SO/ Sotogrande is the tenth and newest addition to Accor’s SO/ hotel brand, with fifteen more scheduled to open. Set in an exclusive gated community in Sotogrande, this is a luxury brand but with a distinctly rebellious twist – each SO/ hotel has its own unique identity and flair, whilst still acknowledging its roots. In the case of SO/ Sotogrande, it occupies the site of a former cortijo – a traditional Spanish farmhouse – and draws on its Andalusian heritage in a revolutionary way.
Accor even hired a designer – as they do with every SO/ hotel – to represent the resort in this regard. In the case of SO/ Sotogrande, this was women’s swimwear designer Dolores Cortés who was tasked with designing a vibrant uniform for the staff. Accor wanted something new and innovative that will surprise the guest… and Dolores delivered.
We had the great pleasure of meeting Dolores and hearing the story of her involvement – how she had originally politely declined Accor’s invitation, yet how in the end she was behind not just the uniform, but also artwork at the hotel, including the hotel’s emblem that depicts three iconic elements of Andalusian culture: a carnation, a fan and an arch. She also wanted to express the joyfulness of Andalucia and the personality of the resort.
The welcome
A private, air-conditioned transfer from Malaga Airport to the hotel – a journey of about 1 hour 10 minutes – made my arrival very comfortable and seamless. (Flying into Gibraltar is another option, with a transfer that takes about half the time.) On reaching the hotel, I was greeted with a refreshing drink and towel at reception whilst the formailities of the paperwork were quickly sorted and I was driven to my room in a buggy.
A personalised welcome note from the General Manager, a bottle of fizz, some fresh fruit and a dessert with ‘SO/ Welcome’ inscribed in chocolate were among the many treats that greeted me in the room.
The room
I stayed in a SO/ COMFY King room which, living up to its name, was exceptionally comfortable and well-appointed, in addition to having its own small balcony.
Beamed ceilings, Moroccan-inspired tiling, detailed fretwork and sweeping arches combine to give an Andalusican vibe to the hotel’s 152 contemporary rooms, 36 of which are suites.
The bathroom
A luxurious Noken Porcelanosa patio bathroom holds further surprises, offering an excellent experience of comfort and relaxation. Fluffy bathrobes and a fabulous rain shower are just some of the amenities on offer.
Toiletries are from Australian beauty brand Grown Alchemist whose focus is on all-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
The facilities
The hotels is equipped with no less than six restaurants and bars. HI-SO offers a chilled-out, chiringuito-style environment close to the pool, whilst the MIXO VVIP lounge is a great spot for celebrations.
The hotel’s Cortijo restaurant is the perfect spot for Mediterranean cuisine with the option to dine outside on the terrace, whilst the new Society restaurant scheduled to open next year is a fine dining option with a more theatrical gastronomic offering.
Taking centre stage within the hotel complex are two outdoor pools, among the terraces and outdoor gardens, with plenty of sun loungers to choose from, and even some over-sized floating starfish to give an added splash of colour.
The SO/ Spa health and wellness club is a tranquil, relaxing space with a heated indoor pool as well as thermal and hydro pools. The eight treatment rooms offer everything from signature massages to body treatments, using products from QMS Medicosmetics, ESPA and Charme d’Orient.
Less mainstream treatments include cryotherapty and a flotation experience. Not having done it before, I tried the latter – it’s supposed to drift you into a meditative state and clearly worked because I managed to fall asleep in the 25 minutes that I was inside! I did come out feeling rejuvenated, I have to say.
Also on site at the hotel is the 27-hole Almenara golf course. Designed by local architect Dave Thomas, its undulating fairways and deep bunkers will challenge even the most skillful of golfers.
Location
SO/ Sotogrande is located within a private gated community, offering excellent privacy and security, on the Costa del Sol. It’s close to Gibraltar (30 minutes), Marbella (45 minutes) and also accessible from Malaga Airport (a little over one hour away).
Other nice touches
Extra special touches were plentiful during my short stay, from a bottle of fizz and the SO/ Welcome dessert on arrival, to this chocolate-dipped fig stuffed with hazelnuts that was waiting for me in the room.
