5 Star Costa Del Sol Holidays

Georgia Guest

The hotel is currently in a very poor state, with large areas taped off and closed, giving the whole place an unappealing and run-down feel. For a supposed 5*, you would expect the service and amenities to compensate for it, but instead almost everything that would normally be complimentary in a 4* is charged extra – water, ice, even basic tea bags in the room which were never restocked. Breakfast was particularly disappointing: it’s served in a temporary setup inside a tired sports bar, with a very limited and low-quality offering – honestly worse than budget chains. I’ve stayed in other 5s in Marbella/Banus that felt more like 4, but this one makes those look closer to 6*. The rooms are extremely basic. While they provide Rituals toiletries, the bottles appear to be refilled (which raises concerns for allergies and hygiene), and the wall holder actually snapped in half when I tried to use it. The shower screen didn’t move, meaning water went everywhere, and the room itself smelled of dust and must. I also found hairs in the bed, which is unacceptable in any hotel, let alone one claiming 5*. I requested an upgrade but was told the hotel was full, despite it being strangely quiet with large areas closed – and I overheard several other guests also asking for the same. Hair dryer blew out air for 5 seconds then broke - everything is just falling apart. The only positives are the location, which is walking distance along the beach into Puerto Banus, and the fact that if you manage to get a very cheap deal it might feel just about acceptable. However, for anyone paying full price (over £800 a week), I would be incredibly disappointed. As it stands, it feels like a hotel that’s either about to close down or mid-refurbishment, but haven’t seen any work going on. Hotels like Alanda we stayed at earlier this year and they were apologetic for some construction going on but have seen now there’s significant improvements that were being made. They also upgraded us. People rating the hotel 5*s - in my opinion, must have paid a low amount and have not actually experienced a true 5* - I would say if re-rated the hotel would comfortably claim a 3*.

Jana Cavojska

I love how well everything is organized. It makes a vacation really stress-free when there's someone who immediately parks your car for you, or when you don't have to worry that they might not clean your room for 3-4 days in a row because you've missed the narrow window during which this is done. In this hotel, no matter when we left the room, the cleaning was done that day, every time. One can take their breakfast and eat it at the pool, there are no restrictions around this. During dinner, every table is well lit, and the staff remembers your choices of drinks, and preference for condiments, from the days before. The food, of course, is absolutely delicious! Some of you might read this and think that this is as it should be, but it hasn't been in other hotels, in my experience. Overall, they really put a lot of thought into making one's stay as pleasant as possible.

Nathan

My (brand-new!) wife and I came here for our honeymoon. While everything here truly is perfect, the caveat is that this only applies to what is open. The rooms (suites, especially), pool and facilities are marvelous and high-end in every way. The location is stunning. The food is amazing, too. However, the multitude of restaurants and even the changing rooms and first-floor bathrooms were not open due to some conflict with the local government. This review would be five stars if these facilities had been open, and I’m sure they will reopen soon. My wife and I will be returning!

Brandon Mullin

This hotel was amazing! The pool is fantastic. The breakfast that is included was amazing. The staff were all very nice, helpful and I couldn't fault them for anything. I would definitely come back to this hotel. Its location was great as its on the beach and its about a 15 minute walk to the main area where all the crowds are. It has a small gym too. 5 star from me :)

Milly COHEN

I booked a Superior Room with Sea View for 4 nights expecting a comfortable and relaxing stay, but unfortunately my experience was very disappointing. When we checked in at 11pm on Thurs 7/08 the receptionist said he was trying to find us a better room but that the hotel was full. The room you gave us on the ground floor was damp and felt old and neglected. The bathroom was in a dilapidated state, and to make matters worse, we found two cockroaches during our stay. What was described as a “sea view” turned out to be a ground-floor room looking directly at the coffee bar—hardly the relaxing view I had booked and paid for. The next day we were moved to a better room on the 1st floor. However I was so upset about the first night that I sent my son to sleep in the hotel and went to his appartement. Your breakfast buffet was very disappointing- the staff unfriendly and birds perching on the food. Overall, the standards were far below what was advertised and what we remembered from 2 previous stays a few years ago. Your prices are high and the stay did not feel like good value for money. I would not recommend this hotel based on my experience.

terry barham

Nice hotel. Gave it 3 stars for location as its a bit out of the way of things. Major road in between hotel and all local shops and restaurants. You have a 15 minute walk to cross over the road across high foot bridge. The pool is excellent. Never that busy and no kids. Rooms cleaned everyday by helpful staff. Hotel described as 5 star but I'd give it 4 at a push. Just because you have a bloke at the front opening doors for you and charge through the roof for a pint of beer, doesn't make you 5 star. Overall I would recommend for a nice quiet getaway.

