As a huge fan of pampering, you can imagine how excited I was when I got the chance to sample the delights of The Ocean Spa at The El Oceano Beach Hotel and who am I to turn that down? To get a male point of view, I dragged, my other half with me. If the truth be known he didn’t need much persuading. The Ocean Spa, which is privately owned and operated, is an oasis of tranquil luxury, where the guests’ comfort and satisfaction is paramount.

The Ocean Spa features an indoor, heated pool, Jacuzzi, swim-spa and steam room, while at the treatment centre you can find top beauty therapists, hairdressers and nail technicians all of whom are qualified to provide you with a wonderful menu of luxurious treatments.  With such a vast array of treatments we found it really difficult to choose. They included, Thai dumpling massage for face and body, Gel, Acrylic and Shellac for nails, Fake Bake spray tan, Nouveau Lashes or if you are feeling too lazy to move there is even a pool side massage on offer.

I was very impressed with the high-tech facials available, Crystal Clear, oxygen and the non-Surgical Face Lift Genie, to name a few. I decided on the Elemis Spa Therapy Advanced Anti-Ageing Facial. These superior face and eye treatments include a luxurious hand, arm and scalp massage for ultimate relaxation.

Andy opted for the Guinot Paris Hydradermie, where pure and natural ingredients penetrate into the lower layers of your skin to flush out impurities and hydrate it, plus a full-body massage. Greedy? Never!

My facial was divine. Most therapists leave the room while your mask gets to work, however my therapist spent this time massaging my hands, wrapping my feet in hot towels and treating me to an Indian Head massage. Andy came out glowing and refreshed.

After coming round from my trance-like state of bliss, we decided to sample a few cocktails at the pool bar and treating ourselves to lunch in the restaurant.

At El Oceano you can swim right up to the bar, a feature that got the thumbs up from us. I actually felt like we were in a scene from the movie Cocktail, and boy were the Piña Coladas good. Lunch was served overlooking the ocean and the food was delicious.

What can I say? A breath-taking setting, superb service and an unforgettable experience.

El Oceano Beach Hotel Restaurant & Spa
Urb Miraflores Playa, Crta. A7 km.199,
Marbella. Tel. 952 587 550
oceanohotel.com