Assorted GauGin gins were another surprise delivery that came to the room.
Cost
Rates start from £330 per night (£297 for Accor members) for the SO/ COMFY King room category, with breakfast included. Suites at the hotel start from £590 (£530 for Accor members), again including breakfast.
The best bit
The feeling of space and tranquillity. Although we stayed at a time of relatively low occupancy, it didn’t feel that it would be too busy even if operating at close to capacity as there’s lots of outdoor space to enjoy, not to mention multiple bars, restaurants and other facilities.
The final verdict
SO/ Sotogrande is a great place for guests seeking unconventional luxury, yet the very best of Andalusian style. The hotel also serves as an ideal place to stay for anyone thinking of investing in property in Sotogrande. To learn more about the destination, see my other post here.
Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Sotogrande.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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37 Comments
Moroccan architecture always works well on the Costa del Sol. It’s a great stylish from the centuries of Moorish occupation.
Yes, having touches such as these is a nice nod to Spain’s history, particularly since Moorish rule lasted for many hundreds of years in some parts of Spain.
I love the look and feel of the place. It come across as contemporary yet authentic and traditional at the same time – often a very difficult balance to achieve.
Yes, you’re right, Sally, but they seem to manage it very effectively!
That’s definitely some welcome. When you get that level of attention in the first few minutes you can feel it in your bones that it’s gonna be a great stay.
It was certainly a lovely welcome and stay. And, when you consider it had only just opened, everything was seamless, without the teething issues you might expect from a newly-opened establishment.
Sotogrande is an exotic place loaded with luxury.The sprawling lounges with personalized welcome treats sounds awesome! And not to forget the floating starfishes in the huge pools making Sotogrande a visitor’s paradise.
It certainly is, Puloma! And in the case of SO/ Sotogrande, it really is rather spacious so, even if the hotel was full, you’d never really sense it.
No worries about social distance here. When you have to take a buggy you know that you’re not going to be living in each other’s pockets.
Haha, yes… very true! But also, there is a lot of open space here, plenty of places to eat and drink outdoors, and plenty of sunshine to facilitate this (Andalucía gets more than 320 sunny days each year!).
A private transfer gets any trip off to a stress-free start.
Thanks, Attesh… if the opportunity arises and Accor ask me, I would be happy to oblige and report back.
Those facilities look stunning! I wouldn’t know what to enjoy first….one of the outdoor pools or the spa? Having the advantage of good weather most of the year I guess it must be the pool first, followed by the spa.
Yes, the best of both worlds, Steve! As you’ll see from my other Sotogrande post (linked at the beginning of the article), there’s lot to enjoy in Sotogrande, even for non-golfers.
I must admit that I have not really explored the range of the Accor hotels. I love the idea of a personalized welcome at the SO/ Sotogrande. When it is chocolate I am always delighted! The King room looks quite unique. And a choice of 6 restaurants might keep me there for several days. But I will enjoy the Spa and might not leave.
I think you could easily spend a week or longer at the hotel and not get bored. Like you say, multiple different places to dine… great facilities, and of course perfect weather for most of the year.
I like the look and feel of this hotel. It is surely worth a relaxing stay. It’s good to know they use non-toxic amenities. The hydro pool would be worth a try for sure.
Hi Ambica – yes, it was my first time in a hydrotherapy pool. I enjoyed it and would certainly try it again, feeling refreshed afterwards. I’d just try to stay awake next time!
SO hotels look luxurious and comfortable to stay in and spend some time there. I have experienced Novotel under the Accor group but never stayed at any SO group hotels. I would love to stay here and really want to enjoy the staycation.
Hi Pamela – thanks for dropping by. Novotel is one of Accor’s midscale brands. You would notice quite a difference if you ever get to visit a SO/ hotel.
I am in love with Andalucia Spain. I stay in Malaga as a base of exploration when in the area but SO/ Sotogrande looks like the perfect alternative! The property is gorgeous and the location can’t be beaten. Thank you for introducing me to this property
It really was Natashca… we were very lucky as the Society restaurant – which isn’t due to officially open until next year – was specially opened to us and some local Spanish press who were in attendance. If that experience was anything to go by, diners are going to love it!
