A Mediterranean Summer Holiday at METT Marbella
My Summer at METT Marbella: A Review in Flip-Flops
Some people inherit ancestral villas for the summer. Others backpack across continents in pursuit of self-discovery. Me? I landed in a linen-swathed oasis with sushi by the pool and a private cabana just a WhatsApp away. METT Hotel & Beach Resort, Marbella, was supposed to be a getaway. It became a summer-long affair. And not the kind that leaves you crying in baggage claim.
Maresía, Mojitos & Mediterranean Magic
Let’s begin with a word I now use far too often and with smug authority: maresía. That gentle, salty perfume of the sea that hits you the moment you step into METT. You don’t just smell it—you become part of it, like a well-accessorised anchovy. This is a resort designed to make you forget about life beyond the salad fork. The moment I arrived, the breeze mussed my hair in slow motion, a welcome
drink materialized without effort, and an olive tree (yes, inside the lobby) nodded knowingly as if to say, “You’ve made the right choice”.
No Counter, No Clocks, No Problem
METT does not bother with reception desks or formality. It’s too busy whispering, relax, sweet summer child. There are no staff bustling about with headsets, no artificial-smile check-in routines. Just an armchair, a cocktail, and a sense that you have walked into a world curated by someone who hates stress. Probably Sergio Tamayo — the general manager, Marbella local and calm luxury evangelist — who clearly instructed his staff to be competent, charming, and never
hover.
The Pool Is the Star. The Rooms Just Happen to Sleep Near It.
METT’s pool isn’t so much a swimming facility as it is a religion. At 52 meters long, it practically demands reverence. It shifts hues like a moody supermodel — sometimes green, sometimes blue, occasionally silver — and somehow always Instagram-ready without looking like it’s trying too hard. Loungers? Plush enough to make you cancel afternoon plans. Ceviche? Delivered without drama. Noise levels? Mercifully adult. METT is not for toddlers in water wings or poolside cannonballs. Here, the splash zone is spiritual, not physical.
Sleep With the Sea
My suite faced the sea — because everything at METT faces the sea — and I swear the waves timed themselves to lull me to sleep. The smallest rooms here are bigger than most London flats, and the biggest? A seaside fortress. Some even come with private pools, in case you want to float around existentially without the burden of small talk.
Cuisine, Sweet Cuisine
You could eat every meal at METT for a week and never feel bored — or hungry. There’s Isola, a southern Italian hideaway where the pinsa is pillowy perfection, and the clams are so fresh they might still be sending postcards to Naples. Then there’s Azure Beach Club, where pan-Asian platters flirt with your bathing suit and your calorie count. Lola’s Bar is where aperitivo hour becomes a full-blown personality trait, and breakfast—don’t skip it—feels like the morning after a good decision. But the crown jewel? Ammos. A beachfront Greek restaurant so good I now refer to it as “church.” If there’s a better grilled octopus in Spain, I don’t want to know about it. Let me live in bliss.
Luxury Without the Labels
What sets METT apart isn’t its design (though yes, it’s Mediterranean minimalism at its finest) or its location (front-row seats to the actual beachfront on the so-called “new golden mile”). It’s the vibe. You’ll see Dior sunnies lounging next to Zara swimsuits, and no one’s keeping score. This is luxury without
intimidation. “Come as you are” might as well be engraved above the olive tree in the lobby.
Neighborhood Watch: Marbella Edition
METT’s in that magical pocket between Estepona and Marbella, where time slows, the architecture still nods to old Andalusia, and the sun commits to a full schedule. On clear days, you can see Gibraltar, Morocco, and your own rapidly fading desire to return to city life. This is not just Marbella 2.0 — this is Marbella with a sense of humor and good taste.
Book It, Then Ghost Your Other Plans
Some hotels impress you. METT seduces you. It’s not the flashiest, loudest, or most gold-plated on the Costa del Sol — but thank heavens for that. Instead, it is a place where the details are deliberate, the staff are intuitive, and the vibe is just right. If you’re looking for clout-chasing, METT might not be for you. But if you are seeking serenity, sun, and the occasional spontaneous plate of grilled sea
bass, this is your summer HQ. Just be warned: you might accidentally stay until October.
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