real highlight at Fairmont La Hacienda, making it feel like a true gourmet destination. There’s a choice of five restaurants including El Faro, which is open for breakfast and dinner. Overseen by chef Iker Gonzalez, the menu has a Basque influence (where he trained), and includes hyper-local ingredients to create dishes such as oxtail croquettes, platters of Jamon Iberico and tomato and burrata salads. The concept is all about simple fare for sharing.
For an elevated lunch, you can head to the pool-side Umbra restaurant, which offers a coastal Mediterranean menu, with highlights including Cádiz tuna, crispy calamari and flash-fried steak. With its handcrafted crockery, bamboo ceiling and lots of greenery, it’s easy to master the art of the long lunch here.
Don’t miss booking a table at Dalmar, a fine-dining experience overseen by two-Michelin starred chef Benito Gómez (known for his two-Michelin star restaurant Bardal, in Ronda, as well as Tragatá, a tapas bar, in Málaga). Inspired by authentic Anadalusian cookery, Gomez’s passion is all about elevating simple ingredients to new heights. Sat in the vibrant dining room, you can watch the drama unfold via the open kitchen, as chefs conjure up highlights from the daily changing menu – such as focaccia with homemade stracciatella, a signature beef tartare and red tuna belly, seasoned with wasabi, from the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Spa
As well as an indoor swimming pool, the spa has a series of hydrotherapy pools, as well as a snow fountain, hammam, steam room, sauna and tepidarium. Guests can enjoy the circuit for free. Meanwhile, there’s a host of treatments on offer for some therapeutic me-time, including manicures and pedicures by Bastien Gonzalez, facials by 111Skin and bespoke massages by aromatherapy brand, Subtle Energies. A real treat is the traditional hammam experience, which leaves your skin squeaky clean and as soft as a baby’s.
There’s also a decent-sized gym with Technogym equipment and some fitness classes, such as sunrise yoga and Pilates.
Extracurricular
It’s worth heading out to explore the area. Car hire is not too expensive if you book locally. Within reach is the harbour town of Sotogrande and Estepona is also not too far. If you’d prefer something more structured, the hotel can also organise local experiences, such as a Mini Moke hire to drive to Castellar de la Frontera, one of Spain’s most stunning villages; a trip to the 17th century Casa Convento La Almoraima, to visit the convent’s chapel and Baroque altarpiece; or an olive oil experience at La Almazara La Organic, an architectural gem by Philippe Starck set at the foot of the Serranía de Ronda.
For golfers, Fairmont also has a partnership with the two 18-hole courses that are found surrounding the hotel.
Which room
The standalone suites, with sea views, are set away from the main hub of the hotel and feel spacious with their own living rooms, terraces and huge bathrooms, complete with walk-in showers, egg-shaped baths and stocked with Le Labo’s Rose 31 toiletries.
Fairmont is also known for its super comfortable mattresses made by Sealy — so comfy, in fact, that guests in the US are able to buy them to replicate their holiday slumber at home.
Best for
While there are kids and teen clubs at the resort, Fairmont La Hacienda’s sedate feel is perfect for an adult escape — whether you want to down tools and chill for a few days or simply explore this corner of Spain. Aside from the gym and three pools, there are no other sports facilities, so it’s not a place for charging about, ticking off activities. Instead, you can order a cocktail off menu at the outdoor Vista bar, which has shimmering sea views, or finish your book curled up in one of the lounges, which have Moorish influenced décor and artisan-made ceramics.
It’s also worth mentioning Fairmont La Hacienda’s sustainable measures which are led by the latest technology. The resort is one of the first in the area to use AI technology to reduce food waste, for instance.
The system analyses ingredients by taking a photo and generating a report on how to reduce food thrown away at source. Meanwhile, it is also using techn entitled ‘Foodsteps’ to calculate the carbon footprint of dishes so that ingredients can be changed and the impact of food on water and emissions be reduced.
Details
Rooms at Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol start from £357 per night (including taxes and fees) for a Fairmont Poolside King Room. Book it here