Love the interior design of this hotel! It’s luxurious but not the intimidating kind. It asserts itself but in a subtle way. I cannot believe that this area used to be a farmhouse. I’d love to try the flotation session!
Hi Trisha – certainly not intimidating at all! I know what you mean, though… sometimes luxury hotels can seem a little stuffy or formal. SO/ Sotogrande couldn’t be further from that, with a very relaxing ambience.
It looks amazing. Quite modern and luxurious. I would like to try the cryotherapy stuff once at least.
I was curious to try the cryotherapy also, but a little too nervous to do so. It is quite extreme and you can never be sure how your body will react. I’m sure it’s fine for 99% of people but I didn’t like the thought of having an adverse reaction in a foreign country especially.
It’s so impressive that Sotogrande cares about their guest experience so deeply that they even hire a designer for the resort. That shows incredible dedication to developing their brand and its personality. And the pools and spa look so tranquil!
Yes, and that’s not unique just to Sotogrande but in fact to the whole of the SO/ hotel brand. Each SO/ hotel has its own dedicated designer, and they include some big names also – Kenzō Takada at SO/ Sofitel Mauritius, Karl Lagerfeld at SO/ Sofitel Singapore, Christian Lacroix at SO/ Sofitel Bangkok and Polpat Asavaprapha at SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin.
Browsing for some inspiration for our summer holiday and Sotogrande scores well under so many headings.
Accor even hired a designer – as they do with every SO/ hotel – to represent the resort in this regard. In the case of SO/ Sotogrande, this was women’s swimwear designer Dolores Cortés who was tasked with designing a vibrant uniform for the staff. Accor wanted something new and innovative that will surprise the guest… and Dolores delivered.
Accor even hired a designer – as they do with every SO/ hotel – to represent the resort in this regard. In the case of SO/ Sotogrande, this was women’s swimwear designer Dolores Cortés who was tasked with designing a vibrant uniform for the staff. Accor wanted something new and innovative that will surprise the guest… and Dolores delivered.
We had the great pleasure of meeting Dolores and hearing the story of her involvement – how she had originally politely declined Accor’s invitation, yet how in the end she was behind not just the uniform, but also artwork at the hotel, including the hotel’s emblem that depicts three iconic elements of Andalusian culture: a carnation, a fan and an arch. She also wanted to express the joyfulness of Andalucia and the personality of the resort.
The welcome
A private, air-conditioned transfer from Malaga Airport to the hotel – a journey of about 1 hour 10 minutes – made my arrival very comfortable and seamless. (Flying into Gibraltar is another option, with a transfer that takes about half the time.) On reaching the hotel, I was greeted with a refreshing drink and towel at reception whilst the formailities of the paperwork were quickly sorted and I was driven to my room in a buggy.
A personalised welcome note from the General Manager, a bottle of fizz, some fresh fruit and a dessert with ‘SO/ Welcome’ inscribed in chocolate were among the many treats that greeted me in the room.
The room
I stayed in a SO/ COMFY King room which, living up to its name, was exceptionally comfortable and well-appointed, in addition to having its own small balcony.
Beamed ceilings, Moroccan-inspired tiling, detailed fretwork and sweeping arches combine to give an Andalusican vibe to the hotel’s 152 contemporary rooms, 36 of which are suites.
The bathroom
A luxurious Noken Porcelanosa patio bathroom holds further surprises, offering an excellent experience of comfort and relaxation. Fluffy bathrobes and a fabulous rain shower are just some of the amenities on offer.
Toiletries are from Australian beauty brand Grown Alchemist whose focus is on all-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
The facilities
The hotels is equipped with no less than six restaurants and bars. HI-SO offers a chilled-out, chiringuito-style environment close to the pool, whilst the MIXO VVIP lounge is a great spot for celebrations.
