Vime la Reserva de Marbella

The whitewashed exterior and lush tropical landscaping give this residential-style complex a decidedly Mediterranean feel. The units are arranged around a large central lawn area where the outdoor pools are located. It’s a quiet and relaxed setting with a poolside bar and many loungers for soaking up the sun. The lobby has a rustic air, except for the polished white and green marble floors and front desk. Iron chandeliers more typically seen in a lodge hang from ceilings with bright-blue wood beams. The arched walls and columns are finished in adobe-style butterscotch paint. Tropical plants in tall planters rest near clusters of nice wicker furniture on red, Oriental-style rugs. One wall is framed with wood paneling that includes bookcases stocked with books for guests to enjoy during their stay. This living room-like area has lots of comfortable sofas that encourage reading right there. This is a hotel geared toward vacationing families and couples looking to sunbathe and explore the Marbella area.  

The VIME La Reserva de Marbella is located in a quiet, mostly residential area just north (about a one-minute drive) of the N-340, the main road that runs through Marbella and along the coast. The bus stop and a grocery store are about a two-minute walk, and a couple of restaurants are within five minutes on foot. But, the location is somewhat isolated, with few restaurants and other attractions within reasonable walking distance. Two beaches – Nikki Beach and Cabopino Beach – are both a five-minute drive, with Cabopino being approximately 20 minutes walking. A few golf courses, including Golf Club Cabo Pino and La Siesta Golf Club, are within six to 10 minutes driving. Marbella’s bustling Old Town is just under 15 minutes away by car. Attractions there include Alameda Park with its tropical gardens, and the Contemporary Spanish Engraving Museum, featuring works from Picasso and Dali. Other Old Town sights include the Plaza de los Naranjos, a square of Castilian Renaissance design, and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city. The Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring can be reached in 12 minutes by car, while Puerto Banus Marina is a 20-minute drive. It will take about 30 minutes to reach Selwo Marina Delfinarium, with its dolphin shows and penguin exhibits. Malaga Airport is a 35-minute drive away. Guests suggest traveling to the airport by car, or by bus from the Caribe Playa stop, rather than taxis which are pricey. 

The resort's duplex, apartment-style units are basic, dated, and typical of condo-style vacation properties. The soft gray marble tile floors are a nice touch, but otherwise units feature a mishmash of colors, from pink granite countertops in the kitchens to green and gold drapes. The spacious living room areas have sleeper sofas and wicker furniture with tropical-print pads, plus flat-screen TVs. The adjoining kitchen areas feature salmon-colored cabinets and are equipped with mini-fridges, ovens and two-burner stoves, microwaves, and cookware and utensils. Only some have coffeemakers and tea kettles. Marble stairs lead up to the second-floor bedrooms, which are rather small and sparsely decorated. They have two twin beds pushed together with drab patterned bedspreads. The upstairs bathrooms include shower/tub combos and white marble vanities. The dark gray tile floors and white tile walls in the bathrooms we saw could use a thorough scrubbing. Bidets and toilets are included but overall, the bathrooms are cramped and disappointing. There are toiletries, but no hairdryers. The downstairs half-bathrooms are very small, with low, slanted ceilings. 

Reviews from past guests on the condition and general upkeep of the units are mixed. Some guests praise the units for being clean and tidy, while others have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues including lights not working, missing tiles, cracked mirrors, and doors not shutting. All units have private entrances and spacious balconies mostly overlooking the central lawn area and pool complex. Not all packages include free Wi-Fi. 

Though it's not a beachside property, this property does offer some lovely pools. One of the two spacious outdoor pools is a kiddy pool. Both pools are surrounded by loungers and the lush tropical landscaping that’s a prominent feature here. However, guests have complained that the outdoor pools are cold. The heated indoor pool has an adjacent whirlpool. 

The outdoor pool complex includes a bar with tables, and there’s also an indoor bar with outdoor seating. The restaurant is buffet-style, including a hot breakfast buffet that’s not free with standard rates. But, many guests book bed-and-breakfast packages that include breakfast or all-inclusive deals that include breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as some drinks. 

The spacious fitness center includes free weights and cardio and weight-training machines that are functional but a bit old. It also has showers and a sauna. Supervised activities and games are offered at the kids' club during high season, and there are two outdoor playgrounds with slides and swings. 

Valet dry-cleaning and laundry services are available, and parking is free and right outside the individual units. Three computer stations with Internet access serve as the business center, but guests must pay to use them. There is Wi-Fi; depending on the package booked, it's either free or costs and extra fee. The front desk is staffed 24/7 and has a safe deposit box for guest use. The lobby also has a small library of loaner books. Pets are allowed with some restrictions.