Luxury Family Escape: Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort
Words by Olivia Riccini
Rising resplendently from the foothills of the Sierra Blanca, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort is a place that promises, and delivers, everything your destination dreams desire. Looking to discover your next luxury family holiday in Marbella? Read on to discover our experience.
First impressions
Our car climbs up one final slope, flanked by lofty cypress trees and a flowing fountain set upon the manicured lawn. Villa Anantara towers above us, fountains cascade, flagpoles tinkle in the breeze, luxury cars line the forecourt and we are whisked inside by concierge who take our bags and direct us to the desk for a seamless check-in. One of the most majestic of all entrances, the palatial theme is firmly established in Anantara’s lobby: Baroque and Rococo influences are everywhere we look. The heart of the hotel, it is here that ethereal light shines through a glass ceiling, scintillating from mirrors and glinting from gilded bannisters lining the open floors above us. At its core, a towering and decadent display of pink lilies and trailing ivy acts a radiant centrepiece to it all. Ornate Roman statues stand atop gleaming marble, always in your eyeline and always reinforcing a timeless and gloriously old-fashioned ambience that feels simultaneously consoling and awe-inspiring.
With chic decor that whispers rather than shouts, our room features a glittering chandelier hung over our plush kingsize bed, serving modern royal glamour fit for any 21st-century A-lister (our taxi driver told us Obama and Clinton have both stayed here, but I’m pretty sure they came for the golf). Views out to the grounds are almost implausibly lovely, the tableau from our glass door could be a painting. Framing no less than three golf courses, an abundance of walkways, levels, vistas and statues, Anantara is so expansive, you’ll need the map provided.
The architecture is undeniably grand, but when we get into the bones of Anantara we are delighted to find wonderfully secret arbours and ineffably romantic spots. Almost everywhere we look there is a statue, they could be heralded from ancient times - Greece? Rome? Spain? In my fantasy I don’t question their authenticity or how they came to be here, I’m just happy they are. It is clear to me that whoever designed this place (I’ll get to that part later) was yearning for a fantastical version of paradise on Earth, and well, this was the closest they could get. The pièce de résistance that ties this vision together? For me (no, it’s not the golf) it’s the swimming pool. Picture azure blue water reflecting yet more of Anantara’s palatial glory, surrounded by slender swaying palm trees and trickling fountains tiled with azurine mosaics. With a vigilant lifeguard on duty and lovely shallows in the pool, a few children swim carefree, basking in the calm serenity this hotel can provide to families and couples alike.
Guests can swim up to one of the hotel’s restaurants, ‘La Pérgola’, on one side of the pool. With tables shaded by grapevine-covered pergolas, this is the ideal spot for family lunch or poolside cocktails in the midday heat. There’s an array of other restaurants dotted around the resort, from authentic Málagan, to Sushi and Italian. Tonight, we’re dining at La Veranda. But first things first - cocktails and Champagne. As we clink our glasses together, unobtrusive staff float along the stone flags and parquet, past huge mirrors and sculptures - as stately as this ‘bar’ with its regal portraits and wooden panelling. It is clear that the visuals of Anantara, alongside the authentic passion of the staff, create its magic. The small details illustrate the love and care that has flowed so tangibly into crafting this magnificent hotel, making it one of the most beautiful, as well as comfortable, places in Europe. The bigger things are pretty special too: the sweeping views, the glamorous pool, an oasis of dolce vita tranquillity outside the bustle and hedonism of Marbella itself.
The hotel is also exceptionally well-suited to families, offering thoughtful amenities and dedicated spaces to ensure both parents and children enjoy a relaxing stay.
The spacious Family Connecting Rooms, comprising two en-suite rooms linked together are perfect for those travelling with children, comfortably accommodating up to four adults and two children. Young guests can make the most of the Kids’ Club, which hosts daily activities like arts and crafts, games, and cultural experiences in a fun and secure environment, while teens are kept entertained with complimentary summer activities such as ping pong and table football. The hotel also offers highchairs in the dining areas and babysitting services on request, making it an easy and enjoyable experience for families of all ages.
Dining at La Veranda
A gorgeous terrace, covered in wisteria with the centrepiece of yet another gurgling Roman fountain, we sit content and basking in all the beauty this spot has to offer. Paired with a glass of Anantara’s ‘Champagne Collet Brut Art Deco Premier Cru’ alongside our hors d'oeuvre: a savoury tomato macaron and then an impeccably presented, bitesize piece of salmon with broad beans. A highlight of this meal came in the beautiful simplicity of extra virgin olive oil and fresh olive bread. The vividness of the oil’s flavour lingers in my mind long after our departure. Our starter of steak tartare is concocted at the table: a culinary show for the senses. Mains follow in a similarly exquisite fashion - wagyu sirloin steak accompanied by a zingy salad with fresh lobster. Divine, rich and intense in both flavor and texture, despite the honest simplicity of each dish. The culinary spectacle doesn’t stop there, for dessert - crepes with ice cream. Again, made right before our eyes, our server pours and sets alight a liqueur, frying the dish over open flames. They’re delicious.
Location, location
Although Estepona town and Marbella are less than a 20-minute drive away, it’s just as intoxicating to stay put. Whether that’s in the evening, attending operatic candlelit concerts, or at lunch overlooking the beautiful lawns from ‘La Loggia,’ eating platters of fresh octopus and sliced tomatoes, while music wafts from the bar and swallows fly overhead. With a beach shuttle going back and forth every hour, you don’t have to agonise too hard over your choice. The next morning we opt for the beach. After indulging in breakfast on the terrace - a buffet of fresh fruits, smoked salmon, eggs, pancakes, honeycomb, pastries, fresh orange juice, coffee and so much more - we set off for ‘By the Sea Beach Club’. The funkier side of Anantara, boasting plenty of beds, white curtains for privacy and of course, a beach bar with tantalising cocktails, juices and great food. And for those with a little more energy? The beach club is right next to Anantara’s ‘Villa Padierna Racquet Club’ - perfect for burgeoning little tennis players.
Returning from the beach, we make our way to the spa. Spanning over 2,000 square metres, the Roman-inspired wellness area is a sanctuary of indulgence, complete with a traditional hammam, three distinct aroma and salt steam rooms, Finnish and Greek saunas, an ice room, a massage-jet indoor pool, a plunge pool, and a scented relaxation area. This is the cherry on top of Anantara’s utopia, the ultimate place to escape and unwind.
Our final day spent at Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort consists of us soaking up every last paradisiacal moment by the iconic swimming pool. I try my hardest to savour this hotel’s exquisiteness, because I know I will be longing to be back here for a while. As we wait for our transfer, looking out enviously over Versailles-style lawns at cavorting golf buggies and fellow guests with more time to sip their spritzes, I think about what makes this place so special. A seamless blend of timeless elegance and forward-thinking 21st-century hospitality, all housed in a palace offering opulence with soul, fantasy with fun, and a generous sprinkling of Spanish passion and authenticity. A rare and unforgettable place, this is a family vacation you’re destined to dream about for a long time after.