Sofitel Los Monteros Marbella Hotel

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Reviewer From:Barbados

My wife, my daughter and I had spent 10 days at Los Monteros hotel in September and we all decided to return to this property as soon as possible. We never enjoyed such a great service with such a wonderful staff. Everybody made us feel like at home (even if we are not Spanish) and we will never forget the friendliness and attention to details we received during our entire stay.The beach club is just awesome with real 2x2 meters sun beds and a personalized service including massages, mineral water spray and a lunch buffet which is unique (I never had such an incredible buffet in my entire life including all-you-can-eat lobster, jumbo shrimps, crayfish, oysters, crabs, clams, a-la-minute cut fresh meat and fish grilled in front of your eyes, at least 20 different kind of combined salads, an authentic giant Spanish paella and a superb dessert buffet including all kind of fresh fruits, ice creams, sorbets and the best pastries).The size, quality and decoration of the bed rooms are with no doubt synonymous of the 5 star grand luxe category of this hotel. We also like the two ambiances of this property: at the main hotel a fantastic swimming pool in the middle of a dramatic landscape with an impressive mountain view and, 400 meters distant from the hotel, this amazing beach club with another incredibly large swimming pool. A bus shuttle deserves the beach club every 15 minutes if you feel like not walking.We can only recommend this property to everybody in quest of peaceful and perfect holidays. Dont be surprised if, like us, you cross some international celebrities in the corridors since this property has been attracting the rich & famous from all around the world for more than 40 years.EXCELLENT VALUE FOR THE MONEY YOU PAY!!!

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Reviewer From:Paris, France

Simply the best hotel in Marbella. We have stay in all the 5 star properties of Marbella and "Los Monteros" has been so far the best value for money. Staff is lovely (even if you don't speak spanish). Food is fantastic (especially the buffet at the beach club). The beach club is unique in Europe with incredible 2x2 meters sun beds including champagne service. The 2 giant swimming pools are a must (one at the hotel and the other at the beach club). Rooms were refurbished one year a go and are more than spacious. Weather was great and we have bee playing glof next door. We definitely recommend this outstanding hotel to everybody and we will be there next year again.

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Reviewer From:New York, NY

Let me start by saying that My expectations werent as high as lets say staying in a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons property because there is a HUGE difference between a five star in the US, Caribbean, or Asia versus a five star in Europe. I've noticed from my travels that Europeans tend to focus more so on decor rather than ammenities and staff. That being said lets start with appearance ( I will use other hotels as references): The lobby although not grand as lets say the Wyndham El San Juan in Puerto Rico does make you feel as if you've arrived into a temporary getaway of luxory. The Guayabera shirts that the porters, bell staff, and doormen use is a nice casual touch. The reception from the staff was friendly and courteous at that time (I had a slight problem with concierge that I'll explain later). Considering the heat it would have been a nice touch for the hotel to lay out a fruit basket which I found out that the do however they were out of fruit when we arrived, a no-no in my opinion. A greater touch would have been to offer me a complimentary drink or at least a cool damp face towel while we waited 40 minutes for our room to be ready a la "The Jalouisie Hilton" in St Lucia. Once we opened up the door to our room I couldnt help but think "nice" but nothing special as I surveyed the decor. The room was rather small in comparison to other hotels I've stayed in. And there was not a king sized bed but 2 double beds pushed together (I didnt know hotels still did this) Still it was comfortable. NOW HERE IS WHERE IT GETS NEGATIVE. YOU BE THE JUDGE OF WHETHER THIS IS STAR MATERIAL First off, the bathroom robes that were supplied looked to be a year old; they were frayed and dingy. They werent inviting, they kind of made you wonder how many other bodies had been inside of them. The minibar servive was terrible. The first couple of days at the property My wife & I grabbed 2 sodas, water, and peanuts. THEY WERE NEVER REPLENISHED during our entire stay. Housekeeping was lousy. It was the worst clean up job in a hotel I'd ever seen. Our clothes were neatly moved to the side, not folded or hung as is the case with most hotels I've stayed. My wifes shoes that were in the middle of the floor werent arranged, they were pushed to the corner. The worst was that the empty cans of soda & water that we'd accumilated over our stay that werent disposed of by us, werent disposed of by housekeeping either. Can you imagine coming back to your so called clean room and seeing an empty bottle of water on the nightstand that you drank 2 days ago? hello! The first evening we were to go out we searched the room for an iron to press our wrinkled clothing. not only was there not an iron in the closet but when we called housekeeking and concierge we were told that Irons dont exist on the premises ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The bath products which I use but my wife doesent were horrendous. It was the first time in years that I can remember not snatching up a bath gel or two during a hotel stay. I collect these from different hotels (my pet peeve) and they really come in handy especially at the gym. These were down right odorous. When we returned to the room our last night before checking out an invitation had been placed underneath the door to join the hotel for complimentary drinks however it for for the next evening. HELLO, we're checking out in the morning! THE RESTAURANT I forget the name of the restaurant at the property and to be fair my wife and I only ate breakfast there. The spread of food was adequate (Americans beware, If you like your eggs stif you must specify to the chef, in addition the bacon is not exactly cooked to perfection. You will not find pancakes, waffles, french toast and all the other fatty foods we overweight americans love so much) The service was idiotic in this respect. Seating is indoor and outdoor by the poolside. EVERYONE wants to be poolside so it would be nice if the staff would assist in seating people instead of having wanderers look for an empty space while I'm trying to eat. I witnessed a yelling match between 2 Brits ) VS a family from Spain over who got to the table first; idiotic and uneccesary. The Gounds Very much unkept. There's a trail that leads from the pool to the rooms going towards the back closer to the water. There is a small bridge crossing the turtle/fish pond. Not only was it dirty but it kind of smelled as if something had died in the bushes the night before. Location Although the property is 10 minutes away from Marbella or Puerto Banus it is easily accessible by taxi. Word to the wise if you will be traveling in August PLEASE RESERVE CAR RENTAL AHEAD OF TIME. It took 2 days to finally get a car. At night taxis are scarce and taxi stands are blocks apart. Activities Although there are things to do at the property, you'll want to get out in town. I dont believe Marbella or Puerto Banus represents the true essence of Spain a la Sevilla. It kind of reminded be of South Beach, Miami but 5 times larger. There is a great beach party on Sundays @ Wonderful Beach in Puerto Banus. Shopping is great and although the people are rude (I know this is an ironic statement coming from a New Yorker) It was a good trip. However 5 star? Hmmm

