The hip joint HOTEL
Glam rocks in marvellous Marbella where you chill out with the in-crowd Amare Beach Marbella, Spain
VIBE
Think Marbella, think cool, trendy, classy, relaxed and sophisticated. Think sunshine, palm trees and cocktails on the beach.
Well the four-star, adults-only Amare offers all of that – and more.
Shared spaces inside the hotel are bright, airy and expansive, minimalist in design and with muted hues offset by colourful artworks by invited artists.
The surrealist and pop cultureinspired exhibition by Welshman David Hopkins during my visit was a perfect fit for the hip and groovy vibe.
Downstairs from the spacious foyer, the restaurant, bar and lounge lead seamlessly out to the poolside terrace.
STYLE
The relaxed Mediterranean ambience continues into all 236 good-sized rooms, which come in six categories with names such as Dolce Vita and Keep The Secret.
Tastefully decorated with cream walls and wood floors, most feature delightful sea views and balconies.
They are well-appointed with a mini bar, free water, coffee machine, robe, slippers and toiletries.
Top-of-the-range Oh La La
The One rooms have access to The One Lounge in the lobby, which offers indoor and outdoor terrace seating with complimentary help-yourself snacks and drinks.
FOOD AND DRINK
The Amare prides itself on its culinary offerings – and rightly so.
From the pool, cross the coastal promenade to the hotel’s private beach where you’ll find the Beach Club eatery.
Here you can relax on the deck in the shade of the sails and order drinks and meals from the extensive Spanish-influenced menu.
If you’re too chilled-out to move from your sun lounger on the sand, just press a buzzer and a waiter will come to take your order. The same applies by the pool.
In the evening, head to the building’s top floor where you’ll find the Belvue Bar and terrace with stunning views of the sea and the town, with the mountains as a backdrop.
After enjoying ambient sounds from the DJ, a beautiful sunset, plus a cocktail or two, it’s time for The Lounge restaurant on the lower ground floor.
It’s chic and contemporary, and the a la carte Mediterranean menu has something for all tastes, faultlessly prepared, cooked and presented, as well as an impressive wine list.
Breakfast (included with all rooms) is taken in Mare Nostrum, with indoor and terrace tables, and sea views.
It’s not to be missed, with one of the best and most extensive buffets I’ve experienced, plus eggs cooked to order.
This restaurant is also open in the evenings, for an intimate Spanishfusion option. Also worth noting, a 10-minute walk along the palm tree-lined promenade and located right on the beach is the excellent Soleo Restaurant, which has a tie-in with the hotel so meals can simply be charged to your room.
SPA
To get yourself fully relaxed, not to mention pampered, a visit to the hotel spa is a must.
It’s impressively equipped with a good-sized dynamic pool, whirlpool hot-tub, steam bath and sauna.
All manner of treatments are available including spa ‘experiences’, holistic therapies, facials, body rituals and even a ‘Scottish shower’ – I won’t spoil it for you.
If you’re in a group, book a ‘spa-ty’ and enjoy cava and snacks while you chill.
A range of different massages are also on offer and can be taken in the spa or down on the beach with the sound of the surf in the background.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
The hotel puts on events throughout the year, such as pool parties and a fireworks night ( June 23), and DJs provide music on the beach during the day and at the Belvue Bar in the evenings.
If you are feeling a bit more energetic, there are complimentary yoga sessions on the jetty on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Just outside the lobby you’ll find bicycles available to hire for a
pleasant ride along the seafront. Or you can take the short stroll along the promenade to the harbour and then up into the narrow winding streets of the pretty Old Town, where you’ll find a range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, all centred around Orange Square.
For true fitness fanatics, the hotel has a surprisingly well-equipped gym.
A DAY OUT
For a change of scene, book yourself on to the 30-minute catamaran trip west along the coast to Puerto Banus.
This former fishing port and village is now the Costa del Sol’s playground for the rich and famous.
Marvel at the superyachts in the marina as you disembark before taking a stroll around the narrow streets, popping into some of the numerous designer shops with eye-watering prices, as the Ferraris and Lamborghinis cruise past.
This town is all about peoplewatching, so grab a front-row table at a bar, cafe or restaurant, sit back and
enjoy the glamour.
Press a buzzer and a waiter will come to take your order at the beach