Going to Playa Andaluzia next month - any tips

[davewasbaloo]

Hi folks,

We are off to Playa Andaluzia for half term school break and valentine's day week. Mainly it will be family time (with my DW, 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter). We plan to enjoy the pool, visit Ronda and the Alhambra. We are considering Gibralter (I wasn't that impressed when I went in 1990) and we thought we would leave Morocco until the kids were older (again I have been to Morocco as a teenager).

Any tips about either the resort or indeed the area and things we should do. Our expectations are not too high being winter, but we would like to have a good vacation (in spite of the painful exchange rates).

 

[lovearuba]

also interested

I know I am off topic but I would love to try this one in the future but air prices seem to be really high for east coasters. I will be watching this post to see what others have to say.

 

[stevens397]

The Alhambra was spectacular. Ronda was interesting but beware of the drive. Lots of time on windy, mountain roads. If you are not willing to pass trucks, it will take forever, but each time you do, you'll be terrified!

I was OK - but my wife would NEVER make that drive again! Kids and one grandchild were in the back and absolutely no one spoke during those parts of the drive!

All that said, the area is wonderful and we look forward to returning some day.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks for that. I grew up in the Sierra Nevada's California and love driving the mountain roads of Mallorca. I wonder how the road to Ronda compares. Looking forward to it. It was a toss up between Playa or Marbella. Because of the kids, Playa won.

 

[GrayFal]

The Alhambra was spectacular. Ronda was interesting but beware of the drive. Lots of time on windy, mountain roads. If you are not willing to pass trucks, it will take forever, but each time you do, you'll be terrified!
I was OK - but my wife would NEVER make that drive again! Kids and one grandchild were in the back and absolutely no one spoke during those parts of the drive!

All that said, the area is wonderful and we look forward to returning some day.

Oh man, you are from NJ and found it difficult...yikes!
I had planned that drive for my June trip....may have to re-think this.....

 

[Zac495]

Here are my reports on Marbella including Ronda and Nerja:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20057024

Morocco (LOVED IT) Check out the little kids in the pictures from Morocco. Kids who like adventure would enjoy it. Very safe.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20064804

Gibralter and Seville - the kids will love the monkeys!

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20065407

Please ask any questions! I love talking about that trip!

 

[Zac495]

The Alhambra was spectacular. Ronda was interesting but beware of the drive. Lots of time on windy, mountain roads. If you are not willing to pass trucks, it will take forever, but each time you do, you'll be terrified!

I was OK - but my wife would NEVER make that drive again! Kids and one grandchild were in the back and absolutely no one spoke during those parts of the drive!

All that said, the area is wonderful and we look forward to returning some day.

I crawled in the backseat and hid under my coat. My husband scared the lights out of me! But seeing the cave with the prehistoric drawings was worth the risk of life and limb!

 

[IanMcM]

Malaga is also worth seeing. There is a great view from the castle (Gibralfaro) though it would be a long hike up for the kids. When you come down from the castle the Alcazabar is also worth seeing. Would give the Picasso Museum a miss unless you are into art or have time to kill.

If going to the Alhambra consider booking tickets in advance. We did this even though going off season- end October. Can book on-line and collect the tickets when you get there. Can only get into the Nasrid Palace at allocated times and they are fairly strict on that. Is about a 2 hour drive from Playa Andaluza.

Stayed at Playa Andaluza about 2 years ago. Excellent resort though apartments not as big as the average American timeshare. On-site restaurant was not operating when we were there but I think it is up and runnning now. Lots of restaurants in the area. Puerto Banus worth strolling round if only to see how the other half live! Lots of restaurants round the harbour and there is a TGI Fridays on the main street.

If you are hiring a car and driving to Playa Andaluza from Malaga Airport, then after you pass Marbella and approaching Playa ( think the road number is 340 if memory correct, this is the more coastal road, not the inland motorway ) be aware that the resort is on the "wrong" side of the dual carriageway, i.e. it is on the left hand side - keep a sharp look out for the Playa Andaluza sign as it could be missed- and you cannot turn left into the resort. You have to go on some distance to the next exit (cambio de sentido ) on the right, possibly half to one mile if my memory is correct, go off the dual carriageway and then double back on the other carriageway.