The hotel’s Cortijo restaurant is the perfect spot for Mediterranean cuisine with the option to dine outside on the terrace, whilst the new Society restaurant scheduled to open next year is a fine dining option with a more theatrical gastronomic offering.
Taking centre stage within the hotel complex are two outdoor pools, among the terraces and outdoor gardens, with plenty of sun loungers to choose from, and even some over-sized floating starfish to give an added splash of colour.
The SO/ Spa health and wellness club is a tranquil, relaxing space with a heated indoor pool as well as thermal and hydro pools. The eight treatment rooms offer everything from signature massages to body treatments, using products from QMS Medicosmetics, ESPA and Charme d’Orient.
Less mainstream treatments include cryotherapty and a flotation experience. Not having done it before, I tried the latter – it’s supposed to drift you into a meditative state and clearly worked because I managed to fall asleep in the 25 minutes that I was inside! I did come out feeling rejuvenated, I have to say.
Also on site at the hotel is the 27-hole Almenara golf course. Designed by local architect Dave Thomas, its undulating fairways and deep bunkers will challenge even the most skillful of golfers.
Location
SO/ Sotogrande is located within a private gated community, offering excellent privacy and security, on the Costa del Sol. It’s close to Gibraltar (30 minutes), Marbella (45 minutes) and also accessible from Malaga Airport (a little over one hour away).
Other nice touches
Extra special touches were plentiful during my short stay, from a bottle of fizz and the SO/ Welcome dessert on arrival, to this chocolate-dipped fig stuffed with hazelnuts that was waiting for me in the room.
Assorted GauGin gins were another surprise delivery that came to the room.
Cost
Rates start from £330 per night (£297 for Accor members) for the SO/ COMFY King room category, with breakfast included. Suites at the hotel start from £590 (£530 for Accor members), again including breakfast.
The best bit
The feeling of space and tranquillity. Although we stayed at a time of relatively low occupancy, it didn’t feel that it would be too busy even if operating at close to capacity as there’s lots of outdoor space to enjoy, not to mention multiple bars, restaurants and other facilities.
The final verdict
SO/ Sotogrande is a great place for guests seeking unconventional luxury, yet the very best of Andalusian style. The hotel also serves as an ideal place to stay for anyone thinking of investing in property in Sotogrande. To learn more about the destination, see my other post here.
Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Sotogrande.
Moroccan architecture always works well on the Costa del Sol. It’s a great stylish from the centuries of Moorish occupation.
Yes, having touches such as these is a nice nod to Spain’s history, particularly since Moorish rule lasted for many hundreds of years in some parts of Spain.
I love the look and feel of the place. It come across as contemporary yet authentic and traditional at the same time – often a very difficult balance to achieve.
Yes, you’re right, Sally, but they seem to manage it very effectively!
That’s definitely some welcome. When you get that level of attention in the first few minutes you can feel it in your bones that it’s gonna be a great stay.
It was certainly a lovely welcome and stay. And, when you consider it had only just opened, everything was seamless, without the teething issues you might expect from a newly-opened establishment.
Sotogrande is an exotic place loaded with luxury.The sprawling lounges with personalized welcome treats sounds awesome! And not to forget the floating starfishes in the huge pools making Sotogrande a visitor’s paradise.
It certainly is, Puloma! And in the case of SO/ Sotogrande, it really is rather spacious so, even if the hotel was full, you’d never really sense it.
No worries about social distance here. When you have to take a buggy you know that you’re not going to be living in each other’s pockets.
Haha, yes… very true! But also, there is a lot of open space here, plenty of places to eat and drink outdoors, and plenty of sunshine to facilitate this (Andalucía gets more than 320 sunny days each year!).
A private transfer gets any trip off to a stress-free start.
Indeed, Rory… and first impressions really count. It was air-conditioned, too, and with free water provided – all nice extra touches.
Thanks for dropping by to comment.
Hiring a designer for the staff costumes is genius. So many hotel staff uniforms are totally bland and boring, you could be anywhere in the world.
All the SO/ hotels have their own designer, and some very distinguished ones at that.
