La Zambra, the refined Andalucian wellness and gastronomy resort that’s additionally good for golfers too –

La Zambra has loads of playful persona. The constructing is an icon, the previous Byblos Lodge – a jet-set favorite of the 80s and 90s with its well-known white façade and blue towers.

Following a whole renovation, it’s now La Zambra. Though the hanging Spanish architectural options have been retained, each component of the inside is reimagined with spectacular public areas and chic friends’ rooms, whereas the setting has been considerably enhanced with new landscaped gardens with swimming swimming pools, that overlook one of many area’s hottest golf programs and to the countryside past.

La Zambra – now open

It’s been with a lot anticipation that La Zambra has opened. This property, positioned between Malaga and Marbella, near the picturesque Andalucian hilltop village of Mijas, has performed a unprecedented half within the Costa del Sol’s legendary hospitality. The lodge was initially made well-known for welcoming the likes of The Rolling Stones, Princess Diana, and Julio Iglesias, and is now beginning a brand new chapter in its story because the luxurious La Zambra.

I can affirm that the transformation is exceptional. The resort has been painstakingly reimagined. Whereas retaining emblematic design options, La Zambra is one thing fully new.

From the second one arrives, passing by means of the gates, one feels that La Zambra is particular. Towering palms, set within the arrival courtyard surrounded by excessive partitions lined in flowing bougainvillea, draw your eyes as much as the clear blue sky. This can be a second of contemplation that centres and grounds you to this new vacation spot.

First Impressions

The staff greet you with enthusiasm, wearing bespoke Mediterranean fashion uniforms of cottons and linens, in muted, earthy tones.  The welcome conveys calm, and the property feels full of sunshine, with an abundance of house.

The lodge’s architectural fashion is stuffed with arches, curves, and rounded surfaces. Heading to the room you catch views by means of shady arcades and patios, passing pleasant courtyards of fountains and lofty cypress timber, gardens full of palms and subtropical crops, and borders full of fragrant Mediterranean herbs. Along with the evocative whitewashed partitions, stone latticework, painted tiles and Moorish gardens, all of it conveys the attract of  Andalusia. 

Gastronomy

La Zambra is on the coronary heart of the coast’s acclaimed eating and leisure  scene, but you’ll be tempted to remain on the resort for the reside music, cocktails and the completely different eating places showcasing the modern delicacies of Southern Spain.

Picador

Take pleasure in inventive tapas paired with the world’s superb wines at Picador – my favorite eating spot on the lodge. Set in its personal non-public terrace courtyard, this bar restaurant has a compelling environment that captures the essence of Andalucia, the enjoyment of sharing plates and tapas with family and friends. Picador is greater than only a bar with nice design, the menus invite you to share, and to attempt new dishes.  Strive delicately favoured oysters, with a contact of fennel and apple, a prawn salad, that’s a visible deal with too, or the signature steak tartare which is standout high quality. If you happen to take pleasure in sea meals, the creamy rice is ideal or perhaps the octopus from the grill.

Picador is a superb place to find out about Spanish and native Andalucian wines too. I can suggest beginning with a relaxing Manzanilla, the Papirusa is excellent. There’s a beautiful choice of Ronda wines too, like F. Schatz Rosé, and native candy wines that go a deal with with the deserts.

The wine assortment is spectacular, and what’s extra you possibly can take pleasure in them by the glass. The staff are so welcoming and pleasant and can assist counsel dishes and wines.

Palmito

That is the lodge’s all-day eating restaurant. Begin the day right here for breakfast. The massive terrace is shaded and great place to take pleasure in a meal.

For lunch and dinner count on Mediterranean and seafood cooked on the spot alongside wholesome and plant-based choices. Once more, you possibly can count on pleasant, attentive service, and a very good wine checklist.

Bamboleo

This energetic bar, that opens onto a big terrace with inventive, banquette fashion seating outdoors, is the place for reside music and nice cocktails. There’s a tempting snack menu too. We nibbled and snacked on finger-licking edamame beans, seared avocado with carb and kimchi mayo, in addition to do-it-yourself babaganoush with crudites.

La Bartola

That is the lodge’s modern twist on a traditional Andalucian ‘chiringuito’ seaside bar – opening within the spring, it’s set to supply poolside snacks and household lunches. 

