Barceló Marbella ★★★★

Puerto Banús is one of the most iconic marinas on the Costa del Sol, located just to the southwest of Marbella proper. Built in 1970, it was designed in part by Noldi Schreck, one of the architects responsible for Beverly Hills, which perhaps gives an indication as to the source of its modern opulence. Naturally, celebrities became tourists, and luxury developments flourished in the surrounding area.

The Barceló Marbella**** is just a fifteen-minute drive from the marina. Appropriating elements of the classic Spanish colonial style with a postmodern approach, the hotel emphasises the breadth of its rooms and communal spaces, both being immensely spacious. Rooms available include the Superior Double, a luminous room that considers the bare necessities of the quintessential colonial interior. If you can will yourself from your glorious four-poster bed, you can even enjoy the beautiful view of the site from your balcony.

Tuck into a tasty breakfast buffet before heading out onto the huge Guadalmina Golf Club course, widely regarded as among the best golf complexes in Southern Europe, with its 45-hole course and stunning palm-tree populated vistas. If sports aren’t your thing, unwind with the range of Spa services available, including a sauna and Turkish bath. Of course, you’re close to a number of magnificent sandy beaches, so be sure to explore – or, if you’d prefer, you can relax by the pool. Come evening, marvel at the live cooking show at the restaurant, where the talented chefs prepare delicious Mediterranean cuisine for you with the finest local cuisine. Refresh with a drink at the sports bar found in the lobby, before venturing into Puerto Banús or Marbella, where the night is always young.