Don Carlos Marbella

Juan Fran was a really nice bar renter at the Lucia beach club. He had great recommendations and was always here to make sure we had all we needed. Very nice and polite person.

We have visited Rafa Nadal tennis centre with our son. He really enjoyed the experience. His coach Enrique was jus emazing, paying attention to every detail and very personal touch.
Maggy the coordinator extremely helpful and accommodating
Would surely visit again. Facilities are also fantastic. Very well maintained courts, clean. All perfect

We have been coming here for 37 years , The Rafa nadal centre is a great new addition , Greta to see the familiar and friendly faces of Maggy and Tenea who as always are really helpful , the coaches Henrique and Gabby have made thr group lessons very enjoyable and are flexible and encouraging ! Paki makes delicious smoothies! A great team ‘

We came to Manero Bar at Don Carlos Marbella for cocktails and wine and I have to say that is The Gem of the hotel. We’ve been served by Daniel, high class. Bold service, Amazing cocktails by Hugo. Great atmosphere. So far the best spot at the hotel, shout out to Manero!! first class spot. We will definitely come back 🫶🏼.

Truly 5 start experience for our family. Clean and beautiful interiors, friendly and kind stuff, nice heated outdoor pool and good restaurant for snacks. Gym was also good, tennis courts available, adult spa calm and beautiful. We we'll most definitely come back on summer time. Kids area was still under construction, but it didn't bother us. Breakfast excellent, huge recommendation for this resort.

The hotel is very nice and positioned well in order to reach restaurants and a short walk to the beach. Advertised as 5 star and in many ways that would be correct BUT there are some important downfalls (at least to my wife and myself). Firstly, they do not have anywhere near enough staff. It is really noticeable at breakfast where the service (despite the marvellous efforts of those serving) is akin to a 3 star if that. Getting coffee takes an age and is given in a tiny cup. So you have to ask for more but no one around. For water I just go and take my own bottle now before Indie of thirst. And don’t get me started on the buffet. Yesterday there was a line of 10 people waiting for omelettes or whatever eggs of choice. I gave up. Today the same although if you go at 5 minutes before they close the buffet then there is more of a chance to get something cooked. The quality of choice of the buffet is poor for a 5 star. There is enough to eat of course even without cooked eggs but it is very limited. I don’t eat bread (as a diabetic) but I would have crackers. Problem is that there are none. So a limited buffet breakfast with limited staff (the manager confirmed that they only have staffing levels at 50%) yet we are paying 5 start prices.
Now let’s move to the pool area. Not a chair to be found after 11am. I refuse to go out before breakfast and reserve chairs. I used to do that in my younger days but now I can pay for a 5 star service so I expect there to be options.
Meantime, there are lovely gardens but no chairs provided to sit there. Then you have the “Beach Club”. It’s a nice area but where they simply have to play music very loud. Not sure why anyone over the age of 25 would want to sit there and indeed it is very sparsely populated. It would take the strain off of the main pool area if they could be more accommodating.
Forgot to mention the second pool area where no one sits because the pool is freezing (the main pool is heated) and anyway there is no one servicing there. If you want a drink then tough. It’s really not 5 star luxury.
The bottom line is that the hotel does not want to pay for proper staffing levels at least at breakfast and are happy to squeeze everyone around a smallish pool area where it is impossible to get sun-beds after a certain time. By the way, they also insist on playing music in the main pool area. It is not terribly loud but still, why do we have to listen to music all day long. If we want music almost everyone has headphones and a cell phone.
We have started at the former Kempinski Hotel and at the IKOS resort. Both are greatly superior. Maybe the Don Carlos Marbella could achieve a 5 star but it means they would have to spend money on additional staff and make it possible to sun bathe utilising the full space in the hotel grounds. I tend to feel that the ownership are more interested in their bottom line profit margins than providing a real 5 start experience for their customers.

By chance we took our son for some private tennis lessons at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at the Dan Carlos Hotel. It was so wonderful that a single lesson turned into a week of lessons and we met the most lovely people. Maggy greet you it makes you feel like a long lost friend or family member. She is cheerful, smart, lovely and so good at keeping the place smooth and efficient. Kíke is our son’s tennis coach. He’s amazing with kids. His intuitive very present and extremely generous with his knowledge and his training. But it’s much more than that. It’s very hard to describe how great this place is. I’d be happy to come here every day and just have a coffee and take the atmosphere. This is truly been one of the highlights of our trip this year and we really look forward to coming back later this year again. Maggy, Kíke, David and everybody at the Nadal Tennis Center are great.

My friend and I came out for the weekend at the last minute. Weather wasn’t great unfortunately, so we booked a spa afternoon.
Wow! The team at the spa were so helpful and efficient. Our treatment were first class (tailored full body massage, reflexology and indian head massage), probably the best treatments we have ever had! Highly recommend. Huge thank you to our spa therapists Sonia & Glenda, we hope to be back very soon!

Had a fantastic 1hr session at the tennis court with the family! Many thanks to Maggy for her hospitality!

We had and amazing Monday ad Rafa center. The whole place is beautiful. Great hospitality rom David (tennis coach) and Magy the receptionist. Highly recommend :)

We had an amazing time at this padel court! We came as a group of three and had so much fun playing together. The court was in great condition, the atmosphere was super relaxed, and everything was well organized. Perfect spot to enjoy some competitive but fun matches with friends. Definitely coming back!

Amazing staff, Maggy was very helpful and accommodating. Amazing shop with lots to choose from. Great clay courts. Would definitely recommend

Absolutely love this hotel. So much so, we couldn’t wait to come back again, five months later. We last visited at the end of last season in October and have returned at the start of this season in March.

