By Jacqui PassfieldWherever you are in the Hotel Byblos you are assured of wonderful views, whether it is the distant Andalucian hills dotted with white-housed villages; the rolling greens of the overlapping golf courses; the beautifully kept gardens suffused with the scent of orange blossom and jasmine; or the two magnificent outdoor swimming pools. As the brochure says, this resort really is an “oasis of calm”, and it is difficult to believe it is only minutes away from the bustling seaside resort of Fuengirola and half an hour from either uptown, classy Marbella or historical, cultural Malaga. There is something for everyone within easy reach. However, it is equally easy to understand why you would not even want to venture outside the grounds of this beautiful hotel.

The facilities are wide ranging…not just one but two eighteen hole golf courses, two outdoor swimming pools and three indoor heated pools, four tennis courts (one illuminated for night time use), mountain bikes, spa, gymnasium, bar, three restaurants, boutique, hairdresser, and library. The state of the art “La Prairie” spa offers treatments varying from a basic manicure or pedicure to a complete anti-stress package incorporating body peeling, seaweed wrap, presso-therapy, massage, jet shower/pool and hydro-massage bath.

The bedrooms are decorated in a mixture of Arab, Andalusian, Roman and Rustic styles and furnished with individual period pieces of furniture, making each room absolutely unique. Each room has its own private terrace with views of eitherthe mountains, golfcourses or pools. Mine overlooked the two pools, golf course and a beautiful jasmine scented terrace. The enormous bathroom contained a luxurious circular bath and separate shower room, and was well equipped, even with a set of bathroom scales for the diet conscious- which brings me on to the next subject – the food! We enjoyed a delicious evening meal in La Fuente Restaurant. My avocado salad was beautifully presented with the freshest of ingredients, followed by sole meuniere equally delicious, and my dining partner was in raptures over his tenderloin of beef. Neither of us had room for dessert but relaxed instead over coffee and home-made petit fours. The waiting staff were extremely charming, helpful and attentive (as were the staff thoughout the hotel).

Breakfast was a traditional “help yourself” buffet with a good selection of hot and cold dishes, fresh fruits, cold meats and cheeses, cereals etc. Chilled bottles of sparkling wine on the buffet table to make Bucks Fizz added a really nice touch.After breakfast I wandered around the grounds of the hotel. What an absolute delight…at every turn I seemed to come across something different…pretty Moorish and Andalucian tiled courtyards, tinkling fountains, orange trees and tranquil lily ponds and streams. The harmony and tranquility of Hotel Byblos really has to be experienced to be believed. It is a soothing treat for mind, body and spirit, and it was with great reluctance that I left the peaceful jasmine scented terrace of my room and headed for home.

Epoque Hotels: http://epoquehotels.comGran Hotel Guadalpin Byblos: http://www.granhotelguadalpin.com/en/byblos/