Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa ★★★★★

One of the great things about the Costa del Sol is that it’s so easy to get to! This may sound trivial compared with the really important things in life like guaranteed sunshine and endless beaches – but travelling with small children does have its challenges. In the event we arrived without fuss. First hurdle accomplished! The hotel is a lovely sight - a long low terracotta-coloured building and a seemingly endless pool stretched along the front, with a pretty wooden bridge and a splashing waterfall gaily sparkling in the sunshine. The pool is surrounded by sunshades and loungers, a landscaped lush green garden and is literally only a few steps to the beach. It honestly couldn’t have been a more perfect fit with my fond picture of an idyllic family holiday!

We had taken a family room, and after much deliberation decided on all-inclusive too, to remove the stress of getting small children ready to go out on a trip to a restaurant; we were very happy to stay on site and be looked after most of the time. Our room was big, bright and absolutely lovely. The children especially loved the bathroom, which was beautiful with hardwood furnishings, double basins, huge decked shower space and a separate bath and WC. They couldn’t wait to check out the toiletries on offer! I loved the balcony overlooking the sea, with breakfast table and sun loungers in the shade as well. I was already picturing myself reclining with a book in the cool, with perhaps a cocktail by my side. On our first morning we opted for breakfast on the balcony and it was absolute heaven in the cool sea breeze and the lovely sea view.

There was a welcome little toy gift for the children when we arrived, and the staff were kind and considerate to them throughout our stay. We were delighted with how positively they took to the children’s pool and the mini-club where they made new friends and spent happy hours. Best of all, there was a baby-sitting service so we could safely leave them asleep after a hard day of playing in the pool while we took our pick of the restaurants for a relaxing dinner. They were all great; my favourite was the Asian restaurant with some lovely Thai dishes. We enjoyed some lovely times together with the children as well on the terrace overlooking the sea in the Arena Beach restaurant for breakfast and some great Spanish salad lunches. And it was so peaceful to sit out on the terrace in the early evening with the sun low over the beach and the water, watching the light changing on the sea and stars slowly start to appear in the sky.

No tears, tiffs or tantrums! I could hardly believe it. The only problem now is that the bar has been set so high – I have a feeling the children will insist on a reprise next year!