Marbella: Looking for tips

[stslc]

We wanted to spend Spring Break at the beach but no luck trading into HI and airfares are killer. Got a 3br at Marbella. Looking for any tips about the resort itself (best villa locations, etc) and any other local knowledge that would make it a great week and help avoid hassles.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Passepartout]

Lots of information in the reviews including bldg recommendations and suggestions for day trips.

Jim

 

[abdibile]

Usually March/April is not yet really warm in Marbella.

Check the weather forecasts /databases if you are looking for a getaway to the sun.

 

[Ann in CA]

Last April we had a three bedroom oceanfront in building Cadiz. It was just a fabulous view and the lockoff was completely separate from the 2 bedroom, with a tiled entry to both villas. Facing the villas from the beach it is the whole front of Cadiz,which is the last building to the left.

We had great weather for everything except swimming. The heated hot tubs are all in the indoor pool area, and the outdoor they (by Spanish law) cannot heat, at least not in early April, although at Marbella they had their outdoor hot tub heated the week before. (Maybe by solar it is Ok)

We would definitely go back as it is a great home base for travel in the Costa del Sol and inland. I posted TUG reviews for both Marbella and Playa with lots more info. Staff at Playa was outstanding, and they had an excellent owners' reception where we met mostly European owners. Lots of fun with great tapas and sangria!

 

[Cathyb]

Morocco

We wanted to spend Spring Break at the beach but no luck trading into HI and airfares are killer. Got a 3br at Marbella. Looking for any tips about the resort itself (best villa locations, etc) and any other local knowledge that would make it a great week and help avoid hassles.
Thanks in advance!

If Marriott is still offering day trip to Morocco -- that is one you will remember for a long, long time.

 

[CashEddie]

We went to Marbella the week after Thanksgiving in 2005. The Marriott Marbella resort is just first class all the way. We stayed in a dedicated two bedroom villa. Marble floors, seperate washer/dryer room off the kitchen. You could tell they used the highest quality in building materials to build the place.

The weather was wonderful. Low 70s most of the time we were there and sunny. Actually it never really get's that cold in the Costa Del Sol but if you are looking to swim in the Med, it would be best go during summer or early fall.

I prefer Marbella Beach Resort over Playa. We did a tour of Playa when we were there and the units were smaller to us and didn't have that same feel that Marbella villas had. Both are great resorts.

Marbella resort has a full service restuarant on site with an american style buffet breakfast.

We did the Morocco tour the Marriott offered. It was great. The tour we did included lunch at an authentic Moroccan restuarant. Best food ever. They also take you to a carpet place, spice shop and you get to walk through the market area.

That whole area is beautiful and going during the "off" season is really a good deal. There is soo much to see and do. Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Wolfpacker]

Yes, don't miss Morocco - memorable, but they'll hound you to buy stuff in the Kasbah.
-Malaga is worth several days - use the HOHO to get around. We spent last night there and took train from there to airport.
-There is a tiny but great Tapas place in Malaga that's great - don't recall name but it was top rated in Trip Advisor.
-Rent a car and drive to Ronda and Grenada (Alhambra).

 

[chriskre]

I did a trip report for my Disney forum and have some pictures of the room and the view in case you'd like to see them. I also have some pictures from the tour to Morocco.

Costa del Sol is a beautiful area. The only drawback to going off season is that the tour companies cancel the tours if they don't have enough people going so we ended up renting a car so we could do some sightseeing on our own. http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34051

Have fun. I just came back from Spain last week and things are really reasonable right now. The Euro is much cheaper for Americans right now and Spain is a relative bargain.

 

[Cruiser Too]

We wanted to spend Spring Break at the beach but no luck trading into HI and airfares are killer. Got a 3br at Marbella. Looking for any tips about the resort itself (best villa locations, etc) and any other local knowledge that would make it a great week and help avoid hassles.
Thanks in advance!

If the beach and swimming in the ocean, are high priorities,
you'll probably be disappointed. The beaches and temperature of the
water is NOT that of Hawaii. We were there in May and I went in the ocean.
Rocky beaches and the water was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g.

If culture, architecture and cuisine are priorities... Yipee !!!

I'm an owner there.

 

[Ireland'sCall]

Swimming

Sea will be cool to say the least .
But indeed for swimming it seems Americans "require " warmer temperatures than Europeans . Not sure why .
It is very unusal , indeed rare ,for resorts and hotels in Europe to have heated outdoor pools
G

 

[Cruiser Too]

Sea will be cool to say the least .
But indeed for swimming it seems Americans "require " warmer temperatures than Europeans . Not sure why .
It is very unusal , indeed rare ,for resorts and hotels in Europe to have heated outdoor pools
G

Americans like warn toast...
Europeans generally like cold toast.

Americans generally like to drive automatic transmissions.
Europeans generally like to drive "manual" transmissions.

Americans generally like larger homes..
Europeans generally like smaller homes..

Americans generally like Milk-Chocolate..
Europeans generally like Dark-Chocolate..
(Truthfully... I LOVE Dark-Chocolate)

Viva La Difference !!!

 

[bestbuyer]

Loved Marriott Marbella! Had a 2 bedroom; 5 of us. Perfect! Some side trips we took besides Marbella and Malaga, were Nerja, Mijas (2 great little areas), Granada, Morocco. Wonderful, memorable trip. On our list of to-dos again!