To anyone who is a Spain aficionado, I'd like some advice or guidance on a trip we're planning in May.

About 7-8 of us are headed to Andalusia end May. We're undecided as yet on where to stay. Our first intention was to get a large villa along the coast (perhaps costa del sol).

Any suggestions on:
1. Staying in-land or along coast
2. Villas vs. apt/hotels
3. Which area to stay in like Costa del Sol, Seville, Cordoba, Marbella?

We're mainly just old friends catching up for 7-10 days and will probably fill days on the beach, by the pool and day-tripping to near by towns.

Ideally, if we could be situated in an area with reasonable night life, restaurants and within driving distance of some of the nicer sites would be best.

Any suggestions out there? You can also email me at:

[email protected]

Thanks v much.
Sanjiv Louis
Singapore

Well if you want to spend your days at the beach that lets out staying in Seville or Cordoba. It sounds like you would be best off renting a villa near the becah and doing day trips to the various cities/white towns as the mood and weather strike you.

As to exactly where to stay that depends on your budget and travel style. We prefer to stay in Puerto Banus (a litle west of Marbella) because it is a little more upscale and you are less likely to run into the crude drunken pub (package tour) crowds. (Although this is less of a problem in May than it would be in July/August). There are lots of restaurants, some bars/clubs and at least one casino. And it only takes aout 10 minutes to get into Marbella if you want a bigger selection.

There are a lot of large villas for rent - although the ones directly on the beach can be very expensive, if you rent on the other side of the highway prices are quite reasonable. Just be sure you get one that is air conditioned - May can be very warm. But you will need a couple of cars - for day trips, shopping etc.

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

Adding to the great advice you got from nytraveler, check out the following site: http://www.vrbo.com The site lists hundreds of vacation rentals by owners and I have heard very good recs. Great locations, the prices are very reasonable as well. Marbella and Puerto Banus should top your home base options for the type of vacation described. Strongly second the suggestion for two cars. Have a fun time!

Thanks very much to both of you. Upscale and away from the package tourists is exactly what we are going for. Will look into your suggestions and hope something works out in Puerto Banus.
Cheers
Sanjiv

nytraveler mentions Puerto Banus, but I'm not sure where to stay in that area. Does anyone have information on where to stay there? Sounds like I should try to avoid Marbella, so I was thinking Hotel Amanhavis (in Benehavis) and El Nobo, in Gaucin.

We stayed at the Andalucia Plaza in Puerto Banus. It is a modest modern hotel (3* though they call it a 4*) with a good location, nice pool complex and casino. It was a couple of years ago so I don't remember the exact rates - only that it was very reasonable.

I wouldn't say not to stay in Marbella - we went there for dinner a couple of nights and the areas near the beach were quite pleasant. but I don't have first hand info on hotels there.