Hotel Guadalmina Spa & Golf Resort

The Hotel Guadalmina is a traditionally elegant property located along the beach outside of Marbella proper. The lobby atrium is a bright and airy space with arched windows, a wrought-iron chandelier, and brown leather Chesterfield sofas. The restaurants feel more modern, with blond wood ceiling beams that match the tables, and chairs upholstered in shades of taupe and blueish-gray. The resort is made up of three buildings set in lovely grounds with manicured lawns, bright flower beds, and mature trees. A short walk past the pool terrace leads to a lawn with rows of loungers and parasols, which overlooks the fine gravel of the Playa Sergio, and the Mediterranean beyond. The hotel mostly attracts low-key families and couples, as well as its fair share of golfing parties.

The Hotel Guadalmina is located in one of Marbella’s smartest districts, and faces onto the Playa Sergio. It’s a short walk to the Sur Guadalmina golf course and the Guadalmina North course, both of which have 18 holes -- some of the rooms, in fact, have terraces from which guests can step directly onto the fairway. Other than beaches and golf courses, though, the Urbanizacion Guadalmina has very little in the way of amenities, and guests will have to travel quite far to find shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It’s a 13-minute drive to Puerto Banus, a playground for the very wealthy where luxurious yachts dock and supercars cruise the streets. Farther afield, the center of Marbella is a 25-minute drive away. Expect transfers to Malaga Airport to take between 45 and 65 minutes by car, depending on the route taken.

The hotel’s 178 rooms are all large and bright, and outfitted in classically elegant decor. The design includes terra-cotta floors, walls painted a shade of primrose, rustic wooden furniture, wrought-iron accents, and neutral-tone linens. They are furnished with a king-sized bed, a couch, armchair, small coffee table, desk, and a flat-screen TV. Their lovely marble bathrooms are sizable, outfitted with a shower/tub combo, bidet, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, and good array of toiletries. These rooms have decent-sized furnished balconies or terraces that face either the garden, neighboring golf course, or ocean. Suites are larger and have a separate bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, and a bathroom with a jetted tub and separate shower. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a safe, and minibar.

The Hotel Guadalmina has an impressive list of amenities, including a lovely ocean-view and sizable pool with a separate kiddy pool. Both are surrounded by lounger and umbrellas. Just down from the pool is a sandy beach with more loungers and umbrellas, though guests have to pay for these. A spa has a circuit of hydrotherapy pools, and treatment rooms for massages and wellness therapies. There is also a well-equipped gym with cycles, treadmills, cross-trainers, and free weights. Three bars consist of a poolside bar, indoor bar, and a beach club that also serves light meals. The main restaurant serves buffet-style meals with a Mediterranean bent and has an outdoor terrace, while the other eatery has a la carte Italian fare. However, food received mixed reviews. Five meeting rooms are on-site, the largest of which can hold 400 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel.