mel

Hi. Planning a trip for the summer and am looking to be on the beach, plus walking distance to Puerto Banus and good restaurants and shops?? Any suggestions?<BR>El Fuerte? Fuerte Miramar? Andalucia Plaza?

o

a little further away but i would recommend puento romano. stayed there last year and loved it. 20 mmins from puerto banus though.

Maribel

mel,<BR>If you're looking for real luxury lodging, I'd second the Puente Romano or its sister hotel, the even posher Marbella Club between Marbella and Puerto Banus<BR>on the &quot;golden mile&quot;.<BR><BR>The El Fuerte and its new sibling, the Miramar, are great, dependable, moderately priced properties right on the beach in Marbella itself, in the center of things, but not ultra luxury like the two Leading Hotels of the World mentioned above (with prices of 300 euros and up).<BR><BR>Even though the nifty H10 chain has taken over the Andalucia Plaza in Nueva Andalucia and undoubtedly has made it much nicer and more upscale, it's a very longish walk from Puerto Banus on the highway towards San Pedro de Alcantara. Not convenient to the beach really at all and not a very attractive location.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

mel

Great info... So for the perfect combo of luxury beach resort and walking distance to the action it sounds like the El Fuertes are the best, right??? Is the newer one, Miramar better?<BR><BR>Thanks again..

Maribel

Hi Mel,<BR>I haven't stayed at the new Miramar next door. All I know is that it has very nice, brand new spa facilities, but the building itself is a high rise, not in Andalusian village style like the Puerto Banus or Marbella Club. But both the original El Fuerte and the Miramar are right on the beach. We have friends who have opted for the Miramar for 5 nights next July and have chosen it because of the spa. Have you looked at their web site? www.fuertehoteles.com

Teresa

I've stayed several times in the Puente Romano hotel and I highly recommend it.