Geanina Craciun

My experience at this hotel was unexpectedly good. Since I entered the hotel I was greeted very nicely, friendly and helpful staff. very clean rooms, super friendly cleaning ladies. The food at the restaurant is very tasty. We will definitely return to this hotel and I will recommend it to friends!!!! And the biggest surprise: on my birthday I received a champagne gift at the door, a gesture that made me very happy!!

Iuri Figueiredo

We booked for a single bedroom! The hotel gave us a penthouse because of a problem with overbooking! The employees were very nice and respectful and the breakfast was amazing too! Thanks for the hospitality You gain a new client for sure!

Katie Jones

This was a good hotel. It was clean and thr breakfast was good. Rooms were big but a bit dated Location is difficult - taxi needed everywhere Staff weren't friendly at all! So disappointing. Never experienced this before .... rude at times Pool is tiny, not enough beds They run out of everything on the bar .... no cava in a Spanish hotel .... hard to believe .... We wouldn't visit again, which is a shame It's a good 3star not a 5 in any way Shame about the staff, more training needed

Andrew Carey

Stayed for 1 week in September. The hotel is located at the side of a busy road which isn’t really an issue as all the rooms are located at the rear. The area in general wouldn’t be the cleanest and seems like it’s a place that tried to be a bit of a resort in the early 00s but failed. Beware of the 5* claim. It is definitely not. 3.5* at best. I did enjoy my stay and it was quiet the rooms are comfortable as are the beds. However, the walls are paper thin. I was disturbed on 3 of my 7 nights by loud groups and neighbouring rooms early departures. I had a massage in the Spa which was excellent. I found the staff at the hotel to be quite standoffish, apart from a few. A special mention to Rachida, Jesus and the massage therapist in the Spa. Rachida was the only waitress who actually seemed to enjoy her job, even having a few jokes with me. Jesus really looked after the pool area on the days he was working - his days off were not as good. The lady in the spa was so friendly and really made me feel at ease. The hotel really could do with a decor update. The room was serviced every day and was clean, however the balcony and corridors could have done with a little more attention. I had breakfast twice in the hotel and wasn’t impressed, the second time was laziness really. There are a number of restaurants across the road which are far superior and much cheaper. On the topic of prices-drinks in the hotel are extortionate. Vodka and Fanta lemon over €12. Small 330ml magners €6. They also don’t provide a drinks menu so it’s a bit of a guessing game. The air con in the room is good, but the minibar fridge kicking in every now and again is quite annoying. Overall I did enjoy my time there but I don’t think I would book it again. It’s not as bad as some reviews would have you believe, but if you’re expecting four seasons or the ritz be prepared to be disappointed. There isn’t an awful lot to do nearby but Marbella, estepona and puerto banus are only a short bus ride away and the bus is only €2.50, with a bus stop a 5 minute walk from the hotel. There’s no needs to fight over sunbeds as they are well policed, but the grass area turned into a bit of a muddy puddle on the days they power washed the pool area.

Yoan Medina

Hotel Higuerón by Hilton is an absolutely amazing place to stay. The facilities are top-notch, especially the sports club. There’s such a wide range of activities and the class prices are very reasonable. It’s perfect for anyone who loves staying active while on holiday. What truly makes this hotel stand out is the hospitality. Every member of the staff is accommodating, friendly, and genuinely eager to make your stay comfortable. The service feels warm and personal from the moment you arrive. A special mention goes to Samantha, the manager, and Mario Tthey’ve been incredibly helpful and always go the extra mile whenever I have questions. Both are exceptionally welcoming, professional, and attentive, which really adds to the overall experience. I highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a mix of relaxation, great facilities, and outstanding service. I can’t wait to come back!

Jens Reichel

Overall, we had a very nice stay. Friendly service, great food, good housekeeping. There were two issues worth noting, though: The bathrooms are small and the toilets have little to no privacy. There are almost no parasols at the huge pool area. That's a pity because the daybeds are very nice! Getting to external restaurants or to the beach requires walking a very steep hill or taking a taxi (not expensive) or the shuttle (free).

M Raudsepp

Our stay at Higueron Hotel Málaga, Curio Collection by Hilton, was outstanding. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and professional, making us feel welcome right away. The food was excellent with plenty of variety, and the amenities — from the pools and spa to the fitness facilities — were all top quality. The property itself is modern, stylish, and well maintained, with stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere. Staff went above and beyond to be helpful throughout our stay. This hotel truly delivers a 5-star experience in every way, and we wouldn’t hesitate to return. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Málaga or the Costa del Sol.