For example:
Kenzo Takada at SO/ Mauritius
Christian Lacroix at SO/ Bangkok
Karl Lagerfeld at SO/ Singapore
Viktor&Rolf at SO/Berlin
When asked, Dolores told us that Kenzo was her favourite designer!
Promising brand – would be good to have your reviews of other new openings as they come on stream.
Thanks, Attesh… if the opportunity arises and Accor ask me, I would be happy to oblige and report back.
Those facilities look stunning! I wouldn’t know what to enjoy first….one of the outdoor pools or the spa? Having the advantage of good weather most of the year I guess it must be the pool first, followed by the spa.
A good choice, Kristof! Although if you wait for a cloudy day to enjoy the spa, you might be waiting a while… ;-)
This would be perfect for my wife and I… I could play golf without feeling too guilty if there’s a pool and spa for her to enjoy.
Yes, the best of both worlds, Steve! As you’ll see from my other Sotogrande post (linked at the beginning of the article), there’s lot to enjoy in Sotogrande, even for non-golfers.
I must admit that I have not really explored the range of the Accor hotels. I love the idea of a personalized welcome at the SO/ Sotogrande. When it is chocolate I am always delighted! The King room looks quite unique. And a choice of 6 restaurants might keep me there for several days. But I will enjoy the Spa and might not leave.
I think you could easily spend a week or longer at the hotel and not get bored. Like you say, multiple different places to dine… great facilities, and of course perfect weather for most of the year.
I like the look and feel of this hotel. It is surely worth a relaxing stay. It’s good to know they use non-toxic amenities. The hydro pool would be worth a try for sure.
Hi Ambica – yes, it was my first time in a hydrotherapy pool. I enjoyed it and would certainly try it again, feeling refreshed afterwards. I’d just try to stay awake next time!
SO hotels look luxurious and comfortable to stay in and spend some time there. I have experienced Novotel under the Accor group but never stayed at any SO group hotels. I would love to stay here and really want to enjoy the staycation.
Hi Pamela – thanks for dropping by. Novotel is one of Accor’s midscale brands. You would notice quite a difference if you ever get to visit a SO/ hotel.
I am in love with Andalucia Spain. I stay in Malaga as a base of exploration when in the area but SO/ Sotogrande looks like the perfect alternative! The property is gorgeous and the location can’t be beaten. Thank you for introducing me to this property
You’re welcome, Sherianne… I hope you get to stay there some time soon.
The Sotogrande Hotel of the Accor Group looks very comfortable indeed. Great pool landscape and spa. And the food must have been delicious!
It really was Natashca… we were very lucky as the Society restaurant – which isn’t due to officially open until next year – was specially opened to us and some local Spanish press who were in attendance. If that experience was anything to go by, diners are going to love it!
Love the interior design of this hotel! It’s luxurious but not the intimidating kind. It asserts itself but in a subtle way. I cannot believe that this area used to be a farmhouse. I’d love to try the flotation session!
Hi Trisha – certainly not intimidating at all! I know what you mean, though… sometimes luxury hotels can seem a little stuffy or formal. SO/ Sotogrande couldn’t be further from that, with a very relaxing ambience.
It looks amazing. Quite modern and luxurious. I would like to try the cryotherapy stuff once at least.
I was curious to try the cryotherapy also, but a little too nervous to do so. It is quite extreme and you can never be sure how your body will react. I’m sure it’s fine for 99% of people but I didn’t like the thought of having an adverse reaction in a foreign country especially.
It’s so impressive that Sotogrande cares about their guest experience so deeply that they even hire a designer for the resort. That shows incredible dedication to developing their brand and its personality. And the pools and spa look so tranquil!
Yes, and that’s not unique just to Sotogrande but in fact to the whole of the SO/ hotel brand. Each SO/ hotel has its own dedicated designer, and they include some big names also – Kenzō Takada at SO/ Sofitel Mauritius, Karl Lagerfeld at SO/ Sofitel Singapore, Christian Lacroix at SO/ Sofitel Bangkok and Polpat Asavaprapha at SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin.
Browsing for some inspiration for our summer holiday and Sotogrande scores well under so many headings.