As one would expect, the Costa del Sol has an extensive portfolio of hotels, ranging from highly-regarded Leading Hotels of the World to family-friendly venues and all manner in between. The availability of hotel beds has increased steadily over the years and some notable hotels have opened their doors in recent times, including the landmark Finca Cortesin, Vincci flagship Estrella del Mar and the famous Senator which is modelled on an ocean liner.

MARBELLA HOTELS: STYLISH LUXURY

Among the famous stalwarts, hotels like the iconic Marbella Club, which started the whole trend in motion, its sister hotel Puente Romano, Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona and newly re-opened Los Monteros, are always going to be at the forefront of what is happening on the local hotel scene. Meanwhile, several changes in ownership, such as with the Meliá La Quinta, Starwoods Coral Beach and Expo Hoteles Don Carlos are inevitably resulting in an even greater service to visitors, conferred by their need to be cutting edge in an already highly-competitive market.

[pullquote]A great many of the top hotels incorporating well appointed and sumptuous spas…[/pullquote]

The scope of amenities and facilities is impressive indeed, with a great many of the top hotels incorporating well appointed and sumptuous spas with a full complement of beauty treatments, massage and relaxation therapies. Yet others are located alongside or nearby to some of the area’s numerous golf courses, this being one of southern Spain’s most popular pastimes, from where they pamper to the needs of the ardent golfing fraternity. Conferences, business seminars, corporate functions and product launches are also professionally catered for with a wide selection of hotel installations to chose from. Most of these hotels have an enviable gourmet offering that attracts Celebrity Galas, charity benefits, weddings and company events.

Inland, there are special boutique hotels well worth seeking out, providing the opportunity to go walking or horse riding in the Sierras and to visit soulful whitewashed villages, where time seems to stand still. Also, within easy driving distance, are some outstanding hotels which have acquired legendary reputations, like the Villa Padierna with its Tuscan-inspired opulence, the award-winning Barceó La Bobadilla at Loja, Granada and the Moorish splendour of the Alfonso XIII in Seville.

Whatever the area or purpose in mind, it will always be practical advice to directly access any proposed hotel’s website to compare availability, facilities and prices and to consult a reputable forum such as TripAdvisor for first-hand accounts of other travellers experiences.

WORDS BY Iain Blackwell