La Zambra Resort - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt — Hotel in Mijas

We have just returned from a ten-day stay at La Zambra, combined with golf at Mijas Golf. Having visited the Costa del Sol for the past five years, I can confidently say this is the best resort hotel in the region.||The entire property is stunning. Serene, impeccably maintained, and offering a sense of calm and comfort that feels almost zen-like. What truly sets La Zambra apart, however, is its exceptional service. Everywhere we went, be it for breakfast, lunch, bar, pool, gym, spa, or dinner, the service was consistently outstanding.||Dining:|La Bartola by the pool was perfect for a light lunch, and they offer at the sun loungers. Cheerful and attentive staff. Breakfast at Palmito offers a generous selection with the option to sit indoors or out on the verandah (it was warm enough even in September to sit outside). Dinner is also served at Palmito, with a good menu selection and generous portions (if anything, the starters are almost too large). Service here was flawless; Alejandro in particular stood out for his excellence, and another lady (whose name I unfortunately missed) impressed me with how gracefully she handled an extremely difficult guest on our last evening. She also went out of the way to make a cheese platter 'happen' for me one evening which was not the menu. ||We dined once at Picador, which has an interesting wine list but the food and service fell short compared to the rest of the resort. The two men greeting and serving seemed indifferent and even grouchy, though the lady was friendly. Bread was served without asking and then charged which is fine, but it would be better to ask first, especially given the more exclusive atmosphere Picador aims to create. Perhaps we have missed the fineprint but it was prompted to the table a minute after we sat down. Its a cheap way of squeezing in some Euros. As opposed to Palmito where they ask every time whether you wish to have bread. It has potential, but didn’t entice us to return during this stay.||Spa:|The spa is simply beautiful. Our therapist (I believe her name was Laura) was exceptionally professional, and the overall ambience was relaxing and refined.||Concierge & Front-of-House:|This is where the hotel truly shines. From check-in to check-out, the concierge and door teams were flawless, easily the best service in the entire hotel. On our arrival at 4:30 a.m. (jetlag…), the night concierge personally guided me to the 24-hour gym and treated me like a VIP. Throughout our stay, the concierge team was consistently proactive, polished, and efficient. And a special thanks to the door concierge - super friendly.||Rooms:|We stayed in Junior Suite No. 8 — beautifully appointed, spotlessly clean, and perfectly maintained throughout. It was blissfully quiet, with private outdoor loungers. The room is well worth the splurge.||As someone who travels extensively for both business and leisure, I can recommend La Zambra without hesitation for couples, families (there are two separate pools), golf aficionados (the hotel offers special booking rates), and even corporate events.||Tip: Rent a car. The hotel is about 20 minutes from Málaga Airport and sits on a hillside above the Mijas area. Having a car makes exploring the region (Marbella is about 30 minutes away) far easier than relying on taxis.||In summary:|La Zambra is a rare find and the only place we will stay should we visit the region again. It is a beautifully designed resort with quite a history and with world-class service and an atmosphere of calm. Management is clearly doing something right here: they have created not just a hotel, but a true culture of...

We spent 5 nights at La Zambra in Feb 2025 (couple from the UK) and we both agreed it was the best hotel we've stayed at on the Costa del Sol (out of 15+ trips). Summary:

Pros:

Excellent service by ALL staff Immaculate grounds & room + sevice Beautifully decorated hotel Excellent breakfast High quality food in all restaurants/bars Amazing spa facilities Location very convenient for Málaga, Marbella & Airport

Cons:

The only thing we could thing of to offer as constructive criticism is the coffee isn't great - it's not terrible, but not great!

Detailed Review:

Check-in:

The service is 10/10 from the word go - a smartly dressed concierge/valet team meets you from your car, handling luggage and parking whilst you check in. The reception team were friendly, quick and explained things well in excellent English. The reception area itself is a delight and the small touches (e.g. chilled water on arrival, small carton of water on leaving) add a layer of luxury to the experience.

