Marriott Marbella Beach Resort: Our Southern Spain Adventure
Golden hour at Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort
A Practical & Peaceful Stay at Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort
If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-located home base for exploring southern Spain, Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort checks a lot of boxes. My husband Dave and I spent six nights here as part of our Marriott Vacation Club membership, and it ended up being one of our favorite Vacation Club stays so far.
This post includes a full review of the resort—what we loved, what we did, and tips if you’re thinking about booking. I’ll link to separate blog posts with more detail on the day trips and local spots we explored.
Marriott Marbella Beach Resort Entrance
First Impressions & Arrival
From the start, everything felt organized and easy. Before we even left home, the concierge team (shoutout to Aga) helped us arrange airport transfers, a private driver to Ronda, and even answered questions about where to get groceries. It took a lot of stress out of planning and made us feel well taken care of.
When we arrived, check-in was quick and smooth. The resort grounds are lush, clean, and well maintained. It has a Mediterranean feel—bright tile, palm trees, and quiet pathways that lead down to the beach.
The Villa
We stayed in a two-bedroom villa with a balcony facing the sea. It was spacious, clean, and had everything we needed including a full kitchen, washer/dryer, closet space, and a very comfortable bed. The living area was perfect for quiet mornings, journaling, or just sitting with a coffee and watching the sky shift over the water.
The view from the beach was really special. On clear days, we could see across the Strait of Gibraltar and catch a faint outline of Morocco in the distance.
The Pool areas are beautiful and well maintained
What We Did
Walks on the Beach: Most mornings and evenings, we walked along the beachfront. The beach is right outside the resort and felt safe and peaceful even after dark.
Spa Appointments: One afternoon, we both booked massages at the on-site spa. It was clean, professional, and deeply relaxing, especially after a few long sightseeing days.
Dining On-Site: El Med, the resort’s main restaurant, quickly became a favorite. We ate dinner there one evening and were really impressed with the quality of the food and the setting. I especially recommend the paella and the house flan. We also grabbed light groceries and snacks from the small market on site, which was surprisingly well-stocked.
Nearby Dining: One night we walked down the beach to a local restaurant (name it if you want), which was nice for a more casual, local vibe.
Two Day-Trip Tours: booked through the resort (see below).
Marbella Beach at the resort
Local Explorations
We loved Old Town Marbella and want to spend more time there next time!
Sunset Walks on Marbella Beach
The resort is well situated for day trips. From here, we were able to:
Wander Old Town Marbella – lots of charm, good cafes, and easy to reach by Lyft or Uber.
Take a private guided trip to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas – one of our favorite days. The views in Ronda are stunning.
Join a group tour to Granada and the Alhambra – this was a full-day trip but totally worth it. The history and architecture were unforgettable.
Explore Puerto Banús – we walked around the marina area one afternoon and stayed for dinner at a local restaurant. More modern and upscale, but still fun for people-watching and coffee.
What We Loved Most
The balance between comfort and access. We could relax without needing to plan every detail, but when we did want to explore, everything was close.
The kindness of the staff. Every interaction felt warm and genuine.
The concierge team is top-notch here. They booked our airport transfers, day-trips, made dinner reservations, and greeted us with a hug.
The views and quiet mornings on the balcony.
El Med, the on-site restaurant: great food, beautiful ambiance, and a spot we would return to even if we weren’t staying at the resort.
We opted to not rent a car on this trip and instead took guided tours and Uber for outings around the resort. We didn’t have to pay for parking and could just relax and enjoy the view.
A Few Tips
Book your tours and day trips in advance as they sell out quickly, especially The Alhambra.
The resort isn’t walkable to a large town center, so plan for Uber or Lyft for most outings, unless you rent a car. Parking is a major challenge in the main tourist areas so it wasn’t worth it for us.
Bring comfortable shoes for beach walks and day trips—lots of cobblestones and hills.
The onsite market is convenient but small and the prices are much higher than the local grocery stores. We loved shopping at Mercadona for groceries and basics for the room.
One lesson we learned a lesson the hard way - you can’t bring meat through customs into the United States. We were sad to give up our two small packages of Iberico Ham to the custom’s agents.
Would We Return?
Absolutely. This was our ninth stay at a Marriott Vacation Club resort, and we felt this one hit a sweet spot of relaxation and access to adventure. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a slower-paced trip with the option to explore some of the most beautiful places in southern Spain.
Planning Your Stay?
Feel free to reach out or drop a comment—I’m happy to answer questions about the area, the resort, or any of our day trips.
You might also enjoy these articles: (Coming soon!)
Exploring The Alhambra in Southern Spain
Exploring Granada in Southern Spain
Wandering Marbella’s Old Town: From Cobblestone Streets to Boho Boutiques
