There are lovely beaches around the resort, plenty to eat and drink although cant say i have ever seen a lot of children entertainment area 9after all its for the rich and the famous)...that said you are beautifully located for short trip up and down the coast to water parks - alligator park - zoo - and much much more. The area is lovely and the kids I am sure will love it. Enjoy - but watch around around the Marina - drinks of any sort can be VERY VERY expensive. Go in the squares or the streets behind the Marina area.

Nivsy

There are a few resort reports HERE.

Pippy

I agree with previous message in that don't think marina area really suitable for kids.

As you say its for the rich and famous and I wasn't really impressed. Yes its great to walk around and see the yachts and people watch but the attitude of the restaurants and bars leave a lot to be desired.

After a week of nothing but courtesy and good manners we found the staff to be rude and arrogant in most places on the front of marina line. They are obviously used to dealing with the rich and famous and us ordinary tourists can go elsewhere. We sat down in 3 front bars before we could find someone who would just serve us a drink and in one bar they even told us we couldn't sit down as there was a gentleman coming in later !!! Honestly we are not that scruffy and are quite respectable so we were somewhat amazed at their attitude.

As also mentioned, if you travel further back the attitude is completely different.

As I say we were not impressed and it does leave a bad taste in your mouth. We visited other areas and marinas e.g. Marbella and didn't get this response at all and found them very welcoming. I suppose they want the big tips and who can blame them.

Anyway don't worry unduly as everywhere is very close by and we were impressed with this as you can cover most of the big resorts in a week's stay.

Have a good time

I have to srongly disagree with the comments made about the bar and restaurant staff being rude in the port area I come to spain every month and speak from experience that I have found the complete opposite although in the port area ie shops etc you do need to be of a certain wealth bracket to apreciate the benifits it is very classy and very cosmopolotin the service is excelent Antonios restaurant is fab anyone wanting information on the classier aspect of Marbella ? Banus please ask me.[/i]

These restaurants are not that classy - they tout for business at the enterences like many in the "down market" areas of the Costa!! will check the aforementioned establishment next time in area.

Nivsy

To Posh Girl

Listen to you!!!!

We didn't exactly come out of our caves before our visit to the marina and we have visited "classy" places before!!!!

We have strolled around the marina in St. Tropez and Monte Carlo and I speak as I find, we did not experience the snobbiness we did here.

I agree with last post, I don't think they were that classy anyway, just a load of waiters etc trying to make some money out of the yacht people. As I said, who can blame them, they probably don't get paid much.

I am very glad that you have had different experiences and very pleased that you visit regularly.

Anyway, happy holidays !!!!

Banus isn't as upmarket as before, most front line restaurants belong to chains, tourists are their bread and butter. The seriously rich don't eat there anymore and the celebrities only go when they want to get photographed. (Did once see Richard Branson in Picassos though). The later in the evening the more seedier it gets. Antonios maybe the priciest but the food doesn't live up to it.

Even late in the evening there are lots of families walking around with push chairs, hardly the jet set (Don't mean this in a bad way)!

As a resident here on the Costa del Sol, I have to agree that 'Banus' is over rated and over priced and does have an element of tackiness to it. And It's full of Prostitutes. I much prefer Benalmadena Marina.

I have also lived and worked on private yachts in the South of France sailing into many famous marinas like Nice, Antibes, St Tropez, Cannes, Monaco (name dropping or what? )- Banus doesn't touch these places.

Having said all that, it is still a good location for a holiday. The beaches are good and the weather will be great. If you have never visited Banus it's nice to walk around one day and have a look/take a coffee. There are many good restaurants near by which are not located in the port itself.

Bit of sun, sea, sangria and you have the perfect family holiday

Ahhhh the prostitutes.....was afraid to mention them - has anyone brushed up on their Russian recently????

Seriously though, it is a nice Marina and a nice town once you get to know where to go to - but certainly not as "up market" as Posh Girl refers - yet some of the bars do have the affront to charge up to 8 euros for a pint of beer so be warned!

Nivsy

Well I was refering mainly to the shops ie dior louis vuiton etc etc I prefer to eat in villa Tiberio meridiana marbella club and nikki beach to name but a few, so dont tend to eat that much in the port area only lunch but I guess we all like diferent things in life my thing is shopping lunching and more shopping lol thats what posh girls do best !!!! xxxx

Well ! What can I say. Went with an open mind and was quite shocked at the size of the town actually. Everything from a huge hypermarket, street market to McDonalds and TGI Fridays. The harbour was amazing for the cars and boats alike and some of the restaurants were quite good value whilst others were downright ridiculous. I don't care how much some people earn or are worth but 100 euros for a steak - dream on! Mine at 18 euros still moos the same as theirs!!

Everywhere appears to be very safe with local police/national police and civil guard patrolling regularly and security guards at most junctions and shopping areas, HOWEVER. My wife had her handbag lifted from her chair in a restaurant. Whilst at the police station in Marbella, 8 people were in front of us and 3 came in behind us ALL to report stolen bags. Apparently a team is at large in the area causing major problems with thefts. We were warned by 1 local to avoid taking bags out at all and if you do, to wrap the bag around a chair leg at the very least !!. I am aware that bag theft can happen anywhere in the world but it still came as quite a shock and really upset my wife as it is the first time anything like that as happened to her.

Anyway, on to better things, beaches were excellent, clean and tidy and the sea very calm but cold. The looky looky beach sellers were everywhere but wouldn't approach unless eye contact was made and would walk away if you told them firmly "NO".

Would I recommend it for families? Not really unless you have a decent apartment complex with things going on. The resort itself is mainly for the young clubbing brigade and for people who like to eat well in decent restaurants and also for posers in their Porsches and Ferraris. I swear, Porsche Cayennes are as popular there as Mondeos are over here.

One week should see you OK, we went for 2 and found the second week a bit hard going but broke things up with a couple of days out, 1 in particular to Gibraltar. Been there now, seen the apes and eaten in Britain on the Med but wouldn't go back.

Finally, kids were quite impressed seeing Emmerdale and Eastenders actors in the street but they don't half love themselves and preen themselves constantly as they walk along. Well it made me laugh anyway.

Thanxs Barnio -interesting report. These days i only visit Puerto Banus for a day (I am down in Gibraltar) - sorry you were not so keen on the rock - understandable i suppose but it does have some good things going for it!!

Nivsy

Hi nivsy, thanks for the reply. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I wasn't impressed with Gib, just that I have seen it and saw it all in a day and wouldn't have a reason to go back. However, if I was in the area again with friends, i would have no problem going back to show others. None whatsoever and would enjoy the visit again I don't doubt.