Tranquil luxury on the Costa del Sol

Stepping into the vibrant gardens of Las Islas hotel, you feel a world away from the overcrowded, tourist-centric beachfronts of the towns just down the hill. Everything at this family-owned boutique hotel has been designed with relaxation in mind. We arrived late at night and were delighted to find a beautiful room and complimentary bottle of wine awaiting us, just what was needed after a day of travelling. We had booked a four night stay, and we very quickly realised we were going to find it difficult to leave at the end of this short stay.

Tranquil gardens

Waking up the following morning, we got our first proper glimpse of the amazing views which are a huge part of the Las Islas hotel experience. Each of the 11 rooms has a balcony with views over the back of the hotel into the gardens, and the restaurant has a large shaded outside terrace with views all the way down to the sea on one side, and over the pool on the other. We sat at the same table for most of our stay, enjoying the fresh scent of the fig tree blowing with a gentle breeze across the terrace.

Breakfast is included with your stay, and what an incredible breakfast it is. Each morning we were greeted as friends by our wonderful hosts, and were given a range of fresh bread, pastries and spreads, along with a freshly squeezed orange juice and coffees. While sipping on your drinks, you choose from a range of other breakfast options on a menu, which are then brought to you at your table. All the options are delicious and use the freshest produce – you can taste the love and care that has gone into producing every dish.

After a decadent breakfast, you’re probably going to need to have a nice lie down, which brings us to…

The Pool at Las Islas Boutique Hotel

The pool at Las Islas hotel an extension of the luxurious tranquillity that runs through the hotel. It’s very clear that thought has been given to the guest experience at every step. Soft towels and bottled water wait to be collected as you arrive poolside, and the biggest decision you’ll have to make for your day is which sun lounger to nap on. This is also the only hotel we’ve ever visited that keeps a supply of sun creams, toiletries and sprays in the poolside bathrooms, making for a comfortable all-day relaxing experience. It’s a simple idea when you think about it, but it’s this kind of thoughtfulness which sets Las Islas apart.

The pool itself is saltwater, and surrounded by a peaceful oasis of plants and trees which provide natural shade for much of the day. With the gentle sounds of birdsong, trickling water, and quiet acoustic music playing, even the most stressed out person will be drifting off into a peaceful nap before you know it.

Restaurant at Las Islas

The restaurant at Las Islas offers delicious Lebanese cuisine, using recipes that have been passed down and curated across generations. We ate at one of the set-menu evenings, which offered sumptuous mezza dishes accompanied by live music. Some dishes were familiar to us, others were completely new, but the common theme across all of them was the incredible rich flavours. We’ve had baba ganoush plenty of times before, but the delicate smoky flavour of the baba ganoush at Las Islas was a treat for the palette. Speaking with our hosts, it’s obvious how much pride they take in the food they serve. The restaurant is open for guests every day at the week, and also welcomes pre-booked non-guests at the weekend.

Where guests become family

The service at Las Islas is second-to-none. The quiet luxury atmosphere that surrounds the hotel is accompanied by a feeling of being at home – you can truly relax without feeling the need to overdress or worry about anything at all. It’s an addictive feeling, which is proven by the impressive return rate – Over 50% of Las Islas guests are repeat visitors and many have been coming for years. They’re onto something, and we’re glad we’ve just caught up. Thank you Las Islas for a wonderful stay, we’re certainly intending to return soon.