| | De La Armada,, Benalmadena, 29630, Spain
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Overall Community Rating: |   8.5 (based on 1 user reviews) |
 Costa Marina: Costa Marina...little gem that sparkles... by Tony Adams 6 |
| Posted 11 April 2005 about a visit in May 2004 | Overall rating: 8.5 |
Costa Marina may have only 51 rooms, but certainly dispels the notion that biggest is best!
Scots owner John Peach is to be commended in the warmth of welcome guests receive on arriving there.
All the staff speak English, and will soon direct you to one of the self-catering apartments, which are built over three floors (served by two lifts), and, apart from one, face south towards the sea.
Ours was a duplex on the top floor - the downstairs a living room (small balcony), with a twin bedroom, kitchen area and bathroom, and upstairs a double bed, shower room and toilet.
That level gave you access to the actual roof terrace, with panoramic views of the Mediterranean, 220 yards off, and the to-die-for backdrop of the Sierra de Mijas mountains.
The terrace is huge (easily hold 20-30 people), and a great al-fresco dining area, with tables and chairs...and those views to feast on, too.
Our apartment, and the other seven of our party, was spotlessly clean and well equipped.
There is no oven in the kitchen, but two hob rings, microwave and kettle, as well as a good-sized fridge to stock the cervezas and vino.
Air conditioning is standard in the bedroom and living areas, and much appreciated in the scorching summer that was June 2004!
Keeping cool was paramount, so guests made good use of the Costa Marina swimming pool on the first floor, where sunbeds and matresses are available free.
The pool area has a well-stocked bar, where English-style snack food can be bought and wolfed down in the sanctity and shade of the seating area, with its huge beach-style umbrellas.
We were bed-and-breakfast visitors, and appreciated the buffet start to our day laid out in the Juan Antonio Restaurant and available until 10.30am. Very considerate!
Antonio also has a tapas menu, on offer later in the day, and every evening from 6.30 there is a two-for-one happy hour drinks service. And NO skimping on those measures!
There's an a-la-carte or fixed-priced dinner menu to follow at Antonio's, and we were never disappointed anytime we ate there - always preferring to sit outside as it was so hot.
Every night, there's a cabaret act to follow, with the entertainers among the pick of the coast. No karaoke amateurs this lot!
The Costa Marina is three-star rated, and minimum stay is three nights. Room rates start at 30 euros per night - great value in anyone's book.
Golfers, like myself, will appreciate the fact that the aparthotel has a dedicated team, who will book you discounted prices at courses up and down the coast.
Torrequebrada is on your doorstep, but don't miss out on the new Santana course above La Cala, beyond Fuengirola.
Having played so many duff lay-outs on the Costa del Sol over the years, it was a breath of fresh air last summer to discover a track with generous fairways, good greens and friendly staff. By far the best "affordable" course between Malaga and Gibraltar.
The Costa Marina is situated in Torremuelle, halfway between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. It is served by both bus and train, although the hike up the hill to the Renfe stop, is not for the faint-hearted!
On the way, though, you can pull in at the Spanish bar and restaurant on the corner (Lucena II), or the English one, further along. The latter has a good outside terrace area, with views of the Med. Crucially, for football fans, it has satellite TV and screens all the games on Sky.
Below the English bar is a supermarket, and although looking small from the outside, belies that first impression when you enter. We stocked up regularly here, and received a warm welcome each visit from the husband-and-wife team who ran it.
There is a decent beach, with hamacas, brollies and such, below Costa Marina, but a steep slope down to it, and not recommended for those weak of limb.
Just 200 yards away, and accessed from the top road level is Paco's Restaurant. We loved it!
Although akin to a working man's cafe from 1.0pm-3.0pm, once the horde of Spaniards depart, stretch out on the terrace, and let the friendly Paco talk you through his menu, which specialises in all things fishy (so don't go on a Monday!)
There a beach area below, with sunbeds available free to diners and guests. A great spot.
I can't recommend Paco's highly enough for those who revel in informal dining when they come to Spain.
To sum up. Costa Marina is a little gem that certainly sparkles as far as this visitor is concerned.
If you like kiss-me-quick, candy-floss style holidays, with lots of biz and bingo, give it a bodyswerve. This is very much a lager-lout free zone.
If you're the type, like me, who can settle in one, quiet spot and let the lethargy flow over you, add the Costa Marina to your wish list this summer.
May see you there next month, when I return!
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
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