Hotel The Beach House
Mijas Costa
Beach lovers attention!!
The Beach House is located in Mijas Costa, and is a small hotel with sleek design, owned by a nice Swedish lady. The tasteful interior design is the work of Kjell Sporrong, a well-known Swedish designer. The Beach House’s motto is “As close to the sea as you can get" and indeed, you cannot get any closer to the sea without getting wet. The hotel is a favourite among trendy couples, who come here to enjoy the laid-back lounge atmosphere in this modern environment, to escape from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives, which is why the hotel has a no-kids policy, children under age of 13 are not admitted.
The hotel offers a total of 10 rooms. Six rooms are located around the patio, where the heated swimming pool is.
The other 4 rooms are in a separate building about 20 metres away. The set-up and design of all rooms are the same.
Lounge sofas, sun loungers, seating areas are spread out all over the place, where you can have a nice outdoor breakfast, or just lie around and read a good book.
Prefer the beach? No probs, just head down one flight of stairs and you’re there.
The hotel is managed by Carina and Stefan Andersson, a friendly Swedish couple, who are on hand all day to tailor to your every need.
At night, the atmosphere changes to enchanting, with stylish lighting, and you can sit back with a cocktail in your hand and lounge music in the background, and enjoy the sea view, a real treat!!
It has to be noted that there is a busy road out the front of The Beach House, but a wall was put up to keep the noise out, which it succeeds in doing remarkably well, we were not inconvenienced by the noise, and at the sea side of the hotel you certainly hear no traffic noise at all.
The Beach House does not offer dining, but seeing as you are on the coast, you will find plenty of eateries at walking distance or a few minutes away by car. And Carina and Stefan can, of course, recommend you some fine dining establishments.
The Beach House, it really lives up to its name. Do bear in mind that the hotel is quite popular, i.e. book well in advance!!
Cons:
• Busy road out the front of the hotel, but they have gone to great lengths to reduce the noise pollution. No traffic noise audible on the sea side of the hotel.
Pros:
• Relaxed lounge atmosphere
• Exquisite interior design
• Right on the beach
• Hospitable managers
Hotel The Beach House
surrounding area
Mijas Costa
As the name suggests, Mijas Costa is on the coast, and not more than Mijas’ satellite on the coast with houses, shops and restaurants. It is right next to the busy seaside resort of Fuengirola.
Golf
The hotel can sort out your green fees and golf lessons at several golf courses in the area. There are over 40 golf courses on the Costa del Sol. The closest golf course is the one at La Cala de Mijas.
Nature
Trips by car through the hinterland of the Costa del Sol, to the Pueblos Blancos (white villages), for example, will take you through magnificent landscapes.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Mijas (21km; 22min):
Mijas is a pueblo blanco (white village), 8 km inland on wooded slopes. It is a touristy village with a labyrinth of steep streets with steps that you can negotiate on a burro (donkey) taxi... On a clear day, the village’s park offers fine views of the valley and the sea.
Marbella (20km; 25min):
Marbella’s old town is definitely worth a visit. One of the highlights of your visit will be having a nice outdoor dinner on the Plaza de los Naranjos, the main square, lined with orange trees. After dinner you can stroll through Marbella’s narrow streets and past its many squares.
The finest beaches on the Costa del Sol are those at Marbella, including Babaloo Beach (Puerto Banus) and Victor’s Beach (Marbella).
Málaga (40km; 35min):
The bustling port city of Málaga is Andalucía’s biggest city after Seville. It used to be an important trading port, because in the 19th century Málaga wine was exported all over Europe, until Phylloxera, the pest that had already destroyed grapevines all over Europe, reached Málaga and put an end to its wealth.
Málaga old town is the area around the cathedral. The Museo Picasso is also near the cathedral, and exhibits many of the works of this famous artist, who was born in Málaga. Further sights include the Alcazaba, one of the prime Moorish fortresses in Andalucía, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 14th-century Moorish castle, which you can access through its beautiful gardens.
Also make sure you taste some of Málaga’s fine wines in a bodega, some of which also serve delicious tapas.
Ronda (84km; 1h15min):
Ronda has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Southern Spain. Due to this town’s unassailable location, it was one of the last standing Moorish bastions, which only fell in 1485, when it was conquered by the Christians. The town is split in two by a spectacular gorge, with the southern part being the classic Moorish pueblo blanco with cobblestone streets, small fences in front of the windows and whitewashed walls all around. The new town on the other side of the gorge contains the Plaza de Toros (bull ring), the cradle of bullfighting; it was built in 1785 and is one of Spain’s oldest. The bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, spans the 100-metre-deep gorge and has become Ronda’s most famous feature, drawing in millions of visitors every year.
Apart from the Plaza de Toros, the Palacio Mondragón is another important sight; this is a palace decorated with original Moorish mosaics and plastering.
About 15 km outside Ronda you will find caves, the Cueva de la Pileta (near Benaoján), with prehistoric paintings.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (170km; 2h):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
Córdoba (198km; 2h40min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Seville (245km; 2h45min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.