Club Med in Marbella: The perfect Spanish sojourn for the whole family
Club Med Magna Marbella
There are certain unspoken rules that any seasoned holidaymaker knows to abide by, particularly when travelling in Europe.
It’s a cardinal sin, for example, to visit Italy without digging into some real, authentic pizza, while you’re crazier still if you venture to France and don’t sample the local patisseries — and you’re practically a lunatic if you holiday in Spain without gorging on tapas aplenty.
There’s nothing better than ordering a mix and match assortment of the savoury small plates when out to dinner with a group, each getting a small taste of a huge range of different dishes.
After all, when it comes to cuisine, nobody does variety quite like the Spanish. And, it turns out, nobody does it quite like them when it comes to the all-inclusive holiday either.
For proof of that, you need look no further than Club Med Magna Marbella, an Andalusian resort offering such a huge variety of activities that you may find yourself partaking in an adrenaline-inducing flying trapeze class one day, then experiencing utter relaxation while soaking in a blissful Zen pool the next.
Nestled at the foot of the beautiful Sierra Blanca mountains, and a handy walk from the idyllic Old Town of Marbella, Club Med’s setting makes the most of this sweeping coast.
The ease begins with direct flights from Dublin to Malaga Costa del Sol Airport, where a hassle-free transfer brings us right to the doors of Club Med Magna Marbella, our own slice of paradise.
The one hour-20 minute journey reveals amazing coastal views, with glistening blue waters stretching out on either side of us, the roadside lined with quaint old villas.
By contrast our resort, Club Med Magna Marbella, is sparkingly new, just two years old and daringly modern.
Lush green foliage dangles from a skylight on the impressively high ceiling, surrounded by dazzling chandeliers, while a water sculpture bubbles away happily in the centre of the lobby adding to the sense that this is a place designed to truly connect with nature.
Spacious and bright, my sea view room makes use of a simple and sophisticated royal blue colour scheme linking Marbella’s beautiful blue skies and waves.
The resort stretches out invitingly across 12 acres of lush green gardens, interspersed with tennis courts, golf courses and five enticing swimming pools.
Strolling through the grounds and taking in the sheer scale of is a riveting experience as I mentally plot all the activities I’d like to try.
These include archery lessons, yoga and aerial fitness classes, golf sessions, padel, karaoke nights and even a circus class where performers of all levels (including absolute beginners, and children from the ages of four) can tackle juggling, trampoline skills and, of course, the aforementioned trapeze, where you’ll work your way up to soaring seven metres above ground.
On our second afternoon at Club Med, our group works up an appetite during aqua fitness classes in the main outdoor pool.
As luck would have it, we’ve barely dried ourselves off and settled down on our sun loungers before the irresistibly tantalising smells of a sizzling grill waft towards us.
The themed Andalusian barbecue we discover poolside is a thing of beauty, with a vast selection of olives, crisps, salads and melt-in-the-mouth meats that we can’t believe are all included for free.
This impromptu barbecue matches the quality of the gorgeous Mediterranean buffets we’ve previously enjoyed at breakfast and lunch in the resort’s Suenos restaurant, and is just one example of the many activities and events that we stumble upon by chance, or through the Club Med app, during our stay. The resort is a hive of activity, with endless possibilities for every age.
If you are holidaying as a family, Club Med runs various kids’ clubs that cater to children from only a few months old (Baby Club Med) up to 17 years old (Teen Club Med).
Each of the clubs hosts a range of activities, from early learning classes for the little ones to archery group lessons and an evening show time experience for older kids.
While the offspring are being safely looked after, many parents throughout the resort can be spotted making full use of some much-needed ‘me time’ — particularly at the resort’s luxurious Cinq Mondes Spa which overlooks the stunning mountainous landscape.
Here, a selection of treatments such as facials, full body massages and steamroom sessions are available at an extra charge.
In a resort so big, you’d be forgiven for losing track of what’s where, but the blissful aroma of relaxing essential oils that permeates the hall is a total giveaway as to where the spa is hiding.
There’s a noticeable new glow to many members of our group post-spa visit, and just in time too, as the evening dinner service at Club Med is an occasion that calls for you to look your very best.
There’s a themed dress code each night in the resort, and while it’s by no means compulsory, it can be great fun to join in.
The two nights we’re there are Cappuccino and Club Riviera themed, so night one sees an array of off-white, brown and cream outfits being donned to match the coffee theme, while the Riviera theme on night two is more open to interpretation, with a colourful collection of fedoras, chinos, flowy dresses and polka dots.
Some of the other guests in the resort really go all out for the theme, nailing even the smallest details, with coffee cups printed on their socks for Cappucino night.
This more dedicated cohort are easily identifiable as ‘Club Medders’, loyal travellers who enjoy the Club Med experience so much that they choose to holiday exclusively in these resorts, gradually ticking off bucket-list trips to Club Med’s eighty locations worldwide.
This group become easier to spot over the course of our stay — when they’re not dressed to the nines at dinner, they’re often sporting the latest souvenir shirts from the various Club Med boutiques.
I’m half tempted to get one of the shirts myself, especially come check-out time, when I very reluctantly have to hand over my only merch, an electronic Club Med bracelet, which has served not only as my room key, but also a status symbol; a handy signal for waiters and bar staff that I’m entitled to all the bounties of the all-inclusive.
It’s with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my bracelet, and with it to this blissful resort. On the ride back to the airport, I’m already missing the place, all but ready to book my next trip....maybe those Club Medders are on to something.
- Shauna was a guest of Sunway Travel
- www.clubmedsunway.ie
Seven nights’ all-inclusive stay at Club Med Magna Marbella, from €2,310 per adult with return flights from Dublin via Aer Lingus and coach transfers to and from Malaga Costa del Sol Airport. Based on a departure date of 03.06.25.
Open bar with all-day snacks, gourmet cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and entertainment, sports and activities are all included along with wi-fi access. Family rates also include interconnecting bedrooms.
Certain excursions are available on demand, including a nature getaway by catamaran on the Costa del Sol, or river trekking along the Guadalmina. Sunway travel agents will be able to advise you of the most up-to-date seasonal excursions at time of booking.
La Cañada shopping centre is located very nearby Club Med Magna Marbella – 45 minutes by foot or 12 minutes by car.
It is the largest shopping centre on the Costa del Sol and is home to over 150 stores, including Sephora, Ikea and Apple, as well as food chains such as Taco Bell, Five Guys and Starbucks.
While there, take an approximately 25-minute-long walk from the Club Med resort to the Old Town of Marbella.
Wander through the charming cobblestone streets and explore the many boutiques, gift shops and jewellery studios the area has to offer.
