A new seafront 5-star resort nestled between Marbella and Estepona on ‘the new Golden Mile’

Spacious yet intimate, grown-up yet playful, METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella delights couples, groups of friends, families and inter-generational travellers with laidback luxury, excellent service, and beautiful design. Lux Nomade recently checked into the brand new beach-side property for a weekend of sophistication mixed with casual luxury…

METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Social Living, a new 5-star resort nestled between Marbella and Estepona on ‘the new Golden Mile’ opened its doors in August this year (2023). The beachside resort offers unpretentious luxury, outstanding F&B offerings, refined guest rooms with spectacular sea-view, top-class facilities and amenities such as the 52-meter outdoor swimming pool, and an impressive Spa.

Location

METT Marbella, the second lifestyle hotel by the Sunset Hospitality Group, is conveniently located on the pristine Marbella-Estepona shoreline, just 45 minutes from Malaga International Airport. Positioned right between Estepona, previously a sleepy fishing village now tipped to become the ‘new Marbella’ (13km), world-famous Marbella (14km) and Gibraltar Airport only 40 minutes away, the resort is well connected.

Arriving at METT Marbella, we are welcomed with an impressive white high ceiling lobby featuring an eight metre olive tree surrounded by beautiful wooden tables and chairs. The check-in process is a breeze, and Guest Experience Ambassador Ewelina, provides us with our room key cards made of wood. The hotel’s answer to traditional butler service is WhatsApp messaging. The service provides guests with everything they might need assistance with in order to make their stay more comfortable, right at their fingertips. The “texting’” approach to service turns out to be a hit, with messages being replied to promptly.

Making our way to our Sea View Suite With Pool located on the first floor, we get a glimpse of the centrepiece of the resort – the impressive outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas perfect for socialising and relaxing. In fact, the 5-star lifestyle resort was designed to facilitate connections between guests hence the ‘social living’ ethos. The layout of the communal areas, as well as the restaurants and bars have been designed using natural, local and sustainable building materials and furnishings, and to encourage social interaction between like minded travellers.

The Mediterranean interior and exterior design is clean and modern with luxurious wooden furniture, linen fabrics in various blue, white and beige hues. Think Greek Islands meet Andalusia. The resort’s straight-forward approach to the design is explained by Sales Manager Francisco Nardi “every piece of furniture at the resort fills a purpose, and when you see a chair for example, you know you can sit on it, it’s not a piece of art”. As a result the resort feels luxurious and refined, yet surprisingly relaxed and comfortable.

The Hotel Rooms & Suites

The airy and modern beachside property features 249 rooms including 8 suites, all with a generous sea view. For guests looking for a social stay, the Lifestyle Pool Rooms are ideal since they offer direct access to the 52-meter Azure Beach Pool.

For families, couples or for group of friends looking for privacy and their own seperate slice of the resort, the Sea View Suites With Pool are a great option. Positioned on the first floor with sliding glass doors opening up to two private terraces and a spacious private lap pool (shared with three other suites) it’s the ultimate luxury for special occasions.

The Sea View Suite we are staying in is spacious, airy and modern. It has a dining area, an entertainment area, and a well-stocked mini-bar. The initial terrace is set up as an outdoor dining area, adding additional space.

The bedroom has a king-size bed and direct access to the second terrace. Furnished with two sun loungers overlooking the beach and with direct access to the pool. It’s a great spot to kick back and enjoy the sunset. The bathroom has a generous sized walk-in rain shower, and his and her sinks, as well as a separate WC. There’s also an additional guest WC directly accessed from the living area, and a spacious luggage storage room which is handy for guests staying for a week or longer. Nice touches are the heated towel rack, and the cute ‘his’ and ‘her’ jute bags stocked with amenities. And, as part of their sustainability efforts, the resort is staying clear from any single-use plastic in the rooms.

Impressive Italian, Pan-Asian, Spanish (and soon Greek) Food Offerings

Given the Sunset Hospitality Group’s international reputation for its impressive food served in restaurants across nine countries, the hotel’s F&B offerings at METT are, as expected, a real treat!

There are three main offerings. The main hotel restaurant Isola Ristorante Italiano – a modern Italian restaurant serving an a la carte dinner in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. The fried calamari is cooked to perfection and so is the grilled sea brim, and beef rib eye. This is also where the breakfast is served. The a la carte menu is celebrating eggs in all its forms, from frittatas to eggs Benedicts and omelettes. Pancakes and waffles are also found on the menu for those having a sweet tooth. The buffet is fresh with local produce such as Manchego cheese. There’s a great variety of bread, pastries, spreads, cold cuts, yoghurts and cakes (vegan options available) and the juice is freshly squeezed.

For lunch, Azure Beach offers pan-Asian dishes poolside. Famous for their sushi, the 40 piece platter assortment with highlights including the spicy tuna rolls, California rolls, and the Sashimi is fantastic! And so are the prawn tacos, Gyozas, and the alcohol-free Gin & Tonics.

For a lighter dinner, El Bar De Lola celebrates the best of Spanish tapas and wines. Iberico ham, local cheese, and anchovies can be shared.

Guests arriving next spring (March) will also be able to add fresh al fresco Greek food from the resort’s Ammos restaurant to their experience.

MOI Spa

Spread across 500 sqm the Moi Spa is located on the first floor and designed to soothe, pamper and de-stress. The beautifully decorated heated room with an indoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge beds is the perfect place to relax at the end of the day. The dark walls and dimmed lights create a cave-like and soothing feeling. Luckily it closes at 7pm, otherwise it would have been too tempting to spend the entire evening here.

The spa also features several beautiful treatment rooms. Holistic treatments and traditional massages are offered to boost both physical and mental health. The full-body massage by massage therapist Amanda, is effective yet soothing and relaxing. She uses organic almond oil and applies just the right pressure to losen up stiff back and neck muscles.

The onside state-of-the-art gym, RAISE Fitness & Wellness, is located next to the treatment rooms and is where guests can work up a sweat.

The Service

At METT the service is friendly, down to earth yet professional and the attention to detail on point. The unpretentious and modern approach to five-star luxury creates a welcoming and warm atmosphere. The staff throughout the resort including restaurant, housekeeping, front-end, concierge and door staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful with plenty of smiles all around.

Who is METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella For?

Putting emphasis on the social aspect of travelling by facilitating interactions between guests, the beachside resort is naturally suited to group of friends, solo travellers and couples. However, the larger more private suites are great for families and inter-generational travellers. Additionally, those looking for a beautiful natural environment, fantastic dining, excellent service, and an unbeatable beachside location should consider METT Marbella for their holiday.

Double rooms from €225 a night.  For more information and bookings visit  mettsocialliving.com