New Obama boost for luxury Marbella hotels

IT seems the visit by US First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter has provided the boost Marbella Town Hall hoped for. More than half (65 per cent) of rooms at Marbella 5-star hotels are already booked for June. This was revealed by Marbella Tourism Councillor, Jose Luis Hernandez.

“Customers usually wait until the last minute, it has been a while since these reservation figures have been seen,” Hernandez said. A luxury room in one of Marbella’s eight 5-star hotels typically costs from €200 reaching  €6,000 per night.

Last summer, these hotels were practically full, reaching 90 per cent capacity in most cases. Some Marbella hoteliers report that while there are more ‘rich’ customers, the European middle-class market has decreased. In January this year overnight stays at Marbella hotels were up 22 per cent compared to January 2010.

Nationally, Spain’s estimated 241 5-star hotels were at 48 per cent capacity in March this year and charged €137 per room, 0.8 per cent less than last year, National Statistics Figures show.

Meanwhile, Marbella Mayor, Angeles Muñoz revealed that despite adverse weather conditions, the town’s 5 and 4-star hotels were at 85 per cent capacity during Holy Week.

In contrast five hotels in Malaga Province remained closed during this period.

These were: Hotel Pinomar Playa and Hotel Don Miguel, both in Marbella; Hotel Byblos (Mijas); and Hotels AGH and Las Dunas located in Estepona.