Where to stay

There's only one place to go in search of pure luxury on the Costa del Sol: the glittering resort town of Marbella. This is where Andalusia's most upscale hotels meet its coolest beach clubs. Super-yachts moor offshore as celebrities arrive on their summer escapes. Classy hedonism pervades throughout its neighborhoods, which stretch back from the Mediterranean toward the beautiful Sierra Blanca mountains. The best resorts here are among the swankiest places to stay in Europe, lavishly decorated with top-of-the-line spas, fine dining, and private lounges. However, the area is not an exclusive playground for the super-rich. Plenty of boutique hotels and guesthouses cater to quieter and more low-key vacationers.