Costa Holiday to Estepona tourism

Fun in the sun: Nothing to do but relax on the Costa del Sol


There was to be no shopping, cooking or chauffeuring. No nit combs and definitely no haggling over pocket money. My girlfriends, Serena and Alice, and I had exchanged eight feral, hyperactive children for sand, sea and the luxuriously refurbished Kempinski Hotel Bahia on the Costa Del Sol.

We bought trashy magazines and sat in the airport making plans to have no plans.

When we arrived, we went straight to the restaurant, crying 'Mojitos'. The first meal was an encouraging sign of what was to come - although I'm not sure if goat's cheese ice cream with aubergine will catch on.

Our room with a balcony overlooking the sea was lovely and there was a Haribo-filled mini bar. But the following morning, we had stonking hangovers. Staggering our way to the breakfast terrace, we popped aspirins with our freshly squeezed orange juice, and marvelled at the spread. There was even a chocolate fountain.

Although the hotel was full, it felt very calm. The beautifully lush gardens - including an organic vegetable patch - were sparkling from the sprinklers.


Calm oasis: The gardens at Kempinski Hotel Bahia


There was no need to leg it for a sun-lounger - there are three pools and plenty of beach with oatmeal sand leading to clean-looking water.

We took a pedalo - with its own water-slide - and chugged off to explore the coastline.

I'd just bought an underwater iPod, which transforms the whole swimming experience.

After some fruit smoothies, we were lured back into the pool to do aqua aerobics with a very patient instructor.

We came across the instructor throughout the day in different guises. He seemed to be in charge of the popular kids' club and was multi-tasking heroically as a giant chicken, a clown and Mister Squirrel-head.

The hotel seems genuinely concerned to provide guests with the most pampered holiday possible. There are 230 employees to 340 inhabitants and the staff are assiduous.

The whole pool area is surrounded by lawns. And there are large double beds under canopies. Inviting. For a considerable sum they could be fitted with clean linen and decked with fruit baskets and buckets of Champagne


Sun-baked streets: Estepona old town


That evening, we went to watch polo in nearby Sotogrande - a strange combination of heart-stopping, decadence and fun.

Next morning, we had a minor crisis when we lost Alice's teapot. We had been making our drinks with her own special blend - she is in the trade, and an unrepentant tea snob.

The pot had been mistakenly removed by the maid and was recovered instantly - the hotel dealt with the incident as though we had mislaid a diamond ring.

A range of mopeds and motorbikes are available for guests to hire, including a selection of Harley-Davidsons.


Sitting comfortably: Imogen Stubbs and her friend take to the wheel


We hired three gleaming, sexy black mopeds, unbelievably easy to ride. We felt at least as cool as those trans-global bikers Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

I felt like a fabulous, carefree teenager - despite the fact that I was only going 15 mph and had one of my contact lenses hanging off my nostril.

We hit the nearest town - Estepona, which was touristy with a busy beach and had fresh sardines cooked on a fire in an old fishing boat.

We also scootered to a market. It was full of the usual ubiquitous knick-knacks and we made the same old mistake of buying floaty things in turquoise and orange.


Roaring to go: Imogen Stubbs sets off on a girls' weekend


The old port in Estepona,has little squares and avenues of lime trees. under which you can eat lunch. Our translated menu was delightful: 'Striped funny tuna, Iberian ham of acorn, Secret prey sirloins and Small buns of hard larded pigs.'

As we left the hotel, I realised that, having initially squirmed at the polished floors and vast, shiny foyers, I had become very fond of the calm of the Kempinski.

It was a really enjoyable break for three middle-aged mothers who wanted to have the illusion - even for a brief time - that they were hip, carefree and fun.

Travel factsNightly rates at Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona start at £161 for a double room & breakfast (00 34 95 280 9500, kempinski.com/estepona). Flights to Malaga from £77 return (08719 40 50 40, monarch.co.uk).