Paul Hickling deserves a chapter in the history of the Costa del Sol. He arrived at Puerto Banús in the 70s aboard his yacht like an English pirate, with his family in tow and a parrot on his shoulder, and with little idea of what he would create. But he became part of the cement and mortar of a region that would go on to inspire thousands of others. Owner of the much-loved and now legendary Roman Oasis in Manilva, now that he has hit 80, he has decided to sell up. The business has transformed from a Roman-themed show to a boutique hotel to a highly successful restaurant to a thriving community hub and mini-golf day out. More than half a million people have been through the restaurant since 1983, when it all began, and a lot of famous faces. Chef Keith Floyd, Frank Carson, Freddy Star, Cilla Black, Bob Hoskins, Helen Shapiro, Robert Carlisle, Anni-Frid of ABBA, and the list goes on. “I came over here when I was 33, sold my house in England and bought a boat, and sailed here with my wife, two kids and a parrot, arriving in Puerto Banús, not thinking about doing anything. After a couple of years, a business partner and I opened a piano bar in Puerto Banús. I had heard about these Roman baths near Manilva, so I took a friend from England to visit them. “Roman baths and a Roman theme! ” he said. “We could do Roman-themed nights. Gladiators and stuff like that! “So, like a mug, I bought the land, and we started this madness.” EWN: You achieved a big name for yourself. You have had a lot of famous faces here. “Well, it was a complete disaster at first. I lost a lot of money in the first months because nobody came. We had to pay gladiators, fire eaters, knife-throwers… It was like a Cecil B. DeMille spectacular! Who came? F***ing nobody! [He laughs.] I went from being in the nightclub with my Versace shirts and crocodile skin shoes and drinking Dom Perignon to being like Manuel with piles of plates up to my shoulders while I was trying to make it work, which I did, turning it into one of the busiest restaurants on the coast. That was up until COVID. Just before the pandemic, I had decided to retire. I was stuck here locked in, which was a nice place to be. I looked over and thought I’d build a little nine-hole golf course. It turned into an 18-hole. After COVID, we opened as a minigolf course with more casual dining, and this is the 4th season, and it’s doing fantastic business.” Paul reflects on his reasons for selling up. “I’ll never stop working until it’s sold. Today, I am sitting down. You’ll normally see me here up a tree with a chainsaw or something. I love doing everything, but on the other hand, I’m 80.” EWN: How much are you selling for? “It’s on the market for just under €3 million.” The site is huge, fenced-off 30,000m2 of natural beauty with a 4-bedroom Roman-style villa with an interior terrace, jacuzzi, rooftop swimming pool, enormous kitchen, and the legacy of chef Keith Floyd, who spent his last days writing his final book here. As a business, it continues to grow. About 60 per cent of all customers are new, and the rest are faithful regulars. “It’s a daytime business mostly. “We don’t have as many late nights like we did with the restaurant,” he tells me. EWN: I imagine you’ve seen spectacular changes to the Costa del Sol. Paul: “I first came when I was a kid, with my dad. We flew into Gibraltar, and it took us more than 3 hours to drive to Torremolinos. All Torremolinos was back then was 2 streets and a square, and there was nothing between there and Benalmadena. When I came back in ’78, there were no supermarkets, hardly any roads. I had a yacht in Puerto Banús. Mooring was just £1,000 a year. Now, it’s lovely, but it’s been blood, sweat and tears to get here.” EWN: What would you like to happen to the property? “I’d like somebody to buy it and to carry it on as a business. There are so many different aspects to the site, so many opportunities. Or someone who wanted to enlarge the house and make it into a hotel. Or someone who wants to do something with horses. Or someone who’s very rich wants to buy it and have a little private golf course.” The fun continues while Paul and his team remain. Thomas Henry is performing at the International Buffet on Friday, August 15, from 8pm (booking via email to romanoasis@outlook.com – €25). Paul Hickling’s retirement at 80 is an end-of-an-era moment, but his mark and joyful banter will live on in the history of the Costa del Sol forevermore. Roman Oasis is on Camino los Baños, km 3, Manilva. Call: 711 06 87 00.