Spain MVC Recommendations

[alhanna]

We are looking at a Spain MVC 2024 vacation and looking for recommendations on which property we should choose. We will have 3 families, including children from ages 8-13. Thoughts?

 

[Bill4728]

Note There are three MVC resort "in Spain" BUT one is on an island hundreds of miles east of Spain and south of France. Unless that is where you want to go, that leaves the other two resorts.

The other two resorts both very nice and basically in the same place "Costa del Sol" / Marbella. One is 10 miles south of the town, one ten miles north. So you'll have a warm / hot climate and can do day-trips to other parts of southern Spain.

Good Luck

 

[craigc]

We tried (13 mos out, using points) to get into the Costa Del Sol and Marbella pre covid but, had zero luck booking in Summer and ended up with VRBO's. From what we were told, very few people give up their Summer weeks and that makes it tough to get in. We did spend a week at the Mallorca property but most likely would not go back. It's great if you are a golfer but it is located inland, not that close to beaches etc.

You might want to check out this thread: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/marbella-beach-resort-general-questions.333861/

 

[Pompey Family]

Are you hoping to trade? If so, when? You'll find it very difficult to almost impossible to trade into the European resorts, particularly the Spanish ones as they all have very high owner occupancy especially during the summer. There are a number of rentals available but you may find it difficult to find three rentals for the same period (assuming that's what you require). We gave up trying to trade into Europe so ended up buying several weeks resale.

Of the two Costa Del Sol resorts, Playa Andaluza and Marbella Beach Club, there is little between them and either would be great choices. A lot of people have their preferences but they are usually based on quite minor aspects. My favourite is Son Antem on the island of Mallorca primarily because I prefer the townhouses over the apartment style accommodation and Mallorca is a fantastic island. A lot of people don't like the fact that it's not on a beach but that doesn't bother me, I prefer to lie around a pool.

 

[bazzap]

Are you hoping to trade? If so, when? You'll find it very difficult to almost impossible to trade into the European resorts, particularly the Spanish ones as they all have very high owner occupancy especially during the summer. There are a number of rentals available but you may find it difficult to find three rentals for the same period (assuming that's what you require). We gave up trying to trade into Europe so ended up buying several weeks resale.

Of the two Costa Del Sol resorts, Playa Andaluza and Marbella Beach Club, there is little between them and either would be great choices. A lot of people have their preferences but they are usually based on quite minor aspects. My favourite is Son Antem on the island of Mallorca primarily because I prefer the townhouses over the apartment style accommodation and Mallorca is a fantastic island. A lot of people don't like the fact that it's not on a beach but that doesn't bother me, I prefer to lie around a pool.

I am 100% in agreement.
As you say though, everyone is different and it is all down to personal preference.

 

[mogens.h1951]

All three resorts in Spain (Mallorca is also Spain) are good - Marbella and Playa by the beach on the mainland while Son Antem is inland on Mallorca. Many nice options for excursions. Personally, I think the nature (and the wine) on Mallorca is fantastic and there are really good beaches close to Son Antem. With high occupancy in the summer period, it can be difficult to find available weeks. Many owners book their weeks well in advance.

 

[enma]

Summer is a tough trade. I have been to Playa Andaluza twice during the winter months and really enjoyed it. Interval right now has getaways for the winter months . Just booked a 3 bedroom one at Marbella one (girls trip!) . Playa Andaluza employee told me once NOT to go there in the summer. Hot, 100% booked, restaurants expensive and booked. If you can go off season pretty easy exchange or inexpensive getaway and no crowds

 

[regatta333]

We stayed at both resorts in 3bd units on getaways right after Thanksgiving last year. Both were very nice. The Playa Andaluza units were lockoffs. Marbella was a bit older, but we preferred it somewhat. They had better activities and a great activities director.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We stayed at both resorts in 3bd units on getaways right after Thanksgiving last year. Both were very nice. The Playa Andaluza units were lockoffs. Marbella was a bit older, but we preferred it somewhat. They had better activities and a great activities director.

What is the weather like at Thanksgiving?

 

[curitiba_tapley]

I was able to book A 3BR Andaluza with points for July 2023. Even though I had 13-month advance booking I didn’t see the inventory appear until 12-month out; indeed very little inventory for points bookings.

 

[regatta333]

What is the weather like at Thanksgiving?

Weather was fantastic! Only light jackets needed. I think we were really fortunate, as they had mentioned that the week before we arrived had been very rainy.

 

[DanCali]

We tried (13 mos out, using points) to get into the Costa Del Sol and Marbella pre covid but, had zero luck booking in Summer and ended up with VRBO's. From what we were told, very few people give up their Summer weeks and that makes it tough to get in. We did spend a week at the Mallorca property but most likely would not go back. It's great if you are a golfer but it is located inland, not that close to beaches etc.

You might want to check out this thread: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/marbella-beach-resort-general-questions.333861/

"Summer" can be a somewhat fluid term. Their Platinum season is just the 9 July and August weeks so I assume that is when most Europeans visit. However, for us (in FL) schools end at the end of May and we've managed to book multiple units for an extended family trip for early June using the Owner discount code on marriott.com. I suspect July and August would be harder to book and more expensive as well. But to us it was definitely a "Summer Trip". The flipside is that our kids are already back in school here by August 10...

 

[mogens.h1951]

"Summer" can be a somewhat fluid term. Their Platinum season is just the 9 July and August weeks so I assume that is when most Europeans visit. However, for us (in FL) schools end at the end of May and we've managed to book multiple units for an extended family trip for early June using the Owner discount code on marriott.com. I suspect July and August would be harder to book and more expensive as well. But to us it was definitely a "Summer Trip". The flipside is that our kids are already back in school here by August 10...

