Malaga
Sep 11th, 2008, 05:23 AM
#1
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Malaga
We are considering staying at a resort in Malaga, the Macdonald Dona Lola. It's on the beach, but I'm seeing mixed reviews.
What is this area like?
We only plan on spending a week in Spain and do want to experience the Mediterranean. We will rent a car.
Our son will be 18 and we are not into nightlife and partying. We enjoy the beach and other outdoor pursuits, the culture, and touring historical sites.
What is this area like?
We only plan on spending a week in Spain and do want to experience the Mediterranean. We will rent a car.
Our son will be 18 and we are not into nightlife and partying. We enjoy the beach and other outdoor pursuits, the culture, and touring historical sites.
Oct 17th, 2008, 07:04 PM
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We stayed at the Dona Lola a few years ago as part of a RCI timeshare exchange. The location was perfect for us. It's a good base to explore Marbella, Ronda, Granada, Nerja, etc. The beach wasn't that great, but the view of the Mediterranean from our room was beautiful. Nice white sand beaches were in Puento Banus, Marbella and Nerja. The people who worked at the resort were very helpful with their suggestions. There was a restaurant on the premises which was good for breakfast. Nightly entertainment. Many families were there. Small hourly charge for internet use.
We are returning back to this area over the summer. Unfortunately the Dona Lola wasn't available for an exchange. We are staying at the Club Caronte nearby to the Dona Lola, but not on the sea.
We are returning back to this area over the summer. Unfortunately the Dona Lola wasn't available for an exchange. We are staying at the Club Caronte nearby to the Dona Lola, but not on the sea.
Oct 19th, 2008, 09:38 AM
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Exactly - when is key. Southern Spain is not beach wether in winter - just too cold.
(Sorry if you already know this - but a lot of people seem to expect the weather in Spain to be like Mexico - and it's not even close.)
Can;t comment on that resort. We have stayed in the area twice - but in Puerto Banus - which has great beaches and a bunch of restaurants/shops and makes a reasonable base for touring (but we did it between visits to Seville and Granada).
(Sorry if you already know this - but a lot of people seem to expect the weather in Spain to be like Mexico - and it's not even close.)
Can;t comment on that resort. We have stayed in the area twice - but in Puerto Banus - which has great beaches and a bunch of restaurants/shops and makes a reasonable base for touring (but we did it between visits to Seville and Granada).
Dec 12th, 2008, 06:40 AM
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Viajero and nytraveler, I'm sorry I missed your replies!
We are going in May 2009 and are booked into Dona Lola. My challenge lately has been to find a reasonable airfare from Rome to Malaga. We will be renting a car, so are considering flying into another city...although the gas and tolls might even it out!
We are going in May 2009 and are booked into Dona Lola. My challenge lately has been to find a reasonable airfare from Rome to Malaga. We will be renting a car, so are considering flying into another city...although the gas and tolls might even it out!
Dec 13th, 2008, 05:16 PM
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For cheap airfare between Rome-Malaga try Vueling www.vueling.com
Also check with the airline you are traveling to Europe on. We are flying Iberia from NY-Malaga, then to Naples and back to NY. It cost us around $200 to add that leg of the journey to our ticket. We use
http://www.malagaairportcarhire.com/ for our car rental (click on the 2nd url, for some reason it comes up twice).I found they have the best rates. Last time we rented a diesel. We drove all over Andalucia and the gas gage hardly moved. I would suggest to rent the smallest car you can. The car park garages in the area (Marbella, Fuengirola) have tiny spaces and the small villages have narrow roads.
Also check with the airline you are traveling to Europe on. We are flying Iberia from NY-Malaga, then to Naples and back to NY. It cost us around $200 to add that leg of the journey to our ticket. We use
http://www.malagaairportcarhire.com/ for our car rental (click on the 2nd url, for some reason it comes up twice).I found they have the best rates. Last time we rented a diesel. We drove all over Andalucia and the gas gage hardly moved. I would suggest to rent the smallest car you can. The car park garages in the area (Marbella, Fuengirola) have tiny spaces and the small villages have narrow roads.
Dec 14th, 2008, 03:50 AM
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Bonnie I am curious about your flights: Are you flying from Malaga to Rome? (I do not see any direct flights on Vueling from Malaga to Naples..)
Does Iberia have a direct Jfk-Malaga flight or must you change in Madrid?
Does Iberia have a direct Jfk-Malaga flight or must you change in Madrid?
Dec 14th, 2008, 07:39 AM
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ekscrunchy, The Iberia flight we are taking has a short layover in Madrid. Delta is the only airline that has a non stop to Malaga from NY. We are flying Iberia to Naples with a tranfer in Madrid. You are right that Vueling doesn't fly to Naples. Alitalia also has good one way rates between agp-fco. There are many good flights between Malaga and Rome, finding good flights between Malaga and Naples was a little more difficult. We decided to concentrate on this portion of the trip in Postiano on the Amalfi Coast. Iberia had the best flights for us with this itinerary. We were also able to use AA points for one of our seats.
Dec 14th, 2008, 08:22 AM
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Ekscrunchy, Your code name was familiar to me so I looked back on your previous posts and realized that you were the one who wrote that fabulous foodie trip report for the Amalfi Coast which I bookmarked a while ago. Do to your recommendation we will be spending our last night at the Alabardieri in Naples and will eat at Umberto's. Thank you for all your great tips for restaurants, wines and general information for off the beaten path places to visit on the Amalfi coast.
As a fellow foodie, if you plan on visiting Malaga and the Andalucia area, I have 2 words for you: El Toston. El Toston is located in Fueringola and they have the best tapas around.
I didn't mention this before, but we have flown Iberia a few times through the Madrid airport. It's a beautiful airport with good signs for connections. Very easy to get around.
As a fellow foodie, if you plan on visiting Malaga and the Andalucia area, I have 2 words for you: El Toston. El Toston is located in Fueringola and they have the best tapas around.
I didn't mention this before, but we have flown Iberia a few times through the Madrid airport. It's a beautiful airport with good signs for connections. Very easy to get around.
May 18th, 2009, 06:29 AM
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That hotel is great, we have stayed there before.
I would recommend getting a car to hire while you are there as most of the main shopping areas and towns are some distance away.
Check out http://www.malaga-airport-car-hire.co.uk for some really good deals. We only paid £15 per day for ours! Drive carefully .
I would recommend getting a car to hire while you are there as most of the main shopping areas and towns are some distance away.
Check out http://www.malaga-airport-car-hire.co.uk for some really good deals. We only paid £15 per day for ours! Drive carefully .
