Torcal, Antequera

As one of our New Year Resolutions was to see more of this fabulous country (Spain) we went to Torcal in Antequera. We had heard of one hotel in particular called La Posada de Torcal, Antequera, but some friends of ours who stayed there told us they the hotel does not particularly like to have children stay there and we have a five year old. So we were told about La Fuente Del Sol Hotel a few minutes drive away.

We left around 2:00 pm on Friday afternoon and drove along the toll road to Malaga and followed the road to Antequera. The views were amazing, driving through such beautiful scenery. We arrived just before 4:00 pm. So the journey from Marbella to Antequera is really about 1 and half hours.

On arrival, we were met by the Manager who was very nice. We were offered drinks and food if we wished. It was very quiet and peaceful. Our room was room 6 on the first floor. One of the suites. On entering our room, our first words were WOW, This is beautiful. It was a massive room with really high wood beam ceilings, with a large Jacuzzi Bath on a raised floor in our bedroom. It really was lovely.

After sorting ourselves out, we went straight down to the pool area, which we had to ourselves. There was also a massage room, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. Our package included 1 half hour massage, which we had on Saturday Morning and also 1 romantic meal on the Saturday Night. You could also arrange to use bikes and go horse riding if you wished. They provide dressing gowns and slippers to which you can wear from your room to the spa area. Also all the toiletries are in the bathroom so you really don't need to take much with you.

The restaurant was very quiet but nice. One main thing that we thought was a very nice touch was the fact that the waiter said apart from the menu the chef can cook anything that our little girl would like from fresh. The menu was quite simple, with a choice of 6 starters, main and deserts. mainly meat & fish. The breakfast was simple, cereals, bread, cheeses, but once again, if we wanted anything in particular cooked we only had to ask.

We took a drive to the Town of Antequera about 20 minutes away. It was quite a surprise. It was very French looking and actually a lot bigger than we thought. We didn't walk around as the weather was bad and also the shops had closed but would definitely go back again. We also found a commercial centre with numerous shops and Eroski Supermarket. Just a few minutes drive from the hotel was Lobo Park, Antequera. Unfortunately we didn't make it here as the weather was quite bad, but it looked good fun.

On the way home we thought we would take the back roads. So we followed the signs to Alora which was around 30kms and then signs to Cartama, Pizzara, Coin and then through Monda down home to Marbella. The countryside was amazing, just so much land and so green. We drove through a number of villages like Albajadis and also past Alora and also saw where the AVE train line is being built.

We really enjoyed the hotel, it had alot of character, the staff were very helpful and friendly and there were alot of personal touches.

Our package was 200€ per person plus IVA which included 2 nights,1 massage and romantic meal and breakfast. (total 400€) It was quite good value really, but then obviously you have your little extras, tea, coffee, dinner, etc. The facilities were really good and we enjoyed the fact that as there are only 14 rooms, its never going to feel busy.

The romantic meal was a little strange as the food just turned up. The starter was a salad with salted bacalau, followed by beef with mango and Torcal Cheese topping, and for pudding was a typical Andaluz Dessert. We weren't asked how we wanted the meat or even if we ate meat! But we tried to see the positive and that we probably would never have ordered the starter, therefore tried something new.

The chef made our little girl a lovely pasta with some of her favorite ingredients, cheese, garlic and basil.

The meal didn't include any drinks, or our little girl's food, or the bread that is offered to you so you do find a few little extras on the bill do start to add up.

However, we had a lovely time, and felt very refreshed and relaxed and would definitely go back again.

There is so much to explore around the Costa Del Sol other than the usual haunts. Here we are going to provide detailed information on our Day Trips and weekends away, Places of Interest like Castellar, Alora, Antequera, Gibraltar, Grazalema Cordoba, Istan, Ronda, Monda and more. All places you can drive to within a couple of hours of Malaga Airport.