Ronda also a must. And Mijas also nice.
Have a good time, Ian

 

[abdibile]

I would suggest to book an organized bus trip to Ronda.

I drove there in December, really off season.

The roads where OK, but there as absolutely no chance to park the car somewhere in Ronda although it was off season.

So I went just through it and left....

 

[davewasbaloo]

Here are my reports on Marbella including Ronda and Nerja:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20057024

Morocco (LOVED IT) Check out the little kids in the pictures from Morocco. Kids who like adventure would enjoy it. Very safe.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20064804

Gibralter and Seville - the kids will love the monkeys!

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20065407

Please ask any questions! I love talking about that trip!

Thanks for sharing. Looking at the pics of Morocco, I think it will be for another time. We have all been to Dubai and I toured several countries in Africa when I was a kid. Though I speak French and know a few phrases in Arabic, this could be fun.

Again, given the choice between Sevilla and Granada, I think we will opt for Granada. The family have all been to Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca, so I am not sure if Sevilla has much new to offer us. Any ideas? If we do go, how far was it from the Villa?

Gib is an option. I have only approached via the sea when I competed in a Tall Ships Race as a teen. I have heard horror stories about the land crossings and the time it takes. Any tips?

I am looking forward to the trip, but I am starting a new job tomorrow, so I am worried I will have little time to plan.

Thanks again folks.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thank you for all the other tips. Again, we have been to a number of Picasso Museums in Barcelona and in France, though if it is cold and wet, it is nice to know of potential indoor pursuits.

We will book our tickets for the Alhambra (although I was hoping to see what the weather would be like 1st).

AS for Ronda, we will see what the options are for bus trips, if not, we will take a drive and see.

 

[Zac495]

Thanks for sharing. Looking at the pics of Morocco, I think it will be for another time. We have all been to Dubai and I toured several countries in Africa when I was a kid. Though I speak French and know a few phrases in Arabic, this could be fun.

Again, given the choice between Sevilla and Granada, I think we will opt for Granada. The family have all been to Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca, so I am not sure if Sevilla has much new to offer us. Any ideas? If we do go, how far was it from the Villa?

Gib is an option. I have only approached via the sea when I competed in a Tall Ships Race as a teen. I have heard horror stories about the land crossings and the time it takes. Any tips?

I am looking forward to the trip, but I am starting a new job tomorrow, so I am worried I will have little time to plan.

Thanks again folks.

I got a stomach virus the morning of our Granada day - we had the tickets already -very sad - good excuse to go back one day!

I would say IF you want to do both, go to GIB, spend 2 hours, continue on to Seville - GIB is on the way to Seville. It took no time to cross. We parked on the Spain side (as Rick Steve's guide suggested - BUY HIS BOOK) and walked across. NO TIME. Then we hopped the bus (as the guide told us), took the cable car up, spent an hour up there, came down, and took the bus back to the border . almost no customs to speak of.

Off we went to Seville.

Again , feel free to email me : zac495@gmail.com

 

[dougef]

Re: Ronda - we were at Marbella summer of 2007 and made the drive to Ronda. While not necessarily an easy ride, it is certainly ok for any experienced driver in a fairly small car. And there were some beautiful views. We also had trouble finding parking, but eventually did and it was well worth the trouble. Very nice town, the gorge is quite a sight and we had a lovely lunch.

 

[clivemark]

Hi I went to both just last week (3days at Playa and 7 at Marbella).

I found that kids activities were better at Marbella than Playa (it may be too late for you anyway!).

We went to Ronda and the drive was good... if you like the curvy and mountain roads. It took us just over an hour from Marbella (around 50-55kms). It is definitely worth a visit.

Alahambra was magnificent but a longer drive. Also, remember to book tickets in advance otherwise you won't get them if they are still availabale!

We did not enjoy Gib coming from the UK!

