Hi,

You need to bear in mind that July/August is peak season and the resorts will be really busy at that time. Also, prices tend to go through the roof in the peak season so if you want to find cheaper accommodation I would advise that you book it as soon as possible as you could be struggling if you leave it too late, epecially as its for 3 peole.

Good luck

Why not try the following sites:-

http://www.spain-holiday.com

You might struggle to get accomodation on the coast but why not try a little inland, like Alhaurin el Grande - well known for its good choice of restaurants, and a perfect base for visiting both the coast and inland villages of Andalucia.

Good luck

At that time of year, its worth booking in advance rather than just turning up. There's plenty of availability at the moment and you should just be able to pay a deposit.

Look at El Tiburon, lovely little hotel. I think we booked it through hotels connect.

I agree about what's been said regarding booking in advance because of it being the "busy" season. Having said that, when I was there last year I read in the paper that the letting agencies had been having a bad time of it. Because there has been so much building going on they have hundreds of properties on their books and apparently something like only a quarter of the properties on the Costa del Sol had been let during the whole season which means that you could walk into a letting agency and would have plenty of choice. I would want the peace of mind knowing that I had somewhere to stay when I got there. The thought of arriving at the airport and then having to search around for a place would spoil the holiday for me. I've only ever done it once and that was during a holiday in Florida one Easter - something I wouldn't do again - it's just wasn't worth the worry.

Thanks for the feedback people, keep em coming.

OAP you are a gem,

looks like we'll be booking the El Tiburon after reading some excellent reviews of the place. It'll cost us £444 and a few shillings plus our flights of £471 (including travel insurance)

Total cost for the holiday so far =

11 nights accom + return flights from Cardiff travelling mid-dayish = Approx £920!! Sounds good to me.

Just as a comparison, we looked at Ferris coach holidays which would have cost us about a grand for the same time of year to the Costa Brava and that's with the extra travel time.

I think I can be happy with what i've got, don't you?

Hi Steve- think you'll love the Tiburon. We've been twice and just booked for friend to go for her 2nd time. It's a good, cheap DIY holiday, I think Hotelsconnect even provided you with a map amongst other things. Have a good hol.

Hi oap,

Just booked the El Tiburon with Alpharooms for £443.

Can't wait to go now and she's on a diet already!! (why do women do that?)

Can you suggest any bars to visit whilst there or somewhere for a good english meal. I love Spain and their culture and wish I could eat their food. British stomach, british food i'm afraid.

Thanks again people and especially you oap.

Edited to read-

Just searched Thompson for the same holiday, flights etc and the price is 1752.97 but that's for 14 nights not 11.

Diy for 11 nights to El Tiburon is £920 not including the taxi from the airport and back. Bargain!

Hi Steve, you've got a bargain, think taxi is only about a tenner and hotel will order you 1 to return to airport. We don't do english food when we're away but we're always ready for it when we return. There's plenty of places doing english food so you needn't worry. Just round corner from you there's Bar Aladino and think they've got big screen in. Also hotel does food at lunch etc, quite a few people having it when we we've been and said it's good. There's a nice English pub along main street, can't think what they call it but they do nice English and Sunday roasts. If you look at costa del sol forum you'll probably see a few more recommendations.Plenty to do in Torre and Benalmadena too. Anything else just ask. Cheers

Hi Steve
I totaly agree with oap El Tiburon is fab, we stayed there last week 14-18 Feb, we will def be returning. We tried a few bars that oap recomended an all were very nice. We also found a nice Dutch bar called Sea Wolf there were very friendly and they did an excellent 3 course meal for 7 euros the choice was chicken,steak,pork chops,chicken kebab and a few others, we had steak which was cooked to perfection. The bar in the hotel is good, very friendly and happy hour twice in the evening, we didn`t use happy hour as we didn`t have time but will next time.Enjoy your stay you won`t be dissapointed.

Christine W

We liked Sea Wolf as well Christine, music was good wasn't it. Pleased you had a good time.

Thanks oap and thanks for your recomendations Steve will love El Tiburon and the surrounding area. Sea wolf was great, we only manage to have one meal there but it was the best meal we had,I can`t remember the music but I guess thats down to the wine and large brandys I had. I wish I was still there and I can see why you go back each year.

Christine W

Hi Christine, not going this year - Thailand on Sat and then DIY Turkey for a change in Sept but we always know where we can go back to .