La Zambra Resort
One Michelin Key
Check Availability & Prices
Find the best rates for La Zambra Resort.
Check Availability on Booking.comView the official listing on the MICHELIN Guide.
Hotel Details
Location
Malaga
Spain, Europe
Explore More Hotels
Key Highlights
- ✓Room Service:** Room service is available, with some guests reporting excellent food quality and quick delivery.
- ✓Pricing:** While the food is generally considered excellent, some guests note that restaurant and drink prices can be expensive compared to other options in Spain.
Expert Review: La Zambra Resort
La Zambra Resort, a "One Michelin Key" property nestled in the hills of Mijas, Malaga, offers a luxurious and tranquil escape on the Costa del Sol. This revitalized former celebrity haunt, once known as Hotel Byblos, balances opulence with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for La Zambra Resort is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "amazing," "gorgeous," and "serene." It has received high ratings for cleanliness, comfort, facilities, and staff performance. Many guests highly recommend the property and express a desire to return.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several aspects of La Zambra:
- Design & Ambiance: The resort boasts beautiful Andalusian-inspired architecture and interiors, with whitewashed walls, elegant archways, gurgling fountains, and lush gardens. The aesthetic is described as lavish yet unstuffy, effortlessly cool, and very elevated, creating a peaceful and relaxing environment.
- Amenities: La Zambra offers excellent facilities, including multiple swimming pools (one adults-only), tennis and paddle courts, a well-equipped 24-hour gym with Technogym machines, and a comprehensive Mood Spa. The spa features 12 treatment rooms, dynamic pools, a heated indoor lap pool, and various saunas. Complimentary yoga classes and wine/olive oil tastings are also available.
- Service: The staff is frequently lauded as "incredible," "friendly," "attentive," and "proactive," offering top-notch service and personal touches.
- Family-Friendly Aspects: The resort is considered very family-friendly, with dedicated kids' pools (some with lifeguards), a kids' club offering various activities (including arts and crafts, cooking, and nature walks), and thoughtful amenities for children in rooms. The Baby Club caters to infants aged six months to three years.
3. Room Quality
La Zambra offers 196 rooms and suites, designed with high-end furniture, warm textures, and natural earthy tones, reflecting an Andalusian essence.
- Comfort & Design: Rooms are spacious, well-designed, and comfortable, often featuring natural light and local artwork. Beds are described as "massive" and "incredibly comfortable" with soft cotton bedding. Silent air conditioning is a notable feature.
- Amenities: All rooms include a private terrace with views of gardens, pools, or the golf course. In-room amenities typically include air-conditioning, TV with Chromecast, premium linens, minibar, free bottled water, tea/coffee facilities (Nespresso machine), bathrobes, slippers, a beach bag, and BelArt bath products. Housekeeping provides nightly turndown service.
- Suites: Signature Suites are open-plan with two verandas offering views of the pool and golf course. Junior Suites and other suites are noted for their spaciousness and exclusivity.
4. Dining Experience
The resort offers a quartet of restaurants and bars, overseen by a chef from San Sebastián, providing diverse gastronomic experiences.
- Breakfast: The buffet breakfast at Palmito is consistently praised as "outstanding," "amazing," and "fantastic," offering a wide variety of options including a full Spanish spread with pastries, cheeses, jamón, fruit, yogurt, smoothies, cava, and cooked-to-order hot dishes.
- Restaurant Quality:
- Palmito: This Mediterranean-minded brasserie serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on fresh, locally sourced products with options for various dietary needs.
- Picador: A neo-taverna with a menu based on Marbella's cuisine, open for lunch and dinner, offering Spanish cheese boards and tapas. Guests have found the food at Picador to be good.
- La Bartola & Bamboleo: These offer more casual, poolside, or bar-style dining with snacks, seafood tapas, flatbreads, and pizzas.
- Room Service: Room service is available, with some guests reporting excellent food quality and quick delivery.
- Pricing: While the food is generally considered excellent, some guests note that restaurant and drink prices can be expensive compared to other options in Spain.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at La Zambra Resort receives glowing reviews for their exceptional hospitality. Guests highlight their friendliness, attentiveness, and proactive service. Specific examples include helpful concierges, courteous front desk staff, and attentive service in restaurants. The staff's willingness to go above and beyond, even providing a plant cutting upon request, has been noted.
6. Location & Accessibility
La Zambra is situated amid the rolling Andalusian hills of the Mijas municipality, offering a peaceful setting with sweeping views of the Mediterranean and a golf course.
- Neighborhood & Vibe: It's described as a "quiet retreat" and an "oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Malaga and Marbella," feeling a world away from the more crowded coastal resorts.
- Attractions: The resort is located on a golf course. It's a 15-minute drive from the coast (Mijas), approximately 30-35 minutes from downtown Malaga, and about the same to Marbella. Nearby attractions include La Cala Golf (7.5 miles away) and Plaza de España (8.7 miles). Mijas Pueblo, a picturesque white village, is also close by.
- Transport: Malaga Airport (AGP) is approximately a 20-30 minute drive away, with private transfers available. A car is recommended for exploring the surrounding areas. Free outdoor and valet parking are available at the hotel.
7. Value & Pricing
La Zambra Resort is considered a luxury 5-star property. While specific pricing can vary, general indications suggest:
- Price Range: Standard rooms can start from around $203-$242 per night. The low season (February) can see prices drop by an average of 33%, while the high season (August) can see an average rise of 47%.
- Worth the Cost: Many guests perceive the resort as offering good value, especially for suite bookings which can include complimentary spa access and kids' club. However, some reviewers note that the food and drinks within the resort can be pricey compared to external options in Spain.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- Food Pricing & Variety: Some guests found the restaurant and drink prices to be high. There were also comments about the limited bar menu by the pool being lower quality and that only a few restaurants might be open during off-peak times, leading to some repetition if staying for an extended period.
- Sound Insulation: A few reviewers suggested improvements in sound insulation within rooms and public areas to enhance the overall experience.
- Minor In-Room Amenities: Some minor complaints included ill-fitting bathrobes, a shortage of certain bathroom amenities, and a lack of milk for tea/coffee making facilities.
- Impact of Events: One guest noted that a wedding held at the hotel during their stay significantly impacted service, which they felt should not happen in a 5-star resort.
- Location for extensive exploration: While great for a quiet retreat, some found the location a bit too far for comfortable day trips to cities like Jerez or Seville without a car.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- •Minor In-Room Amenities:** Some minor complaints included ill-fitting bathrobes, a shortage of certain bathroom amenities, and a lack of milk for tea/coffee making facilities.
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