Definitely rent a car (I have used both carjet.com and doyouspain.com - both are good and get amazing deals).

Apart from that we found that everything was very expensive as Euro has gained around 30% in last 6 months!

Ask any specific question if you want.

 

[welshhope]

Stayed at Marriott Marbella Beach resort last November we chose not to hire a car as we both spend hours on the road with work. The trip to Granada is a long one by bus almost 3 hours from Marbella but well worth it. I would however recommend the public bus to Rhonda felt really safe and you can all enjoy the views and no parking worries you can also choose when you return as oposed to waiting to be herded onto overpriced tourist bus. Once in Rhonda we purchased a multi access ticket from the tourist information opposit the bull ring it covered a number of intersting sites and gave you a varied day out in Rhonda.
Like you not we did not rush to Gibraltar a bit like a grotty UK High Street IMHO, and certainly not Morocco as a day trip it needs more time.
A walk around old town Marbella is lovely - we also walked to Peurto Banus along the coast it took quite some time but there were some nice places to stop for lunch etc.
This part of the world is beautiful - and out of season has a different but lovely feel to it I am sure you will have a wonderful time. If you need more info on bus times I can get you a link to the timetables pm me. J

 

[b2b]

We are going to Playa Andaluza next week. we are planning to take bus from the airport to Marbella and from Marbella to Estepona,

What's the nearest stop to Marriot Playa Andaluza? Is it Estepona itself or is there any stop before that?

 

[Irish Traveller]

I am also wondering how close the bus stop is to the Playa Andalucia. Cannot decide whether to take a car or use public transport. It would be my first time to drive on the right and I hear that driving in Spain can be a bit scary.

 

[Ireland'sCall]

There is a regular bus stop on the main road about 10 mins or less walk from the resort. This goes into Puerto Banus and on to Marbella , but in all honesty I would rent a car (Carjet is good ). Road system is fine ...just take your time at junctions etc ...enjoy !
G

 

[b2b]

The nearest bus stop is about 5 - 10 min walk away. It is called Isdabe - it is 3 stops after the key stop of San Pedro while coming from Marbella to Estepona (Bus 27)

I'll post more details later if someone needs those.

 

[Irish Traveller]

Thank you for the response. I had the impression a bus stop was miles away but 10 minutes is very manageable

 

[jerseyfinn]

Consider dinner one evening at Capannina, an Italian restaurant that's about 7-10 minute walk from the resort ( near the Isdabe arch on the highway, just across the pedestrian walkway ). Capannina is one of our favorite restaurants. Excellent food, and nice people. It's open year round and lots of locals frequent it. You can enjoy a relaxing evening . . . and portions are such that you'll still have room for desert.

Barry

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks guys, not much more time now. Another question, we want to see what the weather is like before we set off to Grenada, but I take it on board that it is best to book ahead. We do not want to take the laptop because it is too tempting to do normal everyday things.

Do they have either a concierge or even better, pcs you can use on resort? Please advise.

 

[jerseyfinn]

. . . we want to see what the weather is like before we set off to Grenada . . . Do they have either a concierge or even better, pcs you can use on resort? Please advise.

I think they still have pc's. There used to be a small computer room in the Grandad Building where one could access the Internet for a small fee. It was there a couple of years ago ( after the resort transitioned the villas to full Internet access ). I believe it is still there . . . it's in an out of the way room that one walks past but never pays close attention to.

They do have an excellent concierge team who can also help you decide upon which day to go. There's a few options here. You can do Granda on your own, take a full guided group tour ( with pickup at the resort), or travel on your own and meet at al Hambra for a guided tour and do the rest of Granda on your own.

Barry

 

[ocdb8r]

I personally think going midweek in February you are going to be fine getting tickets same day for Alhambra.

I did want to add that you should try to stop by "Los Italianos" in Granada. BEST Italian style gelato in all of Spain (and better than much I had in Italy). It's also a fun family outing as the shop is like an old world ice cream parlor with crystal everywhere and big marble counters.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks guys, sounds great. I am getting excited.