From the glitzy hotels of Marbella to the family friendly complexes of Estepona there is no shortage of good quality accommodation along the Costa del Sol, the type of accommodation that you choose will depend on the type of holiday that you are taking but in general the quieter hotels are to be found in the old part of the resorts, this is where the charm and character will generally shine through.

A perfect example of this charm and character is to be found at the Hotel Claude Marbella, set away from the busier tourist centre of Marbella this hotel converted from a 17th century mansion has a unique style all of its own; quirky touches add fun to the history with the claw footed baths being a firm favourite. Each room is individually styled and all are filled with little touches that make the hotel and you feel special.

The Costa del Sol with its Andalusian heritage is home to some of the best cuisine in Spain, fresh produce is given the Arabian touch and exotic fruits and spices lift the food to a whole new level, tapas are popular and are often the best way to sample many of the tasty delights that the region has to offer and are of course best washed down with a glass of one of the excellent local wines or sherries.

Although not a cheap option the place to dine in the Costa del Sol is The Beach House in Marbella, consistently recommended by experts the location is as much of a draw as the food; a converted house this restaurant has a terrace that is almost on the beach, serving some of the best modern Spanish food you will have ever tasted – if you only eat out once during your holiday make sure that this is the place that you choose.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to participate in when you visit the Costa del Sol, horse riding across the rocky terrain, diving and swimming in the clean waters and even cycling along the beautiful rural routes that pepper the countryside, but no activity is as famed as the golf that you can play in the region. With the highest concentration of golf courses in Europe this is a players paradise, world class courses designed by leading names tempt players of all abilities who cannot resist the allure of the perfect greens.

There are many great places to visit when you stay along the Costa del Sol, days trips away from the resort are most convenient with a hire car but there are many buses and tours that run from the main resorts; why not take a day to see the beautiful city of Granada with its Moorish architecture or Seville with its love of flamenco dancing and for those with real adventure in their spirit there is always the ferry across to Morocco to see the exotic delights of Tangier.

The beach resorts all enjoy amazingly long summers filled with sunshine and cloudless skies, the cooling Atlantic breezes giving respite from the excesses of the sun, this is the perfect summer destination with guaranteed sunshine and little chance of rain.

The resorts can become incredibly busy during this peak season with booking essential whichever resort you choose; to avoid these crowds and still enjoy the best of the weather spring and autumn are the perfect time to travel with many great offers to be found in the smaller resorts.