La Cala Resort ★★★★

Hasta luego London and Hola Andalucia! The change is quite an impact and the dazzling sunshine seems almost too good to be true! Was it really this morning we were dragging our suitcases through the soggy streets under leaden skies to the airport? Now in our zippy little rental car we are making our way out of Malaga and into the gorgeous countryside of the Mediterranean coast! Forests, rugged cliffs, whitewashed villages, the Sierra Nevada rising majestically in the distance and the sea glimmering excitingly below us. We are on our way to the little village of Mija on the outskirts of which we find our hotel, La Cala Resort. We are here to indulge ourselves and have gone all out to get the best from our holiday on La Costa Del Sol – the aptly named 'Coast of the Sun'!

Soon the landscape turns a rich jewel green as we enter the fabulous golf course that surrounds the resort. A classic motley of buildings with whitewashed arches and terracotta roofs stands regally in the heart of its verdant setting, never forgetting its humble, rustic roots despite its opulent size and luxury facilities. We have arrived. A thrill runs through me and I take my man's hand as our feet tap across the rusty tiled floor of the lofty reception, the wooden beams criss-crossing overhead, leather armchairs, and glowing lamps creating a glamorous farmhouse atmosphere. I feel as though I am in a real millionaire's Spanish hacienda and I am keen to see where we are to be lodged.

Another walk through open, leafy patios with vines climbing the walls and palms swaying and we eventually find our room. It is spacious, simple and chic, with marble floors that lend a rich tone to the elegant furnishings. We have a flat screen television with satellite, free WiFi, a tea and coffee corner and even a small lounge with sofa. A large bed takes centre stage, with crisp, fine sheets and fluffy duvet for the nights, which can still be chilly. It's hard to imagine needing it now as I walk over and fling open the doors that lead out onto our private terrace and lean out breathing in the clean air and beautiful views. My love has given in to the soft temptation of the bed as he looks out at the surrounding hills and scenery from the comfort of his pillow and invites me for a little siesta. We give in to the sheer pleasure of having nothing to do but rest... What a wonderful Spanish tradition! When we awake, we feel refreshed and I jump into the all marble bathroom with its lavish bathtub for a quick shower.

We awake feeling hungry and so slip on bathing suits beneath our clothes just in case and slink back downstairs in search of refreshment. Despite the very delicious looking tapas available in the Bodega, we want to lap up the sunshine and so we make our way to the outdoor pool area. Here we install ourselves beneath one of the straw parasols and order some light snacks and cool glasses of sangria as we bask in the sun. It isn't boiling hot yet, but the turquoise pool looks so inviting and the sangria has made us feel somewhat flippant, so before you know it we've both dived in. The water is lovely but by the time we run out again we are shivering slightly. There is clearly only one thing to do. Moments later we find ourselves in the healing sanctuary of the vast spa, which spans 1,300 square meters, where we submit ourselves to the heavenly thermal water circuit. It moves from indoors to outdoors and offers everything from hydrotherapy pools, a Turkish bath, herbal vapour room, sensation showers, a humid, warm relaxation room and a sauna with views of the golf course.

We are in a paradise of pampering, with all we could need to melt away any last vestige of tension or stress. If there were not such a myriad of things to do and see, I may never move from here the entire stay. Yet there is, from tennis to squash to exploring the countryside, surrounding villages, going to nearby Marbella and visiting the amazing beaches. Not to mention the incredible golf, which makes it almost imperative we take advantage of the classes on offer and improve our swing. With everything there is on offer it's only going to be tricky trying to fit it all in! But perhaps it's just as well we have the incentive to do more than loll around and sleep, for the food here is so exquisite we can then eat to our heart's content without worrying too much about watching our figures! Tonight we will dine in the romantic Terraza hotel restaurant where I've already spied the menu and am looking forward to the typical Spanish cuisine done to perfection. I can almost taste those succulent fresh prawns in garlic already! Yes, this is turning out to be a divine retreat on the sunny coast of Spain. I have barely set foot in our remarkable resort and yet everything about it already has me wanting to jump for joy and shout – Olé!