Txema Palacio is Bilbao-born, trained in kitchens across northern Spain and the south of France, and his cooking reflects those influences. The technique, the sauces, the stocks and the respect for product come from the Basque Country. The olive oil, the generous wines, and the charcoal grill come from Andalucía.

Malva beach is beautifully designed, distinguishing it from a typical chiringuito restaurant on the coast. Elegant wood furniture, warm, sophisticated interiors and day beds and loungers set out on the sand, shaded by palms and parasols. The restaurant sits right on the Rada beach, with the Mediterranean as the backdrop to everything.

The menu opens with sharing plates. Txema Palacio’s own gildas, the Basque anchovy, olive and pepper pintxo. Pil pil prawns from Huelva. Galician mussels with piparras peppers and oloroso sherry vinaigrette. Carabinero croquettes with prawn tartare. Then a raw section with Gillardeau oysters served natural or with ponzu, Bloody Mary or ají amarillo, bluefin tuna sashimi with yellow chilli and ponzu, and a steak tartare prepared fresh with egg yolk, hollandaise and crystal bread.

The grill is central to the kitchen’s identity. Sardines al espeto, red prawns from Garrucha, langoustinos from Sanlúcar, sea bass, red snapper, turbot, and a matured cowboy steak all cooked over hot coals. Fire gives character and depth, and it is one of the defining elements of Palacio’s cooking. Among the chef’s recommendations, the roasted Málaga goat shoulder with celeriac, artichokes and a Palo Cortado emulsion, and the bacalao al pil pil on a bed of fried vegetables both signal the depth of what this kitchen can do.

The wine list is impressive for a beachfront restaurant, with strong representation from across Spain and a particularly good selection of Andalusian fortified wines, including Barbadillo Reliquia sherries aged over 100 years. There are champagnes from Dom Pérignon to Cristal, and serious reds from Vega Sicilia Único to Château Margaux. The cocktail list includes classics as well as house creations like the Santorini Spritz and Matcha Martini.

A six-course tasting menu is also available for those who want to experience the range of Palacio’s cooking.

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We visited in late September. There’s a welcoming shaded exterior terrace, and spacious interior decorated with the signature aquamarine of the brand, together with faux bougainvillea, evocative of the eastern Mediterranean.

The format is a fixed €29 per adult for the mezze brunch, with tea coming to the table first with some warmed gözleme. Service moved at an unhurried pace, so my recommendation is to order extras at the beginning of the meal, and come with time to enjoy the experience.

Staff top up the table with small plates as you go, from olives and acuka to lemon mud cheese, three-cheese aubergine, fried potatoes, grilled sujuk and menemen. There are tasty pişi doughnuts, seasonal jams and bazlama bread included within the mezze spread, with extras available if you have a greater appetite. There were fewer fresh options compared to Turkey, where peeled tomatoes, cucumber and herbs are a big part of the breakfast. Here the focus is on breads, eggs and preserves.

After 18.00 I’m told the kitchen turns to an evening menu of Turkish dishes from the grill, alongside cocktails, and soft drinks.

Bazlama has been brought to Spain by sisters Salmeh and Sarah Moravvej, Dubai-based designers who discovered the brand in Istanbul. Bazlama’s wider story goes back to 1992, with restaurants across Turkey and Dubai and a London opening promised soon.

Information

Bazlama Marbella is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 00.00, closed Monday. Breakfast runs 10.00 to 17.00. Dinner is served 18.00 to 00.00, last orders 23.00.

Contact details

Address: Bazlama Marbella, Calle Isla Verde 12, Benamara, El Paraíso, (Malaga) Spain.

Website: marbella.bazlamakahvalti.com

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Sublim is the latest destination beach club to open on the Costa del Sol. This summer certainly feels as if it belongs to Estepona, which has emerged as the new sought-after place for dining and leisure, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).

Laguna reopened this year, 2024, and at the heart of this retail and dining project is the Sublim beach club. The Luxury Editor spent the day to indulge, relax and immerse ourselves in Mediterranean good times.

Sublim promised to immerse you in the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coast, creating a stunning backdrop where for relaxation and partying.  The setting is certainly impressive. The new architecture is unlike anything else on the coast, with a sweeping roofline that echoes the waves of the ocean. Before are shops and offices looking out over the dining options that presently include Sublim, and a high-end Asian restaurant Kai, created by Ricardo Sanz.

We whiled away our day at Sublim. The beach club has spared no expense to create a sophisticated environment, with all the faculties you’d expect from a sea view pool, luxury daybeds, a beach area completely set with sunbeds and parasols, as well as an upscale restaurant and food and drinks service delivered to the day beds. There are showers and changing rooms too, making it easy to enjoy an entire day here, from mid-morning to late-night drinks accompanied by the resident and visiting DJs.