Lauren Peterson

Beautiful hotel, modern and up to date. Rooms are very big and clean, facilities are clean. Different activities around the hotel. Beautiful pools. Service is in the restaurant areas was really good. Reception desk quite slow however. Not a negative but the hotel is located in a very hilly area of Fuengirola but there is a shuttle service that runs around every 2 hours roughly so that's a help. However, we found that the later evening shuttles we tried to use to return to the hotel, didn't arrive (6pm and 9pm) so paid $15+ for Ubers back and forth the hotel from the beach front. Only negatives we would have to say is the fact you have to pay extra for the beds on the top infinity pool, and the spa isn't worth €40.50 each - the water was quite cold in the jacuzzi area, so wouldn't recommend using. Otherwise, had an overall good experience, friendly staff and great rooms but would not return.

Déborah Pourtet

The complex is huge and location is great. Rooms: nice sea view, beds are comfortable. However, toilets and bathroom are not separated from the room. They are done in 2 see through cubes which we didn’t like. Breaks fast is amazing, lots of choices and good. But it is noisy and service equals a 3 max 4 stars hotel. The Pool area (included in the room €) is really nice with sun beds, fountains, trees. But seems that there is a lot of conventions with people who think that the booked the whole hotel… not respectful of tourists who are here to relax and who paid full price …. There is another pool on the rooftop (the nice one presented in the website) but this one is not included in the price and you have to pay if you want a sun bed (200€!!!). The beach: the hotel has a beach club where we really don’t recommend to go. You have to pay everything and sometimes twice. The service is not great… the beach is not the best of the area. There is a little train/car driving you from the hotel to the beach. But in our case, we took it in the morning. And when we wanted to go back to the hotel, the train had a problem and they didn’t offer any solution. We had to find a taxi which was not an easy one… so really bad experience. The massage and beauty center are great, a bit expensive for Spain, but it’s worth going and enjoying treatments. And ladies are really nice there, especially at Anabel Postigo center (hairdresser and manicure) The spa looked ok. The entrance is not included in the price of your room, and you have to pay additionally 45€ for each entrance. There are parking slots outside of the hotel where you can park for free, not always easy to find a spot but it’s okay. Globally, this hotel does not deserve the 5 stars. We were in another hotel by Hilton last year which was a real 5 stars. So when you compare, this one is max 4.

A Yousefi

Staying at Elba Hotel was honestly one of the highlights of our trip. The whole resort is right by the beach, which gives you that true holiday feeling from the moment you arrive. The pool has a stunning sea view — we could have stayed there all day just relaxing and taking it in. Our room was spotless, comfortable, and well looked after. The staff were absolutely brilliant — friendly, kind, and always ready to help with a smile, which made us feel completely taken care of. What made the evenings special was the live music in the lobby most nights. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and full of good vibes — it really added to the overall experience and made every night feel memorable. And breakfast was simply amazing: fresh, varied, and full of delicious options to start the day right. We do wish that spa access had been included in the stay, but even though we paid separately, we enjoyed it so much that it was worth it. We already miss being there and would happily come back again without hesitation. A truly beautiful place with great energy, amazing service, and memories we’ll definitely carry with us.

Anna Shlimovich

We stayed in the hotel in January 2024. We took a suite on the 5th floor. It was an extraordinary room, huge with great furniture, massive closet space, large tub bath, separate shower, enormous loggia. The bedroom was excellent. The breakfast was very good, the parking ample. The swimming pool was heated. The beach is great as a nature spot and for the sea but I am not sure about swimming. When we stayed the wind was constant. Also the area has mosquitoes. The soundproofing is not that great. We liked the city of Estepona, its historic center and the seafront promenade. But the it's too busy and built-up. The hotel is a pleasant retreat further away. It was nice in January with minimal number of guests. Overall an excellent comfort and a great place to rest.

Laura Chamaine

Its not bad but location wise its terrible! There is NOTHING around it, its directly on the motorway! There's nowhere to even walk, nothing along the front, beach isn't very nice either! The hotel is nice enough, not enough staff in the dining room at busy times, food is VERY repetitive and not all that much variety. Drinks are expensive! Pools are nice, enough beds for everyone which is a plus. Room was okay, bed was huge, bathroom was huge. We had room service plates in our room for 2 days, stuff was going mouldy on it we had to ask reception for someone to take it away! Cleaning ladies took our pool towels and the bath towels and never replaced them, the 3 of us were using dressing gowns to get dry on as we didn't notice until it was too late! Staff are very pleasant and attentive in the main lobby but you go largely ignores in the dining rooms unless you're Spanish. All in all its okay, slightly tired looking in some areas and for a '5 star' where we paid £1900 for 4 nights i expected a little more!

Donald

Beautiful grand hotel with lovely spacious rooms, great terrace with stunning sunrise views and great pool. Situated 45 minutes walk along a beautiful seaside promenade to the Estepona marina. Great friendly service at the reception and pool bar in particular.

