Club Marbella Rental, Málaga, Spain

It’s a comfortable apartment, with good equipment, though a bit dated. Getting around involves quite a few stairs, and the location can be tricky, so I’d recommend renting a car. Some services cost extra or have limited hours, and internet access is quite restricted. We found small black ants in the room, so be careful with food. Housekeeping doesn’t come in during your stay, which may suit you or may not.

The location is good and the front desk staff were friendly. I came in the off season and only needed somewhere for a couple of nights. I chose a lux class room, but it felt tired and overpriced for what I paid. The bed was like a squeaky inflatable mattress, with no cover mattress, and there were lots of stairs to go up and down. The rooms were dark too. If that sounds acceptable, maybe start with one night to see if it suits you, and read very carefully what’s included.

We wouldn’t return. Our stay at Club Marbella - Crown Resorts was deeply disappointing, with constant noise and poor sound insulation that made it impossible to rest. Outside, we could hear air conditioning units, kitchen ventilation, and garage doors at night. Inside, toilets flushing, taps and showers running, neighbors slamming wardrobe doors, and chairs scraping along the floor all came through clearly. Guests kept different hours, with some going to bed late and others up at six, so uninterrupted sleep was out of reach. Housekeeping started at 8 a.m., moving furniture and talking loudly in the corridors. The apartments also varied a lot in condition, even though guests paid the same price, which felt unfair. If you sleep through absolutely anything, perhaps it would suit you.

Apart from a few minor maintenance problems in the room, it was a very nice base for our week exploring the area.