Sublim promises that every detail and experience is infused with passion, and we certainly found the welcoming team to be brimming with enthusiasm.

The dining was on-point, and with the kitchen certainly impressing. Usually, at a beach clubs, the experience is a sum of all the parts, but at Sublim the restaurant itself is a worthy draw.

Start the experience with a signature cocktail, like the ‘Shitan’ prepared with Volcan, grapefruit, agave syrup and Soda, or a delicious ‘Pachanga’ made with White rum, Italicus, tea and coconut banana foam. The bar service is excellent with beautifully prepared cocktail brought to your sunbed.

You can also enjoy dining at your sunbed with your order carefully prepared and served on a tray. But we sought the shade and style of the terrace restaurant. The menu impresses with oysters and champagne as well as a tempting selection of seafood, salads and raw dishes like carpaccio and marinated prawns, and there’s plenty of vegetarian dishes. We chose the Sea Bass and a vegetarian rice, which was really tasty.

The vibe is sophisticated by relaxed, and the live DJ and the guests around the pool make for a lively, upbeat beach club atmosphere. There were families, couples and groups of friends all enjoying the setting and the atmosphere.

Sublim is vibrant and upscale. The setting is impressive and the design of the beach club and quality of the food and drink doesn’t disappoint. It’s good to see Laguna back better than ever, and Sublim is a welcome addition to the dining and leisure scene on the Costa del Sol.

Read our guide to the best hotels in Estepona

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Discover a Mediterranean summer at Kempinski Hotel Bahía, with a season full of exciting events, from family Sunday BBQ’s and sushi and cocktail nights to summer markets and pool passes.

Kempinski Hotel Bahia, found west of Marbella’s Puerta Banús and close to Estepona, is a 5-star resort where Kempinski sophistication meets the casual elegance of the Mediterranean. You can discover more in The Luxury Editor profile review of Kempinksi Bahia here.

Pool Passes

Pool Passes are available seven days a week, with a resident DJ playing Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Enjoy a sunbed, towel service, complimentary water and the choice of three pools to dive into. Then, from 13.30 until 16.30, out chill out to the best summer sounds.

Wine & Tapas Night

Tuesday evenings are traditional Wine & Tapas Night at Black Rose the Bar. Travel the region with our superb selection of tapas and wine pairings while listening to our Spanish guitarist. The atmosphere is the ideal way to enjoy Andalusian cuisine and Spanish wines. Served from 18.30 to 22.30.  

Sunset Market

On Thursdays, we host our Summer Sunset Market at Spiler Beach Club, with over 20 stalls filled with exquisite, locally designed items, dresses, kaftans, beachwear, art, jewellery, accessories and gifts, all perfect for the summer. This designer showcase will feature a different collection of stalls each week, and all stallholders have lovingly created each item on display. The market operates from 18.00 until 22.00, with plenty of variety and shopping for everyone.

Then, from 19.30 until 21.30, there is live music at Spiler Beach Club. Sit and enjoy a refreshment post-shopping while our singer, Sara, entertains you with a lively show.    

Sushi & Cocktails Night

Friday night is Sushi & Cocktails Night at Black Rose the Bar! With happy hour from 19.00 until 20.00 as our resident DJ mixes the coolest sunset vibes, as you enjoy sushi and cocktails with your friends on our spacious terrace, you really feel you have been transported to paradise! The Sushi menu is available from 18.30 until 22.30 on Fridays only.

Sunday afternoons are for friends and cocktails. Our resident DJ will play the best summer hits at Spiler Pool Bar during the afternoon, followed by happy hour from 17.00 until 18.00.     

Sunday BBQs

Sunday evenings are always perfect for a BBQ. At Baltazár Bar & Grill, we have created the best BBQ on the coast, with a wide range of salads, trimmings and, of course, great cuts of meat. This is the perfect Sunday evening family time. The BBQ is available from 18.30 until 22.30 each Sunday. Reservations are advisable!   

Not staying at the hotel, but fancy a day of luxury and pampering? Reserve your Pool Day Pass, from EUR 59 per person from Monday to Thursday; or EUR 69 per person on the weekends. The pass includes use of a sunbed, towels and access to the pools and gardens to help you relax and switch to holiday mode—a perfect escape for everyone to enjoy on a hot summer’s day.      

Contact details

Website: www.kempinski.com
Address: Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, Carretera de Cadiz KM 159, 29680, Estepona.

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METT Marbella – Estepona brings a new flavour of holiday experience to Andalucia’s Costa del Sol. Embodied by the resort’s tagline of Social Living, guests are promised a destination where they can not only recharge and unwind in the sun, but also celebrate life and have fun, enjoying dining, entertainment, a spa and a METT’s ‘tranquil service style’.