John Cowley

Just a really lovely place to stay, rooms are very big, food is very very good and staff are lovely. Right next to the A7, but the hotel has no rooms at the back of the hotel, so absolutely no noise from the A7 can be heard. Fantastic pool, and the beach it just outside the hotel.

Brice Buyens

Amazing Stay at METT Hotel Marbella! I had a fantastic holiday at METT Hotel Marbella with my girlfriend. The location is absolutely perfect! Not far away from all the popular restaurants and beach clubs. The hotel also has its own private beach with complimentary sunbeds, and you can choose between a pool or sea view. Our room was spacious, beautifully designed, and had a romantic view that made our stay even more special. The food was delicious and of excellent quality throughout. What truly stood out, however, was the service. It was beyond 5-star worthy! A special thank you to Sergio from the front office, who welcomed us so warmly at check-in and made sure everything was perfect during our entire stay. Thank you also for the lovely surprise – the bottle of bubbles in our room was a wonderful gesture! Highly recommended! we can’t wait to come back!

Alexi Savels

Wow, what a wonderful place! Definitely worth 5 stars. Everything is perfect here—the food in the restaurants is delicious and fresh, the breakfast is excellent, and the staff are super friendly. We were made to feel very welcome, both at the pool and on the beach. The room was beautiful, clean, with a large shower and a great view from the third floor. A big thank you to Judit and Luis for the fantastic service and warm smiles every day. Thanks to you, we immediately felt at home here. We'll be happy to come back!

Amir Murathodzic

Amazing hotel for a truly restful vacation in a stylish atmosphere. A recently renovated, luxury bed-and-breakfast hotel with a front-row beachfront location. The property also features two in-house restaurants (Italian and Greek), both open to guests in the evenings. Positives: - Stylish, modern, and fully renovated facilities - Perfect size (around 200–300 rooms), creating a familiar, welcoming atmosphere; far from mass tourism - Prime beachfront location (just a two-minute walk from your room to the sand) - Clean, modern rooms with high-quality furnishings - Excellent and varied breakfast; one of the best I’ve ever had at a hotel - Pleasant guests mainly from Europe, contributing to a calm and friendly vibe Highlight: - The hotel experience team is outstanding: approachable, genuinely caring, and always willing to go the extra mile to make guests feel special Special Tips (for couples): - The hotel’s beach is a perfect spot for a marriage proposal. The experience team is delighted to help with the setup and can capture the moment with photos and videos. - Consider renting a car to explore the surrounding area. The hotel is in a quiet, remote location, and amenities like supermarkets or external bars aren’t within walking distance. Attention Points: - Dinner options are on the pricey side (though in line with other luxury hotels in Europe) - Personally, I would have preferred a Spanish restaurant instead of both Italian and Greek ones Summary: One of the best vacations we’ve ever had. The hotel provides everything you need for a relaxing seaside getaway, and the warmth of Natalia, Irene, Judit, Manuel, and Miguel made us feel truly welcome and at home. Thank you all for an unforgettable stay — and remember, Marbella is “left of Malaga”! 😉

A Rudesill

We had an amazing 5-night stay at this hotel! From the moment we arrived, the experience was outstanding. A very special mention goes to Leola, who made our stay unforgettable. She was incredibly helpful with the check-in process and went above and beyond throughout our entire visit. She booked restaurants for us, always checked in to make sure we were having a nice day, and was genuinely eager to help with anything we needed. Her warm and attentive service really made us feel at home. The room itself was very nice, comfortable, clean, and exactly what we needed after a day of exploring. Overall, everything exceeded our expectations, and we would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone looking for excellent service and a wonderful stay.

David Slovick

We were here last year and returned to repeat what was a great experience. Well, things have changed a bit......alas, the delightful scent dispensers in the corridors seem to have gone. The music around the pool is much louder. The staff are still the most polite and helpful I've ever encountered. The Greek restaurant on the beach front is still terrific including occasional folk dancing and plate breaking ... the pool remains super clean but alas devoid of any discernible drinks service. The breakfast buffet is wonderful, though table clearing is a bit sleepy. The morning live musician seems to have disappeared. A pity. The rooms are clean and refreshingly minimalistic. Never enough hangers (anywhere?) The beds are super comfortable and climate control plus ceiling fan is excellent. The grounds are beautifully maintained. Still a great modern 5* but beware of penny pinching.

