January 2013... New Times...

You can feel it in the air around you, something different... life feels different... It's as if life is communicating with us on a higher frequency... the air feels charged... the dynamics have changed and it calls for ACTION...  and we are off on a journey down south... to explore a town Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol... We'd heard several people mention the place, so we thought it was about time to take a look for ourself...   It took us a good 5 hours from our home in Mazarron, with a short stop... to arrive at the four star Hotel Benalmadena Palace... We eventually settled into a great room... (we paid half price for an upgrade to have a room on the front with more sun).  This was quite a strange happening, because at the check in when we were given room no 313, I made a point of saying 'my lucky number!'   So you can imagine how disappointed we were upon entering the room, we felt quite 'unlucky' for a moment... It was situated at the back corner end of the hotel and was very dark.   We didn't like 'this unlucky' feeling and quickly took this opportunity to practise communication skills and changed the room.  

Now time to explore the hotel... down one floor from the reception area which has much 'local' information, a wifi section, library and comfy sofas to relax inside and outside on a small terrance...we found the snack bar/cafe and sat outside on a terrace, facing the 2 swimmings pools and sunning area... they served us 2 lovely bocadillos and refreshments.   Next door was the restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Down another pair of stairs or by lift was the Spa with indoor swimming pool, gym, beauty & hair salon... same floor as the indoor parking.

Just before sunset we took a brief walk to see the surrounding area... we walked towards the port, the marina... but after quite a walk, we realised the port was a long way... and we needed the car... We drove to the port, a good 10 mins away by car, parked up and walked around the marina...  which we thought was very impressive... lovely apartments (Las Islas) in the middle of the water and shops and restaurants circling the outside of the marina... very majestic... We stopped for a cocktail in one of the bars before deciding to indulge in some 'Benalmadena' cuisine...

We finally chose the Italian Restaurant Metro, Puerto Marina, Benalmadena Costa... Reservation 952 446 460.   We ordered a glass of the house red Rioja... very tasteful... We shared a Classic Caesar Salad to begin with, followed by a Puerto Marina Tagliattelle - a delicious dish with red mullet, shrimps, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, garlic and white wine...  and the Bolo Classic - Spagetti Bolognaise...  It was a very good choice, friendly staff, richly decorated room and tasteful cuisine...

Metro Italian Retaurant