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Reviewer From:Berlin, Germany

This is a great place to stay in Marbella. The Hotel rooms have been completely renovated in 2002. My room with a sea view was the nicest room I've ever stayed in. The bathroom was also brand new and had all the extras you would expect in a fine hotel. After checking-in, a bowl of fruit and bottle of wine were placed on a table in our room. This was compliments of the hotel and was a great touch. And what about their private beach club La Cabane? A magnificent private oasis right on the shores of the Mediterranean, with the most famous Gourmet Buffet in Marbella. Just delicious whit soft jazz next to the pool anc beach during all day! To sum it up, this is a great location in Marbella. The Hotel Los Monteros has done a wonderful job in renovating their rooms and earns its 5 Star G.L. rating. I would definitely stay here again.

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Reviewer From:Formb England

It is a couple of years since we stayed at this fabulous hotel but from the latest reports it seems Los Monteiros just gets better. Their beach Bar was a bit tatty when we were there but it may have been refurbished by now? The hotel itself was very comfortable and extremely well managed. The staff back then were also very friendly so I do hope they have not changed as we intend to go back! I was surprised to read the review titled "Hideously Expensive and Snooty Staff" - this review stood out because it was so drastically different from everybody else's experience including mine. Marbella Hotels are notoriously expensive and I don't think 26 Euros is that outrageous for a Beefburger in a genuine 5 star hotel. Try the Paphos Amathus in Cyprus they were charging ?2 for a Coffee in 1996! Just don't eat at the hotel. There are a lot of fantastic restaurants that are more reasonably priced with better food. Try La Famiglia in the old town not far from Orange Square for a fanastic Italian experience - owner might have retired so be careful to get a current review before going!

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Reviewer From:New York

Quite simply the best hotel I've stayed in. The staff are friendly and helpful, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the food is great. It is expensive, but there's no where better in Spain. Everyone should stay here once!

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Reviewer From:London,UK

I am an experienced business traveller and have stayed in lots of 5 star hotels. Just stayed here for 3 nights with my wife and it is a great hotel. More intimate than the larger chain hotels and the staff were extremely helpful,attentive and friendly. I stayed at 2 other hotels nearby on my trip and would say that Spaniards here can sometimes appear abrupt but all have been extremely helpful when i have talked to them. English may not be great so it helps to at least speak some basic words in Spanish. Gardens and pool area are beautiful areas to lounge in the sun as is the beach club 'La Cabane'. Room views are varied so make sure you book a room overlooking the pool or sea (quite distant) as opposed to the front of hotel and road.This may explain some of the disparity in reviews - also we had a split level junior suite so cannot comment on other rooms. Breakfast is great but the restaurants expensive so go to Marbella old town by cab in less than 15 mins to eat at much cheaper authentic Spanish restaurants. I would definitely go back.

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Reviewer From:London, UK

From the moment we stepped into 'Los Monteros' until we left four days later...we were treated like the most important people in the hotel. The staff goes out of it's way to accomodate each and every request...with a smile and "It's my Pleasure". Beautiful setting, wonderful staff, lovely hotel. We would stay again and again!

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Reviewer From:Baltimore, MD USA

We just stayed at Los Monteros for our Honeymoon. It is far and away the most refined, ultra-luxurious, wonderful hotel that I have ever stayed in. Great food at their finer restaurant. La Cabanne, the beach club, is not to be believed. I know this hotel is currently not working with the Meridien chain, the Meridien site says they cannot substantiate the hotel's quality right now. Let me tell you-- this hotel is 5-star all the way! Yes, definitely expensive, especially with the food. Location, about 4km outside of central Marbella is wonderful. We questioned whether it would be so good in the high-season when the town is more crowded and traffic to and from the hotel is more difficult.