Bogdan Stancu

Our recent stay at VP was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with such care and attention to detail that it made us feel completely at ease. The setting is breathtaking, surrounded by the beauty of the Costa del Sol, and the entire property is designed to offer both comfort and elegance. Meals were consistently excellent, with a breakfast selection that truly stood out—fresh, diverse, and beautifully presented. The seafood options throughout our stay were especially memorable. The private beach area is a perfect retreat, providing everything you need for a relaxed day by the sea. Evenings were elevated by live music and talented performers, creating a wonderful atmosphere. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Carlota, who always went above and beyond to ensure everything was arranged flawlessly, making our stay not only perfect but also truly personal. A special mention as well to Razvan, whose professionalism, kindness, and genuine care made us feel incredibly well looked after. In short, this hotel exceeded all of our expectations and gave our family a week we will never forget. A truly exceptional place for anyone looking to enjoy the best of the Costa del Sol.

Ricardo de Cubas

I decided to spend my birthday at this special resort. I love golf and the courses were truly special. The Flamingo course is based around the hotel. The Alferini Course is very close. The short course was fun and a great place to warm up. The resort also had an excellent practice area of which you need to get a ride, the hotel provides this service. Besides the absolute beauty of this property the staff is special. The treat you like family and make you feel like you are at home. Diego and Esteban the bellman were awesome. Celine at the check in gave us an orientation of the property. Adolfo and Jose Luis at the bar provided spectacular service and attention. At the Caddy Master Issac was super attentive. Last but not least , Jackson at the Caddy Master was the unbelievable and truly a special person! My wife and I will definitely return to this magical property next year. It will be a place that I will comeback to many times in the future. Oh and the breakfast buffet was the best I have ever had and I have traveled the Globe!!

Luis Antonio da Silva Jäger

We have spent one week in paradise. All aspects of this hotel are perfect: it is situated in a fantastic area with beautiful landscapes, the staff are friendly and always prompt to serve the guests, and the restaurants offer excellent food. The breakfast is the best I’ve seen so far, with a wide variety of fruits, juices, and other fresh, high-quality options. The hotel has a private area on the beach, with everything you need to enjoy a wonderful time by the sea. I especially loved the excellent seafood options. In the bars and restaurants, you can enjoy great music and professional singers. In summary, my family and I had a fantastic time at Anantara! It is a very good choice for enjoying the Costa del Sol.

jo scrutton

Overall a superb hotel with excellent service and facilities.. The outstanding areas of service are Eddy's bar/terrace.. the staff there are so professional and even remember what you drink and how you like it.. the rooms are outstanding as are all the hotel amenities. The most exemplary service goes to the Concierge team who run the car valet service - they were faultless and such a lovely team - a very big shout out to them!! Where they let themselves down is in pockets of the hotel.. the pool service is non-existent before midday (so you have to get your own mattresses and carry them across the grounds) with barely any service thereafter .. whereas at the beach club the set up it excellent. The biggest disappointment was the service at breakfast (6 days) and each day was the same. Would take a while to be attended for coffee and every single time the coffee would taste different but not in a good way.. I can only describe as watery dishwater with a very odd taste.. I have never experienced such awful coffee and am mystified at how they can get this so wrong.. a good coffee is a must and only coffee drinkers will appreciate this. Also when requesting an additional coffee it would always be over 10 mins to be served and then mostly undrinkable .. you should be serving excellent coffee! The service at breakfast also is severely lacking together with the understanding and speaking of English - poor! The hotel reception staff should have a better English language ability - I was surprised. However did thoroughly enjoy our stay and would definitely return but if you could improve on the above then you would be operating an outstanding hotel which in our opinion would be faultless.

Thomas Pierre Horace POWELL

I had an incredible experience at the Villa Padierna spa! From the moment we arrived, everything felt serene and luxurious. The steam rooms, saunas, and salt baths were absolutely amazing! Very relaxing and beautifully maintained. I originally planned to visit with my brother, but he couldn’t make it, so a friend joined me instead, and we both had a fantastic time. The staff were welcoming and professional, and the entire atmosphere was peaceful and rejuvenating. Highly recommend for anyone looking to unwind in a truly elegant setting!