Lodging

The defining characteristic of the rooms and suites is house and lightweight, and the understated, considerate design.

Our golf and mountain view suite have been the epitome of La Zambra fashion. The design has been led by Esteva i Esteva, the famend architectural studio primarily based in Palma, Mallorca.

Rooms are welcoming and spacious, with pure colors and textures, with touches of daring colors. Anticipate heat terracotta, stone, wooden, polished concrete, and lightweight and tender materials with pure textures. The imperfect fantastic thing about regionally crafted ceramics, rugs, artwork, and materials, mix to create a soothing, supremely comfy atmosphere, a up to date homage to Andalusian fashion.

Our suite was some of the comfy rooms I’ve loved. The doorway vestibule included a separate W.C., a very intensive mini bar (with all the main points together with a carton of milk for the espresso, one thing most inns overlook) after which led into the lounge space with daring curved couch and glass doorways out to the balcony.

A cleverly designed sliding door allowed this residing space to be a part of the open plan suite or closed off to make the neighbouring giant toilet extra intimate, good for whenever you need to loosen up within the large bathtub.

Past was the bed room, once more with one other balcony. The king mattress was tremendous comfy. Fixtures included a big sensible TV, that at a contact of a button, would disappear into the cupboard.

Welcome Amenity

The considerate touches have been actually evident with the welcome amenity that not solely included treats from the chef, however a pleasant handpainted ceramic tile, so evocative of Andalucia, made by a neighborhood artisan in Mijas pueblo. The tile was personalised with my title, a ravishing lasting reminiscence of my keep at La Zambra.

Wellness

‘Temper La Zambra Spa’ is a spectacular house, most likely one of many largest wellness centres within the space. Throughout our go to, Sandra the director, defined therapies are created as personalised journeys, that completely replicate the friends’ temper or wants on the time. These journeys are primarily based upon ‘Loosen up – Heal – Reconnect – Vitalise – Glow. Each is additional tailor-made with three particular approaches.

Along with the big heated, in-door swimming pool, there are whirlpools, Turkish tub, sauna, and twelve remedy cabins. Temper La Zambra Spa can be open to the general public.

Throughout the resort La Zambra’s friends can select between three swimming swimming pools, two tennis courts, one paddle court docket, an intensive health club (together with an outdoor health club) in addition to a yoga and Pilates studio.

Golf

For the eager golfer, there’s entry to 2 world-class golf programs – Los Olivos and Los Lagos, by the famend designer Robert Trent Jones, who has constructed greater than 400 programs world wide.  Close by, there are greater than a dozen different very good programs, together with Santana Golf and Chaparral Golf Membership. The devoted golf concierge is available to make all of the preparations.

Households

La Zambra will open in 2023 a Child’s Membership with its personal pool.

The Spirit of La Zambra

La Zambra’s philosophy is ‘the liberty to be no matter your coronary heart tells you…’ The lodge is known as after an exuberant Flamenco dance, typical of Granada and Almería. It’s carried out in naked toes with a knotted shirt and lengthy skirt to create a free and floating impact within the air across the dancer – a real expression of the area, bringing individuals collectively, within the second.

Location

Marbella is a half-hour drive and Málaga airport is simply half-hour. Jesus, La Zambra’s Concierge can prepare a go to to the charming Pueblo Blanco, white village of Mijas; an expedition with native fishermen; mountain climbing within the mountains; visits to native artisans (from a glass workshop to gold embroiderers); to the mesmerising sight of a whole bunch of pink flamingos within the close by wetlands .

Data

La Zambra is a part of The Unbound Assortment by Hyatt, and managed by Marugal – specialists within the conception, launch and operation of distinctive luxurious inns, whose portfolio consists of Palacio Solecio, Malaga (opened 2019); Le Relais de Chambord, The Loire Valley (2018); Akelarre in San Sebastian (2017); Gecko Lodge & Seaside Membership in Formentera (2017); Totem (2016) and URSO Lodge & Spa (2014) in Madrid; Torralbenc in Menorca (2013); Cap Rocat in Mallorca (2010).

Discover Out Extra

Deal with: La Zambra, Urbanización Mijas Golf, 29650, Málaga, Costa del Sol, Spain

Web site: www.lazambrahotel.com