The Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean coast in southern Spain is well-known today for thousands of condominiums and hotel complexes visited by people from all over the world. The region got its start in the 1960s as a haven for European royalty, celebrities, and wealthy Arabs in Marbella. Today, there are several 5-star resorts located along Marbella’s waterfront which is known as the Golden Mile. These include the Marbella Club and the Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa.

Amenities

We stayed at the Puente Romano which is laid out like a village of white pueblo buildings interspersed with fountains and gardens. Each living unit is a one- or two-bedroom suite which provides shady relief from the oppressive heat of Spain’s spring and summer weather. This theme of cooling continues at the hotel’s private beach. The muddy brown sands of Mediterranean beaches can be disappointing to some westerners accustomed to the white sands of the Gulf or the Caribbean, but the amenities of the hotel’s beach are spectacular. Lounging guests are sprayed with a cool mist and several air-conditioned tents offer snacks and drinks throughout the day. In the evening, the tents are converted into bars and dance clubs for hotel guests and their friends. There are also several large pools at the hotel which are well shaded and tucked away throughout the complex for relaxing swims or reading.

Tennis enthusiasts will love the facilities at the resort which include ten immaculate red clay courts and a small stadium that has hosted professional tournaments. I played several times at the stadium with the pro in front of a sparse crowd and a ball boy. For a quieter evening, the hotel offers guests a unique outdoor dinner show with local cuisine and a traditional flamenco show with music and dance. Or for a quieter evening, check out one of the resort’s twelve restaurants.

Area Activities

In addition to enjoying the beach and food, many guests walk along the seascape to the famous Puerto Banus marina district where some of the world’s largest yachts tie up daily and luxury cars troll the streets. After viewing the lifestyles of the rich and famous, you can enjoy one of the many seafood restaurants and clothing stores there. There is no shortage of things to do in Marbella but remember that people in Spain drink more coffee and stay up later than any other country in the world.

Location

Marbella is located less than an hour from the coastal city of Malaga in southern Spain.  There are daily direct flights to Malaga on Iberian Airways from Madrid and many European carriers offer service as well. Equally important if you are traveling in Spain is that one of the high-speed AVE rail line terminates in Malaga which provides 200 mph  service to many other exciting destinations in Spain such as beautiful Cordoba (1 hour) and Seville (2 hours). This allows you to use Marbella as a base for day trips and return to the relaxing atmosphere of the Puente Romano the same day.