The Spanish beach resort you can visit with £16 flights – and has a private beach and sunlounger cocktail buttons
THE azure blue skies seem to match the colour of the ocean, which is shimmering in the light of the morning sun.
It’s impossible not to gawp at the beauty of this tranquil shoreline, even when struggling to bend into a downward dog position.
I’m practising beach yoga at Amare Hotel’s Beach Club in the sun-drenched city of Marbella on Spain’s southern coast — and my experienced instructor seems quite determined to whip me into shape.
But as I wobble into each pose, what’s getting me through is the thought of the plentiful breakfast buffet, with avocado, eggs cooked to order and fresh OJ (to which I might add sparkling wine) waiting for me post-workout.
A yoga class on the sand is just one of the many ways this 4H hotel has taken advantage of its picturesque setting.
Right on the seafront, many of the 236 bedrooms have wide, open views of the Mediterranean, the quaint Old Town or the distant mountains, yet the elegant, clever design means they still feel private.
Then there’s the ninth floor Belvue bar, which has floor-to-ceiling windows with an Insta-worthy wraparound terrace.
The best time to visit is sunset, when you can admire the pretty coastline drenched in the sun’s orange glow.
Temperatures are comfortably nudging into the mid-20s by the time I stride on to the decking at the hotel’s private beach.
And with a friendly waiter on hand to fix my gin and tonic, the toughest decision of the day will be choosing what to have for lunch.
There are five restaurants in this adults-only hideaway.
But it was the prawn tempura roll by top sushi chef Carlos Navarro at the hotel’s Beach Club that won me over almost every time — normally paired with a chilled glass of rose.
The tables, on a wooden deck, are hovering just above the sand and doting staff will bring a personal coat stand to your table so that you can hook your towel and beach bag.
If finer dining is more your thing, then Michelin-starred chef Mauricio Giovanini has a pop-up at the hotel until September 30, with a menu that boasts specialities from Cuba, Argentina, Peru, Mexico and Brazil.
If you fancy dipping your toes in the A-list life, Puerto Banus is a well-known hangout for celebrities
Follow it up with a melon lassi garnished with mint leaves — the perfect way to finish any meal.
There are plenty of ways to work off those feasts at Amare.
Along with an L-shaped outdoor pool, there is a high-end gym, a spa with a hydrotherapy circuit and a dizzying range of treatments using super-flash Germaine de Capuccini products.
I enjoyed the signature Aromas d’Andalucía massage, which was so relaxing I never wanted it to end.
If you’re travelling as a group, the spa can be booked by up to six people for a private “sparty”, which includes Prosecco and nibbles as well as chocolates and sweets.
Although with Amare being just a ten-minute stroll from Marbella’s magnificent Old Town means you have plenty of options for fun outside the hotel too.
After nosing around the Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, flower-draped balconies and narrow, winding streets, I ventured to Plaza de los Naranjos, which literally translates as “square of oranges”.
The whole area is packed with orange trees, with the 15th-century Ermita de Santiago church sitting in one corner and restaurants with terraces occupying the rest of the square.
Push and go
If you fancy dipping your toes in the A-list life, Puerto Banus is a well-known hangout for celebrities and can be reached via taxi in just 15 minutes.
Or you can take a segway along the scenic promenade.
It’s impossible to get lost — just keep your eyes peeled for the rows of super yachts docked in the harbour.
You can even catch a boat back if you want to sample the yacht life for a fraction of the price
You can even catch a boat back if you want to sample the yacht life for a fraction of the price (a return catamaran journey from Marbella to Banus with Fly Blue costs €18).
Luckily, I still felt like somewhat of a celeb back on my sunbed by the pool, where the “push and go” button meant I didn’t need to lift a finger.
One more cocktail, por favor?
GO: Marbella
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Luton to Malaga from £15.99 each way.
See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Amare Beach Hotel in Marbella are from €188 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis, and €242 per night on a half-board basis.
See amarehotels.com or call 0800 084 3493.