Living the Spanish high life: Glass visits Puente Romano, Marbella

THIS OCTOBER, Glass was lucky enough to escape the autumnal chill of London and discover the delights of Puente Romano for three days of uninterrupted bliss. Perfectly situated on the Golden Mile, between Marbella and Puerto Banus, the resort is just 45 minutes from Malaga airport and provides luxury relaxation with a vibrant atmosphere.

Puente Romano Sea Grill at Puente Romano, Marbella

The property itself is made up of 186 spacious suites which lie within traditional Andalusian style three-storey villas. From the minute we arrived at Puente Romano, we were greeted by a sea of calm thanks to the stunning subtropical gardens and waterfalls which cover the 55,000 m² resort. The lush wildlife and trickling streams give an air of seclusion, with myriad cobbled pathways leading you from one place to another. After being shown around the resort and discovering the three swimming pools and fourteen restaurants, we felt totally at home in the serene paradise of discreet luxury. It was hard to imagine we were only 10 minutes away from the bustling nightlife of nearby Puerto Banus.

Puente Romano The Beach Club at Puente Romano, Marbella

We were spoiled for choice in terms of food and drink during our stay, as Puente Romano is home to cuisines from around the globe including the three Michelin Star Dani Garcia and Nobu Restaurant. At the centre of the resort is the heartbeat of Puente Romano – the lively plaza, bordered by this fantastic selection of eateries. Once the sun goes down, it comes alive as guests mingle and enjoy a drink late into the night. It is easy to see why Puente Romano is a firm favourite for diners across Marbella, with non-residents regularly spending the evening here to soak up the atmosphere.

Our first dinner experience was at the iconic Nobu with highlight dishes including black miso cod, beef toban yaki and padron peppers with sweet miso and sesame – all incredibly flavourful and rich. The blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine is incredibly special, and each dish is so well thought out and perfectly executed. Watch out for the Devil’s Killer Saké – as the name would suggest it’s fiery but a must try.

Puente Romano La Plaza at night

On the second evening, we discovered tapas with a twist at Bibo which is packed full of adventurous dishes, perfect for those looking for something a little more unusual. With dedicated raw and oyster menus, Bibo is innovative and exciting – we particularly enjoyed the charming brioche starters and herb-baked seabass. Other gastronomic highlights included lunch at the Sea Grill, offering stunning al fresco dining for lunch where we devoured langoustine cooked to order and the most divine selection of fresh salads, cheeses and antipasti.

Puente Romano Junior Suite at Puente Romano, Marbella

One of the real highlights of staying in Puente Romano is the convenience and ease of all the amenities. It is so satisfying being able to stroll from your suite, to breakfast on the terrace, to the poolside and then straight onto the beach. Feeling the sand beneath your toes within ten minutes of waking up is quite a marvellous sensation. There really is everything you could ever need and it is all right on your doorstep, complete with such a friendly team of staff to take on any arrangements.

I rounded off the trip with a visit to the luxurious boutique Six Senses Spa, which was like stepping in a bubble of tranquility. I was treated to the Movement Restoration massage which left me feeling invigorated and restored before I then indulged in the Spa’s steam room, sauna and plunge pool. The menu of spa treatments has locally inspired options that use herbs and sea salt, olive oil and rich minerals to provide authentic Mediterranean experiences.

Puente Romano Six Senses Spa

We were fortunate enough to try the latest adventure offering from Puente Romano, Live the High Life – a private hiking experience, providing guests with breath-taking views and access to undiscovered beauty spots in the magnificent, lesser known Sierra Blanca mountain range. José, our tour guide offered unparalleled service and support on a serene four-hour hike, educating us on the varied landscapes, wildlife, flowers and trees we discovered along the way. This wasn’t Marbella as I knew it – and it was such an energising way to experience and see the area with fresh eyes. Puente Romano offers three levels of hikes, personalised to suit guests’ abilities and it was the perfect way to spend a morning, totally losing yourself in nature and working up a healthy appetite for lunch. You could choose the gluten-free café, Celicioso, or healthy, pool-side eatery, Rachel’s – both provide an impressive range of healthy dishes, catering to all tastes and dietary needs.

Puente Romano Puente Romano exterior

Puente Romano is a unique getaway experience with architecture that stays true to its idyllic Andalusian location and an atmosphere bursting with Spanish charm and tranquillity. Perfectly suited for couples, family, solo travellers or big groups; those looking for gourmet cuisine and those seeking a detox, it is without a doubt the place to be in Marbella, without being fussy, pretentious or too busy. You’ll never need to leave once you check in and you certainly won’t ever want to.

by Heather Doughty

The new Live the High Life package at Puente Romano, Marbella includes:

  • Three-night stay in a Junior Suite including breakfast
  • Guided hike including private transfers – guests will be contacted by the expert guide ahead of their stay to determine which hike they would like to do
  • Movement Restoration massage in Six Senses Spa to improve mobility and flexibility, and release muscle tension

Priced from €2,560 based on 2 people sharing, from €4,265 based on a family of 4 and from €2,105 for solo travellers. The package is available for bookings in November 2018 – April 2019. For more information visit the website.

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