“This princely people-watching playground on a prime beachfront setting at the heart of the Golden Mile started life as the von Hohenlohe family’s humble Mediterranean hideaway, Finca Santa Margarita, before opening as the Marbella Club Hotel in 1954.

It immediately welcomed an avalanche of aristocrats, dignitaries and celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot; then, as its popularity grew, so did the hotel. Today, the rustic architecture of the original farmhouse and furnishings from von Hohenlohe’s castle blend beautifully with thoroughly modern amenities, understated elegance and unrivalled comfort.

After our 50-minute transfer from the airport, it was so lovely to arrive at this gorgeous, unmistakably Andalusian village-style resort; its courtyards, pathways and 42,000 square-metres of gorgeous gardens intertwining all the way down to the beach.

There’s a relaxed, yet vibrant spirit to the resort, with slick, efficient and friendly service and it’s clear that most of the staff have been there for a long time – they know the property inside out and absolutely nothing is too much trouble. And, from the fantastic MC Beach Club, vast Kids’ Club and Thalasso Spa, to the array of cultural, wellbeing and sporting activities – including an Equestrian Centre just 20 minutes away – there’s always something to do.

This makes it a phenomenal choice for families, couples and friends… it really does have something for everyone. There were a lot of multi-generational families there and the children were all exceedingly happy!

Adding to the charm here, no one room type is exactly the same, due to the development of the resort over time. A number of the Deluxe Rooms – the lead-in room category here – are pretty spacious and there are tons of interconnecting options, all guaranteed at time of booking.

Being dotted around the grounds, most accommodation has garden views and it didn’t take more than a few minutes to walk down to the beach. But if you prefer being closer to the sea, it’s worth going for a Grand Suite.

Around the resort, there are nine bars and restaurants – pretty impressive for a property of 115 rooms and suites and 17 villas. And the food is outstanding at them all – particularly El Olivar’s extraordinarily delicious, unbeatably nutritious wellness cuisine, with vegan and gluten-free options.

My favourite eatery was El Patio – the dress code is more relaxed and I loved its courtyard, set under hundreds of twinkling lights come nightfall. The sun-splashed Beach Club is a great spot too, with an array of alfresco hangout areas from which to while away the day.

Just 400 metres along the promenade from Marbella Club and known as its naughty little brother, Puente Romano was built to resemble an Andalusian village but, being much larger than its more sophisticated sibling, it felt more like a Spanish town to me, so it may take a while to get your bearings. A good option for couples, groups of friends and families, but not those wanting something a little bit more reserved.

The 259 rooms, suites and villas all vary in layout and size and are scattered around the property. Each has stunning views of the tropical gardens or Mediterranean Sea from their private terraces. You’ve also got all the facilities you can think of – an incredible, very lively gym; kids’ club; the only Six Senses spa in mainland Spain; and a renowned tennis club which was super impressive.

Restaurants and bars are abundant too – all super-popular with guests and non-residents alike, so it’s imperative to pre-book to make sure you get a table in the most popular venues. Most of these are found at The Plaza, the resort’s effervescent day-to-night epicentre. My highlight? Dinner and a show at SupperClub – it reminded me of the dinner shows at Lio’s in Ibiza and was lots of fun.

I had heard so much great stuff about this beautiful bolthole, I couldn’t wait to finally see what all the fuss is about. And, I have to say, it’s incredible. We were all blown away from the moment we arrived. For me, the most amazing thing about Finca Cortesín is that it is so small, yet so large – and, although palatial, it doesn’t feel at all impersonal! Definitely more suited to couples looking for a high-end luxury getaway than families though.

Keen golfers will already know Finca Cortesín for its 18 holes of top-notch golf, but apparently, only 30% of guests come for the golf. Most head to the spectacular 6000-square-metre beach club, which takes less than five minutes to get to via hotel shuttle. Oozing sophistication, with unbelievable service, lunch here was probably one of my favourite meals of the entire trip. The beach itself, much like the others, is lovely to look at but fairly shingly, so most people tend to use the poolside lounges here.

There are just 67 suites and 16 villas, however, you’ll find six exquisite eateries, a luxurious spa offering the very best in Thai treatments, four swimming pools (two of which are adults-only, plus one in the spa), and tennis and padel courts, all spread over 215 acres of magnificently manicured gardens, so the sense of space is truly remarkable. Its tranquil ambience centres on a beautiful courtyard of olive and oak trees; and the spacious, light-filled and exquisitely designed suites are equally beguiling. Ranging from 50- to 200-square-metres, all feature impressive, four-metre-high ceilings and colourful accents that subtly add personality; while the four-bedroom villas are enormous and much more modern in style. With so much choice and all that space, it’s easy to see why guests return time and time again.

Almost 400 contemporary rooms and suites take style, luxury and comfort to a whole new level. Nine restaurants take guests on a gastronomic journey across Europe and beyond, with Michelin-starred menus that go hand in hand with authentic local cuisine, all to be enjoyed through the resort’s unparalleled dine-out programme.

The evening entertainment is fantastic, too – whether you prefer to sip on sundowners at one of the bountiful bars, enjoy a fabulous show, or dance the night away at one of the resort’s vibrant beach parties.

And there’s an exceptional line-up of activities – just what you need when you’ve enjoyed a little over-indulgence elsewhere. Take to the water, jump on a bike, battle it out on the tennis courts or join a spin class: there’s so much to keep you happy and healthy at Ikos, and so much of it included at no extra cost.

I had heard that the beach here isn’t as good as others in the area, so I was keen to check it out, but it wasn’t what I expected at all. It’s very wide and very strollable – the only downside is that it’s pretty rocky in parts, so it may not be the best option if you’re dreaming of sinking your toes into an endless stretch of sand. In terms of facilities though, it has everything you could wish for and is absolutely ideal for families.