SAN PEDRO

San Pedro is approximately 1 mile from Puerto Banus, heading towards Estepona.  Head onto the beach area and either end of the San Pedro front there are two superb beach bar restaurants, one is called Nuevo Reino (952-788896)  this is the closer one to Puerto Banus however at the other end is Bora-Bora (952-789100) always best to book especially on Sundays as it can get very busy.

On the roads leading back up to the N340 main highway there is a great tennis centre Club de Pedel (952 788315) its worth calling in for a look around.  There is also a  tennis centre called Manalo Santana Racquets club close to the Aloha Gardens complex, (952 778580) telephone & book or turn up to pay and play, however I think the Santana Center can be expensive as the top Spanish players play there in the winter months.

Also on the road going back to the N340 from the beach at San Pedro is a superb fish restaurant called Casa Fernando (952 787999), you always have to book in advance for this restaurant.

If you cross the road into the main town of San Pedro you will find one road with around 20 restaurants on & off it.  We like to go into the King Charles pub on the corner and then into Viviana’s 952 786481 or the Italian Manalo’s 952 781072. They are all excellent value for money and you can combine the evening out with a walk round the towns square and shops.


GUADLAMINA

This is the next area as you pass through San Pedro approx 1½ miles. You pass under a white arch that goes over the road. The late golf service shop is actually under the arch, call in here to arrange any late tee times you require or to find the best deals of the month. The local English papers are also a good place for golf special deals.

As you go underneath the arch come off at the next exit and double back on yourself you will have the par 3 at Guadlamina on your left. Go under the road and as you come up the San Jose school is on you right. Turn left leading to the beach for Guadlamina beach bar. This is superb for kids and all the family, loungers cost’s five Euros per day. The restaurant on the beach 100 yards on the left  is good value and does very good Paella. Again in the busy part of summer arrive at the beach bar and go and book your table in advance. Further down the beach towards Estapona is the Guadlamina Hotel. It’s very well signposted as you come off the N340 and past the side of San Jose school. The hotel is situated right on the beach and has the golf course to the right. This is a must day out, go in sit yourself on any chair you would like either on the beach or by the pool and just pay the towel rate. It’s a great setting for the whole family and the Sunday buffet they do in the restaurant over looking the golf course and the sea take’s some beating. You have to book in advance, and its approx £20 per head for a buffet you’ve never seen the likes of before. The towel rate is 7 Euros per day.


BENAHAVIS

As you pass under the white arch get in the inside lane and in approximately ½ mile the sign says Benahavis. This is a small town 4 miles into the hills and very popular for a stroll in and to have dinner. The two restaurants in the main square are always very busy in summer months but if you ring and book a day before or even on the evening your going at six when they open you should still get a table (952 855141) There is also a small hotel just out of the square with the restaurant set around a small swimming pool. Take a look as it is very pretty but if you have children I would advise the restaurants in the square as there is plenty of space for them to explore. This is a highly recommended evening out. Remember though if you are going to eat at 8 pm. you will probably be the only people there as the Spanish tend not to eat until around 9.30 pm.


EL PARAISO

This is the area 1 ½ miles past the Benahavis sign, it doesn’t look great from the road but it is very popular and a very lively place to be.  This is where many Brits tend to live and there are many restaurants either side of the highway.  Charlies (952-887169) is great value for money and the Steak & Rib shack over the highway is also very good.  Approx half a mile behind the shops is the El Paraiso Hotel which has an indoor pool & a bar at the top called Rotunda, the views from here are quite superb and well worth a drink before you go to one of the local restaurants.  The hotel overlooks the ever popular El Paraiso Golf Course of which over 90% of its members are Brits.
Pass the El Paraiso shops and come off at the next exit (the bridge is in front of you) cross over the bridge & come off at the 2nd exit and you are now facing the El Paraiso shops.  There is a white arch saying Santa Marta Hotel, drive into the car park and walk through the gardens with white lodge guest houses to the beach bar. Of all the ones mentioned this is probably the best beach bar for children. There is so many other children there you won’t see them all day!!!  Both beach bars do reasonable food but the Thai restaurant overlooking the attractive pool area in the evening as the sun goes down is very pleasant & the food is good.  The El Paraiso area takes a little getting used to but once you get to know it there is a lot on offer.


MARBELLA

On the N340 coming out of Puerto Banus turn left and follow the signs for Marbella stay in the inside lane and your now on what is called the Golden Mile leading into Marbella itself. There are many beach bars on the sea front and this is a very pleasant walk from Marbella to Puerto Banus. The top hotels are on your right, two worth mentioning are the Marbella Club & Puenta Ramano. Puenta Ramano is one of the most exclusive, and well worth a visit go and pay the towel rate here and sit next to world stars, just don’t order a drink!!!  The Romano hotel has a wonderful beach bar restaurant (952-820900) which is well worth using of an evening, however it is very expensive.

Just past the Ramano Hotel (approx ½ mile) is a restaurant called Villa Tiberio (952-2771799) which has wonderful gardens and great food in quite an unusual setting. They often have a good Spanish band on and it's well worth the visit.

As you head into Marbella past the copper statue in the middle of the road about a mile down you pass a small McDonald's on your left keep going for several hundred yards further staying in the inside lane. You will come to a set of lights with a shoe shop on the corner on your right with horse & carriages parked here. There is a bureau de change on the opposite corner.  Turn right here and then 1st left, 50yards on and there is a car park on your right down a ramp. Park in this car park and take a walk on the front and round the old square of Marbella (Orange Square).  The restaurants off the main square are normally better than those on it.  This is a great way to spend an evening wandering around all the shops & than eating outside around the orange town square.  There are many designer shops museums & galleries to take a look at.

 TRIPS/ DAYS OUT

There are many days out catering for a range of choices.  The Selwo Zoo is superb and only half an hour away a few miles pass the El Paraiso shops area. The Hippodromo race track is a family evening out for those of gambling nature.  Tivoli World is a fair type ground half an hour away back towards the airport & the water park at Fuengirola is a great day out for the kids. Sea world at Benelmadena is well worth a visit, it’s a great day out and the port here is gorgeous with some lovely shops.

Gibraltar takes less than an hour with the new motorway, great for stocking up the duty free! It's best to park on a side street just opposite the border entrance and walk over to save queueing at the border.  The train trip up to Ronda is also worth while and if you wanted to stay over, there is a Parador (Hotel) that’s worth staying in.

The Alhambra in Granada is the most popular tourist destination in Southern Spain & the parador on site is very special to stay in.  However you have to book months in advance to get in, if you manage to book accommodation in Granada the Ski slopes are only around half an hour drive away.Neuva Andalucia is the area you are staying in, directly behind Puerto Banus, known as "Golf Valley". Things to do in the Neuva Andalucia area that might be of interest to you are the casino (you will need to take your passport or photo card driving license to gain entry) or to the side of the casino is the Plaza Hotel which has a superb pool, simply walk to the pool attendant area & pay for a day towel rate. This gives you use of  the hotel and it’s facilities which can be a nice change of scenery. You can do this at most of the hotels in Marbella and it is an economical way of using the services that they offer for the day. There are two local restaurants one to the side of the hotel and the rear of the casino called Regina’s which we have always found to be superb and over the road is another good restaurant called Guyla. 
 

We would be grateful if would add any useful brochures with your comments on, to the folder you will find in the apartment.


We hope you enjoy your holiday


 Collette & Nick