Marbella, Spain - Villa Padierna Palace Hotel

Lobby

Saturday night we drove about 40 minutes to Marbella on the Costa del Sol to have dinner in the dining room of the beautiful five star golf resort Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. This impressive hotel with perfectly manicured grounds is perched under the hills and affords a view all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel itself is decorated in a neo-classical style and also has a spa, a medical wellness center, five dining venues, two golf courses, and an American Golf Academy, which is Europe's only school specializing in short game and custom classes.

From the golf course looking down to the Mediterranean Sea

Floating rose petals in the lobby

The formal dining room had very attentive service and in addition to an a la carte menu, offered a special chef's tasting menu of six or ten courses for the Easter weekend. We all opted for fresh fish straight from the Mediterranean and finished off with some sumptuous desserts.

Amuse bouche: lamb sweetbread

Fresh sea scallops

Seasonal mixed vegetables

Parmesan and truffle orzo with poached egg

Cod

Sea bass

Chocolate brownie with chocolate mousse, vanilla bean sauce and Bailey's ice cream

Bread pudding with raisins and vanilla ice cream

Marinated pineapples with coconut ice cream

Apple sorbet

Petits fours