With a BIG walk across the Spanish sierra on my May travel agenda, I thought it fitting to write about one of the most beautiful resort hotels in Spain, after all, I might need some pampering and R & R at the end of the Camino Santiago, an ancient 800km pilgrimage trail originating in France and ending in Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish north-west.

Some years ago I enjoyed a few days of utter bliss at the Hotel Puente Romano on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun), hanging about on a beautiful beach and making the most of the facilities of this elegant, upmarket resort. I particularly enjoyed wandering down to the ocean each day, when feeling quite like a movie star on Oscar night, I strutted the length of red carpet thoughtfully laid across the burning sand and down to the water’s edge. From all accounts the Hotel Puente Romano has lost none of its style and elegance and superior attention to detail and it is just a 40 minute drive from Malaga Airport.

The property is one of the finest resorts in the Spain and an exclusive getaway spectacularly situated on what is known as the Golden Mile, between the cosmopolitan seaside town of Marbella and the glamorous port of Puerto Banús, and in an ideal location for exploring up and down the Spanish coast.

The Puente Romano hotel has been designed in the style of a small village and spacious, three level Andalusian style ‘houses’ are spread throughout the vast, landscaped grounds. Each level is occupied by a single suite of guest accommodation furnished in sophisticated, Mediterranean style.  Each suite is the epitome of ‘chic’ and generous private balconies overlook lush, tropical gardens or the Mediterranean Sea. A golf course and tennis courts form part of the property while more than 50 first class golf courses are located in the surrounding area There are three swimming pools to choose from, seven restaurants, two bars and just a short walk away (3 kms) more eating places, designer boutiques, bars and nightclubs can be found by the marina in Puerto Banús. Exclusive Puerto Banús is a favoured destination of European jetsetters and a table in one of the marina cafes can provide fascinating entertainment for those who love to  people watch or maybe  count the Ferraris — or the celebrities.

From  €340.00 per room per night        
                                                       
hotel[at]puenteromano.com                                               
www.puenteromano.com/en/contact

Orange Square, Marbella

Marbella, Spain

From the Puente Romano, a 20 minute amble along the ocean front boardwalk (Paseo Maritimo) leads to the resort town of Marbella, where the casco antiguo (old town) is sure to charm even the most demanding tourist. Located in the centre of the old town, the family owned Hotel La Villa Marbella provides the warmest of warm welcomes and offers a calm, tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle outside—and the beach is just a few minute’s walk away. Much of Marbella’s old town is pedestrianised and each evening visitors and locals flock to Orange Square, the town’s central plaza to dine al fresco under an orange tree or a colourful umbrella.  At breakfast time it is hard to beat Café crème and flaky croissants served on the top floor terrace of the Hotel La Villa Marbella, from where there are spectacular views and in summer, a soothing ocean breeze. The terrace doubles as a bar in the evenings.

From €90 per room                                                                                              
info[at]lavillamarbella.com                                                                                     
www.lavillamarbella.com

Serious shopping can be attended to at the Larois Centre in Malaga, or in the exclusive boutiques lining the Marina in Puerto Banús.  For something a little easier on the pocket, a market is held by the bullring in Peurto Banús each Saturday and a weekly market is held in Marbella each Monday.

From Marbella a bus leaves for Gibraltar each day, (the bus stops outside the Puente Romano) a journey of 80 kilometres and a pleasant day trip. Fast ferries and slow boats sail daily from Algeciras (25 kilometres from Gibraltar) to Tangiers and Ceuta in Morocco. Fast ferries take 1½hrs and regular boats up to 7 hours.

Trish Clark is author of Good Night and God Bless: A Guide to Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Europe, Vols I and II, both published by Hidden Spring, an imprint of Paulist Press NJ. She writes a monthly column for wanderingeducators.com as the European Accommodation Editor.

You can find her at http://goodnightandgodbless.com/