Discover Malaga from an exclusive luxury hotel

By Luke Durden in Andalusia

They say that Andalusia has two capitals, in the West it would be Seville and in the East, Malaga reigns queen. Beautiful, with great temperatures throughout the year, full of history and steeped in international culture and with customs loved by each and everyone (from the first moment); Malaga is a province of discovery, of rest and a place to experience an exclusive holiday full of luxuries … What sort of luxuries?

Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus

Unique routes to discover Malaga

Shopping along Calle Larios

With its history and character, Malaga’s ‘Calle Larios’ is the meeting place of the ‘fashionistas’ who reside in the Andalusian province and this central street hosts local, national and international brands of both clothing and footwear to complete the look. Since at peak times there are lots of visitors who scour the area from end to end, we recommend that the day of shopping along Calle Larios begins early in the morning (at about 10.00 h) or late or the afternoon.

Puerto Banus, a unique place in the world

Although you have to cover a distance of about thirty kilometers, visiting Puerto Banus is a delight. With its harbor full of white houses, the aroma of pure luxury (with Just, Cavalli or Versace boutiques among many others) and their pontoons filled with ultra long megayachts, the port is one of the most exclusive in the world and also one of the most visited by lovers of luxury tourism.

Dining with a Mediterranean background

Whether in the city center or at the port, there is an element that is always present in Malaga: the Mediterranean. With the slight breeze so characteristic of the Alboran Sea (which bathes the coast of Malaga), there is nothing like enjoying a romantic dinner by candlelight with the sound of the Mediterranean waves, with its scent and cooling moisture. A unique and highly recommended experience.

Luxury hotels in Malaga

Select tourism has kept watch on Malaga for many years and has noticed that the city is a hub for the finest of hotels. Which of these luxury hotels stand out?

  • Vincci Aleysa: Located on the exclusive beach in Benalmadena, The Vincci Aleysa is a 5-star, smoke-free hotel, perfect for those who don’t want just any accommodation. Its cuisine and Spa make it one of the most important hotels in the area.
  • Vincci Estrella del Mar: In Marbella and less than 10 minutes from Puerto Banus, you can find the exclusive Vincci Estrella del Mar, a five star hotel in which you can relax as never before and where you’ll discover the province of Malaga’s most select and beautiful side.
  • Vincci Malaga: For those who prefer to spend their days off in the capital, your best choice is the Vincci Malaga hotel. This four-star hotel is located on the sea front.

Destination Andalusia: a colourful 2016

By Esther in Andalusia

Andalusia is a magic destination, a region full of possibilities where the best gastronomy, the traditional music, the customs, the heat of its sun and its people, the life in the streets, the endless beaches, the parties and the natural beauty of its history come together. Here we find a wide variety of destinations, all of them perfect for your holidays, but each of them ideal for a specific type of trip.

Seville

Seville is the best destination for a getaway as a couple or with friends. In 4 days you can discover its colours, its rhythm and its taste. The best accommodation option is a hotel in the centre of Seville, if possible in the old town, so that you can walk along its lively streets, visit its main monuments and its flamenco shows or do an exclusive tapas route.

Triana, Santa Cruz neighbourhood, Maestranza… There are lots of must visit places you have to include in your tour if you want to visit the most important museums, art galleries, gardens, churches and temples, typical bars of Andalusian cuisine, flamenco tablaos, parks and everything you can imagine. Put no limits to your imagination.

The hotels in the centre of Seville offer affordable prices during these winter dates, offering you the possibility to book a 4-star hotel at the heart of Santa Cruz neighbourhood at 63 euros per person and night with free Wi-Fi, breakfast, flexible check-out, free bikes for visiting the city, daily press…

Rio Gaudalquivir, Sevilla

Rio Gaudalquivir, Sevilla

Malaga and Marbella

Start organising your holidays: hotels spa in Marbella, hotels for families at the beachfront, luxury hotels in the centre of Malaga, hotels near Larios Street… You can plan your desired trip in an only destination. This is Malaga. The versatile capital of the Costa del Sol, the queen of the most exclusive summers and of winters that look like mild springs. A place where to enjoy the open air, walking along its narrow streets, partying until sunrise, discovering the local art or visiting the most beautiful beaches of Andalusia.

The type of accommodation can make the difference depending on who you are travelling with -with children, as a couple, as a group…-, as the offer is really wide, so we recommend you choose the one that suits your interests and your needs of rest and type of travel.  If you are planning on an urban getaway for discovering the capital, stay in a hotel in the centre of Malaga; if you prefer nature, stay close to the sea or to the mountain and choose a hotel in Marbella or a boutique hotel in Benalmádena.

Check out the cultural agenda at your accommodation and combine your own routes with the cultural proposals of this province: cinema, theatre, street performances, exhibitions, the Picasso Museum…

Cádiz

We know you are looking forward to visiting this city… A city of surf, of tapas in a terrace by the sea, of relax, parties, laughs and friends. This is the best destination for a holiday as a group and for a funny getaway at any time of the year. Besides, it features idyllic must visit places: Chiclana and La Barrosa, Roche, Conil…

You will not have any problem with the accommodation in this city. You can choose an apartment in front of the beach or the comfort of a spa hotel in Chiclana with all the necessary services. If you are a sports lover, choose a beach hotel in Cádiz, as it will allow you to enjoy the best of the Atlantic surfing the waves or sailing on a boat. The golf hotels in Chiclana also offer special plans: apart from plans for this relaxing sport, they offer gastronomic services which will allow you to taste the typical delicacies of Cádiz at an affordable price and with a guaranty of quality.

