The Kempinski Hotels' 5 superior stars were not awarded gratuitously. They deserve every one. (Particularly since a recent 7 million Euro renovation) But exclusive it is not. My dictionary defines EXCLUSIVE as "catering for a privileged minority...excluding everything else". That cannot apply to the Kempinski....they let me in and made me welcome enough.
Refined and luxurious it certainly is. First impressions are important. You receive your first impression of the Kempinski as you glide around the inside of the giant revolving door accompanied by an array of exquisite orchids & lillies within their own glass enclosures. The next as you proceed through the impressive atrium generously sprinkled with many more beautiful arrangements of fragrant tropical flowers. You smell the quality. This quality smells good.
You can walk straight through to the gardens from here, or not, as the case may be. No, let's stop at the bar for a while, and admire the scene. The entire South-facing wall is glass, (can you have a glass wall ?) It could get like a greenhouse in there without a full kit of blinds, the like of which I've never seen before. They've got to be admired.
Another good thing about the Kempinski Hotel is that Jesus administers at the bar. (His name is actually pronounced "Hethoos", a common Spanish name). He's the tall & slim barman, a real nice guy, but with a wicked sense of humour. It was his idea for me to try a drink at the "Oasis Showgirls Bar" across the road. If you think the Kempinski drinks are on the expensive side, try there ! Cost me 50 Euros for a small bottle of Heineken and a non-descript non-alcoholic beverage. Fortunately for the longevity of my marriage and my life that's all the money I spent.
Tear yourself away from the bar, and walk through the glass doors onto the terrace. You're now overlooking the manicured deep-green lawns around the lovely blue swimming pools, with a backdrop of an even bluer Mediterranean Sea. Simply gorgeous.
The wonderfully maintained gardens slope gently towards the beach, liberally provided with clusters of comfy loungers & matching tables (of-course).
The beach-front has been refined with imported white sand and reclaimed railway sleepers to support a splendid children's playground, a volley-ball pitch, and more sun-bathing areas. Jet-skis, yachts, pedalos etc can be hired here, and water-skiing is available during the peak summer months.
In Summer 2006 a boardwalk was provided from here to Laguna Village, but it was washed away during the winter storms later that year, and never replaced. Shame that. I did hear it is to be replaced. In the meantime it is only a 4 minute stroll across the beach to Laguna, and a further 4 to Cruisos Beach Bar. For those not liking sand between their toes, they'll need to either cross the dried up river-bed under the main road bridge, or walk across that bridge. The trouble with the former is it's not always dried up, and the problem with the latter is that you're walking right next to the noisy trafic, and unfortunately the walkway narrows since the errection of more efficient safety-barriers and is now too narrow for buggies and wheel-chairs. Also, the walkway takes you past the Laguna Village, and you've got to walk back into it ! Plans are afoot to rectify this situation I've been told.
The Kempinski Hotels offers a choice of four restaurants and two bars, each with a unique ambience.
The
Alminar restaurant is the posh one inside. I only experienced that once, and came away disappointed & broke.
The
La Brisa (Italian)
restaurant is on a spacious terrace by the main pool with live music. It takes it's name from "a soft Mediterranean wind". Just make sure it's not blowing too strongly when you're dining out there.
La Cabaña del Mar. "Chill & Grill." This is described as an "an entirely natural wooden structure". I've never seen one of those that hasn't looked like a tree, and this doesn't, but it is in a lovely spot near the beach. Make sure your table will stay in the shade as the Sun moves if you need shade !
El Mirador is the "breakfast room, on another large terrace overlooking the gardens and Sea.
And don't forget that snacks and tapas are served in the main lounge bar at most times, and I should mention the pool bar. A good selection of coffees, natural fruit-juices, snacks and freshly-made exotic cocktails is available, along with sandwiches and ice creams. Nothing more refreshing than a delicious Sangría underneath the parasols in the Summertime.
Bear in mind some of these restaurants are only open at peak times. For example the pool bar, La Brisa and La Cabaña del Mar may be closed in the wintery months. Visit the Kempinski web-site below for more details.
One thing you must do is to partake of a
Kempinski Sunday Brunch. Don't be frightened off by the price ! Okay, it's about 65 Euros each. But when you break the cost up, it's cheap as chips ! For one thing, you'll not need to buy a drink all afternoon, and as you know, that can double a bill. Your Champagne glass will be re-filled as soon as it's half empty ! Throughout this wondrous event you will be thoroughly entertained by a brilliant Trad Jaz z quartet. These guys just ooze talent, they're outstanding, and I'm not a jazz fan . What can I say about the food. I can't begin to descibe the range on offer. You'll just need to go and try it for yourself. Suffice to say that I've never managed yet to limit myself to only one half-lobster ! One bit of advice. Get their early ( I think you'll find it 's on from 1.00 pm 'till 4.00 pm.) to make the most of this scintillating afternoon. Book at reception.
The Kempinski Spa & leisure club offers it's guests [only] a wide range of massages and treatments, a sauna, heated indoor pool and fitness room. But if you're not resident, there are equally good facilities at the Mar Azul Resort next door. There you can pay by the day. Most of the other Kempinski facilities are available to non-residents. Obviously the bars & restaurants are, and if you've spent a few bob in one of those then no-one's going to stop you siestering on a lounger for a while. It's all a matter of common sense really, you wouldn't walk off the beach and take over a prime clutch of sun loungers. They didn't seem too keen on non-residents using their tennis courts though, but there are two tennis clubs within a 5 minute drive. Visit
www.clubdetenisestepona.com and
www.belairtennis.com
For more details of Kempinski Hotel, visit :-
www.kempinski-spain.com/en/home/index.htm
For a holiday rental opportunity on the Mar Azul Resort next door visit :- www.marazul-resort.com