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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Don Carlos Resort & Spa 5* is located on one of the nicest beaches of Marbella, just 10 minutes from Marbella’s historical downtown and close to the area’s most exclusive restaurants, shopping, nightlife and entertainment. The beautiful resort is nestled around a lush tropical garden of 40.000sqm which is an oasis in its own. The resort is formed by 3 sections composed by the Hotel with 243 rooms and suites, the Oasis boutique adult’s only hotel with 35 accommodation options and the Deluxe Villas with 24 fully equipped units with 1 or 2 bedrooms. All options offer an extensive VIP program, including personal assistant service at the Deluxe Villas. Two private beach clubs are available, including a Nikki Beach for unforgettable celebrations and the Don Carlos Beach club with a more relaxed atmosphere. Both beach clubs have outdoor swimming pools. A fully equipped water sports centre during the summer season offers action packed fun for adults and children. Live the Don Carlos Resort & Spa at its fullest enjoying all the leisure facilities including the Don Carlos Tennis Club with 7 clay courts, 2 hard courts, 1 basketball court, a football 7 court and complete gym and spinning room. An additional 24 hour gym is available at the hotel. Relax and unwind at the Oasis Spa, for adults only, with more than 1.600sqm of bespoke facilities including a complete water circuit, beauty & wellness programs with state of the art equipment using products from Natura Bissé and the latest trends in treatments. The Expedition kids club will be the centre point for the little ones where parents can entrust the fun and wellbeing of their children to our qualified staff providing them with a program of creative activities, fun and games throughout the day. The main outdoor swimming pool is heated so guests can swim during anytime of the year. There is also a kid’s plunge pool next to the main pool. Gastronomy plays a very important role in the resort where 6 restaurants and 3 bars are available offering local and international experiences with bespoke concept gastronomy. The resort welcomes meeting and incentive groups offering 13 meeting rooms where the largest room can hold up to 1000 delegates with high ceiling and sea views.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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This was our 5th visit to this hotel. The hotel is well decorated and has a light modern feel. The room we stayed in was spacious and had lovely modern decor (always seem to get the larger room on every visit) however some in our group did get smaller rooms. The staff are very friendly and always have a smile. The Buffet breakfast was excellent, lots of choice and high quality food. The loop and pool restaurant where we ate lunch most days, was not as great as it used to be, some of the salads were nice but the other food was just okay, especially for the price. Although the staff were friendly, they were not consistent in the service provided. They have a couple of pools. The only few issues I had was, as it was a busy time they did sometimes run out of towels. The other issue I had was that the lifeguard was also a towel person, on numerous occasions the lifeguard was either inside getting more towels or helping people with sun beds and umbrella’s. There should either be two lifeguards (which is the case in most other hotels I’ve been too) or a separate pool assistant. The kids pool could do with a few more toys, seemed to be one big boat that most of the kids wanted. Did not not try the spa on this occasion but have tried it previously and it was lovely. Overall still a very good hotel.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from DonCarlosResort, Personal Assistant at Don Carlos Resort & Spa
Responded 9 Jan 2020
Dear Ms. Laura, First of all, we would like to thank you very much for your loyalty. It is an honour that you always think in our resort for your holidays in Marbella. We have informed to our Food & Beverage manager about your comments regarding our Loop & Pool restaurant in order to improve the service of restaurant and swimming pool. We hope next time you visit our SPA once again; we appreciate that you find it lovely. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Yours sincerely, Irene López Personal Assistant
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Maria, Roman, Yulia, Francisco, Salvador and Enrique have welcomed us more than once to the immaculate and luxurious home away from home at the deluxe villas Don Carlos. The two bedroom villas are exceptionally high quality as is the private pool. The team bring daily treats of canapés and treats to your sun-bed as well as very good food and drinks from the bar menu. The pools are the cleanest I’ve ever swam in and the main pool is 3m deep at one end so the kids love diving in and down. The vibe around the pool is a mix of families, couples from all over Europe. The villas team have many times booked cars, restaurants and other local services for us. They always go the extra mile to ensure you have an excellent stay. House keeping daily means the villas are always immaculate. Molton Brown toiletries are replenished every day. The grounds of the hotel are absolutely wonderful and if you visit in spring with kids you can go chasing the 1000’s of frogs by the tropical stream that runs through. Nikki beach club which is at the bottom of the grounds is always a treat for an exceptional lunch. Oh and I can’t forget the breakfast-I can’t tell you how relaxing and wonderful breakfast is on the terrace outside. The selection of all the food is huge and everything is available fresh to order-eggs, pancakes, omelettes, the pastries are fresh and fruit, juice, champagne coffee are all on offer! Just perfect in every way. Kids absolutely welcome and at feel home too. We for sure will be going back immediately as soon as the current virus situation eases and it’s considered acceptable to travel for holidays. I sincerely hope the whole team at the Don Carlos is keeping well and we literally can not wait to go back
