Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella

Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella: A Refined Mediterranean Escape

The Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella emerges as a highly praised luxury destination, blending a modern Mediterranean spirit with touches of Marbella's golden age. Following a significant renovation, the hotel has garnered an "Excellent" overall rating of 8.8 based on numerous reviews, with many guests describing it as a "gem" and an "unforgettable" experience. It's recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property, highlighting its exceptional quality.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of the Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella. The impeccable service and attentive staff are frequently highlighted as a standout feature. The beautifully renovated property with its modern design and immaculate grounds creates a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance. The hotel offers three swimming pools, including a vibrant main outdoor pool and a stunning rooftop infinity pool with Mediterranean views, which is a particular favorite for its Californian vibe and DJ. The dining experiences, particularly the breakfast, and the glamorous La Cabane beach club by Dolce & Gabbana are also consistently praised. Amenities such as a full-service spa, fitness center, tennis and padel courts, and complimentary bicycles further enhance the guest experience. The daily "Kimpton Social Hour" with complimentary wine and tapas is another cherished touch that fosters a communal atmosphere.

Room Quality

The 60 rooms and suites are described as brand new, meticulously renovated, and spotless. Guests appreciate the spacious and comfortable accommodations, featuring modern design with thoughtful pops of color that reflect the Costa del Sol. Many rooms offer balconies or terraces with views of the gardens, pool, or sea. Standard in-room amenities include air conditioning, well-appointed bathrooms with bathtubs or showers, free toiletries, tea/coffee makers, free WiFi, blackout curtains, and high-quality linens, ensuring a restful stay. Suites are particularly noted for being "absolutely incredible".

Dining Experience

The culinary offerings at Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella are a significant draw, scoring an impressive 9.0 for food and dining on one platform.

• Breakfast is consistently lauded as "delicious", "excellent", and even the "best breakfast of Marbella". Guests praise the variety and quality, with options like a friendly chef preparing custom eggs or pancakes.
• Jara Restaurant, led by Chef José Carlos García, provides a proper Spanish culinary experience with excellent lunch and dinner options, including highly recommended lobster ravioli.
• Escondido Rooftop offers Mexican sharing plates and signature cocktails in a lively Californian-inspired setting with a DJ and breathtaking Mediterranean sunset views.
• Azul Lounge Bar serves specialty coffees, tapas-style seafood, and vermouth, often accompanied by live music.
• Costa Club Pool Bar provides poolside dining.
• La Cabane by Dolce & Gabbana, an exclusive beach club just steps from the hotel, offers culinary delights crafted by three-Michelin-starred chef Dani García, alongside Balinese beds and an infinity pool.
• For lighter and healthy options, Rachel's Eco Love café is available.

Service & Staff

The hotel's staff receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, described as "excellent", "super friendly and helpful", and "attentive". Guests report a high standard of service, with staff often remembering names and going "above and beyond" to ensure a special experience. The retention of some staff from the original hotel contributes to their passionate service. While minor initial issues like dirty towels or food quality hiccups were reported, the management, such as Jordi, quickly rectified problems with apologies and compensation, highlighting a strong commitment to service recovery.

Location & Accessibility

The Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella boasts a prime location, less than 0.6 miles (400 meters) from Bahía de Marbella Beach, making it a convenient five-minute walk to the shoreline. The hotel is situated in a quiet and less hectic area, offering a tranquil retreat. It is approximately 5 km from Marbella's city center, a short 5-minute drive to the historic Old Town, and about 10 minutes to the vibrant Puerto Banús. Malaga Airport (AGP) is easily accessible, located around 30 miles (35-40 minutes) away. For guest convenience, the hotel offers complimentary on-site parking (both self and valet) and electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, guests can enjoy exploring the area with complimentary bicycles provided by the hotel. While a car is recommended for extensive exploration beyond the immediate vicinity, the location offers a good balance of seclusion and accessibility.

Value & Pricing

Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella is considered an exclusive 5-star resort, and its pricing reflects this luxury positioning. Nightly rates can range significantly, with some indications of summer prices starting from approximately €600 and potentially reaching up to €2000 for certain room categories. Despite the higher price point, many guests feel it offers good value, particularly when breakfast is included, which is often cited as exceptional. On review platforms, the hotel scores 8.3 for value for money, suggesting that guests largely find the experience aligns with the cost.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some guests have noted minor issues, particularly in the period following its renovation and soft opening:

• During its soft opening phase in October 2023, the indoor pool and spa were not fully operational, though the spa is now complete with an indoor pool.
• A few guests reported initial "teething problems" with food quality and an isolated incident of dirty towels, though these were reportedly rectified promptly by management.
• Some reviewers mentioned uncomfortable, hard beds and poor quality pillows, leading to restless nights.
• Noise transfer from neighboring rooms was a concern for one guest, attributing it to the renovation of an older building.
• Inconsistent housekeeping was noted, with instances of unwashed glasses or missing milk/tea supplies.
• Despite overall praise for breakfast, one guest found it to be a "complete disaster" with small quantities and long waits.
• Critiques included "terrible" pool food and excessively loud, upbeat music by the pool, which was not conducive to relaxation.
• A scarcity of sunbeds in sunny areas and perceived "cheap" materials with existing damages for a newly refurbished property were also mentioned.
• Isolated feedback about "rude" and unwilling reception staff contrasted sharply with the general praise for hospitality.
• Technical issues with booking platforms and the hotel's app were also reported during the initial opening phase.

Overall, the Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella offers a luxurious and stylish retreat with exceptional service, beautiful facilities, and outstanding dining, making it a highly recommended choice for those seeking a high-end experience on the Costa del Sol. While minor initial issues were present, the hotel's commitment to guest satisfaction and rapid problem resolution appears to ensure a positive stay for most.

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