Spain advice please.

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

I'm thinking of going to Spain in December 6th thru the 18th. There will be 4 of us single gals staying together in one room.

I'm looking at staying in Malaga and doing day trips to some of the cities nearby.

So, I was checking out RCI and II and there is sooooo much to choose from. I guess it must be really low season because even the rentals are cheap.
For example Marriott 3 bedrooms for 600 a week and 2 bedroms for 400.
Also tons of stuff in RCI for even less than 200 a week for 2 bedrooms.

Should I book a rental unit now or wait til closer to December when the prices drop? Is that risky with Marriotts? Will the prices drop? In the past I've seen Marriotts on II for $20 a night so am wondering since the travel index is the worst for the weeks we are going should I be worried? I'd hate to book at $600 and see it drop to $200. Would II give me a refund of the difference if this happened?

Also another question is........
What is your favorite resort?
I'm leaning towards Marriotts but wouldn't mind doing a split stay in a Marriott and also a more Spanish type resort but nice too. Don't want anything that is decorated in early 1980's. Would like an updated or newer resort with a good pedestrian friendly location or near a bus line as I don't want to rent a car. Not really that concerned about the beach since I'm probably not going to go in the water anyway. (I'm from Florida and Dec. is way too cold for me). brrrrrrrr.


Any suggestions?

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

Malaga is a region as well as a city. I'm not aware of any resorts actually in Malaga city and many of the resorts in the area are difficult to access without your own transport. I am aware that there are some on good bus routes, and in towns, but others will have more knowledge of them than I do.
I hope you're not expecting sunbathing weather in December or you will be very disappointed. This article explains typical weather that time of year.

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

I'd book a getaway at the Marriott.......2 bds for $422.

The Marriott in Marbella is really nice, and worth the few extra dollars.

Keith is right, you will need a car. There are lots of local towns nearby worth visiting, and it would difficult to get to them without a car. December will not be beach weather, so I'm guessing that you'd want to do site seeing.

You can easily spend a week visiting the various towns. There is much to see, and do, so the week will fly by. Lot's of day trips are possible from this location, including Tangier & Gibraltar.....Many others, too. Towns that are worth visiting are as close as 15 minutes away, but some are as far as a couple of hours.

There are a couple of threads on the area that you can take a look at. That will also give you an idea of what you'd like to do, and see in the area.

Good luck!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

You need a car or else u will spend a LOT of money on taxi's.
From the resort to the airport was 70 euro plus tip.
You will need the car to go out to dinner.

Day trips - to Morocco with Aziz (of Rick Steve's Spain Fame)
The rest you can book thru the resort and take their transpo.
Ronda
That town north of Malaga called the 'shelf of Europe'??? Nerja?
Serville
Gibraltar
Granada (you might want to do an overnight to this area)
Day trip to Cadiz and the Sherry Regime.
Several other seaside towns to visit to see Flamenco.
Old Town Marbella for Tapas.

Marriott Marbella has an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room - very nice facilities. Typical Marriott.

Marriott Playa Andalucia has more of a 'Spainish' feel - 2BRs have 3 baths.

If u r going for 2 weeks - I would also do 2 nights 3 days in Barcelona....Jose Soler does nice tours.

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

Indeed a car is best and should be cheap at that time of the year. Try Carjet for a good deal . Enjoy...
G

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

Thanks everyone for the responses.

A few more questions:

Does the Marriott in Marbella have a concierge to book tours for you?

I was looking at using Viators for the transfers and the day tours. It looks like we can do the transfers and about 7 day trips from the hotel for around $500 US each. I think you might have to prepay since it's in dollars.

Has anyone used Viators?
Are there any other good tour companies that are reasonable?

I really didn't want to rent a car since Europeans drive a little faster than I like but we might have no choice.
I was hoping to use the buses and the tours instead of me driving.

Also what is the best way to fly there.
It seems that Spain adds on $400 in taxes to the ticket prices. Is there anyway around this by flying to another city like London or Paris and using Easyjet or some other discount airline? I don't go to Europe much so not too familiar with the good deals.

Thanks again everyone.

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

I'd book a getaway at the Marriott.......2 bds for $422.


There are a couple of threads on the area that you can take a look at. That will also give you an idea of what you'd like to do, and see in the area.

Good luck!

Angie, where are the threads located? Under what topic.

I agree the $422 for the 2 bedrooms looks like a good price but do you think they'll drop the price to super cheap at the last minute like they do all the time near me at the Marriott beachplace?

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

You need a car or else u will spend a LOT of money on taxi's.
From the resort to the airport was 70 euro plus tip.
You will need the car to go out to dinner.