The city is a fabulous leisure alternative. The happy character of Cádiz’s people, the atmosphere of its bars and pubs, its bustling streets -during the day and night- the funny ambiance of its carnivals and the history of its buildings, monuments and patrimonial settings. The tacita de plata is the current in-style destination, with guaranteed entertainment.

Cadiz

Cadiz

Huelva

Huelva is a unique natural paradise, one of the most fabulous nooks for relaxing and enjoying a holiday with your couple or children full of adventures, routes, sports, games and good gastronomy. Huelva is quite big and it can be divided into different premium holiday destinations. One of the most classic destinations is Ayamonte, where you can choose between a stay in the village, with its customs and traditions, or a more complete accommodation in the outskirts, near the beach, like the golf hotels of Isla Canela, Isla Cristina and the marshland that surrounds these areas.

The area of Doñana is another good alternative for family holidays at the heart of nature, with comfortable services and customised leisure and relax plans. The hotels in Matalascañas and the hotels near Doñana park are a luxury accommodation for any time of the year. These hotel offer a good quality price ratio, family rooms and spacious apartments for everybody.

The Flecha del Rompido is an ideal plan for couples. It is a deserted beach where to get lost and enjoy the best company. Relaxing under the sun, reading, having a bath in the Atlantic… Besides, there are different accommodations in the surroundings, among which we highlight the best Adults Only hotels in Huelva, with services specially designed for romantic and wellness getaways.

Almeria

Almeria has been the setting of some of the most famous spaghetti westerns of history, a place where the desert-like nature embraces the Mediterranean Sea, where life is peaceful and where there is no place for stress. Almeria is an in-style destination, with its beaches, its culture, its history and its interesting tourist attractions that offer a wide range of proposals. In fact, those who visit Almeria always come back.

If you have never visited the city, 2016 is the moment. Choose a hotel in Cabo de Gata if you are travelling with your family, as it is one of the most entertaining areas for children, for enjoying the nature, the quiet beaches and the activities in the open air for all ages. The resorts in El Toyo have the widest offer of services for families and for all type if travellers, although you can also choose an apartment and organise your trip your own way. It might be more complicated, but a perfect alternative if you are travelling as a couple.

This area also offers you the possibility to plan a trip or a luxury relaxing getaway at one of the best 5-star hotels in Almeria, with spa, gourmet gastronomy…Enjoy a complete plan at your chosen accommodation and pamper yourself with exclusive services.

Visiting the south before the year ends

By Loren in Andalusia

I go to the south It is decided. Before 2014 ends, I will spends some days in Andalusia with my children, while Sergey stay here preparing everything. I have made a short list with places to visit, from Málaga to Cádiz, Huelva and Seville, but of course I accept all types of recommendations and comments from those who have already been there. The few times I have been there, I have stayed for really short periods or for work and, although I love the few things I have seen, I want to dedicate some free days to explore all the coast and the capital.

In Seville, I have already chosen an accommodation: I will stay at a hotel in Santa Cruz neighbourhood, which is one of my favourite ones, and as I know them, I will take advantage of the discount and I will also take the opportunity to say hello to the staff. By the way, I really recommend them! Besides, it is a great boutique hotel to go with children, charming, with an indoor courtyard where having a breakfast is just delightful. Among the planned visits in Seville, I have reserved a night to the theatre. a tapas tour in the surroundings of the hotel, which is very close to the Cathedral, and an intensive day of museums, with workshops for the little ones.

A big part of the trip will be dedicated to Seville, since I plan to visit its main tourist attractions, from La Giralda, to the Isla Mágica theme park (although I am undecided about the last one… what do you think about it? Is it worth it?) I expect to see a couple of exhibitions which are precisely open on these dates. I also want to enjoy a night in a tablao, even if it were short, you know how kids are… I was told about some famous tablaos, but I am more interested in an authentic tablao, than in a famous one. If you have any suggestion, please tell me (thank you in advance)

 Barcelo Montecastillo Golf Hotel

Then, I will visit Málaga to enjoy some sunny days, walks on the beach, relaxation and laughs with the kids. As for sleeping, in this case, I will mix two types of accommodations: a hotel right in the centre of Málaga, and a holiday hotel in Fuengirola, which is very affordable and seems perfect for resting and forgetting it all. My objective: resting, having fun and eating delicious food. I will undoubtedly visit El Tintero again and enjoy some of the sardines stalls placed throughout all the beach, next to the promenade of the city. If you want an affordable plan for eating with a group, it is not at all bad!

In Cádiz, I have a similar plan: I will stay a couple of days in the centre in order to enjoy its night atmosphere and know how the Christmas is in one of the sunniest places in Spain; afterwards, I will stay at a hotel with villas close to the motorcycling circuit so as to do the famous wine tours of Jerez and meeting with friends who live near (they have promised to take care of the children while I tour 🙂 ). Then, I will go to the coast. First, I will stay at a spa hotel in Chiclana, I will visit La Barrosa and I will do a couple of excursions around the area. Here I will stay for just a couple of days, because the New Year countdown gets closer. And finally I will visit the Roche coves and I will stay at one of the first hotels in Calas de Conil (yes, occupational habit: hotels, tourism, trips… My work is obsessive!).

I have reserved something special for Huelva: Ayamonte. I have always wanted to go, not just for its wonderful landscapes and its atmosphere, but also because one of the best persons I know is from there and I would like to see where she grew up. In fact. I will have the good fortune of travelling with her, so in this part of the trip I will leave almost everything in her hands. I want surprises.. (Get your act together, Marta!) We will stay at a golf hotel in Isla Canela, in order to enjoy a couple of golf lessons, visit the marshes and, of course, rest. We will return on December 31st. Meanwhile, take care of my island!