H OT E LS & G E TAWAYS ...
JUST SAY SO S O / S OTO G R A N D E “ E P I TO M IS I N G U N CO N V E N T I O N A L , R E B E L L I O U S A N D P L AY F U L LUX U RY ”
Pioneering hotel group Accor have 5,000 hotels, resorts and residences worldwide, and now they have added another superb establishment to their SO/ portfolio on the Costa del Sol. SO/ SOTOGRANDE offers luxury not only in accommodation but also in gastronomy, wellness and leisure activities – to guests and local residents alike. The SO/ brand concept offers a resort experience that is essentially non-conformist, discarding stiff tablecloths, suitedand-booted waiters and the over-formal ambience that you come to expect in many high-end hotels. At SO/ SOTOGRANDE staff wear colourful uniforms (designed by Spanish fashion designer Dolores Cortés) and have genuine smiles as they greet you. The playful use of colour can also be seen in the hotel’s decoration embracing fun and frivolity. Home & Lifestyle Magazine were lucky enough to be given a tour around this much-talked about hotel... There has been a lot of buzz among “Sotograndianos” (and beyond) about this new resort opening on their doorstep… and now it is finally here. Perched on a hill, just up the road from the prestigious La Reserva de Sotogrande resort, SO/ offers the utmost in tranquillity and relaxation, with views over the Coast and Alboran Sea, as well as a multitude of leisure activities that, possibly, no other hotel on the Coast is currently offering. The complex comprises 152 rooms, of which 36 are suites, plus cutting-edge fitness, spa and wellness facilities, and numerous areas for wining and dining. Throughout the resort you will notice decorative references to the local area, with Andalucian architecture having a particular focus. There are many features in the design that make a distinct nod to the famous arches often observed in Andalucía, and warm terracotta, lush green and deep blue tones have been utilised all around the property – demonstrating a respect for the ground, vegetation and sea that surrounds SO/. Gastronomy is a huge part of the experience at SO/. For drinks there is MIXO, which is a contemporary bar offering a wide range of drinks and cocktails, a bold yet tasteful décor and a chic-lounge atmosphere – a great place for meeting up with friends before or after a meal. Delicious bar snacks are available to help soak up the alcohol with the likes of crispy fried pork bites, mini hamburgers and tapas to name but a few of the many little treats they have on their menu. MIXO is open every evening from 6pm until late. There is also MIXO VVIP, a more intimate bar area that is used primarily for private events, and then there is SOCIAL CLUB – ideal for a casual drink and snack while enjoying the venue’s panoramic views. When it comes to dining, CORTIJO is a charming contemporary-style restaurant located above MIXO which draws all its culinary inspiration from the best of Andalucian ingredients. There is also SOCIETY – a fine-dining restaurant with an innovative pop-up concept that showcases iconic chefs and reputed food and beverage brands in a fun and interactive evening. 152
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2021
If dining outdoors is more your penchant, HI-SO provides a “chiringuito” feel where you can dine al fresco on calamari, paella and salads as well as barbecued meat and fish, all cooked from fresh on their five-metre woodfired grill, with sangria, cocktails, beers and much more served from their comprehensive bar. In the evening, this area becomes a glamorous hotspot for those who want to while the night away listening to the cool beats of a DJ by the pool. The expansive SO/ SPA has eight dedicated spa rooms offering natural therapies and modern cosmetology. Among the many wellness treatments available, guests can enjoy full-body cryotherapy, invigorating thermal and hydro pools, a relaxing flotation tank, hammam and massages. Their impressive gym, SO/ FIT, has all the latest equipment and fitness activities you could possibly dream of. There is a Yoga Shala area and three meditation pools with stunning panoramic views across the Coast. The gym is open to everyone, whether a guest of the resort or not, and the membership fee is very reasonable. The various options include facilities and treatments offered by SO/ SPA, plus discounts at the bars and restaurants within the resort. There are so many elements to SO/ SOTOGRANDE that, when you first enter, you feel you have suddenly been transported into another world. Everything has been thoroughly thought through, with each small detail ticked-off. Even though there is a casually chic feel to SO/, you soon realise a great deal of work, effort and time has been dedicated to creating the perfect ambience for guests and visitors, all of which makes SO/ such an impressively special place to experience and pamper yourself. SO/ SOTOGRANDE Avenida Almenara, Sotogrande Tel. (+34) 956 582 000 sotogrande@so-hotels.com / www.so-sotogande.com
