I had been wanting to visit the Costa del Sol region of Spain for quite some time. As luck would have it, our daughter was spending 6 months in Madrid for a study abroad program, so we took the opportunity to visit her and spend a couple of days in Costa del Sol (Andalusia) and a couple of days in Madrid. This is a review of our three-night stay at the La Zambra Resort in Mijas, Spain.
Location
La Zambra Resort is located in the Mijas Golf area, in the hills above the Costa del Sol, with views over the surrounding golf courses and nearby mountains.
It’s situated between Marbella and Malaga, with each city about 30 minutes from the resort. The historic whitewashed village of Mijas Pueblo can be viewed from the resort and is about a 15-minute drive away. You can also get to the local beaches within a 10-minute drive. Nothing is within walking distance, but everything is within a short drive.
History
La Zambra Resort occupies the former Byblos Hotel, an iconic property that first opened in 1986 and was one of the most glamorous addresses on the Costa del Sol. During its heyday in the late 1980s and 1990s, the hotel was a preferred retreat for celebrities, artists and international royalty, including high-profile guests such as Princess Diana and the Rolling Stones.
The resort was closed for over a decade and recently completed a dramatic renovation to bring the resort back to life.
Inside, the renovation introduced a more refined and relaxed Andalusian aesthetic: warm, natural materials, soft tones, handcrafted details. Outside, it preserved and restored the building’s most iconic exterior features — notably its whitewashed façade and the signature blue-tiled towers that made the original Byblos so recognizable.
Fountains and arches are located throughout the property to pay homage to traditional Andalusian architectural style.
Lobby / Entrance
The entrance to La Zambra features a landscaped arrival courtyard with palm trees, bougainvillea, and traditional whitewashed Andalusian architecture. Water features and tiled walkways guide guests to the main building, creating a calm, private first impression.
The lobby is designed with a contemporary, minimalist approach. Arched doorways, natural stone, wood, and handcrafted tilework reflect Andalusian heritage, while neutral furnishings and open layouts create a more modern, relaxed atmosphere.
Large windows and interior courtyards connect the space to surrounding greenery, and the overall design emphasizes understated luxury and a sense of arrival at a wellness-focused resort.
Rooms
La Zambra has approximately 196 rooms and suites, each with a private terrace and views of the gardens, golf course, or mountains. The room decor features a minimalist feel with soft textiles, natural wood, and handcrafted accents.
Room categories range from Superior Rooms to spacious Junior and Family Suites, with premium Signature, Terrace, and Penthouse Suites offering expanded layouts, panoramic terraces, private dining spaces, or even a pool.
We stayed in a Junior Suite with golf and mountain views.
Restaurants and Bars
La Zambra has four main dining options.
Picador is housed in its own building on the front of the property and serves Tapas-style Andalusian cuisine. The menu includes items like sirloin steak tartare, squid croquettes, glazed Iberian pork, and other regionally inspired plates. We ate here the first night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Palmito is the resort’s primary restaurant offering all-day Mediterranean and Andalusian-inspired dining, with fresh local ingredients. We are here every day for breakfast.
Bamboleo is the resort’s main Bar, offering cocktails, snacks, and light bites. The food menu includes finger foods, salads, tartare (using local cheeses, Iberian cured ham, Almadraba tuna), and a cocktail list inspired by the Costa del Sol’s history and personalities.
The lounge area has nightly live music and plenty of seating.
La Bartola is the poolside dining option, offering anything from seafood tapas to salads and fried Andalusian favorites.
Amenities
There are multiple outdoor pools, with areas dedicated to relaxation or families. The spa includes an additional indoor hydrotherapy pool.
The resort features a 24-hour Technogym-equipped fitness center, as well as tennis and padel courts.
Just a short distance from La Zambra is Senda Litoral (Coastal Path), a beautiful boardwalk trail along the coast.
The trail offers a flat, well-maintained path ideal for walking, jogging, or cycling, with views of the Mediterranean Sea, palm-lined beaches, and the surrounding hills.
We walked this trail on our final day, which was a bit of a bummer as I would have loved to walk it everyday.
Pros and Cons of La Zambra
Overall, we loved this resort and would definitely recommend it to anyone going to this region. Here are a couple of pros and cons, based on my experience
Pros
- Beautiful Design, Architecture and Furnishings
- The hotel was recently renovated so everything felt fresh and new
- Several distinct restaurant options with very good food
- Centrally located if you want to explore multiple parts of Costa del Sol
Cons
- There are no restaurants or shopping areas within walking distance of the resort
- You will need a rental car if you want to leave the resort frequently
Tim White is the founder of milepro.com, a luxury travel resource featured in CNBC, Travel & Leisure, and other major media outlets. With over 2 million miles flown and 30+ years of business travel experience, he holds Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, and Hilton Diamond status — and has spent years decoding the world of luxury hotel programs, preferred partner benefits, and miles & points optimization so you don’t have to.
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