Life's a 'poolside' beach, for a price

When my wife gave me the task of organising a summer holiday, I turned to my 4-year-old daughter Sophie for inspiration.

Quick as a flash, she said: "Wherever we go, Daddy, it has to have a satellite TV with the Cbeebies channel."

Luckily, my wife filled in the gaps. I had to find a beautiful apartment or villa in Spain, with a patio, garden and a pool, bordering on to a beach, near an airport, shops and restaurants and — most importantly — with sunshine. In September.

Seeking expert help

I contacted Esther Hagedoorn in the rentals department of Exclusive Marbella Estates. And she came up trumps by recommending a handful of apartments available in Elviria, a place that features in few guidebooks or websites.

Fast-forward a few weeks and the Nichol clan, equipped with suitably cheap hire car, were hot-footing it out of Malaga airport. We headed west along the exciting N340 (which has the unenviable reputation of being one of the most dangerous roads in Europe) and into the coastal heartland of Andalucia.

The southernmost and second-largest territory of Spain, Andalucia is bordered by the Atlantic on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Much of what have become the images of Spanish life originated here.

The trumps

It is a land of contrasts, with spectacular mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada dominating the rolling, prairie-like terrain which is intensely cultivated with olive, sunflower, wheat and vine plantations.

In the west, the Coto de Donana national park boasts the largest roadless area of Western Europe. To the east, you will find semi-desert landscape in Almeria alongside the snowcapped peaks of Mulhacen and Valeta — the highest mountains on the Spanish peninsula.

Change in skyline

You'll pass through Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola and after about 40 minutes, a few miles short of Marbella, take the little turn-off for Elviria. Blink, and you'll miss it — which to my mind, is just perfect.

For a few blissful miles between Torre Ladrones and Marbella, development has been restricted and there are few tower blocks or concrete jungles.

In the small "village" of Elviria itself are just a couple of supermarkets, and a handful of bars and restaurants.

The marvellous Esther had found us a two-bedroom, ground-floor apartment in the stunning complex of Cerrado Elviria Beach. It was beautifully furnished and equipped with everything a family would need (including satellite TV with Cbeebies for Sophie and the various news channels for me). It had a private garden that led into the perfectly groomed and totally private grounds. There was no sense of being crammed into a tiny area.

Sense of space

Numerous pathways were bordered by a multitude of colourful plants. Reds, yellows, purples and greens shared the tranquil space with seating areas, streams and a couple of massive lawned areas, big enough to hold a football match.

Further exploration revealed a gate that led directly on to La Perla Blanca, one of Spain's most beautiful and relatively quiet beaches. With its pristine white sand and shallow waters, it meant the only decision we really had to make all holiday was "pool or beach?"

And in many ways, that simple phrase sums up this particular Nichol family holiday. Mornings were spent at the pool followed by a leisurely lunch of fresh bread with local meats, cheeses and olives, which invariably necessitated a siesta.

Afternoons then meant dipping our toes in the sea, digging holes and building sand castles until the sun dipped behind the Serrania de Ronda hills. Late evenings on the patio involved more food (a plentiful supply of fresh fish was available in the supermarkets) followed by undisturbed sleep. We didn't venture further than the beach, and despite the multitude of water-parks, golf courses and amusement arcades further down the coast, the hire car remained unused and unneeded for the whole week. For us it was perfect.

The downside

But it all came at a price. Our two-bedder in Elviria came in at nearly £900 (Dh5,011). Add the flights in peak season, parking at Heathrow, car hire, food and ice-creams, and there was little change from £3,000 (Dh16,704) for a week's family holiday.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. We've already been back once and intend to return again this year.