- Costa del Sol Holidays
- Marbella
- Kempinski Hotel Bahia

The location of the Kempinski Hotel Bahia can be described as simply extraordinary. Here on the southern tip of Spain guests are in the rare position of having two continents within easy reach. Situated on the stunning coast of Andalusia with a premier beachfront location the Kempinski Hotel Bahia offers breathtaking views to the Mediterranean Sea/ Rock of Gibraltar and African Coastline. On clear days the view towards the African Reef is simply incredible/ understatedly and absolutely unique Located between Marbella and Estepona/ the lavish/ beachfront/ five-star Kempinski Hotel Bahia sits within 45/000 sqm of perfectly manicured/ lush gardens/ overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The Kempinski boasts 128 elegant rooms and 17 luxurious suites/ all with a balcony or terrace and varying degrees of garden and sea view/ as well as a host of fabulous restaurants and bars some seasonal / the Kempinski Spa/ and excellent childrens facilities/ as well as a variety of other activities.
Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including a complimentary water park, an outdoor pool and a hot tub.
We have stayed at Hacienda del Mar in Estepona several times over the years, both when it was part of the previous chain and now with the new chain, and we can honestly say we have had excellent experiences every time.
The rooms have been beautifully upgraded and are now stylish, modern and very comfortable. The staff are always so friendly, welcoming and helpful, which really makes the whole experience feel special. A particular mention has to go to Pablo in the kids’ club. Our boys absolutely love him and always look forward to seeing him every time we visit. He is fantastic with them and is a real credit to the hotel.
We also asked Abel to arrange a late check-out as we had a late flight and were travelling with a baby. He sorted it out quickly and without any fuss, which made our final day so much easier and stress-free.
It’s lovely to return somewhere where you feel genuinely welcomed and looked after, and Hacienda del Mar never disappoints. We’ll definitely be back again and would highly recommend it, especially for families.
To Abel, thanks so much for making my stay that much better! He was extremely welcoming & accommodating during my stay.
I stayed in September for 5 nights with my mum
The hotel & facilities – 5/5
The hotel itself is beautiful, spotlessly clean and feels very luxurious. The gardens and pool areas are immaculate, with lovely pools and comfortable sunbeds.
The breakfast spread was delicious with plenty of choice, and the gym was great– really well equipped and much better than most hotel gyms. We also had great food at the beach restaurant in the evenings.
Service – 3/5
The hotel often felt understaffed, particularly at the pool bar. There were regularly only two people rushing around serving everyone, which meant long waits. We felt sorry for them, especially when other seemingly more senior staff appeared to be around without helping.
Beach club – 2/5
This was our biggest disappointment. The “beach club” is open to the public for €50 a day, giving non-hotel guests access to the pool and facilities – including premium sunbeds that actual hotel guests aren’t allowed to use.
When you’re paying hundreds of euros a night to stay, this felt in poor taste. It also meant loud groups could come in for the day and completely change the atmosphere. When we questioned the sunbed policy, one member of the bar staff was also incredibly rude.
Location – 3/5
The setting directly on the coast is lovely – you can see and hear the sea from your sunbed and you’re literally metres from the water. However, the beach is very rocky and not really somewhere you’d spend the day sunbathing.
Estepona town is also around a 50-minute walk along the promenade. It’s an easy, well-paved walk but fairly boring with not much to see. We also found the town itself a little disappointing – plenty of restaurants and bars, but not many shops or as much atmosphere as we expected.
Taxis were generally around €8 each way, although we were charged €14.50 on our first day!
Overall – 4/5
A beautiful, luxurious and extremely well-maintained hotel with excellent facilities, breakfast and food. However, the understaffing and particularly the beach club policy let it down and made it feel less exclusive than you’d expect at this price point.
Was on the terrace this evening, had food and drinks and had very pleasant and efficient service from Pascal who seemed to be running the bar on his own, a bit understaffed in my opinion but Pascal did a fantastic job.
Absolutely Exceptional Stay!! This hotel is amazing. It’s not our first visit, and it certainly won’t be our last. Our spacious suite offered wonderful views and was the perfect setting for relaxation, with two balconies overlooking the Mediterranean. The hotel has extensive grounds that are beautifully maintained, with plenty of sun-beds to relax on. The hotel combines luxury with a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect place to unwind. The on-site Neguri Restaurant was a particular highlight, serving excellent cuisine in a beautiful setting. Every aspect of our stay was truly amazing. A special mention must go to Celine, whose exceptional customer service and dedication to guests are evident throughout the hotel. The entire team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels well cared for, and the personal attention really does make a difference. We would also like to mention Pascual at the bar, whose five star service is always accompanied by a warm smile, nothing is ever too much trouble, and he has a wonderful ability to make guests feel welcome and valued. Nina, who served us on several occasions at Neguri Restaurant, also deserves a special mention. Her service was impeccable, attentive, friendly and consistently professional, making every visit a pleasure. We would also like to mention Cecci, who continually went above and beyond to ensure that guests were well looked after. She seemed to be everywhere at once, always ready to help and make sure everything ran smoothly, all while maintaining a warm and welcoming smile. Hacienda del Mar truly fulfils every expectation of a five star hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing experience in Estepona.
We look forward to returning soon.
