A Multitude of Mediterranean Experiences
Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa is perfectly situated on the beachfront of the Golden Mile Costa del Sol, between Marbella and Puerto Banús. After their success in being a part of the LUX Best in Luxury Spas awards, we interviewed the firm’s General Manager Jorge Manzur to learn more about resort.
Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa was named the ‘Best Resort 2016’ by Condé Nast Traveller Spain readers, located just 45 minutes from Malaga airport by car. The location could not be more perfect, as it is situated on the beachfront of the Golden Mile Costa del Sol, between Marbella and Puerto Banús.
The firm’s General Manager Jorge Manzur lavishes us with the details of this luxurious resort, what it offers, who they serve and the sheer size of the place!
“Our 259 recently refurbished spacious suites in our Andalusian village-style resort, are spread across 27 three-story buildings each surrounded by lush subtropical gardens and waterfalls, with stunning landscaping reaching all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. We also now offer three luxury villas offering three, four or five-bedroom luxury accommodation for larger groups.
“Our 55,000m2 resort offers 10 restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, including the two Michelin Star ‘Dani García’, the beach front Sea Grill, as well as an organic restaurant and a gluten free restaurant. This year, we welcomed the opening of the very first Nobu Restaurant Marbella, with the Nobu Hotel set to open in 2018.
“The resort is also home to a Six Senses Spa, which includes a hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge pool, herbal steam room, sauna and a Hamman. There’s a wide selection of Six Senses signature treatments and wellness therapies, plus locally inspired options that combine herbs and sea salt, olive oil and rich minerals to offer truly Mediterranean experiences.
“World-class fitness and wellness facilities are located on and around the property, offering activities including tennis, golf, horse-riding, paddle boarding, swimming and yoga and Pilates. We welcome and cater to the needs of luxury travellers, who want a true and authentic Andalucía experience as well as a stunning location. Our clientele consists of couples, families, groups of friends and business travellers.”
Jorge then highlights that the firm does not have one single theme of focus, because they have so much to offer. She develops this point and explains the wonderful guest experience they provide.
“At Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa, there is not one theme or focus, as we have so much to offer! We embrace our history, incredible location and culture. Our atmosphere perfectly combines the historical construction of its roman bridge – built in the 1st century – with the spectacular designs of the renowned British interior designer Andrew Martin, providing a very elegant and trendy Mediterranean style.
“As well as our incredible design, our prime location on the ‘Golden Mile’ means that we have a large variety of water activities to entertain the whole family. Our amazing facilities including the Six Senses Spa, world-class fitness facilities, multiple pools, golf course and tennis court. These facilities ensure that wellness is available in many forms and can be adapted around, to cater for all our guests’ individual needs.
“Gastronomy is also at the core of our resort, quite literally, in the form of the buzzing Plaza Village, where guests can enjoy delicious and unique dishes from all around the world including two-Michelin star dining by Dani Garcia and now, Nobu Restaurant Marbella. Every guest that stays here, experiences a true and authentic service which is key for the luxury traveller. Whether it’s food, sport, relaxation or fitness, we can create bespoke experiences for all our guests.”
Jorge then explains how the firm always aims to provide the best possible service to their guests and how they ensure that the first impression received is always a favourable one. She also reveals the crucial role of the firm’s staff.
“Our staff work closely with the guests to ensure all elements of their stay achieve nothing less than the highest standards. We call it perfectly imperfect, friendly, accommodating and informal. Every guest is welcomed through our reception with care and attention, before being shown to their room as well as being given insights about the latest happenings at the resort.
“Also, our staff are both national and international. Indeed, the team is carefully selected through several interviews and evaluations. We provide in-house training, so that all the team members stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends.”
Of course, there are several factors that make Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa unique. Jorge tells us what sets the firm apart in terms of what they offer.
“There are many factors which make us unique from our competitors and neighbours. We believe we are the most Andalusian-style deluxe resort in the heart of Andalucía, indeed we are proud to be a member of the prestigious hotel collection ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’.
“We boast a superb beach front location in the middle of Marbella’s famous ‘Golden Mile’ and the most luxurious selection of suites in Costa del Sol, ranging from 55 sqm. to 250 sqm., with magnificent views over the Mediterranean Sea. We offer the largest standard guestroom in Costa del Sol, with one private terrace per bedroom, but we are also one of the few superior resorts which caters to the family market thanks to our newly launched luxury villas.
“Our Plaza Village is the ultimate food destination by the sea, offering exquisite gastronomic variety in each of our 10 restaurants, including a 2- Star Michelin restaurant and the very first Nobu Restaurant Marbella.
“Also, our world-class sporting facilities separate us from our competitors. We offer the largest on-site hotel tennis centre in Southern Spain, which regularly hosts the ‘Andalucia Tennis Experience’, part of the WTA Tour, the official ATP Tournaments and widely known Davies Cup. We also own two exclusive golf courses, the ‘Marbella Club Golf Resort’ and ‘El Higueral’, including a horse riding centre in the same area.”
Within the wider industry sector, Jorge says they are spotting several trends that they keep in mind. Following on from this, she reveals how guests’ expectations have changed over the years and how the firm has adapted to these.
“Every year we see new trends emerge. The focus of 2017 is firmly on authenticity, unique experiences and, as always, incredible gastro experiences. We recognise these trends and ensure that each year that our F&B outlets, wellness offering and sporting facilities provide the best possible service, while showcasing and embracing our authentic Andalusian roots.
“As a business, we are aware of the trends and fashions in the travel sector, but we make them work for both our clientele and services. It is important to offer an authentic and true experience, which is exactly what we do!
“The guests’ needs and expectations are constantly changing, but as a business we strive to always meet and exceed these. The creation of the new villas to cater for family and multigenerational travel is an excellent example of this, as are the newly refurbished suites and the opening of the very first Nobu Marbella Restaurant and Hotel.”
Jorge then turns our attention to the hospitality sector today and how the business has adapted around these. She also explains how the firm employs technology to ensure that clients enjoy the best possible experience.
“The hospitality sector is constantly evolving and we continue to both develop and improve both our staff and facilities, to cater to the luxury traveller’s needs. We offer an array of bespoke services – to ensure our guests enjoy their stay – from start to finish.
“In terms of technology, we do offer Wi-Fi access all over the resort. Having a tablet in every room keeps our clients informed of all the latest news and events on the property. In addition, we have created an app, which enables our clients to order room service, make reservations for restaurants and stay up-to-date with events.”
In closing, Jorge is keen to reveal what the future has in store for the business, as well as the wider trends in the hospitality sector.
“We continue to develop and perfect our offering, indeed we look forward to welcoming the very first Nobu Hotel Marbella in 2018. Aside from that, we are always reinventing ourselves and improving the resort.
“The trends within the hospitality sector today are more focused on health and well-being. In this vein, we have already started to offer our clients integrated wellness packages and we are creating healthy menus for restaurants as well as collaborating with health-fitness camp organisers.”
Company: Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa
Name: General Manager Jorge Manzur
Email: [email protected]
Web Address: www.puenteromano.com
Address: Marbella, Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain
Telephone: +34 952 820 900