Tim Bradowski

We stayed at Puente Romano for a week, and overall it is a mixed experience. Some areas truly impressed us, while others fell short for a resort of this calibre. Firstly, what an amazing resort. You really feel like you are walking through a botanical garden. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the atmosphere is serene and luxurious. The restaurants are outstanding, and the breakfast selection can easily satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The facilities, including the pools, tennis club, and beach, were all excellent, and we genuinely enjoyed spending time around the property. However, the room experience was disappointing. For a hotel of this standard, I expected more attention to detail. The handheld shower head is mounted far too low, which means you are forced to use the rainfall shower instead. Unfortunately, the water temperature between the two was very different, with the handheld being much hotter, which was uncomfortable when switching. The bathtub showed visible signs of wear and even some mould, so we decided not to use it. The towel rail setup is also poorly thought out, as there are only two hooks, both used for bathrobes, leaving nowhere to hang towels. The steamer and board were a nice touch, but there was nowhere practical to set them up. The coffee cups in the room were very pretty, but they did not fit the coffee machine, which made it almost impossible to use without spilling. One night, we had a terrible experience when our room key stopped working at around 1 a.m. I had to walk to reception, after a few drinks, to reactivate the card, but when I returned, it still did not work. After calling the hotel and being transferred twice, concierge eventually sent someone with a new card about 25 minutes later. The receptionist’s handling of the situation was shockingly poor. Another issue was the language barrier. For a five-star resort that hosts international guests, I expected staff to have a reasonable level of English. On multiple occasions, I had to repeat myself several times for simple requests such as asking for a buggy at checkout. A mix-up at the tennis club was particularly frustrating, as I booked two padel courts but was told I had booked a tennis lesson instead. Lastly, service at Six Senses breakfast one morning was chaotic. After being seated, we asked three different staff members for coffee. It took around 15 minutes before it finally arrived, twice. I understand that breakfast can get busy, but either more staff or better coordination would make a big difference. Overall, Puente Romano is a stunning resort with world-class facilities and dining, but the service inconsistency and room maintenance issues really let it down. With a few improvements in staff training and attention to detail, it could truly live up to its five-star reputation.

S H

I stayed at Puente Romano with high expectations but felt the experience didn’t match the very high prices. The beach is small and poorly maintained with limited, dated sunbeds. On several occasions there was no space at either the pools or the beach for guests, which is disappointing at a hotel of this level. The pools themselves are small and dated, with too few staff to assist, and breakfast often meant long waits with food quality that could be improved. Our “junior suite” felt tired, with uncomfortable furniture and no AC in the bathroom. Much of the hotel overall has a slightly claustrophobic and dated feel, with some rooms along a public road and the better stretch of beach requiring an extra fee. The property also feels extremely over-commercialised, with branding everywhere to the point where people even try to sell you perfume as you walk through the hotel grounds. The restaurants in the main square of the hotel demand minimum spends of €100–200 per person, even for hotel guests, which feels unreasonable. While the property is marketed at the level of Four Seasons or Belmond, the reality felt closer to a four-star standard. The staff were consistently kind and helpful, and the gym is excellent and modern, which were the highlights of the stay. However, overall I wouldn’t consider ever coming back to this hotel.

HELLO BEAUTY

✨ A top-notch experience in Marbella! The atmosphere is absolutely enchanting – lush gardens, elegant Andalusian-style architecture, and a relaxing yet refined vibe. The rooms are spacious, impeccably maintained, and every detail reflects high standards of comfort. The service is flawless – attentive, discreet, and always available staff. The location is perfect: between the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús, just steps from the beach and great restaurants. We’ll definitely come back! 💫

Louis L

Beautiful resort with very nice landscaping. Rooms don't have good noise isolation and are a bit subpar for the hotel. Many good restaurants. Kids club isn't great.

dini papiashvili

Disappointing experience. They charge you for absolutely everything — even calls to reception! The rooms are outdated and poorly maintained, with visible stains on the curtains. Pools are far too small for the size of the resort. Breakfast was decent, but nothing to write home about. The on-site restaurants are extremely overpriced, and the service staff were consistently unfriendly. Overall, it felt like a complete rip-off and definitely not worth the high price tag.

Zarina ******

We stayed at Ikos Andalusia in October for a week, and had an absolutely wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, everything was beautifully organized — the resort is stunning, peaceful, and truly luxurious. When we first checked in, our room was lovely and well-designed, but it didn’t get as much sun exposure as we hoped. We asked if it might be possible to change rooms, but since all rooms in that category were fully booked, the team — and especially Yanis — went above and beyond to find a solution. Yanis was exceptional: extremely accommodating, responsive, and genuinely eager to make our stay perfect. He not only listened to our concerns but also managed to upgrade us and ensure we were completely satisfied. His professionalism and kindness truly stood out and made our holiday unforgettable. The food was outstanding, the beachfront setting is gorgeous, and the whole atmosphere of the resort is calm, elegant, and relaxing. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay and highly recommend Ikos Andalusia to anyone looking for a luxurious, quiet getaway by the sea. Thank you again to the whole team — and especially to Yanis — for making our week so special. We can’t wait to return! 🌸

C ODonnell

We were a group of 5 friends staying for a week in early October. Most of us have stayed in other Ikos resorts before and we thought this was one of the best. Great resort layout, lovely pools (especially the ‘scented’ pool - lavender plants). Really high quality food and drinks. Good gym facilities and direct access to a lovely coastal promenade/boardwalk which went for miles in either direction. Staff were fantastic - especially the team in the beach Chiringuito - thank you Nadia, Juan, Vicky, Darko and all the team! Beach itself is not great sand and access to the sea for swimming is very stony - but Ikos cannot control the natural landscape! :) Overall we had a fantastic week and highly recommend the resort!

