Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus

Set on lush grounds with palm trees and greenery, Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus is housed in a U-shaped four-floor building centered around a large rectangular pool in its courtyard that overlooks the beach. Surrounded by a large sundeck lined with loungers and umbrella-shaded tables, it's a popular spot that's often busy with guests convening around the poolside bar and relaxing in the sun. Inside, the hotel's common spaces make good use of wood. A design standout is the lobby-level cocktail bar with red and black floral print armchairs, black-and-white striped banquettes, and hardwood floors. Several of the restaurants and bars have outdoor spaces for dining and drinking. Despite that fact, the vibe here is tranquil and subdued, especially by Marbella area standards. The hotel attracts mostly middle-age couples, who appreciate the beachfront location and relaxed atmosphere, as well as the occasional family.

This beachfront hotel is just off the A-7/N-340 road that runs through Marbella and along the coast. The immediate area is largely residential and packed with other resort, and there's nothing much of interest within a short walk. It's about a five-minute drive or at least a 15-minute walk to the Puerto Banus Marina and the dining and luxury shopping that surround it. Casino Marbella is also within a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk. The resort is a little under a 15-minute drive to Marbella's Old Town. Here visitors will find the tropical gardens of Alameda Park, works by Picasso and Miro at the Contemporary Spanish Engraving Museum, Castilian Renaissance-era Plaza de los Naranjos, and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city. The Bonsai Museum is about a five-minute walk north of the Old Town, and the Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring is about a five-minute drive or 10-minute walk north of Old Town. It's a 35-minute drive to reach Selwo Marina Delfinarium, with its dolphin shows and penguin exhibits. The Malaga Airport is about a 45-minute drive, while Malaga city can be reached in around an hour.

Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus offers a wide variety of room and suite types, ranging in size from 291 to 323 square feet in the regular rooms (27 to 30 square meters) to 797 to 1,830 square feet in the suites (74 to 170 square meters). The look is pleasant, and has a modern suburban-home quality, with lots of plush fabrics and faux Old World details like swing-arm lamps and cartographic prints on the walls. Decor also includes dark wood furnishings and trim, and a white, beige, and brown color palette. Splashes of gold, deep red, and fuschia brighten things up. Unfortunately, we spotted lots of wear on furniture in some rooms, and the velvet accents on everything from seating to headboards looks less than fresh.

Rooms have desks, air-conditioning, safes, minibars, and flat-screen TVs, but some are small, and all offer limited channels. Not all rooms have coffee/tea makers. Most rooms have private terraces or balconies with cane furnishings, some with sea views. Some suites have extra-large balconies or terraces with jetted tubs, tables, chairs, sofas, and hammocks. Suites also have living/dining rooms and kitchenettes. Bathrooms are clean and well lighted, and have a stylish look, with granite and wood paneling and wood counters. Most bathrooms are spacious, with ample counter space around the sink, as well as magnifying mirrors, bidets, and telephones. Some suites have jetted tubs.

The Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus is situated on the beach, with a water-sports center that offers water skiing, jet skiing, banana boats, and paddle boats, all for a fee. Cool drinks and light fare are available at the beachside lounge, sponsored by Moet and Chandon champagne. The hotel also has a large outdoor pool that's long enough for a good swim. It's also a fine place to kick back, as the pool is surrounded by a sundeck with a small wading pool, poolside bar, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and day beds. The fitness center is equipped with several treadmills, numerous weight machines, and free weights. A sauna is helpful for a post-workout sweat. The hotel also has a beauty salon and a small spa with massages and other treatments (for a fee). 

The Gran Hotel offers a good array of dining and drinking options. The excellent breakfast buffet offers a cooked-to-order egg station, bacon, sausages, breads, pastries, fresh and dried fruit, and more. It's available for an extra fee. The brasserie restaurant serves international cuisine for lunch and dinner, and features a terrace with sea views. The Italian trattoria serves antipasti, fresh homemade pasta, risotto, pizzas, and fish and meats. The hotel also has an elegant lobby bar and sports bar with big-screen TVs. Room service is available. Other on-site amenities include a small playground and picnic table, concierge service, baggage assistance, meeting rooms, a business center, and a gift shop with luxury items like clothing and jewelry. Parking is available for a fee and Wi-Fi is free throughout.