Day trips - to Morocco with Aziz (of Rick Steve's Spain Fame)
The rest you can book thru the resort and take their transpo.
Ronda
That town north of Malaga called the 'shelf of Europe'??? Nerja?
Serville
Gibraltar
Granada (you might want to do an overnight to this area)
Day trip to Cadiz and the Sherry Regime.
Several other seaside towns to visit to see Flamenco.
Old Town Marbella for Tapas.

Marriott Marbella has an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room - very nice facilities. Typical Marriott.

Marriott Playa Andalucia has more of a 'Spainish' feel - 2BRs have 3 baths.

If u r going for 2 weeks - I would also do 2 nights 3 days in Barcelona....Jose Soler does nice tours.

Wow 70 Euros? I guess if we split it between 4 it's not too bad but I was thinking to do the transfers from Viators. Does Marriott have a transfer service? The airport looks like it's pretty far around 45 miles.

When you book the tours from Marriott do they quote you Euros? I'd hate to pay double for the same tours I can book online here before I leave. Or can I book online in Spain and still pay with dollars? Should I let the concierge do it when I get there?

Thanks.

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

Malaga is a region as well as a city. I'm not aware of any resorts actually in Malaga city and many of the resorts in the area are difficult to access without your own transport. I am aware that there are some on good bus routes, and in towns, but others will have more knowledge of them than I do.
I hope you're not expecting sunbathing weather in December or you will be very disappointed. This article explains typical weather that time of year.

Keith I'm open to any city near Malaga that you can take day tours from. I guess Marbella seems to be pretty centrally located so I'm kind of focusing on that area unless you guys think I'd be better off somewhere else.

Don't worry I'm not gonna do any sunbathing as I live in Florida and get plenty of sun here. I'm more into touring the sites and maybe doing the Morocco thing. Just want to see something different is all.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

You can contact the concierge team at the resort - in fact when I get my computer back I will forward the emails to you.
They offer over 20 different tours - u can look at them and then do a comparison on the internet. Remember that booking thru the Marriott includes pick up and drop off from there which is convenient.
I prebooked my taxi hotel to airport, if I had just 'taken my chances' and called the desk and asked for one - the charge would have been closer to 58-62 Euro.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Try Kayak Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets, Cheap Airfare & Discount Travel Deals - Kayak.com for flights.
Delta has a JFK to Malaga non-stop....do not know if there are any from your area.
or do an open jaw so u can include Barcelona in your trip.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

A few more questions:

Does the Marriott in Marbella have a concierge to book tours for you?

I was looking at using Viators for the transfers and the day tours. It looks like we can do the transfers and about 7 day trips from the hotel for around $500 US each. I think you might have to prepay since it's in dollars.

Has anyone used Viators?
Are there any other good tour companies that are reasonable?

Thanks again everyone.

That sounds like a FABULOUS price for 4 people and 7 days of trips.
Look on Trip Advisor for reviews of Viator

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

You can contact the concierge team at the resort - in fact when I get my computer back I will forward the emails to you.
They offer over 20 different tours - u can look at them and then do a comparison on the internet. Remember that booking thru the Marriott includes pick up and drop off from there which is convenient.
I prebooked my taxi hotel to airport, if I had just 'taken my chances' and called the desk and asked for one - the charge would have been closer to 58-62 Euro.

Thanks Pat. You're my idol.

Wow 20 tours.
I'm only gonna be there for about 8 to 9 days so I'm sure we'll find lots to do.

Do you think I should book now or wait? Do you think if we book a 2 bedroom and then ask when we get there for them to upgrade us, do you think they would do that for free? I've had luck with doing that in the past and was wondering since these are the worst weeks for Interval's index that they might do it. Does Marriott do this for non members? I know they'd probably do it for a member but I've not purchased anything yet.

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

Try Kayak Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets, Cheap Airfare & Discount Travel Deals - Kayak.com for flights.
Delta has a JFK to Malaga non-stop....do not know if there are any from your area.
or do an open jaw so u can include Barcelona in your trip.

JFK to Malaga

They seem to misplace my luggage when I do the JFK to anywhere thing.

I try to avoid JFK like the plague unless I'm going to NYC. I'll have to check out the Northern cities though. That's a great idea since there are no direct flights from here anyway. I guess I'd rather do a stop in the US than in Europe. Hopefully I can save on airfar that way. Thanks for the idea.

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

Do you think I should book now or wait?

Do you think if we book a 2 bedroom and then ask when we get there for them to upgrade us, do you think they would do that for free?

I've had luck with doing that in the past and was wondering since these are the worst weeks for Interval's index that they might do it.

Does Marriott do this for non members? I know they'd probably do it for a member but I've not purchased anything yet.

And last question, does Marriot or Interval have a 1 in 4 or 1 in 3 rule? Because I want to book 2 weeks back to back.

Thanks again.