Angela Detmer

Beautiful resort and rooms are lovely and spacious. We had the deluxe room with the private pools and restaurant which was worth it and so nice tk have with kids. The food was much better than expected and the low depth of the pools made it so nice and easy to relax as we knew our toddler wouldn’t be able to get into trouble with how shallow the pools were. Some restaurants and food were better than others but overall great and having the buffet as an option was nice when we needed a quick meal.

Richard Feeney

Our recent stay at Ikos Andalusia was truly exceptional, exceeding all expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the attentiveness and genuine friendliness of every single staff member. Nothing was too much trouble, and their dedication to ensuring a perfect holiday was clear to see. We want to give special shout-outs to a few individuals who made our stay even more memorable: Bea at the ice cream hut by the family pool was amazing everyday, Tomas the pool waiter was incredibly efficient and friendly, and Laura, Mercedes, and Isabel from the kids' club were fantastic with our daughter. An extra special mention must go to Anita from Guest Services. She was absolutely incredible throughout our stay, going above and beyond to assist us with everything we needed. We are parents of an autistic daughter, so finding a hotel with suitable facilities is paramount, and Ikos Andalusia was absolutely perfect for her. The entire resort, from the pool areas to the dining options, felt incredibly accommodating. The kids' club, in particular deserves immense praise. They were extremely understanding and accommodating of her needs, and nothing was too big of an ask. This level of support truly allowed us to relax and enjoy our holiday knowing our daughter was happy and well-cared for. We cannot recommend Ikos Andalusia enough! This hotel is a true gem, and we will absolutely be back at the next possible opportunity. Thank you for an unforgettable family holiday!

Katie Mitchell

Okay, when I was considering visiting Icos Andalusia, I was a little frustrated and confused by the website and the reviews. So this is an attempt to help anyone who plans to go to Icos Andalusia with children and has very specific questions and wants details. First of all, the website doesn't have any pictures of any people, so it's very difficult to know if there actually are children at this resort. I will say that after being in Icos Andalusia for two days, this place is crawling with children. There are areas where you can go to get away from them, but I would say you'll never fully be able to get away from them because there are kids riding bikes on the paths in between the hotel buildings, kids in the pools, kids everywhere. So, first of all, if you have kids this is a family-style resort. Second, I was curious about specifically the SportsCenter and the Kids Club, both of which are very seldom pictured on the website and it's very difficult to find any information about them. First, the SportsCenter. They have a really cute area. It has one beach volleyball court, one half basketball court, a full beautifully managed soccer football pitch, and two tennis courts. It's in a nice small area surrounded and there's a playground in the middle. There's kids that are there on their own playing beach volleyball. Everyone seems to be having a great time. There's a ping pong table and then there's a bike area with must be hundreds of bikes. They've got really nice bikes. In terms of kids' bikes, they have multiple different sizes of kid bikes from tiny toddlers all the way up. So we had a very easy time. Also, if you want to do a bike ride, there's a longer 10-kilometer bike ride you can do. The sports area is so great and it's possible even that they'd meet some friends because there's so many kids around. the kids club I was very curious about because, there were no pictures on the website. Very few people wrote reviews about it. There's multiple different kids clubs. There's one kids club that's attached to the main lobby building that's just for the little kids. It's sort of underneath. I didn't go in there because my kids are older, but they have a few different playground equipment in front of the kids club, and then they have a big area inside, it's just for kids that are under four. They have something called Heroes Village, which to be honest, exactly matched the pictures on the website, that were very manicured. I didn't know if those pictures were fake on the website because they were so manicured that they were just putting stock images of a random thing, but it actually is the exact same place. There were just no people there. When you walk in, it's beautiful. They have a huge outdoor area. They have their own dedicated playground, which is pretty substantial The 4-7 year olds kids club is much more used than the 8-12 year olds purely just because those types of kids aren't as interested in kids clubs so there's not many kids there. My 8YO didnt want to go, but my 6YO did. Again, I couldn't find this on the website, but they have structured activities each day. Some examples: olive picking, garden party, water play, insects speaking, etc. Lastly, they had a lot of great add-ons for kids. They had a little origami making station next to a kids pool. They had the splash pad at the pool. They have so many different depths of pools. There's a slide at the splash pad. Just really fun bringing in flake bowls. It worked really well for children. It is super expensive, but I feel like you get what you pay for, and you don't really spend a dollar while you're here. I would come again. I did this as voice to text on my phone, which is when they're supposed to be safe.

