Beneath La Concha mountain in Andalusia, along the Mediterranean sea, lies one of Spain’s most beautiful resort towns – the lavish, seaside city of Marbella. Long popular with tourists from Northern Europe and the United States, Marbella offers world class golfing and is also a renowned destination port for luxury yachts and cruise ships.
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With an almost endless array of hotels and vacation rentals available, it can seem a bit daunting to select the right Marbella accommodation for you. Here, we present our list of the top five luxury hotels to drop your bags and rest your head.
Marbella Club Hotel, Resort and Spa
#1: Hotel Puente Romano
In their own words, Hotel Puente Romano is not a mere luxury resort but “an exclusive getaway tucked between the lush subtropical gardens of the Mediterranean and the glistening blue sky of Costa del Sol.” Indeed. Couples will love the hotel’s prime, seaside location and its lush, romantic gardens; while families and other travelers can enjoy the hotel’s many activities, including horseback-riding, tennis, golf and relaxing by the poolside.
#2: Hotel Fuerte Marbella
Situated right in the heart of the Costa del Sol, the Hotel Fuerte Marbella is all about location, location, location. While the rear overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and a private sandy beach, step out the front door and you’re mere minutes away from the center of Marbella and its countless pubs, restaurants, shops and other places of interest. (Tip: the hotel is quick to point out that the nearby beaches have all been awarded the “distinctive ‘Blue Flag’ to certify their cleanliness, quality and safety.”)
#3: The Marbella Heights Boutique Hotel
Located in the breathtaking hills of Marbella, The Marbella Heights luxury boutique hotel offers dramatic, sweeping panoramic views of the outlying mountains and Mediterranean Sea. The hotel prides itself on personalized guest service, a warm, at-home atmosphere, and impeccable attention to detail.
#4: La Villa Marbella
Situated in the heart of the Historical Center of the city is the charming, 150-year old La Villa Marbella. This boutique hotel ranks at the very top in all of Marbella – #1 in TripAdvisor’s list of local hotels. And with good reason! Everything about the hotel’s atmosphere is designed to evoke a warm welcoming feel with a charming Asian decor, birds chirping, and soft music throughout. The hotel prides itself on top-notch, highly personalized service to ensure that guests feel right at home.
#5: Marbella Club Hotel
The Marbella Club Hotel offers an extremely refined, low-key atmosphere without all of the glitz and flair of typical five-star hotels. Service throughout the property is second to none and the staff are particularly adept at welcoming return guests back.
Rooms are tasteful, spacious, and well laid-out while the common areas are open and airy with an abundance of greenery providing a unique, elegant Mediterranean feel. The prime location is perfectly situated between the designer shops of Puerto Banus and the charming sidewalk cafes of old town. (For a truly intimate dining experience, don’t miss the hotel’s main restaurant set on a gorgeous, candle-lit terrace.)