MARBELLA for under £100 a night
Despite Marbella’s reputation as a playground for the rich and wannabe famous, it’s still possible to bag a budget break. Just a few miles east of the superyachts, designer boutiques and expensive restaurants of the city’s marina, puerto Banus, you’ll find history and culture aplenty in the charming, medieval Old town. Here, narrow, cobbled lanes with traditional whitewashed buildings decked with bougainvillea tumble on to ancient squares. there’s an array of tapas bars, restaurants and shops selling everything from olive oil to handmade chocolates . . .
Where to stay
■ Hotel San Cristobal
This 96-room hotel is well situated in a central location facing Alameda Park — a peaceful space brimming with lush vegetation — and backing on to the Old Town. Book online for a free upgrade to a recently renovated premium room with king-size bed, modern bathroom and plenty of storage space.
B&B doubles from £51, hotelsancristobal.com
■ La Villa Marbella, Old Town
This small, Asian-inspired boutique hotel is in the heart of the Old Town. The 14 rooms are sleek, minimalist and modern, decorated in calming, neutral tones. From the terrace, guests can enjoy beautiful views of the sierra Blanca mountains. B&B doubles from £76, lavillamarbella.com
■ Marbella Inn
WITHIN walking distance of the beautiful and bustling Plaza de los naranjos (Orange square), this modern, 56-room aparthotel offers recently refurbished double bedrooms, studios and apartments that all have terraces.
Although it’s technically only a threestar hotel, it has a rooftop terrace, a pool and a coffee shop.
B&B doubles from £72, studios from £79, apartments from £97, marbellainn.com
■ Aparthotel Puerto Azul
NOT only is this in a great beachfront location, close to bars and restaurants and just a short walk from the Old Town, the studios and apartments here are spacious, fresh and modern, and come with balconies and well-equipped kitchens.
studios from £52, apartments from £61, puertoazul.net
Where to eat ■ Churreria Ramon
BREAKFAST like the locals with some traditional churros — choux-type pastries fried in oil and served with a cup of warm chocolate sauce for dunking.
A large churro with a pot of chocolate sauce is enough for two to share and costs £11. Accompany this delicious sweet treat with a coffee or a freshly squeezed fruit juice or smoothie.
Address: Calle Valdes 1, plaza de los Naranjos
■ La Bodega Del Mar
SITUATED on the seafront, you can sit back and enjoy the view as you tuck into tasty tapas, including spanish omelette,
pan con tomate (lightly toasted bread with tomatoes), manchego cheese, iberian cured ham and plump, juicy olives, each dish costing £2 to £4. enjoy with a glass of wine for £2.30. labodegadelmar.com
■ Cortes Cafe
ONE of several cafe bars in the Old Town where you can enjoy six tapas dishes for €10 (around £8.50). Choose from plates such as warm spicy chorizo, sticky chicken wings, tasty meatballs, serrano ham and prawns with garlic and chilli.
if you still have room, indulge in a slice of carrot cake or sachertorte for £3. cortescafe.com
■ Soleo Marbella
SAMPLE some sardine espetos (skewered fish cooked over a barbecue) for £7.70 and take in the wonderful sea views at this beach bar.
Other options include salads and sharing platters with bread and cheeses or iberian cured ham. soleomarbella.com
How to get there
EASYJET has returns from Gatwick to malaga from £44 ( easyjet.com). The Avanza bus to marbella takes one hour 15 minutes and costs £5.25 ( avanzabus.com).