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from DonCarlosResort, Personal Assistant at Don Carlos Resort & Spa
Responded 14 Apr 2020
Dear Guest, First of all, we would like to thank you very much for sharing your experience with other Tripadvisor’s members. Your words are like “fresh air”, we appreciate them, above all, your special mention to our staff, mainly to the housekeeping team and the Deluxe Villa team: María, Roman, Yulia, Francisco, Salvador and Enrique. For sure they will be so happy to read your comment to know their good job. You really have described a Deluxe Villas experience. Don Carlos Resort & SPA is a special place who look after the details and the needs of our guests, it does not matter their preference or ages, because of that we have got special place for Kids, the swimming pools and The Expedition Kids Club, we have got places just for relax such as The Oasis Wellness & SPA and our 20.000 m2 of tropical garden, we offer time to dance, good music and wonderful cocktails in The Peacock and Nikki Beach and a huge offer of gastronomy are some of our musts. Our goal is that you feel home away from home and we are proud that all the family keep nice memories of your last holidays with us, this is our best reward. We hope that all of you are in good health and we wish to welcome you soon back to Don Carlos Resort & SPA. Yours sincerely, Irene López Personal Assistant
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The positives are that the location is perfect for beach access and there are amenities such as the spa (which we did not use) and the pool. Also, the reception staff was very friendly and helpful. They were true professionals and made us feel welcome at all times. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious. However, The Peacock bar was understaffed, which made the wait time long and made the waiters seem rushed and inattentive at times. Also, the housekeeping was uneven. We had washcloths one day in the middle of our stay, but never again, even though we requested them; the toilet paper was not replenished unless it was empty; the sheets were never changed during the course of the week; the room was not thoroughly cleaned at all during our stay; the body wash was not replenished consistently; and while there was turn-down service with chocolates provided daily, no complimentary water was ever provided. I would say, overall, the services were uneven.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Irene López, Otros at Don Carlos Resort & Spa
Responded 2 Sept 2021
Dear guest, We would like to thank you very much for your comments, they are one of the tools that we use to measure our guest’s satisfaction and they help us to improve our standards. We are so happy to read that you like our facilities, please, next time you should try our SPA, for sure you will enjoy it. We will convey your words to our reception staff and also to the chef for the wide variety that offers in the breakfast. And of course, we take into account your suggestions regarding The Peacock and the improvements mentioned. We are so sorry about your experience with the housekeeping services. We have passed a note to the manager in order to check what could happen during your stay, we use to follow the procedures established in each department and most of the points that you mention we cannot accept that happen in our resort. Please, accept our most sincere apologies for that and be sure that we will give a solution to not to repeat these errors and once more, thank you very much for the advertisement. We will be so happy to welcome you back to our resort. Yours sincerely, Irene López Personal Assistant
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Excellent Hotel, nice clean rooms! We booked two connecting rooms which was ample space for our family of 3
Breakfast was amazing, its a shame the terrible weather (unusual despite the time of year) had rendered the pool off for the first two days of the trip, but the staff made a huge effort to clean this out and it was sorted by the time the sun came.
The huge gardens and walk to the beach is absolutely incredible, feels like youre in the most beautiful gardens, and totally private.
Our 2 year old ran around making so much noise and staff were accommodating although I felt a little bad for our fellow hotelliers.
The breakfast was one of my all time favourites as the room layout was so spacious with different tables separating each breakfast counter meaning it never got over crowded.
We ordered room service a few times which is pricey as expected, but just around the corner are some Restaurants , some of the tastiest well priced restaurants i have been to.
The spa was one of the best spas we have ever been to,its 40 euros which seemed expensive until I realised there are so many different types of jets and 2 steam rooms plus so many other extra plunge pools etc, its the best spa I have ever been to, even if you don’t book a treatment i would say this spa is worth it!
I would love to return back in high season as we didnt see much of “kids club” and the childrens out door play area is a little small, however little one enjoyed the baby pool a lot.
