Mr & Mrs Smith

At the end of our 4 days in Casa la Concha, we knew it hadn't been long enough, but at least it's there for a return visit. So let me tell you all you need to know: first, the practical bit. If you are arriving by rental car from Malaga airport, get very good and clear directions from Marie-Helene, the owner, because Marbella hinterland is not easy to navigate in the dark. Few or no street signs, badly lit, blah blah, and don’t expect a bright neon sign to say 'yer tiz' because it doesn’t. But once there, forget the previous hassle. MH will welcome you with open arms. Nothing is too much trouble, in fact the previous Russian guests in our room had pinched the bath plug but a spare was delivered faster than you can say chorizo. We were put in the huge house room because the bungalows were being refurbished. Simply decorated but huge bed, nice bits and bobs, books, tea and coffee and the bottle of cava in the fridge. Breakfast is a simple affair, so don’t expect lashings of bacon and eggs, but all you will want to do is jump in to the pool and sunbathe around its edge, or lay out on the many options for snoozing in the sun or shade. There are a number of pooches around but they are no bother. Marbella itself is for the most part charming. We were there when the oranges were out, quite beautiful, so much so I snaffled a bag load to bring back for marmalade, making the locals snigger as I gathered, but I knew they were only good for that one purpose. Restaurants abound, some quite pricey and/or touristy, but you have a choice. Drive to Rondda, it’s an amazing town with a hair-raising road to get there, but well worth it. Casa la Concha is very much a 'home' affair. Madame and her maids look after you with attention, but you can also be very private and calm here.

4 days on the Costa Plonka in February, were we mad? Well, Marbella is no 'kiss me quick' destination full of red-skinned fatties trying to recreate their local pub abroad, or at least it’s not at this time of year. Casa La Concha is set in an exclusive part of the town, above the Golden Mile, full of walled and security-gated villas. Peace and tranquillity abound, broken by the occasional bark either from the resident totally benign mutts, or those of their close neighbours guarding their territory. The owner of Casa La Concha made us very welcome, once we had found the house in the dark and rain; note to all to research directions if you are driving from the airport -- we had, but after dark, the myriad of small residential roads are unlit and are not blessed with street signs! The property was undergoing renovation, and therefore none of the garden cottages were available, but our large main house room was clean, crisply white, with all mod cons and a huge, very comfortable bed. A definite shrine to that Swedish furniture retailer, but we could imagine perfect when the summer temperatures render the fat off your chorizo! Breakfast is a simple DIY affair, we left the cold boiled eggs each day preferring the toast, preserves and laughing cow option. With our set of keys we could come and go as we pleased and nothing was too much trouble. For example, the previous Russian guests had nicked the bath plug, a replacement was provided to our suite. We will be going again. The pool, the grounds with their myriad of gazebos, outdoor beds, shady patios, terraces, the view of the mountain after which the property is named, Marie-Helene's attentive but never obtrusive manner make this a glorious bed and breakfast hideaway. In February, the avenues are lined with orange trees laden with fruit and the sun does shine with enough heat to start your tan without the application of factor 30 army blanket. Where to go when you are there? Marbella Old Town is quite charming, especially after dark. Puerto Banus provides for gin palace watching if you need to do that sort of thing. But top of the places to visit within an hour's drive is Ronda, spectacular!