Review: Puente Romano Beach Resort

Marbella has long been a hotspot for the Middle East’s elite, ever since the Saudi Royal family first arrived in the Spanish coastal city in the 1970s, and set the trend for buying up property along Marbella’s ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront strip.

Offering both privacy and unspoilt views over the Mediterranean, it’s also the location of one of the Costa del Sol’s most exclusive hotels, the Puente Romano Beach Resort.

The unique architecture of the property is based on the region’s famous – and very beautiful  Andalusian pueblos blancos (white villages) which decorate the mountains surrounding the south coast. Within the hotel’s white village, privacy is also integral to its design, with each suite and villa situated in a unique whitewashed Andalusian-style low level building, offering views up to the Sierra Blanca mountains, the Medditerranean or the hotel’s picturesque gardens and cobbled pathways. In another nice nod to the region’s history, each area within the hotel’s ‘white village’ is named after a village or town in Andalusia.

Staying in style

Esquire stayed in one of the hotel’s junior suites (their entry level room). Rather than offering the monotonous feel that many entry level resort rooms can have, the suite pleasantly felt as though it was part of a much smaller boutique property. It had a fluid design, with a marble bathroom (equipped with a delightful deep tub and rainfall shower), unique art pieces in the living space and bedroom area, and homely touches (think bespoke design books, throws and potted plants against white and grey colour pallette). Arguably one of the best features of the space was the suite’s spacious terrace, which came with views of the hotel’s subtropical gardens and Marbella’s iconic La Concha mountain.

Destination restaurants

A must-visit is the Puente Romano’s social spot “La Plaza”, which is home to some of the city’s most prolific restaurants, including Nobu, Dani Garcia’s Lena steakhouse and popular tapas joint, Bibo. Like most foodie hotspots in Spain, La Plaza comes to life after dark, where you’ll find a mix of well-heeled locals and international guests enjoying a heady mix of live music, innovative dishes and year-round Mediterranean outdoor dining. For a pre or post meal drink, Esquire recommends to head to al fresco lounge area Les Jardins where the team of mixologists will be able to recommend an eclectic mix of flavours and concoctions.

History buffs will want to take time to look at the bridge next to La Plaza too – it’s a first century Roman bridge, and also where the hotel gets its name, with  ‘Puente Romano’ meaning ‘Roman bridge’ in Spanish.

For those looking for a more dialed back evening (or lunch), head down to Sea Grill, the hotel’s beach front restaurant. Here you’ll find unparalleled views of the Mediterranean, the sound of the waves and chefs serve up a mix of freshly caught seafood and pan-Mediterranean dishes.

La buena vida

La buena vida (or, ‘the good life’) is something that the Spanish take very seriously, and nowhere more so than at the Puente Romano.

In terms of daytime activities, the hotel offers an incredible mix of sport (it has its own tennis club where stars like Serena Williams have played, and where you can also try your hand at the Spanish obsession of ‘Paddle Tennis’). There’s  also a newly renovated gym where Spanish national athlete Mario Simon will put you through your paces as the hotel’s on-site Personal Trainer and Gym Manager.

If relaxation is more your jam, we recommend visiting one of the hotel’s three pools or private beach space. Esquire’s personal favourite was their waterfront pool, which offered a day drenched in Mediterranean sun, as well as being conveniently located next to the beach for an afternoon stroll to the hotel’s El Chiringuito beach bar.

Indeed, when wanting to jet out of the desert – and you have the world at your feet, we can see why those spoilt for choice continue to head to Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Suites start from approx. AED 1,500 per night. For more information visit punteromano.com

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