Soak Up Slow Travel In An Undiscovered Corner Of The Costa Del Sol

Forbes

a day ago

Spain's Costa del Sol is no stranger to hotel openings and, this summer, the Andalusian stretch of coastline is practically buzzing with newness. Already this year, Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has opened Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella, reviving one of Spain's most distinguished hotels located in Marbella. This month, the Iconic Luxury Hotels collection, which includes some of the world's most legendary hotels, including British icons Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, has also opened the doors to its latest address—also found in Marbella.
Located on Playa del Real de Zaragoza, one of Marbella's most tranquil beaches, Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club blends cultural heritage with contemporary elegance, offering guests a 'quietly glamorous experience'.
Fairmont La Hacienda Hotel with its view to Gibraltar, in Andalucia. Spain. (Credit: Michellle Chaplow)
This notion of 'quietness' is not only one of the leading travel trends for 2025, (see the rise in 'quietcations'), but it is also a USP of the new Fairmont La Hacienda, found a short drive south from Marbella, in San Roque. Despite its proximity to Costa del Sol's more famous and lively towns, such as Malaga, Fuengirola and Benalmadena, the latest address from Fairmont is instead found in what feels like an undiscovered part of this stretch of southern Spain.
Overlooking La Alcaidesa beach, a 4km sandy bay complete with the picture-postcard Punta Carbonera Lighthouse, the hotel's suites and villas are set camouflaged into the hillside. It is circled by the 18-hole La Hacienda Golf Course, the only links course in Andalusia with sea views. Further along the coast, and spiking the horizon with its jagged contours, is the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolith that reminds you that this part of Spain is actually closer to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar than it is to the bars of Marbs.
The hotel's beach is overlooked by the Punta Carbonera Lighthouse. (Credit: Michelle Chaplow)
Spanish architectural agency, Daar Studio, took six years to create the hotel, which is made up of a collection of terraced, luxury rooms, suites and stand-alone villas. The resort's flat roof architecture and stone-coloured facades mean that the buildings seem to fade into the terrain; while the whimsical landscaping throughout—think: herb gardens that add scents of rosemary and lavender to the breeze and undulating grasses that root you to the shoreline—make you feel at one with the natural surroundings. Its winding lanes and palm trees also give the sensation that you've arrived in a modern take on a typical Andalusian village.
One of the hotel's villas with views of the Rock of Gibraltar. (Credit: © Michelle Chaplow / Hotel Essence Photography. All rights reserved www.michellechaplow.com)
Wherever you are in La Hacienda, the sea is never far from view. In fact, it is the first sight that greets you when you step inside the double-height, airy lobby. Facing you is an oversized, floor-to-ceiling glass wall—a picture frame to the glittering Alboran Sea beyond. In front of this, a huge sculpture of a whale's tail is another reminder of the ocean life outside the walls—where guests can set sail for day trips, surrounded by giddy dolphins, and where the edge of Morocco can be seen on a clear day.
Throughout the public spaces, curated like a series of living rooms, art and artisan objects are on display which give nods to Andalusian craftmanship. The interior design also references the region's rich tradition of ceramics, as well as its Moorish connections, with locally-sourced pottery, dusty pink textiles and textural wall art.
The hotel has a series of three outdoor simminmg pools. (Credit: Michelle Chaplow)
Rooms and suites (there are 153 in total) have been designed by Studio Ibu and ooze a quiet luxury with their minimalist—yet luxurious—feel. There's a whole gamut of sizes to choose from—whether it is a cosy room for two or one of the 47 Spanish-style villas that come with up to three bedrooms, private gardens and swimming pools. Natural materials, such as Campaspero stone and dark wood furniture, have been used sympathetically, and these are juxtaposed with jute, linen and rattan to give an added interest to each space. The neutral palette of cream-on-cream is lifted with textiles in soft colours and muted prints, while large canvases reflect the sunshine and burnt sienna colours of the local landscape.
