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Barefoot luxury boutique hotel brands are on the rise – it’s almost the unspoken ‘if you know, you know’ in the travel world. But if you are privy to this, then OKU Hotels has likely crossed your radar. With its roots in Greece and Spain, since its 2020 launch the boutique collection has grown to become a group of curated, laidback luxury hotels. Built firmly for the modern traveller, it draws upon the Japanese idea of ‘oku’ – a journey inward and a sense of inner space. With its first outposts in Kos and Ibiza, the group then arrived to Spain’s Costa del Sol two seasons ago with OKU Andalusia.
Upon arrival you instantly feel the spirit of OKU, with its signature beachside bohemian flair and minimalist ethos, with contemporary design elements with a soft palette, rattan accents, as well as traditional Andalusian aesthetics. Situated within 10 hectares of lush greenery, the resort is directly on Playa de La Alcaidesa’s beachfront. The 255 rooms span everything from terraced suites with private pools to roof terrace rooms with panoramic ocean views, plus a private four-bedroom villa right on the beach.
The beachside retreat also houses five dining concepts with a range of more established restaurants and more casual options. Firstly, there’s Alma beach club – with alma meaning ‘soul’ in Spanish – which brings together the spirit of Andalusia with bold Hispanic influences for a dining experience that’s refined without feeling stiff. The menu focuses on being led by local produce, hence an emphasis on seafood. It’s a spot which is a chilled-out by day with an adults-only pool area, and an elevated venue at night – an OKU speciality.
Then there’s Teyo, a Nikkei-cuisine-inspired venue, a signature across all OKU properties; To Kima, the all-day Mediterranean dining spot; The Terrace, which offers casual dining and breakfast; and the Bodega, which is wine-focussed.
Overall wellness is also at the centre of the OKU experience, rooted in its ethos of slow living and self-connection. There’s a dedicated wellness concierge which helps guests build programmes focused on restoration and longevity, while the 2,000 square-metre OKU Spa houses an indoor pool, meditation courtyard, sauna, steam room, and an open-air yoga shala set within the wellness gardens. Add in the sports club, complete with tennis and padel, and it’s an all-round wellness experience.
And with the Costa del Sol’s golf courses, hiking trails, and the wild landscapes of the nearby Los Alcornocales Nature Reserve all within reach, not to mention Tarifa’s kitesurfing scene down the coast, it feels like every box is ticked here at OKU Andalusia. A place to reconnect, recharge and truly revitalise the soul.