As soon as you arrive, you are embraced by the property’s seductively summery feel, with a beautiful interior and exterior design that captures the allure of the Mediterranean. Lots of natural materials, lush plants, and a harmonious blend of brilliant white, with sea blues and earthy greens together create the perfect setting for a beachside break.

The check-in is professional but relaxed. Sitting in the huge atrium, you are greeted with a welcome cocktail menu, and it’s from this moment your holiday begins.

Gastronomy

METT dining is open to all, and part of the buzz is the mix of local residents, visitors and guests at the restaurants and beach club. Giannis Toman is the Executive Chef at METT Marbella – Estepona. With his wealth of experience and creativity in French, Spanish, Greek, Italian and fusion cuisine, Chef Toman is the ideal talent to launch the signature dining experiences of METT.

Isola Ristorante Italiano

2023 has seen the opening of Isola, the brand’s signature Ristorante Italiano, originally founded in Dubai’s Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse. Isola Restaurant Estepona is a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, taking principal inspiration from the south of Italy. This destination restaurant experience is about truly homemade dishes with a contemporary menu of pasta and pizza as well as other Italian favourites, accompanied by an impressive wine list from Italy and Spain.

Our experience at Isola was impressive. The dishes are expertly executed, and the ingredients are clearly top quality.  We began with a classic carpaccio, dressed in parmesan and rocket – superb. The burrata was generous and creamy, deliciously simple, allowing the quality of the flavoursome ingredients to shine. The calamari is always a favourite of mine and here it has a depth of flavour with excellent seasoning.

Cocktails were creative and beautifully presented, while the wine list included the option to enjoy different wines by the glass.

You can read The Luxury Editor in Conversation with Francesco Bagnato, Brand Chef at Isola Ristorante, here.

There is also a menu of light and delicious pinsa pizzas, that are bursting with texture and flavour, yet without the heavy feeling of some doughy pizzas. The steak was one of the best I have had on the coast in a long time.  Finally, the Tiramisu did not disappoint with a lightness that is matched by a creamy richness.

Isola has raised the bar for hotel dining and is worthy of its status as a restaurant that visitors will travel to.

Ammos Dining

Ammos is new for the 2024 season, a Greek-inspired restaurant, which promises to bring the authentic flavours, culinary textures, and aromas of the Aegean islands to the sun-splashed shores of Andalucia. You can read The Luxury Editor profile review of Ammos here.

Azure Beach Pool & Restaurant

The 50-metre Azure Beach Pool is at the heart of METT Marbella – Estepona. Resident and guest DJs set the tone throughout the day, as the attentive team offer a menu of refreshing juices, cocktails, and light bites from the Azure Beach menu.

There are cabana day beds, as well as double sunbeds and sun loungers on the beach. What’s more, you can book one of the beach lounges, overlooking the sands, with a private hot tub, day beds and table service for food and drinks.

From the pool, you can catch glimpses of the beach and sea beyond, connecting you to the beauty of the destination. As the sun sets, the pool sparkles with underwater lights and cocktails are served at El Bar de Lola.

The Chiringuito restaurant is right on the beach, beautifully styled with banana palms and wooden furniture. Expect a diverse choice of dishes including sushi platers, pizza, yakitori skewers, healthy salads like red quinoa, and bowls including salmon teriyaki. The wine list is great and includes local wines like the delicious Cloe from Ronda.

Accommodation

METT has a wonderfully minimalist take on the Mediterranean style, with bright and airy rooms, decorated with natural elements. Each room and suite is thoughtfully equipped with a steamer for clothes, an excellent mini-bar with premium drinks, tea and coffee-making facilities including an espresso machine and, in the bathroom, expect the signature METT amenities tailored for you. The bathroom amenities are by Botanyc – fabulously aromatic, with scents of Bergamot, Lychee and jasmine.

There are 6 room types and 7 suite types. Guests can choose from a variety of spaces, including suite-up rooms with direct access to a pool, or even two-bedroom suites and suites with large private rooftop terraces. There is an all-day room service menu too.

New for the 2024 season are the new signature METT Suites with a Private Garden and Pool, found on the ground floor at beach level, with 2 bedrooms spread across 464sqm of space with a terrace landscaped garden and private pool.

Wellbeing

The MOI Spa is set to open for the 2024 season, offering a luxurious well-being space including an indoor pool, hydrotherapy circuit and treatment rooms.

RAISE Fitness is the gym offering with Technogym equipment.

Bicycles are also available, a great way to explore the area, as the boardwalk along the beach runs for kilometres and is a safe and beautiful way to get a feel for the destination. If you’re tempted to explore further, then the Guest Experience team can recommend excursions and day trips.

METT Hotel and Beach Resort Estepona-Marbella is a very welcome addition to the Costa del Sol, bringing a new style of hospitality and some superb gastronomy.

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