The 193-room Gran Melia Don Pepe is a luxury seafront resort that's a six-minute drive from Marbella's Old Town. There's a lot to like here -- most of all the elegant style -- and the resort has indoor and outdoor pools, a children's pool, and a kids' club. Gran Melia Don Pepe is right on a lovely soft-sand beach, which has a beach club cafe with international dishes, snacks, and cocktails. There are also blue-and-white striped lounge chairs and thatched palapa-style umbrellas. The rooms feature elegant contemporary decor, marble bathrooms, and modern comforts like minibars, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- but some can be a bit small for a hotel of this caliber. The attractive spa offers a range of treatments, and there's a bright fitness center with modern equipment and tennis courts. Several restaurants and bars provide varied dining options.
This Marriott is a quiet beachfront property offering tons of on-site amenities. Decor is classic and somewhat elegant, though some may find the style a little dated and corporate, especially in the rooms. The 288 large one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, washer/dryers, furnished terraces, and solid amenities, including LCD TVs with DVD players, jetted tubs, and free Wi-Fi. There are three restaurants, a bar, and a fully stocked supermarket on site, as well as four pools, a spa, and a fitness center. The beach is narrow but sandy, and features straw umbrellas and loungers that guests can rent for the day.
Puente Romano Beach Resort Marbella is located in a quiet residential community, overlooking a pretty, sandy beach. With its world-class tennis club featuring 10 courts and lessons; three pools with towel and drinks service; and seven restaurants, it is easily one of the most luxurious properties in the region. All 266 rooms feature classic, elegant decor, marble bathrooms with double sinks, and balconies or terraces. Standard in-room amenities include Nespresso coffeemakers, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. One of the pools is by the beach and heated year round, and there are also a great fitness center with personal trainers, a tiny spa, a yoga and Pilates studio (classes are for a fee), and a bar with DJ sessions on weekends.
This stately resort has been a Costa del Sol landmark since it opened in 1957. It attracts mostly couples, but families are also drawn by its beachfront location, two pools, and kids' club, while event space makes it a popular venue for weddings and meetings. The hotel features an expansive landscaped lawn with loungers, an outdoor pool with a sundeck, and a private beach (with lounge chairs and umbrellas available for rent). The glass-enclosed Beach Club Grill offers outdoor seating right on the sand (note that The Grill is closed during January and February). Other dining options include Olivo Restaurant, which serves all three meals, and Noble Bar has lots of outdoor seating overlooking the beach. The 283 spacious rooms feature upscale marble bathrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, and private balconies, many of which offer sweeping ocean views.
The luxurious Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa has 243 modern rooms with plush beds and marble bathrooms. In addition to its six restaurants and bars and three pools, Don Carlos offers a wealth of recreational facilities. Its Orange Beach Club has lounge chairs, Bali beds, music, dedicated staffing, and a restaurant serving drinks and Mediterranean cuisine with local produce. The more exclusive VIP Nikki Beach Club offers perks like massages, boat transfer, and towel service, and is open seasonally -- guests have access to it for a fee. The beach also offers beach volleyball and water sports like pedal boating, sailing, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, and scuba diving, though they aren't included with most room rates.