The Best Resorts to Book in and Around Malaga

Little secret: in the hospitality industry, the name Anantara is associated with luxury and the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort showcases why. Described as an elegant sanctuary, this resort just south of high-end Benahavís is surrounded by a pretty lake, verdant golf courses and lush gardens. With a spa, beauty and wellness facilities, as well as its own amphitheatre, there are plenty of ways to soak up the luxury of this property and return back to your elegant room, suite or villa each evening. If you wish to venture out then there are an array of beaches to relax and villages perched in the mountains to explore.

A beach resort in Marbella inspired by local villages, Puente Romano embodies the traditions and lifestyle of the area. Surrounded by botanical gardens, tennis courts and a courtyard, the resort is an oasis of calm. A spa with an array of treatments and a pool overlooking the ocean are just two ways to relax and rejuvenate. For dining, the resort has 14 restaurants to choose from – or you can opt for room service and relax in your suite with panoramic views of the sea or gardens.

A countryside sanctuary a few hundreds metres from the coast, Los Amigos Beach Club is ideal for all types of travellers. Apartments at this resort are fitted with a kitchen, washing machine, bathroom, and a private terrace or balcony, with outdoor and indoor pools, a pool bar, a whirlpool, sauna, gym and tennis courts. Perfectly located for beach access along with local restaurants and bars, Los Amigos is ideal for those who want to soak up the sun but also explore the local area.

Situated on the beachfront and surrounded by the Guadalmina golf course, Hotel Guadalmina is a tranquil place to stay. With its own shop, hairdresser salon, pool, beach and parking, there’s hardly a reason to leave unless of course you want to explore. Dining at the restaurant ranges from Mediterranean dishes to haute cuisine; you can enjoy them in the restaurants, on the outdoor terrace or in the comfort of your own room with views of the sea.

Sea air and mountain views are just two of the highlights of the five-star Marbella Club Hotel. A place that has retained its original charm while becoming more contemporary, the resort is a combination of comfort and understated elegance. Rooms range from suites, bungalows and villas to accommodate any kind of guest and group size. The stately resort is like a community and staff are friendly and attentive, meaning they have a list of loyal guests who return each year.

With sumptuous holiday apartments and townhouses created with Mediterranean architecture, Cortijo del Mar embodies the local upscale area between the towns of Estepona and Marbella. Surrounded by gardens, a lagoon swimming pool, beach terrace and rooms with sea views, the property administers the perfect dose of escapism. From rooms to penthouses, each accommodation has the privacy akin to that of an apartment but with the high quality service and convenience of a hotel.

On a hillside overlooking the village of Mijas, the peaceful Macdonald La Ermita Resort has unrivalled views of the beautiful coast. Accommodation is set around the expansive pool area, with dining more often than not al fresco. A short stroll into the village allows you to enjoy the serenity, along with discovering local shops, bars and tapas restaurants on the cobblestone streets.

The Don Carlos Oasis in Marbella offers five-star rooms, apartments or suites to guests all of which are of an exquisite standard; contemporary design, flooded with natural light. The hotel has a focus on relaxation and wellness and every detail from choice of pillow to dishes, embodies that, to ensure guests leave feeling better than when they arrived, both physically and mentally.

Known for its impeccable service, Finca Cortesin is inspired by Andalusian traditions and architecture. Thanks to its spacious suites with high-ceilings, the elegant rooms alone are enough to make you want to stay. Yet it is the tranquility of the resort that has people staying longer than they intended. Two courtyards, traditional cuisine and a swimming pool make for the perfect escape.