Room:

Our room (junior garden view suite) was impeccable - we believe it was actually cleaned daily, not just tidied up - and offered complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water which was replenished twice daily. Plugs were all European however had USB A + C fittings. The bathroom was huge, with the standalone stone bath offered with some bath salts and high quality shampoo/body wash. King size bed was very comfortable with luxury bedding and pillows. Daily turndown was welcomed, but no chocolate/goodie, which would have been a nice touch. The robes provided were the highest quality we've had in a hotel and when we requested a larger one, it was provided promptly with a complimentary skin product from the spa.

Food:

We ate in all restaurants (except the outdoor as only open seasonally) and the service, quality of food and attention to detail was exceptional. The quality of ingredients and level of consistency in preparation was very high, albeit this was reflected in the high prices, which were commensurate with the quality. The highlight for us was Picador, where the sharing/tapas style experience was excellent. The waiters never upsold, were honest about the wines and steered us to cheaper, local products to experience Andalusian produce rather than higher cost items. The only detractor in our eating experience was one night a party was on in the bar and the kitchen closed early to accommodate - we weren't aware of this and got caught out by it. The staff were apologetic and steered us to Picador to eat instead, which serves food well into the evening.

Spa:

The spa was a real treat and was included in our room rate (€30 p/p per visit if not included). The reception staff were very friendly and also professional, giving us a tour of the facilities on our first visit and explaining treatment options with zero pressure or suggestion to purchase. We signed up for the morning yoga class and it was very well done, with equipment and studio of very high quality. We were only ever one of max 3 couples in the spa facilities at one time and as such, it felt very private - can't comment on what this would feel like during busier periods, however this is combatted with a 2 hour limit. The changing rooms were immaculate and each locker has a fresh robe, towel and slippers to use.

Overall:

Wonderful stay, excellent value for money and a real joy to feel so looked after for a few days. We...

La Zambra Hotel in Malaga, Spain, once known as the legendary Byblos Hotel, is a place steeped in history. Once a retreat for the likes of Princess Diana, who famously found peace and privacy here, the hotel now strikes a balance between its storied past and a sleek, modern sensibility. After an extensive renovation, La Zambra has emerged as a tranquil and luxurious escape, though some subtle reminders of ongoing updates remain.

Our stay was exceptional, and the rooms, freshly designed, were a highlight—spacious, clean, and tastefully modern. Every detail was crafted with comfort in mind. While the renovation is officially complete, at times, a few areas felt as though they were still awaiting the final touch. That said, it never detracted from the overall experience.

The real charm of La Zambra lies in the thoughtful, unique touches that elevate the stay. Every day, a red card was playfully hidden in our room—a whimsical nod to the hotel’s sense of mystery and fun. Finding it would reveal a surprise from the hotel, adding a layer of excitement that was particularly enjoyable if you’re fond of games. It was a small gesture, but it made returning to the room after a day out a bit of an adventure.

The hotel offers more than just comfortable accommodations. We were treated to an informative tour, during which the guide shared the rich history of the property, its connection to Princess Diana, and the careful restoration efforts. The gardens were particularly stunning—maintained with the same care and beauty they likely had in the hotel’s earlier days. Walking through them felt like stepping back in time, with their timeless charm adding to the hotel’s allure.

Later, we enjoyed a delightful cocktail experience, complete with olive and wine tastings—both a first for us in a hotel setting. It was an indulgent touch that set La Zambra apart from the usual resort fare.

Dining at La Zambra is equally memorable. One of the on-site restaurants was delicious and staffed by friendly, accommodating employees. Though they faced some challenges during busier moments, particularly with larger business groups, the food was consistently excellent. But it was the other restaurant, Picador, that truly left a lasting impression—an experience so remarkable it deserves a review of its own.

Beyond the culinary offerings, the spa is a must-visit. The massage treatments were deeply relaxing, and the pools offered a perfect spot to unwind. Despite visiting in June, the hotel felt serene and uncrowded, and with the convenience of a poolside bar, it was easy to lose ourselves in the tranquility. Families with children will appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of an in-house nursery, allowing parents to enjoy the spa while their little ones are cared for.

All in all, La Zambra is an oasis of calm with a fascinating past that lends it an undeniable allure. It’s the perfect place to escape for at least a week, and we’re already looking forward...