AfricaAndalusia 2022
Ikos Resort, Andalusia
Saturday 2nd July, helpfully BA cancelled our outbound flight the previous day and offered us a much later flight that wouldn’t have gotten us into the resort until around 3am. Thankfully Tammay managed to get us onto an earlier flight.
We still arrived after dark but at least the hour wasn’t as unpleasant. We were staying at the Ikos Resort in Andalusia, located just down the coast from Marbella.
The resort’s Italian restaurant was open late so we stopped in for a late dinner. It was approaching midnight and very quiet so we think they had the ‘B team’ working.
The view from our (first) room
Sunday 3rd, we had booked a room with a sea view but found the small ‘square’ of sea we could see from our room a bit of a stretch. When Tammay mentioned this to the staff they agreed and said they would move us on the 5th.
Morning exercise
I went for a run along the promenade towards Estepona and Tammay followed on a bike. We managed to get most of the way there with the return loop totalling 15km (which got me passed my 30km weekly target). It was a fair bit further than I had planned given the morning heat.
The resort
It was a lovely resort with a selection of very good restaurants. Contrary to our experience the evening before they were well staffed and thankfully there was no waiting to be served.
Breakfast
Monday 4th, we got up early and both took bikes to Estepona. The staff had given us a padlock so we could secure the bikes separately and take them before the bike shed had opened.
The breakfast, and the food in general, was excellent. Not only was the quality of the food very good but the staff were also very attentive, quick to provide service and consistently made good cocktails!
That evening I also went for a run while Tammay has a massage. I completed a 8.5km Strava route around the local area. It felt like I was getting a little too off-road at points but managed to keep to the route.
The view from our (second) room
Tuesday 5th, Tammay’s birthday! I completed a 7km run along the promenade and Tammay once again followed on a bike.
We changed rooms and ended up with a great view of the sea and a large balcony.
Our second room
It wasn't as big as our first room but the balcony and the view were lovely.
Setting up the Tesla
Wednesday 6th, as part of our stay at ikos we had use of a Tesla Model 3 for a day. After a few minutes of explanation on how the car worked we were on our way!
Setenil de Las Bodegas
First stop was Setenil de Las Bodegas. A lovely little town with buildings built into the cliffs. It was a hot day and we stopped at one of the cafes for an ice cold Coke which we drank while sitting at a table outside.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla was lovely to drive. Plenty of power and no engine noise. One flaw we discovered was the glass roof. The heat of the sun beating down left it so hot I could barely touch it. There was no retractable cover and the A/C had nowhere near enough power to cool it down. The result was a cabin that was a little too warm and having a boiling hot roof panel just an inch or two above my head was not pleasant.
Ronda
Our next stop was Ronda which had buildings right along the edge of a cliff and an impressive bridge connecting two parts of the town. We stopped at a viewpoint just outside of town where we ate the packed lunch provided by the hotel.
Final verdict
At the end of the day I was very happy with the Tesla, although I think it might be a few more years before the battery technology and charging infrastructure reaches the point where I'd be happy to buy one.
Evening meal
Another lovely dinner at ikos.
Puerto Banús
Thursday 7th, I started the day with an 8km run along the promenade with Tammay once again taking the bike.
We then took the hotel transfer into Puerto Banús where we spend two hours wondering around admiring the super yachts and super cars!
We walked the full length of the harbour wall. There was no shade but the breeze was lovely.
Cocktails with a view
During the course of the holiday we had started to feel at home sitting on the sofas outside the bar and ordering cocktails. There was the occasional game of cards or Rummikub which I'm sure the other guests thought strange.
In the early evening we went to the spa and I spent an hour drifting between the sauna and steam room. They had 3 separate showers: cool rain; cool mist; and my favourite, a bucket of cold water!
The beach
By the end of the holiday we realised we hadn't even been onto the beach so managed to venture down to the water's edge and get our feet wet.
My final morning run
Friday 8th, I once again started the day with an 8km run along the promenade with Tammay riding a bike.
In the early evening we went back to the spa.
Time to head home
Saturday 9th, an early start followed by a buffet breakfast and hotel transfer to the airport. Hand luggage only meant we were through security and in the lounge promptly.