OKU Andalusia – barefoot luxury at the Costa del Sol
Sometimes you come across a place where you immediately think: yes, I’d love to stay here for a while.
OKU Andalusia is just such a place. This brand-new luxury resort on the Costa del Sol is a delightful blend of laid-back luxury, boho vibes and endless sea views. We spent a week here enjoying the sun, peace and quiet, and that ultimate holiday feeling. From our beautiful room, we could step straight out onto our own rooftop terrace, with views over the beach and the sea. And on clear days? We could even see the mysterious Rock of Gibraltar in the distance.
A week of having to do absolutely nothing, apart from enjoy ourselves. And believe me: we managed that just fine.
And getting bored? That’s actually almost impossible at OKU Andalusia. With no fewer than five restaurants , ranging from Mediterranean to Japanese, and even its own bodega, there’s plenty for foodies to discover. On the wide, peaceful sandy beach of Alcaidesa lies Alma, the resort’s intimate beach club, perfect for a long lunch or a drink with your feet in the sand.
There are also several swimming pools, including one with a stunning view of the beach and the sea. And for those looking for a bit more relaxation: a lovely spa, sauna, gym, tennis courts and yoga classes. Families are also catered for with a kids’ club. In short: whether you want to relax, exercise, enjoy a sumptuous meal or simply do absolutely nothing… at OKU Andalusia, you can do it all.
Tips for the environment
Sotogrande, relaxed and a touch of class
Just a 15-minute drive from OKU Andalusia lies Sotogrande, a small, upmarket community centred around a charming little harbour. Don’t expect a bustling seaside resort here, but rather a relaxed atmosphere, lovely little shops, cosy restaurants and, of course, plenty of boats. We stopped off at Chambao Beach Club for a cup of coffee. A wonderfully relaxed little beach club with comfortable sun loungers, sand between your toes and exactly that laid-back beach vibe we love so much.
Estepona: colourful, charming and delightfully Spanish
Estepona is just half an hour’s drive from OKU Andalusia and is definitely worth a visit. We started at the rooftop bar at Bermeja Views on the Plaza de las Flores, the perfect spot for a cocktail with a view. Afterwards, we popped into the Mercado Santa Ana, a trendy food hall full of lovely restaurants and bars. And as if we’d stepped straight into a Spanish film, we walked past a little church where, as it happened, a bride and groom were just getting married.
But perhaps the best thing is simply to wander around the colourful streets of the old town, with flower boxes, little squares and cosy terraces on every corner. And if you fancy heading to the beach afterwards? You’re in the right place: Estepona has plenty of lovely, trendy beach clubs. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try them out ourselves this time… a good reason to go back again!
Gibraltar: a quick peek at the other side
As Gibraltar is so close to OKU Andalusia, we naturally had to pop over the border. You can now cross the border here without passport control, which makes a spontaneous visit even easier. The famous Rock of Gibraltar is undoubtedly impressive and magical to behold. We drove from there to Catalan Bay, a charming little bay with colourful houses right by the sea – a real treat to see. And because it was very foggy during our visit, the bay was deserted, which made the colourful houses stand out even more.
To be honest, we found Gibraltar itself a bit less exciting. Apart from the imposing Rock and a few nice spots, we wouldn’t go out of our way to visit it; we even found some parts a bit messy and run-down. But if you’re in the area anyway? Then it’s of course nice to pop in for a look and experience that unique blend of England and Spain for yourself.
Tarifa, surfers, wind and views of Morocco
Tarifa had been on my ‘must-visit’ list for years and now the time had finally come! The southernmost tip of Spain is a true surfer’s paradise and from here you can look straight out across the Strait of Gibraltar towards Morocco. We particularly enjoyed visiting Playa de la Isla de Tarifa: right where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. And you can tell straight away that there’s always plenty of wind here from the surfers pulling off spectacular stunts on the water.
The old town is also a lovely place to wander through, with its narrow white streets, little shops and cosy restaurants. But to be honest: after all the enthusiastic stories, I’d personally expected just a little bit more from it. It’s nice to have seen, and if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth popping in, but for us it wasn’t an absolute must-see. It’s a 45-minute drive from OKU Andalusia.
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