Hotel interiors boast natural colours and materials. (Credit: ©Michelle Chaplow / Hotel Essence Photography. All rights reserved. www.michellechaplow.com)
Bathrooms are deliciously indulgent—just what you want from a stay in a luxury, holiday hotel—with egg-shaped tubs, walk-in showers and stocked with Le Labo's heady Rose 31 toiletries. Meanwhile, if you didn't know it already, a 'hidden' highlight at any Fairmont hotel is the Fairmont mattress (more specifically the Fairmont Posturepedic® Luxury Plush Euro Pillowtop mattress, made by Sealy), that has proven so comfortable over the years that guests are now able to order one for their own homes (in the US only). Sink in and you'll drift away.
Michelin-starred chef Benito Gómez is overseeing the hotel's fine-dining offering, Dalmar. (Credit: Fairmont La Hacienda)
Dining at Fairmont La Hacienda is a world away from the usual 'resort fare'. While you can order casual lunches and quick bites, such as poke bowls and pulled-pork burgers by the pool, as a whole, the resort has a sharp eye on its elevated culinary offering, with artisanal produce used for even the most simple dishes. Most impressive is the fact that the Michelin-starred chef Benito Gómez (famed for his renowned two-Michelin star restaurant, Bardal and contemporary tapas restaurant, Tragatá) is overseeing the hotel's fine-dining offering, Dalmar.
Dalmar fine dining restaurant. (Credit: Michelle Chaplow)
Working closely with local producers, Gomez's menu celebrates authentic Anadalusian cookery, taking simple ingredients to new heights. With its open kitchen and bright décor used in the dining room, a meal here brings a sense of drama. Menu highlights include silky Agur anchovies, sea bass cured in seaweed for three days, tuna belly and oysters, focaccia with homemade stracciatella, 'garden pearl' peas from the Maresme region of Catalonia, known for their sweet taste and seasonality, a signature beef tartare and a Retinta beef chop.
Dalmar's chef Benito Gomez. (Credit: Fairmont La Hacienda)
Meanwhile, the hotel's breezy, open-air Umbra restaurant is a chic outpost for lunch. Its coastal Mediterranean dishes mean you can try Cádiz tuna and fire-roasted espeto , a local specialty where sardines are grilled over wood in a sand-filled boat, and paired with fresh, seasonal salads. Handcrafted tableware, hanging rattan lighting and a chilled-out soundtrack gives it a beachy, Ibizan feel.
The terrace at Faro restaurant gives widespread sea views. (Credit: Michelle Chaplow)
Meanwhile, the main dining room of El Faro—open for breakfast and dinner—sees sharing dishes take centre stage. Terrace dining means you can gaze out over the sea, which is dotted with the white sails of yachts; while, inside, the dining room is more intimate, with exposed brick walls, ocean-inspired artworks and artisanal pottery. From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination. Do not miss the oxtail croquettes, which you'll be lusting after long after you've arrived home.
Days can be spent exploring local towns, such as Estepona and the harbour of Sotogrande, where you can browse boutiques and night markets. 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; or an olive oil experience at La Almazara La Organic, an olive grove and museum designed by Philippe Starck set at the foot of the Serranía de Ronda.
The hydrotherapy pools in the spa. (Credit: Fairmont La Hacienda)
Whether you have been out exploring or have hit a round at the golf course (the hotel offers an exclusive partnership with the two 18-hole courses that are close by), a visit to the spa is the perfect antidote to any activity. As well as an indoor swimming pool, there is a series of hydrotherapy pools, a snow fountain, hammam, steam room, sauna and tepidarium. Treatments on offer include manicures and pedicures by Bastien Gonzalez, facials by 111Skin and bespoke massages by aromatherapy brand, Subtle Energies.
Sun sets over Fairmont La Hacienda. (Credit: Michelle Chaplow)
Early morning yoga sessions in the studio mean that you can watch the sun light up the sea for an inspiring start to the day. While, if you head down to the beach before breakfast, you'll probably have it to yourself, save for the odd dog-walker. Days segue seamlessly into evenings in this peaceful corner. As the sun dips, head for cocktails at the Vista Lounge terrace, a sedate and sun-dappled space which hits just the right notes before night falls. It's the ultimate in quiet luxury.