Marrakech – A new jewel on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Oku Andalusia, brings travelers a serene seaside escape with five pools, panoramic vistas stretching all the way to Morocco, and a design infused with minimalist wabi-sabi elegance.
Nestled near the exclusive enclave of Sotogrande and the Los Alcornocales Nature Reserve, the 225-room resort balances family-friendly amenities with refined adults-only spaces.
Siobhan Reid, writing for Travel & Leisure, highlights that the guest rooms embrace “wabi-sabi, the minimalist Japanese aesthetic,” featuring earthy tones, linen and jute textiles, and Moroccan-inspired pendant lighting.
Room categories include standard rooms with garden or sea views, roof-terrace rooms offering uninterrupted views to Morocco, two-bedroom suites for families or friends, and a four-bedroom villa with a private pool and panoramic terrace.
Reid describes the Deluxe Suite Private Pool as “ideal for couples or anyone seeking peace and quiet,” with a spacious terrace, plunge pool, in-room yoga setup, and a temperature-controlled wine fridge that makes preparing an in-suite aperitivo effortless.
Food and drink at Oku Andalusia reflect a mix of local and global flavors.
Reid notes that the breakfast at Oku “turned me into a morning person,” with glazed doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and pain au chocolat alongside a pan con tomate station, Spanish cheeses, and tortilla de patatas.
Those early risers can enjoy their meal on the scenic terrace overlooking the pools and the Mediterranean stretching toward Morocco.
For lunch, Reid recommends To Kima, the all-day eatery near the pool, offering crowd-pleasing dishes like wood-fired pizzas, poke bowls, lobster rolls, Japanese curry bowls, and a daily fresh catch.
Dinner shines at Teyo, a tucked-away upscale dining room with low lighting, intimate booths, and an open kitchen.
Reid recounts starting with sparkling sake, followed by edamame dusted with spicy umami salt, Japanese eggplant with honey miso and wakame seaweed, and a huevos rotos–inspired tuna tartare crowned with crisp potato and a fried egg.
A tableside chef presentation of a spicy salmon gunkan-maki and shared dishes of organic lamb skewers and baby chicken with barley miso left Reid wishing for the full omakase with sake and wine pairings.
Oku Andalusia offers activities for every pace. With five indoor and outdoor pools, plus an adults-only beach club with a pool set into the sand, guests can soak up the sun or relax in serene surroundings.
Children can enjoy a hillside kids’ club modeled after a Spanish farmhouse, complete with an adventure playground, splash zone, and shallow pool.
Reid highlights wellness programming in the airy fitness studio, including meditation, vinyasa yoga, breathwork, and even laughter therapy. She recounts trying partner yoga with a friend, using each other’s weight to deepen stretches.
For those seeking adventures beyond the resort, curated excursions abound. Golfers can play nearby championship courses, including Robert Trent Jones’s Real Club Valderrama.
Hikers and nature lovers can explore El Estrecho Natural Park, Los Alcornocales Reserve, or the Benahavís River Walk.
Seaside activities include dolphin-watching in the Strait of Gibraltar, windsurfing in Tarifa, and private boat tours to Marbella or the Rock of Gibraltar.
Reid particularly enjoyed a multi-hour horseback ride along the wild Playa de Los Lances in Tarifa, trotting past kite surfers and sandy beaches.
The 21,527-square-foot spa adds another layer of indulgence. Reid describes her experience, stating, “I chose a stress-melting, deep-tissue massage with Barcelona’s Natura Bisse dry oil, then stretched out with a cup of tea in the stunning meditation courtyard, complete with an old-growth olive tree surrounded by reflective waters.”
Specialty treatments include the Andalusian Ayurvedic Ritual and the Sleep Well massage, blending stretches with hot-and-cold therapy. While outdoor pools have a youthful, lively vibe, the spa’s heated indoor pool is all about serenity.
Oku Andalusia also emphasizes sustainability and accessibility. The resort employs recycling programs, solar power, and modern irrigation systems, while sourcing ingredients from nearby Spanish farms and fisheries.
As a member of the Conscious Travel Foundation, Oku Hotels contribute to community-driven and environmentally responsible initiatives. Step-free common areas and select ground-floor rooms adapted for wheelchair users ensure accessibility for all guests.
