If you have been looking at hotel in Marbella, chances are Amare Beach Hotel Marbella has already appeared on your radar.
It had on mine - so much so that we have just arrived back from our second time there, however, this time we brought our kids - now it is an ADULT ONLY hotel, however, I emailed them and as we had been before they were ok with it. Our kids are 15,16, 19 & 20.
Does it live up to the hype?
For us, Yes- with a couple of things I would say are non negotiables.
First impressions, if you are waiting on a glass of bubbly, the only way you are going to get that on arrival is by your room choice. I will explain further on in the blog....
I have to admit, on our first day , we arrived by Midday on a Saturday, our kids looked around and basically decided we had brought them to a pensioners paradise....
During our whole stay there wasn't another Teen.
Now as for Mark and I , it was PERFECT!
However, as the days went on, the crowd definitely became younger but more couples. When we were there, there wasn't one hen party and it has the name for that. The atmosphere felt stylish and sociable and very safe.
The Room - Book the Sea View
This is a non negotible.
We stayed in the the Oh LA La room on the 7th floor - this included the One room. Unlimited nibble and drinks all day. Sitting on the balcony while your hair dries and the sun shining is a core memory.
Request Floor 3 or above.
The bottom two floors , even with Sea View don't include The One Room.
The hotel also left us a lovely bottle of fizz on arrival as it was my 50th.
Let's Talk About Breakfast....
Oh. My. Goodness.
Amare is known for its breakfasts and I completely understand why.
There was freshly squeezed orange juice, no waiting for a table, omelettes made to order, poached eggs cooked fresh, salads, pasteries, the list goes on.
And crucially for the fussy eaters - loads of Nutella.
There was genuinely something for everyone, whether you wanted a healthy breakfast or were in healthy eating mode.
Breakfast was one of those parts of the hotel that we all agreed upon .
The Location.
Another plus for Amare ,it was five minute walk from Old Town across the Street.
You are on the beachfront with access to a private beach exclusive for Amare guests and close enough to water out for lunch and dinner which we did every day and evening. Sorry we only ever did breakfast in the hotel however we did do lunch on the beach on the first day and it was beautiful.
You get the relaxing beach hotel feeling during the day and then Marbella night lift is there when you want a change of scenery.
You can stick on a pair of sandals and walk up to the cobbled streets of old town to a pasta/pizza Restaurant or even get a chine 400 yards away. I cannot remember the name of it but it was upstairs and at first you think its ropey but the food is sublime albeit the service isn't the quickest however I like delay between courses and the food was worth waiting for.
Tip - Don't skip The Roof Top Bar
Even you have plans for dinner, make sure you go and have at least one cocktail on the rooftop bar.
The views are fabulous.
It's the sort of place where you order a drink, sit looking out over Marbella and the Mediterranean and think what a wonderful life...
We loved having a drink there before heading else where.