A car and being able to drive is a must for us as we enjoyed the freedom to roam the local mall (la canada which had the best zara I’ve ever seen) and marbella town centre. We were recommended by staff to do a trip to Mijas in the mountains which was truly spectacular! Feel very grateful for this wonderful trip and so glad we stayed at Don Carlos.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Perhaps go when weather is better, i think spring is a little hit and miss all over the world i...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful family holiday at the Don Carlos over Easter. This was our first time staying at this resort and we were very very impressed at the accommodation, proximity to the beach and quality restaurants and above all the service in the resort. We stayed on a two bed villa with our two kids (6 and 3) and found it spotlessly clean, spacious and the daily cleaning and endless supply of coffee pods was an added perk! The kids loved the heated pool, kiddy pool and kids club. The ability to use the hotel Mini Cooper was a definite advantage and allowed us to enjoy the location. Breakfast offered a very good selection for every family member, and we did eat at the poolside restaurant on one occasion and although it was tasty thought it was a little overpriced for what we caught. Overall I would highly recommend this resort, look forward to returning soon, and found the service level fantastic.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My friend and I stayed here for a few days over the new year. I’ve been to the Marbella area quite a few times but have stayed in the city centre. This was the problem with the Don Carlos , the area was very quiet ( I know it was January ) but the city centre was buzzing ie around the marina and orange square. The Elvira square was dead and only a few restaurants open. It was easy to get the bus ( 1 Euro 18 ) into orange square and Puerto Banus and taxis to other restaurants . Da Bruno in Cabopino very nice, el Oceano ( fantastic for brunch ) I had booked a superior room with sea view and was surprised that it didn’t have a balcony. I was told the deluxe rooms had the balconies . The towels were changed morning and evening with the turndown service . The breakfast area was very busy and some tables needed clearing . The choice on offer was really very good. The bar in the evening had a good atmosphere with entertainment. We had a few issues with the housekeeping where the cups and saucers , tea and coffee and glasses were not replaced and we had to call them. The reception staff were amazing and very helpful. Our one big issue was the spa . We had assumed that residents could use the indoor pool but we were told we had to pay a discounted amount of 30 euros to use it with a time limit of 1 hour 45 mins !!!! We understood that treatments were payable but just to use the pool was ridiculous. The weather was a bit cloudy and we would have liked to use the pool. The outdoor pool area was very clean and the gardens very well kept. The beach club was obviously closed and looked a bit unkept. So overall a nice hotel on a nice beach ( a stroll through the gardens and beach club ) but a bit quiet.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from DonCarlosResort, Personal Assistant at Don Carlos Resort & Spa
Responded 9 Jan 2020
Dear Missholly, First of all, thank you very much for your comments. In general terms, we understand that you have enjoyed our resort but there are some items where we need to improve. We really appreciate your suggestions due that they help us to offer the services that our guests are looking for. We are so sorry for the misunderstanding regarding the room, but as my colleague has informed you, the rooms with balconies are the deluxe once. Regarding our outdoor swimming pool just to inform you that it is a heated swimming pool, so you can use every time of the year. We really appreciate your nice words regarding our reception staff, we will convey to them. We will be pleased to welcome you back soon. Yours sincerely, Irene López
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We had a lovely stay at the Don Carlos resort. Great location, relatively close to the airport and main places to visit. Front desk can call a taxi upfront within literally 1 minute. Staff was excellent all around. The beach club is gorgeous, easy access to the beach. Nice swimming pool and bar and great food and drinks. Breakfast buffet was especially nice with a chef and fresh fruit and good service. Good COVID-19 measures like wearing masks etc. Housekeeping came in every day and we had a clean room all the time with nice little details added like candy and great refill of shampoo etc. The beds in the room are comfortable and the bathroom has everything you need. They sent a cake and a sweet note on my birthday at the request of my friend which was lovely. We also had a massage at the spa by 2 lovely ladies and it was great. Spa was very clean and beautiful. Only critique here is that the front desk at the hotel could not see any spa reservations because the spa is separate but it would be great if the hotel could also see your spa appointments or could make a reservation for you to make it easier. Everything else was perfect and it is truly paradise at the Don Carlos resort. Would recommend to friends and would definitely visit again.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at the Don Carlos Hotel several times over the years and we have always found the hotel and it's amenities suitable for our large family needs. With 3 kids under 6 the staff at the Kids Club certainly kept our tribe entertained. A special thanks to 'Nutella' John, Maria, Vena & Rebecca at kids club. If parents really want some respite and downtime, book them in and relax. 