Mediterranean views, suites with kitchens and a Christmas Day appearance from Santa are part of this year’s festivities at Wyndham Costa del Sol. Between Málaga and Marbella, the resort is planning celebrations from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day, with traditional festive dishes, Italian menus and live music across its restaurants.
IDILIQ Hotels & Resorts has announced the programme for the wider resort, which includes Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol, Ramada Hotel & Suites Costa del Sol and IDILIQ Santa Barbara Residences. Families and groups can choose accommodation at different price points while sharing access to the resort’s restaurants and entertainment.
The appeal is the flexibility: breakfast in your own kitchen, time along the coast, then a Christmas dinner someone else has prepared. For travellers planning a longer stay, the schedule continues well beyond Christmas lunch, taking in Boxing Day brunch, New Year’s Eve dinners and music to begin 2027.
Sea-view suites and room to settle in
The all-suite Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol sits within landscaped grounds overlooking the Mediterranean. Accommodation ranges from Junior Suites to three-bedroom suites and Grand Suites, with kitchen facilities throughout and sea views or private hot tubs in selected categories.
San Diego’s Deluxe accommodation includes Junior Suites with an open-plan sleeping and dining area, a queen bed, hob and fridge. Larger suites have separate bedrooms and living spaces, with full kitchens including dishwashers. Private balconies or terraces provide outdoor space, and selected configurations sleep up to eight, making them worth considering for an extended-family Christmas.
Santa Cruz’s Premium Plus suites come with one, two or three bedrooms, full kitchens and private balconies or terraces. Among the options is a three-bedroom sea-view suite with a private hot tub, king, queen and twin bedrooms, a sofa bed and a family bathroom. Santa Cruz is also close to Safari, one of the main settings for the festive meals.
For more private outdoor space, Santa Barbara Residences offers contemporary two-bedroom accommodation, each with a private plunge pool, a fully equipped kitchen and open-plan living space. Guests have access to residence-specific pool, gym and sauna facilities, alongside the wider resort. One of the communal pools at Santa Barbara Heights is seasonally heated from November to May.
Family time, with space for a massage
Wyndham Grand’s family and wellness facilities include complimentary Team Marina Kids Clubs for children aged four to 12, with activities adapted to age groups and the season. Teen Zones, play areas and family entertainment add options beyond the dining programme, while a free road train connects different parts of the resort.
Adults can exercise on jogging trails through the grounds or use the gym, tennis courts, fitness studios and sauna. Treatment rooms offer massages, scrubs, facials and body treatments; advance booking is recommended because availability is limited.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Grand Italia Restaurant and Bar will host a special Christmas Eve dinner with a performance from Alexandra Avery. Safari’s alternative brings together international cuisine and vocals from Michelle Jane, with Christmas classics and feel-good songs planned for the evening.
Safari will serve a four-course traditional festive feast, accompanied by carols and live music from Miguel Angel Guerrero. It’s the option for those who want the familiar Christmas meal to remain central to the day, even with the Mediterranean nearby.
Grand Italia will offer a menu combining traditional dishes with modern Mediterranean influences, including Lamb Wellington and creamy risotto. Santa Claus is also due to make a surprise appearance after dinner.
The restaurant choice is worth discussing before booking, particularly if Christmas lunch is the main occasion around which the trip is being planned. Safari and Grand Italia have different menus and entertainment, so the decision can be based on the meal and atmosphere your group prefers.
A leisurely Boxing Day brunch
Safari’s Boxing Day brunch includes two hours of free-flowing Cava, Mimosas, Bloody Marys or soft drinks for children. The breakfast buffet will feature cold meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and pastries, alongside brunch favourites including a Full English Breakfast, smoked salmon and eggs, and avocado on toast.
For guests staying through the Christmas period, it offers another organised gathering without the formality of a multi-course dinner, leaving the rest of the day available for family activities or exploring the coast.
New Year’s Eve, from a gala dinner to à la carte
Safari’s New Year’s Eve gala dinner will begin with a Champagne Cocktail, followed by a five-course menu. Dishes announced include roast fillet of beef, oak-smoked salmon with foie gras, and lemon and Cava sorbet.
Grand Italia will host a multi-course dinner with live music. Zac’s offers a more relaxed alternative, with its full à la carte menu available alongside live entertainment. Across the resort, the celebrations will include champagne, DJ sets and parties.
Spain’s midnight tradition involves eating 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock, a custom associated with good luck and prosperity for the coming year. It’s a local ritual to include in the evening, whether celebrating at the resort or heading into town.
New Year’s Day brings another brunch at Safari, with a continental breakfast buffet, classic mains including steak and chips, and brunch favourites. Unlimited refills of Cava, Mimosas and Bloody Marys are planned, with options for children too. At Grand Italia, DJ and saxophonist Mo D’Angelo will provide uplifting beats and dancefloor classics to start 2027.
Winter sunshine and time along the coast
December’s average daytime high at Málaga airport is 17.5°C, with an average low of 8.9°C. January is a little cooler, with average highs of 16.8°C. Rain is part of the winter climate, so layers for evenings and a light waterproof belong in the suitcase alongside sunglasses.
Fuengirola is the closest town, approximately two kilometres from the resort. Beach access from Santa Barbara is around 10–15 minutes away on foot, and the resort road train can take guests to the nearest access point. The C1 train also connects Fuengirola with Málaga through Benalmádena and Torremolinos, offering scope for an outing beyond the resort.
Prices and reservations
Announced starting accommodation rates are £80 per night at Ramada Hotel & Suites Costa del Sol, £94 at Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol and £282 at IDILIQ Santa Barbara Residences. Christmas dining starts at €50 per person.
Wyndham Grand advertises Room Only, Bed & Breakfast and Half Board options. When reserving, confirm the price of your chosen festive meal and whether it is included in your accommodation package. The resort estimates a 25-minute drive from Málaga airport; taxis for more than four passengers need advance reservations.
The Christmas and New Year booking page has further details, and restaurant reservations can be requested at restaurant.booking@wyndhamcds.com.
