mel

Hello. I am considering this place for a summer trip. Is it walking distance to Puerto Banus and old town? Is it walkable to restaurants and shopping? If not, where's the best hotel for that?<BR><BR>gracias, Mel

Maribel

mel,<BR>The Puente Romano is located on the Marbella-Cadiz highway between Marbella and the yacht harbor of Puerto Banus, on the very ritzy stretch of coast real estate they call the Golden Mile. You'd need to take the bus back and forth to Marbella or to Puerto Banus. In the city of Marbella the best hotel for walking to restaurants/shopping/beach is the El Fuerte or its new sister hotel next door, the Fuerte Miramar Spa.<BR><BR>The 5 star luxury Puente Romano standard doubles in high season this yr. (July 1-Sept. 15) started at 330 euros, singles cost 228. In June a single went for 215 and a standard double 240. Add 15 euros or cont. brkf or 20 for buffet (they just sent me their brochure-prices will increase for the '03 high season).<BR><BR>The El Fuerte is much less exp.

mel

Thanks for the help! Since we have a baby, taking the bus with a stroller is tough, so I suppose the El Fuerte is our best bet, even if it's not as ritzy... I would still need a bus to Puerto Banus correct? Is it better to be closer to Marbella town or Puerto Banus if we want to be close to action?<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR>mel

Maribel

mel,<BR>It depends on what kind of &quot;action&quot; . Since you have a baby, I don't think you and your wife will be interested in Puerto Banus' late night club scene! For you it will be better to stay at the El Fuerte, probably the newer El Fuerte Miramar Spa. From there you can walk everywhere, and eateries abound. The Patio de los Naranjos in Marbella's Old Town is a pretty area to sit on one of the outdoor terraces and have tapas or a full meal. From Marbella you can taxi or bus to Puerto Banus, if you want to go shopping there at the El Corte Ingles complex or just stroll the promenade and look at the mega yachts (it's kind of an Andalusian version of Miami's South Beach- often used for fashion photo shoots).<BR><BR>But if you really have your hearts set on the Puente Romano, it's a self-contained resort with (exp.) dining, pools, beach, golf, tennis, gym, spa, (exp.) boutiques, etc. And it shares facilities with its even ritzier sister, the Marbella Club. Some stay here and never even want to leave the grounds.<BR>Take a look at www.puenteromano.com<BR>and enjoy Paco de Luc&iacute;a's flamenco guitar!

Josey

I stayed at the Marbella Beach Club on Oct 21-22. It was very nice but near nothing. You are totally at the mercy of the hotel which was very, very expensive. The only source of lunch was a buffet at $53 a person.