Barcelo Marbella Hotel

“ A very nice hotel in a peaceful location, although this may get busier in the summer season. Close to a golf resort it is also in the middle of an urban development. It is not close to the beach or any cafes and restaurants or any shops, the nearest town for these would be San Pedro and would be quite a long walk, or a long stroll to Guadalmina.

A car is a definite must whilst staying at this hotel. We are not golf players, and if only having bed and breakfast you would need to be mobile.

We have been to this part of the Costa Del Sol many times, so know the area pretty well. The Hotel is nowhere near Marbella, as the name suggest, so please bear this in mind.

We had a superior room with breakfast only and found this to be adequate for our holiday needs, we did not classify this room as being superior, but more like a good 4 star room.

The room and bathroom was clean and a fridge is provided.

The breakfast is as much as you can eat buffet-style with a chef to cook fresh eggs, cereals, continental pastries, cheeses and hams, fresh fruit, yoghurt, juices and tea/coffee, (bacon and sausages at the weekend!).

We were told that free wifi is available in all rooms and around the hotel, but we found this hit-and-miss, even sometimes in the hotel lobby, so don't rely on this, however, there are coin-operated PC's available in the lobby with internet access.

The pool area is exeptional and very relaxing, although we were the only guests to use it on some days as it was early season. The pool was not heated in March, should we expect this? it would have been nice!

There is no entertainment in this hotel at the time we were there, although this did not bother us, if you like to stay around the hotel and be entertained this is not the hotel for you. But if you want a relaxing place to get away from it all this hotel is the perfect place for it.

“ Top Tip: Car Hire is a must. If you like to have hot drinks in your room, take a travel kettle as there isn't one provided. We actually bought a kettle in Estepona for about 11 euros. Car Parking at the hotel was quoted on arrival, not before, at 15 euros per day but reduced to our 1 week stay to 7.5 euros a day, however, we parked outside less than 10 metres away and felt quite safe in doing so. This fee was quite a surprise to us as we felt that we had paid enough money for the holiday and as the hotel was empty, and therefore so would the car park be, it was dissapointing that this could not have been included.

“ A good clean hotel.

Nothing that special.

The walls were also a little thin.

The breakfast was pretty poor and the coffee was easily the worst tasted throughout my trip to spain.

“ Top Tip: You need to hire a car.

“ only complaint is that when the balcony door is open, then you can hear anyone's conversation from 2 rooms away either side. Our room had an older tv that only showed half the screen. Could have complained, but didn't as it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the hotel.

“ Top Tip: Be aware that the only really safe place to park is in the hotel car park, but they do charge quite a lot for the privilege.

“ Lovely hotel, pool area quiet with gentle background music, staff were friendly and helpful. The food was of good quality and variety but the "hot" food was generally cold which made it a bit unappetising and there were no tablecloths only place mats at the evening meal which spoiled the effect somewhat, however we would definitely return there.

“ Top Tip: We found a lovely beach bar called Heaven Beach. Lovely food unobtrusive live music plus excellent food. Relaxing sunbeds with massage facilities available. A little gem of a place.