Pros: We are just back from spending a week at Frances & Neil’s apartment at Reserva de Marbella, near Cabopino Beach. The apartment on the first floor was excellent. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, large lounge, separate fitted kitchen and a patio/veranda overlooking the gardens, pool and jacuzzi. There was a TV, DVD player and CD player in the lounge, and cooker, toaster, microwave in the kitchen. Also a washing machine. The patio/veranda was big enough for a table, chairs and two loungers. Down by the pool was also loungers, chairs and shaded areas. Really nice and peaceful. Towels were provided, bedding, etc and everything meticulously clean.
There was a mini-supermarket 100 yards from the apartment and a large SuperCor 5 minute walk away. This latter sold English newspapers, which were same day not yesterday’s edition.
We drove the approx. 45 kilometres from Malaga airport using our own SatNav. I would recommend identifying the apartment’s position on Google Maps and inputting into the SatNav in the comfort of your own home to save phaffing about when you get the hire car. Our TomTom Via didn’t find Spanish addresses as easily as UK addresses. We used Malaga Car Hire and were satisfied with the car, the service and the cost. We had to lodge funds (credit card details) for damage cover, but this is clearly spelled out.
We used the car as little as possible as we, or rather I, like alcoholic drinks with meals, beach snacks and people watching, etc. The public bus service was great. The bus stops were literally a few minutes’ walk from the apartment to go to Marbella (only €1.55 each) and over the footbridge to get the bus to Fuengirola (€1.91 each). Its 12 kilometres to Marbella, 17 to Fuengirola. Regular approximately half hourly service. We drove up to the picturesque town/village of Benahavis on the last day and had tapas in very pleasant Las Cañas Viejas tavern/restaurant. Fuengirola is our favourite town on the coast. We had a tapas lunch at Lizarran Restaurant in Calle Alemania. You can Google their website for directions. Fabulous range of tapas. Best we have seen.
We had superb meals in the restaurants near to the apartment. First & third evenings at the 2gether Restaurante just across the footbridge. Another night at the Village Inn Restaurante, across the footbridge, near the bus stop. One evening we walked down to the Sinbad Beach to the Sinbad Restaurant. Super position and meal, but a half hour walk. Better to drive! If you like walking, the boardwalks through the sand dunes on Cabopino Beach is really nice and Andy’s Bar on the beach was excellent. We had two lunches there with jugs of sangria. Right on the beach and fresh cooked, excellent food. The last night we treated ourselves to El Rancho Restaurante, just beyond the Village Inn. Lovely place, décor, and huge entrecote steaks. Quite expensive though. All the restaurants gave complimentary liqueur with coffees, post meal.
In conclusion, a super early break (April), blue skies, mid 20 ° C temperatures (28 °C in Marbella), excellent apartment and position. Great restaurants nearby, and close to main places whether you walk, drive or use public transport. Recommended.