Arrived in Marbella

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

We arrived yesterday in Marbella, after travelig for about 14 hours.....It's absolutely beautiful here!!! This is the nicest Marriott that I have stayed at, so far. We love it!!!

From what we could see from the drive from the airport, the area is also beautiful. Today, we will be going to check out Marbella, and Puerto Banus. Puerto Banus is the play groud for the rich and famous. We are neither, LOL, but want to see how the other half live......Luxury yachts, movie stars, ritzy shops, etc.

Ireland's Call, is also here. Hopefully, we will meet up, at some point, for a drink. Maybe later, at happy hour.

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

We arrived yesterday in Marbella, after travelig for about 14 hours.....It's absolutely beautiful here!!! This is the nicest Marriott that I have stayed at, so far. We love it!!!

From what we could see from the drive from the airport, the area is also beautiful. Today, we will be going to check out Marbella, and Puerto Banus. Puerto Banus is the play groud for the rich and famous. We are neither, LOL, but want to see how the other half live......Luxury yachts, movie stars, ritzy shops, etc.

Ireland's Call, is also here. Hopefully, we will meet up, at some point, for a drink. Maybe later, at happy hour.

Indeed its a great place to "chill out"..will call you later.
G

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Just got back from breakfast. We had the buffet at the Marriott...No pancakes, waffles, French toast, etc. Very different than the states. They had lots of meats, fish, baked beans, nuts, crossiants, etc.

They did have eggs, and bacon, but they were not prepared like in the states.

No problem getting a lounge chair at the pool, or a palapa, on the beach. We were told that the place is 98 % filled, and at 9 AM, 3/4 of the chairs, and palapas, are empty.

Off to do some touring.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Sounds great so far Angela, keep checking in please.
As for the Rich and Famous areas, you look like you can fake it and you'll fit right in
I am so happy for you that this worked out alright after all the "drama".

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Whaddaya mean you are not famous ? You are one of our most famous members !

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

Hope you have a great time. One of the places on my lsit to go see, so I'm anxious to read all about your trip. Have fun!!!

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

So glad you're enjoying it so far. We absolutely adored Spain.

[cindi Member Find all posts View Profile Close cindi]

Anyone know or want to guess what the trade power is of this place? It sounds and looks so beautiful!

For some reason resale prices seem to be noticably less than other Marriotts.

Hope you both have a wonderful time. PLEASE send pictures.......

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

For some reason resale prices seem to be noticably less than other Marriotts.

I would guess that has something to do with the massive over development of the Costa del Sol. Even 5* places have to be realistic when there is so much competition, even if that competition isn't of quite the same quality.

[cindi Member Find all posts View Profile Close cindi]

I would guess that has something to do with the massive over development of the Costa del Sol. Even 5* places have to be realistic when there is so much competition, even if that competition isn't of quite the same quality.

Thanks for the insight, Keith. I am totally unfamiliar with the location, and didn't even know it was so overbuilt. I suspect that will also significantly affect the trade power.

[kvp Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kvp]

We arrived yesterday in Marbella, after travelig for about 14 hours.....It's absolutely beautiful here!!! This is the nicest Marriott that I have stayed at, so far. We love it!!!

What resort did you trade to get into the Marbella Marriott?

Thanks,

Kathy

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

I am totally unfamiliar with the location, and didn't even know it was so overbuilt. I suspect that will also significantly affect the trade power.

There has been trouble with corruption in local government in Marbella for years. In the past couple of years there has been a clampdown and the former mayor only managed to avoid prison by dying!! Most inconsiderate There is still the potential for 100's if not 1000's of properties to be demolished because they were built without the proper licences, but local officials turned a blind eye in exchange for kickbacks.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Marriott Seaview Villas, NJ.....Came through about 10 months after I put in the request.

What resort did you trade to get into the Marbella Marriott?

Thanks,

Kathy

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sounds great so far Angela, keep checking in please.
As for the Rich and Famous areas, you look like you can fake it and you'll fit right in
I am so happy for you that this worked out alright after all the "drama".

tonyg

Whaddaya mean you are not famous ? You are one of our most famous members !

Thanks for the encouragement. It didn't seem to matter that we were nobodies. Everyone was so nice, and extremely polite. They went out of their way to help us with directions, prices, etc.....The Spanish people are wonderful!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

We did a lot of touring today.....We started our day in Marbella. We went to the park, Orange square, and Old Marbella. We even took a horse and buggy ride through the town. Old Marbella was beautiful. Lots of narrow, winding streets, with cobble stone roads. Very quaint housing with stone fronts, and balconies. Lots of flowers and vines streaming down the buildings, and people sitting on their balconies, watching all the action. Tons of stores, and cafes, all with an old world charm.

There is feast currently going on in Marbella, so people were dressed in old world Spanish garb, and music and drinks were set up everywhere througout the town. In fact, the Spanish people are a very lively bunch. We got to town a little after 10 AM, and they were already drinking, and dancing, in the streets. It was a lot of fun. We walked, and walked, ate, drank, and walked some more.......Did a little shopping, too. I Know that I have no room left in my suitcase, but I couldn't help myself.

Next, we went to Puerto Banus....Another beautiful town. This town is catering to the rich, no doubt about it. . The port was filled with yachts, and the stores were all designer. Similiar to 5 th Ave. in NY. For fun, I was trying on a pair of shoes in Jimmy Choo's that were $560.00. I was trying to pretend that the price was irrelevant, and that I own a closet full of them. However, DH blew my cover by acting like I was purchasig a piece of art, for over the fireplace. LOL. It did't really matter, we laughed about it, afterward.

There were so many restaurants in this town, that it was difficult deciding where to eat. There were blocks of them, lining the shore. We finally decided to eat in an Italian Retaurant, that seemed to be the most crowded place in town. We figured that it must be good, and it was. The food, and service, where great.

We got back to the hotel, and met Ireland's Call, and his lovely wife for a couple of drinks. They are super people, and I hope to see them again, before we leave. We owe them some drinks!

We had a wonderful day here in Costa del Sol. It is a beautiful place, with great people.

Tomorrow, I think that we are going to Rhonda. We are really looking forward to another great day!!