I stayed at the trendy Spanish hotel with VIP loungers, celeb outfits and palm-tree lined pool
BRIGHT sunshine, cloudless skies and warm air enveloping you as you step off the plane in Spain is standard in summer.
But in March — with winds howling at home — it’s a welcome bonus, setting the tone for a glorious long weekend in Marbella, on Spain’s Costa Del Sol.
And the surprises keep on coming as we check into the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella in upmarket Puerto Banus.
The hotel group is known for its music memorabilia, and the impressive lobby features glass cabinets displaying stage outfits from Madonna, Lady Gaga and Tom Jones.
Our room also has star quality.
Go for one on an upper floor for fantastic views over the hotel’s palm tree-lined pool and, beyond that, the sparkling Mediterranean sea.
A quick change and it’s time for a dip.
Heading down to the pool, we’re directed to a VIP bed (readily available at this time of year for no extra charge) and order strawberry daiquiris — the perfect accompaniment to the 26C spring sunshine.
A sundowner at the buzzing GMT+1 bar — unfortunately, the Sun Society rooftop bar was being renovated during our stay — is followed by dinner at the hotel’s buffet restaurant, Sessions.
But an early night is in order as we have a 9am Zenvibes yoga session in the morning.
As an enthusiastic, if not expert, yogi, I’m excited about practising under a palm tree, and we’re guided by the soothing tones of the teacher, accompanied by chilled live music.
Feeling Zen, breakfast is followed by a memorabilia tour, which is available on request.
Although the weather is gorgeous, the pool is chilly and not for the faint-hearted, so we opt to sunbathe before a late lunch at the Eden pool bar. I recommend the nachos!
As if we are not relaxed enough, the hotel’s Rock Spa is our next stop where, for an extra charge, you can book its hydrotherapy experience.
There’s a sauna, steam room and heated inside pool.
And because indulgence is most definitely on the menu this weekend, a heavenly head, neck and shoulder massage.
The rest of the afternoon is spent reading and listening to the eclectic sounds piped out around the Eden pool.
And if, like me, you need a rest from the sun, a solo guitarist in the lobby is a welcome break.
As there’s a well-stocked mini bar and we’re now in full holiday mode, we treat ourselves to a half-bottle of Moet on the room’s balcony before heading out to explore Puerto Banus, where superyachts are moored while the rich shop at Gucci and Dior.
If money IS an object, there are reasonably-priced pizza and pasta restaurants to pick from.
And, because it’s so much quieter than during the summer season, there are deals to be had in the bars, including two-for-one cocktails at Babilonia. It would be rude not to!
The next day we are invited for an authentic Andalusian dining experience at nearby Tragabuches by Dani Garcia — a three-star Michelin chef renowned for his traditional dishes, including baby goat!
The restaurant is packed with locals — always a good sign — and the smart, modernist decor adds to the upmarket but unpretentious atmosphere.
To walk off the indecently large lunch, we stroll along the boardwalk back to Puerto Banus — 20 minutes from the hotel at a leisurely pace.
After a spot of window shopping, we order a jug of white sangria — a twist on the traditional recipe that uses cava instead of red wine — at one of the port’s oldest venues, the Salduba Pub.
Along with the neighbouring Sinatra’s bar, the pub was a magnet for the rich and famous in its heyday and is perfect for watching people and cars as Ferraris and Porsches do loops of the port.
Saturday evening takes us to Joys, a club just down the road heaving with holidaymakers dancing to live music.
But as it’s out of season, there’s still plenty of room to cut some shapes.
It was such a fun, three-night break in Marbs, we’ll definitely be back — but not at the height of summer now we know all the advantages of an out-of-season break. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!
GO: MARBELLA, SPAIN
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Hard Rock Hotel Marbella is from £918pp including flights from Stansted on April 27, 10kg hand luggage and 22kg hold luggage plus transfers.
See jet2holidays.com.
MORE INFO: Hard Rock Marbella has rooms from £140 per night this summer with special deals at the moment if you book a minimum of two nights direct with the hotel including room upgrades, early check in and late check out.