Gran Melia Don Pepe

Really cannot understand all the amazing reviews. Breakfast buffet at the red level lounge was poor. Mouldy berries, very limited. Took ages to order the coffees and then when arrived were average at best. Room was nice enough but the bath plug broke after one use. Hotel does not reflect the hefty price tag! Staff seemed more bothered about the rich and famous staying (as shown by instagram and the free ad pr stays ha) Event one night went on until midnight - very loud music and fireworks!!! Again showing more care for the influencer guests than the actual paying guests. Got hassled a few times to sign up to th e melia loyalty scheme. You have to pay for the day beds around the pool (150€) and even to borrow the tennis equipment. Which is a joke considering the cost per night. Got told off one night for taking two drinks up to our room from the red level Lounge. We don’t drink alcohol during the day so what difference did that make when we could see people drinking all day even at breakfast?!! Not impressed and will not be back. Avoid!

Fantastic service. We were booked into another hotel in the chain but it was closed for refurbishment so we were tranferred to Don Pepe - the whole process was seamless, and we were given a room upgrade. Second, I left some belongings in my roomwhen checking out and they could not have been more helpful in finding and returning them 24 hours later. It's those kinds of situations - and processes and services - where it really counts.

I live in NYC but have now traveled to Marbella 4 times just to stay at the Melia Don Pepe. Our last visit we stayed on the red level and it made the vacation even more special. I especially enjoyed the breakfast on red level where our every need was catered to. The huge and beautiful swimming pool is absolutely magnificent and unmatched by any other hotel I have been to around the world. The setting of the hotel with its endless views of the Mediterranean Sea is also spectacular but what truly elevates the Don Pepe into the highest stratosphere of hotels is the attention paid to guests to make them feel special and their every need taken care of under the direction of the charming and talented Abel Lopez. He seems to be everywhere in the hotel at the same time and always making sure that everyone is happy. I am very excited for the renovation of the hotel that is to start this fall, although I am not sure what I will do during the 12 months it is closed! I am sure the Don Pepe will be even more spectacular after it is done but my one caveat to the Melia executives is to keep the pool exactly as it is! All the guest that I have spoken to love how big the pool is!

Our stay at Don Pepe was a top experience! It was the second time and once again everything was perfect! We will definitely come back for a third, fourth time, and many more! The staff is super friendly, you ask for something and everything is arranged for you. Beautiful and clean rooms, the food is exceptionally delicious, and the staff thoroughly explains the menu. Super tasty wines. It is very quiet there with a beautiful view of the sea. The location is top, quiet yet close to the city. A taxi and reservations at beautiful places are also arranged for you. Special thanks to Andrea, a very sweet and super professional manager. Thank you to the entire team at Don Pepe! You made us enjoy our stay immensely! See you next year.

Serene, exclusive and every other compliment to the hotel and more importantly the staff, don’t know where they have got this great team from, gardeners, housekeeper, front of house etc, but they are all exemplar and made the stay that good we extended. The hotel is old but with classic character, I understand closing in OCT for a huge refurb? Points to include that need addressing. Lift sizes, poor hot (not hot actually cold) choice at breakfast, room sizes aren’t brilliant. Red Level isn’t worth it! Other than that we will be back ASAP- Excellent stay.