Hotel Review: METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Estepona

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Opened in August 2023 on the Costa del Sol shoreline, the 5-star lifestyle property METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Estepona, happily displays every cent of the millions of Euros spent on it. A beautiful oasis with a statement infinity pool bordered by palm and olive trees, it effortlessly exudes a relaxed, luxurious, laid back air,  even though everybody here works tirelessly to make you happy.

Who for

With its chic bohemian vibe, think Andalusian decor, cool colour shades and lots of lovely rattan, the METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Estepona is for people who are fussy about hotels. Its unique and stylish restaurants make it self-contained and self-assured, and it’s ideal for couples, whether pre or post kids. And If you’re looking to pop the question to your partner, this has to be the perfect place to do it. It’s as deliciously romantic as a big box of Milk Tray and its endless sandy beach is ideal to stroll along hand in hand as the sun slowly sets over the Med.

Accommodation

There are 14 styles of rooms at METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Estepona,, 249 in all,  from our Pool & Sea View Deluxe Room with its remarkable circular shower, to ground floor rooms accessing onto the pool, rooms with their own swim-up pools and, as a special treat, a salubrious Suite with Private Garden & Pool. All have a/c of course, but also feature wooden ceiling fans that not only look charming but are very efficient at moving the cool air about.

Beds are enormous, as is the TV,  but the latter is not internet-enabled, so no Netflix.

Food & Drink

Three restaurants, soon to be four, give plenty of choice. Isola Ristorante is Italian with classic pastas and focaccia pizzas and is romantically lit with both inside and outside tables, the spaghetti vongole is a must.

Out on the beach Azure Beach Pop-Up offers all-day creative cocktails alongside Pan -Asian dining of the Nobu kind, with easy-to-eat dishes such as dragon rolls and sushi, which can also be ordered to be eaten around the pool. We loved this place a lot, but when we didn’t want too big a meal we found that a stool at the circular  El Bar De Lola drinking Rioja and eating classy tapas was just the ticket, especially in the warm evening air.

Breakfast is everything you could wish for, with an a la carte cooked menu included in the unlikely event that you ever tire of the remarkable, massive, buffet. Freshly carved jamon? Oh yes, please.

Facilities

The infinity-style pool is the star.  Extra long and sheltered by the wings of the hotel, it’s perfect for lengths, or just bobbing about next to your sunbed. Cosy cabanas are also available by the pool and on the beach. Jet Skis, parasailing, paddleboards, wakeboards, and water skis are all ready to go. The well-equipped RAISE Fitness & Wellness branded GYM  is already up and running, and the MOI Spa will be ready soon. Plenty of e-bikes are racked outside the front door, you just need to download the local app and jump on. The cycle track beside the beach winds cheerfully past colourful jasmine, bougainvillaea and hibiscus trees all the way to Estepona.

How much?

Rooms on a B&B basis from £390

BOOK YOU ROOM

What’s nearby?

The endless beach of course, flat in all directions. A couple of bar/restaurants are within ten minutes walk, Pepe’s on the beach was our favourite. Marbella is a forty minute bus or Uber ride away, or ten miles by e-bike, but we found heading in the opposite direction to Estepona revealed a seaside town with some great tapas bars. Ask the lovely lads who man the door at METT for some recommendations, we did and they were spot on.

Verdict

Laid back luxury away from the madding crowds and with the friendliest staff you could wish for. You’re all but guaranteed the sun all year round this far south, so simply lie back by the pool or beach and consume cocktails, mocktails, frosty local Victoria beer and super snacks before eating deliciously into the Mediterranean night.

GET THERE:

Return Gatwick to Malaga flights with Wizz Air from £25.98 (wizzair.com). We stayed at the Gatwick Hilton the night before flying for an all-round easier experience.