Gran Melia Don Pepe

Here's a fact that says everything a traveler needs to know about the Gran Melia: The resort has a fairly illustrious history and has hosted the likes of Sean Connery, Prince, and Edward Kennedy. Former celebrity sightings aside, this is one of the most polished and sophisticated choices in the Marbella region. Are interiors cutting-edge contemporary? No -- but there is a classic elegance throughout the hotel. Guests enter a high-ceilinged lobby with marble floors and plenty of greenery softening the look -- they're also greeted with a chilled glass of cava, which does plenty to make a nice first impression.

The hotel's lovely grounds feature green lawns dotted with Spanish pines, palm trees, flowers, and shrubs. A large circular outdoor pool with a fountain commands the center of the property, while the surrounding sundeck and grassy lawn are lined with lounge chairs and Bali beds; there's even a solarium deck overlooking the sea. Don't expect a rowdy party vibe here, though, as this is a far cry from the all-inclusive resorts that are packed into this stretch of coast. The soft-sand beach has blue-and-white striped lounge chairs and thatched palapa-style umbrellas. The resort caters to families with its kid-friendly amenities, as well as couples who appreciate the romantic setting that's ideal for weddings, honeymoons, or any other reason to get away. The refined luxury atmosphere also draws plenty of repeat guests.

The Gran Melia Don Pepe is on the bustling Paseo Maritimo promenade overlooking the beach. The resort is just off the N-340, the main road that runs through Marbella and along the coast. Buses stop along the road, and supermarkets, shops, bars, and restaurants are a short walk from the resort. It's six minutes by car to reach Marbella's Old Town, where guests can visit Alameda Park with its tropical gardens, and the Contemporary Spanish Engraving Museum, featuring works from Picasso and Dali. Other Old Town sites include the Plaza de los Naranjos, a square of Castilian Renaissance design, and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city. It's eight minutes by car to reach the Bonsai Museum and the Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring, while Puerto Banus Marina is a 10-minute drive in the other direction. It will take 35 minutes to reach Selwo Marina Delfinarium, with its dolphin shows and penguin exhibits. Malaga Airport is a 40-minute drive, while Malaga city is around 50 minutes away.

Rooms at the Gran Melia have an elegant, contemporary aesthetic, with soft color palettes that include champagne hues and light vintage- and antique-inspired furniture. Off-white walls are hung with a combination of contemporary and classic artwork, giving them a bit of personality, and there's just the subtlest touch of shimmer provided by decorative mirrors and soft furnishings. Starting at 30 square meters (323 square feet), rooms are spacious by European standards, but can feel tight for a luxury hotel. Though upgrades are available for rooms that range from 50 to 100 square meters (538 to over 1,000 square feet). Rooms are generally quiet, but since floors are tiled, guests can occasionally hear footsteps from neighboring rooms. 

All rooms include plush beds with pillow menus, as well as desks, safes, minibars, air-conditioning, 37-inch flat-screen TVs with a good range of international and English channels. Free Wi-Fi is also included, but some lack tea- or coffee-making facilities. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, and some rooms have balconies or terraces with sea vistas (including Gibraltar and the Morocco coastline on a good day) or views of the Sierra de Las Nieves mountains. Suites have some combination of living areas, walk-in closets, and additional TVs. 

Bathrooms are clad in marble and come with magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers; some can be a bit small, however. There is at least a bit of counter space on black granite or white marble vanities, and while some bathrooms have shower/tub combos, others offer separate tubs and rainfall showers, or jetted tubs. The premium Clarins bath products are a nice touch. RedLevel rooms come with an array of added perks, including private check-in and checkout, personal concierge service, personal butler service, iPod docks and video game consoles (upon request), and an in-room aromatherapy menu. They also enjoy more extras in the hotel, which are detailed below.

Gran Melia Don Pepe is right on the beach, which offers lounge chairs and a beach club cafe with international dishes, snacks, and cocktails. Water sports are also available on-site or nearby, and include paddleboarding, kite surfing, wind surfing, scuba diving, and yachting. The resort has a large, circular outdoor pool with a connecting freeform section and an adjacent children's pool. The poolside bar and cafe serve snacks, lunch, and cocktails. There's also an adult-only indoor pool with a hot tub, situated in a skylit space. 

The full-service spa offers a good range of massages, aromatherapy, and beauty treatments. There's also a sauna and steam room for anyone needing to sweat it out, followed by a refreshing jolt in the Scottish shower. The fitness center has several modern treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals, a weight machine, and free weights, though compared to some nearby luxury properties it's a bit underwhelming. Guests can serve and volley on two outdoor tennis courts and one outdoor paddle tennis court -- lessons are available.

On-site dining options include a grill restaurant that serves steaks, chops, kebabs, and Basque cuisine. The resort also has a Japanese restaurant with an outdoor terrace, an oyster and caviar champagne bar, a whiskey lounge and piano bar, and a gourmet sweet shop. Twenty-four-hour room service is available. The resort serves an ample breakfast buffet with a made-to-order egg station, breakfast meats, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, pastries, and more -- it's pricey but well-liked by guests. Several exclusive perks are also available to RedLevel guests, including free tennis lessons (upon request), discounted parking, and access to a RedLevel lounge with a free daily breakfast buffet, drinks, appetizers, coffee, a nightly open bar, and a private corner with a library, TV, daily newspapers, music, board games, and laptops.

Despite being a luxury resort, there's a good number of features here for families as well, including a playground, game room, and kids' club with a mini-movie theater and an array of games and activities. Other resort amenities include 13 meeting rooms, wedding hosting, a boutique shop and gift shop, bicycle rental (for a fee), concierge service, baggage assistance, lobby computers, and parking (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.