The Kempinski Bahia: A peaceful paradise on the Costa del Sol
BY LAURA TOOGOOD
The Costa de Sol has always been a popular destination for British holiday makers. This long stretch of coastline on the edge of Southern Spain offers many days of sunshine during the year. It is a densely-populated area and boasts numerous apartment buildings and hotels. Many of these are situated near to Malaga, which is a busy and accessible airport that welcomes flights from a variety of different places.
Marbella and Puerto Banus are destinations that are much loved by the luxury traveller. The latter is particularly appealing to glamorous jetsetters thanks to its designer shops and port, which is packed with speedboats and yachts. Nestled a little further down the coastline and about half way between Marbella and Gibralter is the small village of Estepona and one of the Costa del Sol’s most luxurious hotels, the Kempkinski Bahia.
The Kempinski Bahia is ideally positioned for a sunny Spanish getaway and it boasts outstanding facilities and stunning sea views. The property overlooks the coastline and on a bright day you can see the edge of North Africa in the distance. You can also enjoy watching the sun rise over Marbella every morning, thanks to the impressive vista that is available from many of the luxury rooms and suites.
For those who are looking to enjoy some early season sunshine in the comfort of a top-quality five star hotel, the Kempinski Bahia provides the perfect paradise. The beautiful gardens feature soft lawn areas, which are peppered with towering palm trees that reach high into the blue sky above. Three swimming pools are positioned to lead your eye out towards the waves of the Mediterranean, which roll gently on to the natural beach. The expansive space provides guests with multiple sunbathing opportunities either on the luscious grass or by the shoreline.
One of the swimming pools is heated, which is ideal for those visiting during the early summer months. Although the temperatures in this part of Europe are very warm for much of the year, a slightly heated pool is preferable if you are visiting early or late in the season. Conversely, during high summer, the cold-water pools provide a more refreshing option.
Children are welcome at this luxury hotel but there is a limit on how many children can be accommodated at any one time. Also, one of the pools is adult only, which means that guests travelling with just adults in their party or those enjoying a romantic break as a couple can still immerse themselves in a peaceful environment. The Moet champagne bar overlooks one of the pools and the chic décor means this is a popular place to be positioned for sundowners or a lunchtime tipple.
Aside from presenting the opportunity to make the most of long and relaxing days spent sunbathing or reading a book, the Kempinski Bahia is also well located for exploring many of the renowned Andalusian cities, should you wish to experience some of the local culture. You can also make the dreamy, distant view of North Africa a tangible reality by taking a short ferry ride to Tangier in Morocco if you want to venture further afield.
The property has exclusive relationships with some of the best golf courses in the area. This makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy this activity, which has become synonymous with the lifestyle on the Costa del Sol. There is also a tennis court within the grounds.
However, if the sole aim of your stay is to indulge in some rest and relaxation, there is no better place to meet your needs than the fabulous Kempinski Spa. The impressive retreat was refurbished only a few years ago, which means it has exquisite modern décor and a number of notable treatment rooms. Among the best is the room for couples and this features a shared relaxation area, hot tub and massage beds. It is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic honeymoon spa afternoon and ideal when you need to temporarily escape the intensity of the sun outside.
The treatments are outstanding and you will leave the spa feeling tranquil and revitalised. Among the premium beauty and wellness brands that are used by the therapists is Natura Bisse, which is renowned for providing expert skincare products. The massage menu is particularly strong and includes a number of options such as a wellness, sports, deep tissue or head and neck massage. Each is tailored to meet specific objectives.
Meanwhile, guests can enjoy a beauty top-up by booking in for an award-winning manicure and pedicure at the Bastien Gonzalez studio.
The spa also focuses on general wellbeing and you can partake in various specialists exercise classes during your stay. Whether it is a bespoke yoga class or a first attempt at Tia Chi, the professional instructor will help inspire your workout for the day with one-on-one training. A private session on the terrace overlooking the sea is a great way to start the day. Fitness fanatics can also make the most of the state-of-the-art gym, which boasts a Technogym Kinesis wall, a new Finnish sauna, a steam bath, relaxation area and an indoor pool.
If you want to go for a walk, there is a path that follows the coastline. In fact, if you venture a few metres in one direction, you will come across a small shopping area, which has lots of lovely clothing boutiques as well as a few places to dine, should you fancy a change of scenery. However, the Kempinski Bahia does offer everything that you desire for a luxury break under one roof and it can be difficult to tear yourself away from this luxurious cocoon.
With several different restaurants on site, there is enough variety to keep you inspired throughout a weeklong stay. When it comes to food choices, La Cabaña del Mar has far-reaching views out to sea and is an excellent spot for both lunch and dinner. The chef specialises in traditional Paellas and Valencian Rice dishes.
The Alminar Wine and Steak House is closer to a fine-dining experience and this is also the Kempinski Hotel Bahía’s signature restaurant. The opulent setting is perfect for a sophisticated dinner and the presentation and quality of the cuisine is superb. Meats are sourced locally and there is an extensive wine list, which is overseen by an award-winning sommelier. In fact, the quality of service from all of the waiting staff is excellent.
With the guarantee of many hot, sunny days ahead, the Kempinski Bahía is an ideal hotel to visit if you want to accelerate the arrival of summer and enjoy some early season sunshine. With a short flight and the choice of a few well-serviced airports in the vicinity, this property is extremely conveniently located. You are also only a few minutes (by car) from the fashionable areas surrounding Puerto Banus.
However, this hotel makes the most of natural scenery and its seafront position to provide a peaceful paradise on the busy Costa del Sol. You can dip in to the glamourous party scene if you choose, but also easily escape the crowds and indulge in distinctive, high-end luxury that is at the heart of the Kempinski brand.
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Presented by Sarah Bacon
The Kempinski Hotel Bahía is located at Carretera de Cádiz Km159 Playa El Padrón, 29680 ESTEPONA, Estepona Spain Book by calling +34 95 280 9500 or visiting the website