Marbella - playground of the rich and famous
Along with St Tropez and Monte Carlo, Marbella in Spain has long been one of Europe’s most exclusive holiday resorts attracting the glitterati of the international jet set. It is easy to see why – Marbella has sandy beaches, elegant boutiques, fine restaurants, and a very beautiful Old Town, which dates back to the 16th century. The Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, and has at its centre the beautiful Plaza de Naranjos, lined with orange trees.
If you care to go for a stroll around Marbella’s marina, known as Puerto Banus, you will see one luxurious yacht after another, as well as some very nice motor cruisers.
What is known as Marbella’s Golden Mile stretches from the western edge of the city all the way to Puerto Banus. Lining the Golden Mile are some of the Marbella’s most wonderful and impressive villas and estates.
Although a lot of the people here are clad in Gucci and Dior, you don’t have to be a millionaire to have a holiday in Marbella, although the holidays here are certainly not budget either. If you fancy luxuriating in a top hotel for a week or two, enjoying the sunshine, some good food, and generally just watching a very interesting world go by, then a holiday in Marbella could be just the break that you need.
Recommended hotels are the Gran Melia Don Pepe, which is one of the few hotels in Spain which has received the coveted Grand Deluxe rating. Another top hotel is the Puente Romano, which is set in romantic subtropical gardens right on Marbella’s exclusive “Golden Mile”.
Marbella has some very good beaches, the most popular being the centrally located and wonderfully named Playa de Venus. If you prefer seclusion, then why not try the Playa de la Fontanilla, or the Playa de Casablanca, which are both a bit more away from the centre, and therefore quieter.
For a luxury holiday with great beaches, fabulous shopping and top hotels, Marbella makes a great choice.