Olegro B

Dear Sir or Madam, We would like to kindly share with you our review of our recent stay at Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá. Please find our detailed feedback below. Positives: • Excellent location, very close to the sea. • Beautiful and well-maintained garden and pool area. • Very good breakfast with fresh fruit and made-to-order items like omelets or boiled eggs. • The ERRE restaurant offers great steaks and a nice atmosphere. • Friendly, helpful staff and convenient on-site parking. Negatives: • The hotel clearly shows its age and no longer meets modern five-star standards. Carpets in the hallways are heavily worn. • Our room faced the inner courtyard, and every morning around 6:30 a.m. we were woken by truck noise and the sound of breaking glass, likely from bottle collection near the main entrance – clearly audible even from the 5th floor. • The windows, probably original from the 1960s, offered almost no sound insulation and couldn’t be closed properly. • The sofa bed for two children was only about 1 meter wide, with a completely worn-out mattress where you could feel the metal frame. • Blankets had no proper duvet covers – just sheets wrapped around them, constantly slipping off. Overall impression: While the hotel shines with its beautiful location, pleasant outdoor spaces, and friendly service, the rooms and windows are outdated, and noise insulation is poor. A renovation would be needed to bring it back to true five-star quality.

Annette

Big shout out for Isabel in ‘guest experience’ at the Don Pepe, Marbella- what a professional! She is a class act and a great ambassador for the hotel and the hotel group. From day one she tried her very best to ensure we were comfortable and had a good holiday. A real asset to the team. Abel, too was most helpful and deserves a mention. Many thanks

chargrob

Location is the best and therefore fabulous views all over the coast. Gardens are beautiful as is the lobby bar and terrace Red Level rooms are spacious ,function well with balconies to the sea. Housekeeping is very good All the staff here are some of the best you will ever come across. Charming, helpful professional...they make this hotel what it is...a lovely place to stay We wish them well with their refurbishment plans and I know that most guests will return!

shelly vasdev

Isabel from guest services was just totally amazing and made our stay at this hotel just so perfect. She was so professional and has the ability to really connect with us as customers and made us feel important. We can’t thank her enough and I hope management appreciate her and the values she adds to this hotel. We wish her the very best in her career and future ! ❤️❤️

David Horwich

Came for my usual week with family. The hotel is still as amazing as ever! The staff are unbelievable! From Noelle and Abel, to Enrique on reception, Isabel (guest services), Raul and Alvaro round the pool, and Antonio and others waiting on us. And so many guests from last year who come back year after year. It’s like a family, and all down to the incredible staff at this amazing hotel. Nothing is too much trouble

Saleh Al Dheyab

I had an amazing stay at this hotel—everything was not only great but truly beyond expectations. From the moment I arrived, the service, comfort, and attention to detail exceeded anything I had hoped for. A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff for making my stay so memorable. Everyone was welcoming, professional, and genuinely kind. A special thanks to Gerardo the front desk manager, she was helpfulness and warm and welcoming attitude. She went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect and made me feel right at home.

Erazem Poljanšek

I worked here during an Erasmus transfer through culinary school sometime around 2013/14. I did not stay in this hotel, however i am leaving a 5-star review because of one person and one person only. The hotel Manager/Director. Unfortunately i don't remember your name sir but i will always remember your kindness. This was a man who would drop everything and focus on his employees individually. I was constantly asked if i was happy (This stuck with me the most). Back then i thought he may be going a little overboard with my wellbeing but as soon as i left Spain and got a job in my home country (and many more after that) i realized that there was nobody that would match his kindness and big heart. Quite frankly nobody cares about his employees as this man does. Sir if you're still working here, i hope you get to read this. Thank you for having us and thank you for showing us how a human should act, even in a position such as yours.

Ali Albuloushi

Great hotel for a family trip where you need the beach. Note that the beach is public. Many shops and supermarkets around but you need a car to go to. service is good but the facilities quality and cleanliness can be better and renovated as the hotel is old.Gym is good with variety of equipment which are techno gym.

Hetty IRL

What breath taking experience. The views are out of this world . Everything is meticulous the grounds are perfect. The seating is very comfortable both be beside the beach and inside the hotel.. The staff are very friendly and helpful . The variety of restaurants to eat in is amazing. The food and drink is wonderful.

MAH SA

The hotel finishing is very old and the rooms are as good as a 4 star hotel. The beach near the hotel is soooo bad, no sand and full of wood particles and stones. You can not walk in the beach without a shoes. The kids activities is limited to 4 years and above so a 3 years not allowed. The name of the hotel and the pictures in the web does not reflect the reality that you will see in your eyes. Not recommended to stay as 5 star.