Many owners are booking in September - in general July through September is fully booked.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DanCali]

Many owners are booking in September - in general July through September is fully booked.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I see that the DC points charts for Spain have for 2023:

Aug 4-17 as extreme peak (6025 points for 2BR SF at Playa Andaluza) and
May 26-June 8, July 21-Aug 3, and Aug 18-Sep 28 as very high demand peak periods as well (5000 points for 2BR SF at Playa Andaluza)

(I am actually not sure why those 2 weeks in late May and early June are in that category - maybe a European would know??)

For some reason, June 9 to July 20 is a lower demand period requiring only 3750 points for a 2BR SF.

All that does mismatch the weeks seasonal calendar at Playa Andaluza where "Platinum" is just the 9 weeks of July and August and the months before and after are "Gold"

 

[Pompey Family]

May 26-June 8, July 21-Aug 3, and Aug 18-Sep 28 as very high demand peak periods as well (5000 points for 2BR SF at Playa Andaluza)

(I am actually not sure why those 2 weeks in late May and early June are in that category - maybe a European would know??)

Those dates are when UK school half term falls hence very popular and get booked up almost instantly upon release.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We are considering Marbella or Playa in early November to use up our points for the year.
I see Playa books by view but Marbella doesn’t.
Is it just chance of view at Marbella?
We have never been to Spain at all so not sure it matters which we choose?
Any suggestions welcome!

 

[bazzap]

We are considering Marbella or Playa in early November.
I see Playa books by view but Marbella doesn’t.
Is it just chance of view at Marbella?
We have ever been to Spain at all so not sure it matters which we choose?
Any suggestions welcome!

You are right.
Playa has relatively few Sea Front (which we own) and Garden View designation units
Marbella is significantly larger and has no separate view designations, so you can make a request (as early as possible) but it is just chance and home resort owners should get priority for better views.
We go to both and enjoy both, they are not too far apart either side of Marbella town and either are food for visiting the surrounding area.
Most prefer Marbella as being busier and nearer the action, we tend to favour the quieter and more relaxed feel of Playa.

 

[DanCali]

We are considering Marbella or Playa in early November.
I see Playa books by view but Marbella doesn’t.
Is it just chance of view at Marbella?
We have ever been to Spain at all so not sure it matters which we choose?
Any suggestions welcome!

We've had success booking early summer (late May / early June) weeks at both resorts with owner discount at reasonable prices ($~2000/week).

The resorts are comparable in quality, but some prefer Marbella because it's closer to the town and more things to do nearby. If you have a car it shouldn't matter - the resorts are 20 only minutes apart.

For November (Silver season there), you may be able to get it on marriott.com at sub-MF prices using that code... My experience is that the owner discount also reveals units/views that may not be available without the code. For example, in the search below the code shows a couple of studios that are not visible otherwise. When we booked it at the time, the owner discount code showed SF view units that were not otherwise visible.

Here is some of what I see for current availability at Playa for Thanksgiving week. These rates have a 21-day cancel policy so grab one now and think later

Some SF views at Playa Andaluza are better than others, depending on the floor. "Seafront" just means it's facing the sea, but the resort is not on top of the sea and our ground floor SF view was more of a pool view. Here are a couple of "seafront" views at Playa.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Thank you.
I am looking to use points that expire at the end of the year.
I was going to book marbella since it is closer to the airport, etc but we enjoy a good view and I have enough points for the seafront at playa.
Not sure if we will get a rental car or not- I have been reading posts on that topic too.

 

[bazzap]

Thank you.
I am looking to use points that expire at the end of the year.
I was going to book marbella since it is closer to the airport, etc but we enjoy a good view and I have enough points for the seafront at playa.
Not sure if we will get a rental car or not- I have been reading posts on that topic too.

Both resorts have some restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance.
There is a wider choice of restaurants close to Marbella.
The nearest supermarket is much closer to Playa (an Aldi)
Organised trips will be available from both resorts, but we would always rent a car to see the many interesting and beautiful coastal and inland locations in the area.

 

[klpenny]

If you wanted to lie by the pool and be able to go into it, which months would be best to go?

 

[Fasttr]

If you wanted to lie by the pool and be able to go into it, which months would be best to go?

Generally, June - Sept.

Marbella, Spain Average Weather

Weather Averages for Marbella , Spain

www.holiday-weather.com

 

[klpenny]

Generally, June - Sept.

Marbella, Spain Average Weather

Weather Averages for Marbella , Spain

www.holiday-weather.com

Thanks

 

[DanCali]

Thank you.
I am looking to use points that expire at the end of the year.
I was going to book marbella since it is closer to the airport, etc but we enjoy a good view and I have enough points for the seafront at playa.
Not sure if we will get a rental car or not- I have been reading posts on that topic too.

I get wanting to use points. Just keep in mind that a 3BR SF in early November is still 4550 points and booking the same 3BR SF with the owner discount may be only about $1200 (see my earlier post).

If you rented 4550 the points even for $0.60 on vacationpointexchange.com you'd get $2700 which could cover the room + a large portion of airfare (or rental car) too.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Both resorts have some restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance.
There is a wider choice of restaurants close to Marbella.
The nearest supermarket is much closer to Playa (an Aldi)
Organised trips will be available from both resorts, but we would always rent a car to see the many interesting and beautiful coastal and inland locations in the area.

Thanks.
I see you are from the UK.
I believe they drive on the right in Spain?
We are from the US and don’t speak Spanish.
Do you still recommend driving?
Is there parking?
Thanks.