Your guide to a kid-free getaway to Marbella – from cocktails to paddle tour
WRITER Helen Wright danced the nights away in Spain.
Because sometimes kid-free getaways are a must…
She visited the Hard Rock Hotel, Marbella.
The pad
Sitting on a hilltop overlooking the volcanic sands and blue bay of Nueva Andalucía beach, you’ll find both a lively lagoon pool and a zen infinity pool at this party palace.
Opened just last year, the decor is ’70s inspired – think bold prints and gold wallpaper – while memorabilia, from Beyoncé’s dazzling costumes to Elvis’ guitar, adorns the walls.
In true Hard Rock style, you can borrow Crosley record players and electric guitars for your own in-room jam session, plus dance from day to night at free DJ-hosted pool parties every Sunday between June and September.
The Eden Pool Club is open all day, serving delicious sushi, and you’re just a 10-minute drive from charming Marbella Old Town, or a 15-minute walk to the lively superyacht marina of Puerto Banús.
Explore
Hit Marbella Old Town, with its pretty cobbled alleys and whitewashed buildings, for designer boutiques, such as Déjà Vu, selling stylish vintage finds (Vintagemarbella.com), plus local shops stacked with hand-woven baskets, ceramics and mementos.
If you follow the marble footpath along Avenida del Mar, you’ll spy 10 bronze statues by artist Salvador Dalí.
Meanwhile, Alameda Park at the top of the hill offers shade and pretty benches covered with azulejos – Andalusian hand-painted tiles.
Cycle along Marbella’s Golden Mile for endless seaside selfie opps – hire a bike for £14 for a day (Marbellarentabike.com).
Then book a two-hour sunset standup paddle tour for a spectacular way to end a day of exploring, £34 (Nalusur.com).
Refuel
Head to traditional Tabernas Casa Blanca in the Old Town for small plates piled high with fried squid, fish and meats.
Must-tries are flavoursome Casablanca tomatoes drizzled with salt, oil and vinegar, £7, and the moreish Grandma’s meatballs, £8 (Instagram.com/tabernascasablanca).
La Taberna del Pintxo is the place for cold sangria, £15 a jug, and people-watching – try the pickled anchovies and Iberico ham pintxos as you do so (Latabernadelpintxo-marbella.com).
Come dinner, Nu Downtown, just next door to the Hard Rock, has resident DJs and tables to dance on once plates are cleared and it switches into the place-to-be-seen club.
Be sure to order the sensational green curried ribs, £39, to share and the punchy sake mojito, £17 (Nudowntown.com).
Book it
Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel cost from £160 a night for two sharing (Hardrockhotels.com/marbella).
Flights from the UK to Málaga, 40 minutes’ drive away, cost from £36 return.
- Compiled by: Catherine Bennion-Pedley