Catching up with the best team at the Don Carlos hotel is like reuniting with dear friends. Most of whom have also just returned from their off-season breaks. We received the warmest welcome from everyone. Patricia from guest experiences and Luz from breakfast are so cheery and helpful each morning. The best poolside team, Nahuel, Facundo, Paul the barman, the life guard and all the guys at the poolside restaurant, Sol y Sombra.

We were thrilled with a room upgrade to an amazing spa suite with south facing ocean views! The spa is definitely worth a visit to relax the body and mind. It is fully equipped and a bliss experience. A facial with Sonia comes with the highest recommendations. Wow, such a wonderful experience. It is clear she is highly skilled, with a wealth of knowledge to create a fully holistic experience that your body and skin will thank you for. I had an Inhibit facial, chosen by Hollywood stars prior to the Oscars!

We have thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful upgrades the hotel has made since our last trip. The welcome sweet treats and champagne for guests at check-in and the expansion of the Manero bar.

The Manero bar is set in a beautiful courtyard. Such a wonderful setting, it is truly an oasis within an oasis. Thoughtful landscaped and elegantly furnished. We recommend going for lunch and allowing Francesco to design you a mini tasting menu, showcasing the local region’s finest cuisine. Big shoutouts to the rest of the Manero team who take pride in making all their guests have a wonderful experience: Alpredo (another familiar face from last season), Mila, Ester and Patricia. Compliments to the chefs Maicos, Desiree, Italy and Antonio, who really know what they are doing!

Manero is also an excellent setting for an aperitif and dinner. When the sun goes down and the courtyard lights up with outdoor fire heaters, tea lights and fairy lights to showcase the stunning horticulture: lemon, kumquat and olive trees, climbing wisteria, palm trees and a huge array of plantation. This venue is worth a trip even for guests visiting from outside the hotel.

We observed further hotel developments for us to look forward to during our next visit. With the hotly anticipated opening of the Manero restaurant, with its ocean facing terrace. In addition to a new large, state of the art gym, and children’s outdoor area, complete with a water park and kids playground.

This hotel is very guest centric, so much focus is put on ensuring their guests are well taken care of. Can’t wait to come back!

First things first: this is not a sponsored or "bought" 5-star review, but a genuine account of a long-time returning guest. Having frequented the Don Carlos Resort and The Oasis for years, I was deeply saddened by its long closure for renovations. However, returning this March 2026, I can safely say it was worth the wait.

The transformation is a complete success. The rooms are more beautiful than ever, balancing luxury with comfort. The redesigned lobby is an absolute dream, and the hotel bar has evolved into a modern masterpiece—it's the perfect "jewelry box" of the resort.

What impressed me most wasn't the new paint or furniture, but the fact that the hotel managed to retain its wonderful staff after such a long hiatus. Seeing those familiar faces again is what creates that special "Don Carlos charm."

The warm, genuine, and "refreshingly normal" way the staff interacts with guests is unique in the world of luxury hospitality. It’s a heartfelt togetherness that makes you feel at home rather than just another booking number.

After all these years, the Don Carlos remains my number one destination for perfect service in a first-class ambiance. It has successfully preserved its soul while modernizing its look.

The only downside to mention is the significant price increase following the renovation. While the rates now align with high-end international standards, it is certainly an investment. You have to be able to afford it, but perhaps that is the price for something truly extraordinary.

Verdict: If you are looking for excellence and a "home away from home" feeling, this is it. It’s good to have you back!

We booked a paddle court for an hour. The staff were very helpful and welcoming..The facilities were excellent and nothing was any problem for them, especially Maggie who explained everything and showed us around. Great facilities and great staff!

Have played Tennis regularly over the winter here, good facilities and well kept clay courts. Prices have gone up ridiculously recently, totally out of sync to other comparable nearby clubs. Up to 4 times more expensive to rent a court!! So, I give 4 stars to the club and the 5th is for the staff. I regularly dealt with Maggie who I’ve always found to be very professional, warm and attentive!

I came to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre and it was a brilliant experience from start to finish. Maggy was fantastic in helping me book a lesson and tailoring it to exactly what I was looking for.

The lesson itself was excellent - David was a great coach and I learned so much in a short space of time. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Marbella, whether you’re a beginner or already play regularly.

We had a fantastic stay at the Don Carlos Hotel. The property has been recently upgraded and everything about it is completely on point – from the beautiful rooms to the pools and overall facilities.

What really makes this hotel really special, however, is the staff. A very sincere thank you to the “Guest Relations Team” and all the other staff in the hotel. They are without doubt the best part of the experience. The service was exceptional and nothing was ever a problem for them.

Wonderful hotel and very high quality service!
I had such a great experience at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Marbella !
The atmosphere is so welcoming (thank you Maggy), the facilities are fantastic, and the coaching was truly top-level. Special thanks to David, who brilliantly managed to fix my very original one-hand backhand. 🙂
The tips I got made an immediate difference, and the sessions felt fun, motivating, and super professional!
"Under the ball" will definitely stay with me! 🙂
It’s a place that makes you want to come back, and that says everything.

My husband and I just returned from a week at Rafa Nadal’s Tennis Academy at the Don Carlos Resort in Marbella, Spain. We highly recommend the facility and coaching. David was our instructor for most of the week but we also had lessons from Yohan and Enrique. The coaching staff are excellent. The two hour lessons were fast-paced and challenging and a lot of fun. The coaches had high expectations and sequenced the lessons to build on previous learning. The facilities are beautiful and the clay is perfect. The fitness are is spacious and fully equipped.
Shout out to all of the welcoming reception staff including Maggy and Roman.