95% of the staff will go out of there way to make your stay relaxing, accommodating and enjoyable. The staff are friendly and the experience team are on it should mishaps happen. There is a very small majority of staff who have an 'edge' to them who perhaps are not so welcoming or accommodating. One for the Experience Team to pick up on. Hotel rooms are looking a bit tired now and are well overdue a full makeover, especially the carpets. Housekeeping in the rooms can also be a bit hit or miss. Shampoo, conditioner not filled up in hotel rooms, which when hair washing 3 kids hair everyday after swimming pools is not ideal. Water in Mini Fridges not stocked up for the whole 12 days. Beware if ordering kids meals via room service, kids meals do not exist and you will be charged full room service rates for adult portions. Perhaps another area for improvement Don Carlos? Great to see Ombu restaurant back up to speed with authentic Thai menu. We think 4 stars is a fair reflection of the hotel. Overall, despite feedback above, we look forward to visiting the Don Carlos again in a few years time.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:If eating off site double check your reservations with reception and concierge. Beware of white...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this resort for 4 nights in early June for our first trip abroad with our six month old boy, having done lots of research beforehand and seeing great reviews about the family friendly nature and great quality of the hotel on Trip Advisor. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed at the entrance by a staff member, our bags picked up and taken to our room. Another staff member brought us two cold bottles of water as we walked in and a cute balloon for our boy. The gentleman at reception was very welcoming and explained all the usual check-in details, the services and facilities, and shared a map of the resort with us. We stayed in a luxury sea view suite and it was clean, comfy and spacious. We asked for a cot for our baby which was provided as well as a box with some bath time toys. Our room was cleaned twice daily, with fresh towels, as well as evening turn down. Weather wise, the first two days were a bit grey with patchy light rain and the resort arranged for wine tasting, churros and movie screenings, painting and cocktail making to make up for the fact that we couldn't make the most of pool time and we were provided with an itinerary of the hotel activities. We attended the wine tasting and and churros/movie and felt well looked after. We booked breakfast, which featured a wide variety of options to choose from with great quality food The heated pool and the beach club pool were both clean and we also used the kiddie pool with our boy who enjoyed it. We felt well looked after throughout our stay. Although the hotel is five star, we did feel that the rooms were quite pricey and the restaurants on site were also quite expensive for what was on offer. I'd recommend dining out in the evenings. Overall, a wonderful experience as a first family holiday and definitely would recommend for travel with babies/young children.
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Date of stay: June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow. From arrival to departure the services are excellent as is the facilities and location.
We took 4 Superior rooms and all were lovely decorated and complimentary water and full amenities including robes, slippers, creams and other utility items. The front of house team are excellent and we we given a welcome glass of Cava which was a lovely touch by the management.
There’s loads to do here and has a great Beach Club adjacent to the famous Nikki Beach. Plenty of Sunbeds and complimentary towels.
The Buffet breakfast is amazing and drinks and cocktails reasonably priced for a 5 star hotel.
The hotel is perfectly located to reach Puerto Banus and Marbella on a short taxi ride.
The hotel offers free secure car parking that also caters for high sided V-class type cars.
The management have done a superb job on restoring this lovely hotel as we resume post covid.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Free car secure parking.
Free pool towels
Easy reach Nikki Beach
Complimentary water in room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ms. Leila K,
Thank you very much for your request.
In october the main swimming pool will be heating to the temperature around 27ºC
Yours sincerely,
Irene López
Personal Assistant
Dear Donnax123,
Thank you very much for your interest in our resort.
Answering to your question, we are pleased to inform you that the price of a taxi will be roughly 60€, we also could arrange a private transfer for you, it depends of the kind of car that you choose we can offer services from 80€.
Please, do not hesitate to get in contact with us for any assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Irene López
Personal Assistant
Dear Donnax123.
First of all, we would like to thank you very much for your interest in Don Carlos Resort & SPA.
We are pleased to inform you that you will have towels available in all our swimming pool and also for the sunbeds on the beach.
We will be happy to welcome you soon to Don Carlos Resort & SPA.
Yours sincerely,
Irene López
Personal Assistant
Dear Mr./Ms. Nleyser,
First of all, we would like to thank you very much for choosing Don Carlos Resort & SPA for your holidays.
Answering your question, we would be pleased if you could send us by private your booking number and we will get sure that you will have the iron and iron board in your room.
We wish to welcome you soon to Marbella.
Yours sincerely,
Irene López
Personal Assistant
There are more places to choose from in the Elviria area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
don carlos leisure hotel marbella, don carlos leisure resort and spa, don carlos resort, don carlos marbella, don carlos hotel marbella, carlos don hotel
LOCATION
SpainAndaluciaProvince of MalagaCosta del SolMarbellaElviria
NUMBER OF ROOMS
243
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