Incosol Hotel & Medical Spa Marbella, Marbella Hotels

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#18 of 20

expert-rated hotels in Marbella

Location:3.1

Bedrooms:3.5

Eating/drinking:3.6

Public areas:3.6

Leisure facilities:4.1

Service:4.0

Value for money:3.9

Recommended for:: Couples, Mature travellers, Seasoned travellers, Singles, Sporty types, Chilling out, Escaping the crowds, Relaxation

Expert review of Incosol Hotel & Medical Spa Marbella

Last updated 24 January 2011

A trail-blazing spa resort near Marbella with a legacy of well-being. And then some.

As one of Europe’s original and best spa hotels, Incosol has been at the forefront of an integrated approach to wellbeing and lifestyle since the 1970s. The ‘medical’ bit refers to the team of specialists including physiotherapists, nutritionists, nurses, psychologists and personal trainers that work alongside the usual kind of therapists that do facials and massages. Despite its extensive facilities and wonderful setting, Incosol gives me the impression that it could with some serious investment to give this icon of wellness its own facelift.

Location:

Up a windy road off the main motorway, high in the hills above a golf course to the east of Marbella (a ten-minute drive), it has views across a lush green valley down to the Mediterranean Sea. There’s nothing nearby so the courtesy bus driver may become your best friend.

Bedrooms:

As it’s a large, tall 1970s building, there are, unsurprisingly, lots of windows making the rooms light and airy. Although the rooms are not huge, the bathrooms are a decent size and contain lots of toiletries to plunder. The white-painted bedroom furniture looks a bit cheap for a five-star hotel but the beds are comfy and you get given a menu of pillows.

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Public areas:

Faded grandeur and chintzy gold/mirrored décor are the over-riding theme in most of the public spaces.

Eating and drinking:

Lunch at Incosol is a buffet, which would be OK but the price of 57 euros is inexplicably high. The á la carte dinner from their fairly basic fusion menu is normally about 30 euros a head, although they do some deals too. Should you object to paying the prices, you’ll need to take a ride into Marbella or to the beachfront, as there’s nothing within walking distance. There is a bar but it’s quite old-fashioned and hardly what you’d call lively.

Leisure facilities:

There are six pools at Incosol including a couple of Jacuzzi pools. Arguably the most pleasant for a swim and splash is the kidney bean-shaped pool with a waterfall in the centre. Like much of the hotel’s facilities, the gym equipment is in need of an update.

Service:

The staff could perhaps be more aware of their clients’ needs as opposed to riding on the hotel’s top-notch reputation, but are generally very welcoming.

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Who stays there:

Wealthy Spaniards who want to be pampered.

Price advice:

You had better have a very healthy bank balance for this ‘wellness’ hotel.

Pros:

Perfect for chilling out.

Free classes like Tai Chi

Cons:

Seems investment is needed