1st class experience

May 20, 2004

Just back from 10 wonderful days at the Gran Hotel Guadalpin. Gorgeous surroundings, beautiful pool, helpful staff, first class service. Breakfast is good too. Everything is comparable to the Ritz and Westin chain in the US. Convenient location with 2 grocery stores nearby (each room has a kitchenette) and city bus stops. The beaches are unimpressive if you have been to the white sandy beaches in Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean islands. No need to mess with car rentals. We walked a lot (along the beach to old town Marbella) and took taxi and local bus rides. Highly recommend the tour to Granada and Rhonda, and to Tangier, Morocco. The Naturaqua Spa is heavenly. Thank goodness for the Fitness Center to burn off all the calories from dining at the pizzarias, gelaterias and bakeries.

Excellent stay in Costa del Sol

My wife and I just returned from Spain yesterday. We visited several cities and stayed at several hotels during our Spanish Andalusian travels. The Gran Hotel Guadalpin in Marbella was the best! It is truly a 5-star hotel with excellent friendly service and accomodations. We stayed in a suite with had very modern and nice amenities including a nice kichenette, radio speakers in every room, phones in every room, etc. It also had a large and nicely appointed balcony from which we could enjoy the view of the Mediterranean sea. The hotel is nicely located between center city Marbella (about a 20 minute walk) and Puerto Banus (a short taxi or bus ride away). Although the hotel is not a beach front hotel, the 5-minute walk to the beach is a nice stroll, and its beach is not too crowded unlike the parts closer to center Marbella. Furthermore, the facilities at the hotel is nice including its outdoor pool, convenient spa services, and good resturants including a sushi place inside the hotel. I would definitely recommend this hotel, and I would definitely return to this hotel again!

Lots of problems

We too made a return visit to this hotel recently (February) and were less than impressed, on several levels. The supposedly "heated" outdoor pool, a major factor in our choice of hotel, at this time of year, remained freezing cold for the week, although the reception staff's excuses for it being so changed constantly. The jacuzzi in our suite was also not working, and despite many requests for it to be fixed, remained non-functioning for the duration of our seven night stay. The suite also had a run-down appearance in parts, drips and water leaks had not been attended to, and there was the same saga re: the safe - batteries had not been renewed (but it took many phone calls to reception and a veritable batalion of staff to deduce this and set the problem right).Reception staff were less than helpful, and in some cases downright rude in dealing with our difficulties. And to cap it all, the much vaulted spa was closed during our visit too! Given these experiences, it came as no surprise that my several e-mails of complaint to the Guadalpin remain unanswered.

Great Facilities, Bad Attitude

We stayed at this hotel around the same time last year, just before the hotel was fully open. Although there were a few problems that required resolution, we were sufficiently impressed and decided to make a return visit. The room and facilities were fine but as per the previous review and despite several attempts to increase the temperature, the jacuzzi remained stone cold. The main reasons that prevent us giving this hotel an excellent rating relate to the friendliness and efficiency of the staff in the Aralia Restaurant (we only ate breakfast there) and on the reception. The breakfast service was, on the whole, a fiasco and getting a second cup of coffee became something of a challenge, the staff almost deliberately seemed to avoid eye contact and were very surly. Last year the bar staff were terrific and really friendly but this year they were brusque and unfriendly thus ensuring we didn't stay for more than one drink. The floor area around and behind the bar was also dirty and unswept and resembled a grotty old pub not a 5 star hotel. To cap it off I would class the reception staff as being quite rude and condescending. If you can ignore/live with the staff attitude and don't bother to eat in the restaurants, the other facilities and rooms are terrific and the location is great.

Not worth 5 Stars

This hotel was average for a five star. Yes the 2 bed suite was nice and had the novelty of a jacuzzi on the terrace but certain problems need to be ironed out before it can justify those 5 stars. When we stayed one of the beds had a torn sheet, there was no rubbish bin in the kitchen, the jacuzzi was stone cold, the TV did not work properly (i.e no movies available and unable to check own hotel account). The staff were unfriendly and did not manage a smile of welcome (or a friendly farewell for that matter). A very sterile atmosphere all round. Whatever happened to that famous Spanish hospitality, it cetaintly can't be found here!Not worth a return visit.

Great start to a holiday

What a way to start a holiday.This hotel is superb. I booked it because the photos looked promising, this site had good reviews and we got a suite for less than £130.The hotel itself is on the main road on the west side of the town. It takes a couple of minutes to get to the centre.Parking may well be an issue during the summer but we got one of the bays out front. There is a car park next to the hotel if they dont park it for you.Reception was prompt and friendly and you can tell as you walk in you are in for a treat.We had a junior suite that was just huge. Two bedrooms, a lounge/ dining room, kitchen with mini bar and the best bit a terrace with a Jacuzzi on it over looking the bay. The rooms have a stereo system and a TV. The showers are nice and powerful and the complimentary items include shaving kits, toothbrushes, deodorant and perfume.To round off a great hotel we went to the restaurant down stairs. After being greeted and handed a glass of champagne we were shown to a nice table and enjoyed an evening of good food from a friendly waiter. The wine list is very good and we enjoyed a nice Rioja. In between courses we were served a nice variety of foods and drinks and by the time the bill came (200 euros plus tip) we were incredibly relaxed. What a great way to start a short break.Stay at this hotel you wont regret it!Mr Anderson

Fine New 5-Star in Marbella

Luxe new 5-star in Marbella. Wonderfully furnished, and many units are 1 and 2br suites with fully equipped kitchenettes (!). Exc. pool, pool bar, poolside restaurant, and a couple of other restaurants just opening when we visited in July 2003. We will gladly return, but note that location is slightly off (with slightly discounted pricing compared to similarly luxurious properties) - it is on the beach side of the highway but not actually on the beach; it is near the famous old jet-set resorts but not adjacent to them; and it is a bit of a hike into the town of Marbella. Still, there is much to like, esp. if you get a suite overlooking the pool.

Fabulous hotel, great staff

This hotel is a taste of luxury, from the private jacuzzi on the balcony, to the hourly supplies of fresh fruit and iced towels while lounging by the pool. The kitchen facilities are well above average, including a microwave, dishwasher and washing machine. The pool bar is a nice touch and a place to cool down. The hotel's location gives easy access to both Marbella and Puerto Banus although it's such a nice place you might not want to leave the hotel at all!

10out of 10

absolutly out of this world, is there anything they wont try and do for you. one or two minor hitches but they fall over their selfs to put it right, at one point when the satalite movies had a slight problem the managing director personally took my two daughters to an english video store to choose videos from his own account what a wonderful man! the rooms are out of this world spacious and furnished to a high standard with there own jaccuzies on the balcony and if your lucky enough ta get a deluxe or a penthouse your in for a real treat weve been back 3 times alresdy and intend on many more visits, well done all at the guadalpin and see you soon sale family