Guest stories: “Absolutely perfect”. Miles & Gail discover that Marbella is something you live, not just visit

Three years travelling the world. An apartment that felt like home. A team that became family.

Some travellers collect destinations. Others savour them. Miles and his wife Gail clearly belong to the second group. For almost three years they have been travelling the world with a suitcase in hand, living for months at a time in different apartments and cities, developing the kind of instinct that only comes from experience — the ability to recognise what separates a good stay from a truly exceptional one.

When they arrived and booked their apartment in Marbella with Banus Rentals, they expected to find a comfortable place to spend a few more weeks on their journey. What they did not expect was to find a place they did not want to leave.

“We hated having to go.

Miles admitted with a calm smile that suggested the words were not politeness, but a genuine feeling. Because sometimes a destination isn’t just visited. It’s lived.

An apartment that had exactly what travellers need

After hundreds of stays around the world, Miles has a well-trained eye for what matters. During the conversation, he described the apartment with the precision of someone who truly appreciates thoughtful details.

The sofa. The television. The comfort of the bedroom. The well-equipped kitchen. The shower. Nothing extraordinary on its own. Yet together they created something frequent travellers instantly recognise: a place designed for living, not just sleeping.

“It’s one of the most comfortable apartments we’ve rented. It had everything you need — modern, well equipped, with dishes, hair dryers… everything in its place. — Miles

The apartment offered that rare balance between modern comfort and everyday practicality, something long-term travellers value enormously.

Everything was ready for the natural rhythm of daily life: a quiet coffee in the morning, preparing a simple meal after the gym, or relaxing on the sofa at the end of the day.

Mediterranean light and a glimpse of the sea

In Marbella, the sea is never far away. From the apartment’s terrace, Miles and Gail could enjoy a side view of the Mediterranean, a quiet but constant presence that reminded them where they were.

“The ocean view was really nice. It’s to the side, but it’s lovely to see the sea. — Miles

One of those defining moments of their stay came at sunset, when they captured a photograph from the terrace overlooking the horizon — one of those classic Marbella scenes that perfectly summarise life on the Costa del Sol. Because in Marbella, the best moments are often the simplest ones.

A location that lets you live Marbella

Beyond the apartment itself, there was another element Miles immediately highlighted: the location.

“Probably one of the things we loved most was the location.

The apartment allowed them to easily settle into the rhythm of the city. They could walk to Marbella’s town centre, move around without needing a car, and reach the gym they belong to during their stay.

“It was perfect for walking everywhere.

This type of location allows something very special for travellers who stay longer: the chance to experience a destination like a temporary local, not just a visitor.

The real luxury: a team that anticipates everything

If the apartment was excellent, the team at Banus Rentals — according to Miles — was what truly made the difference. When asked how he would rate the service, he started with a simple scale. From one to ten. And then went beyond it.

“From one to ten… I’d say twelve. They’re very fast, very attentive. We felt like family. — Miles

Their stay was marked by a level of care that felt both natural and personal. Every request was handled quickly and effortlessly.

“If we needed something — a blender, anything — they would bring it immediately.

Even the smallest gestures revealed a hospitality style that felt genuinely thoughtful. During the stay, Miles celebrated his birthday.

“They even gave us a bottle of wine for my birthday.

Hospitality that goes beyond the stay

The relationship with the team extended well beyond the apartment itself. At one point during their travels, Miles and Gail needed to leave Marbella temporarily but planned to return a few weeks later. The Banus Rentals team offered to store part of their luggage until they came back, something that can make a huge difference for long-term travellers.

“They even offered to store a suitcase for us until we returned.

They also handled something very common for modern travellers: receiving online deliveries.

“We ordered a lot of things from Amazon and had them sent to the office. They were always gracious about receiving the packages and letting us know when they arrived.

Before finishing the conversation, Miles wanted to highlight three people in particular.

“Special shoutouts to Edu, Paki and Elena. They were terrific.

An experience that begins before arrival

The positive experience didn’t start at check-in. From the very beginning, the booking process and communication with the team stood out for their efficiency.

“They were wonderful. Very responsive and quick to reply.

For travellers used to booking apartments all over the world, fast and clear communication is often the first sign of a professional service.

Two words that say it all

At the end of the interview, we asked Miles and Gail to summarise their stay in just a few words. Miles answered first.

“Absolutely perfect.

Gail smiled and added:

“It couldn’t be better.

Miles and Gail are not easy travellers to impress. After almost three years travelling around the world, they have experienced apartments, services and destinations across countless cities. For Banus Rentals to stand out among all those experiences — and to leave them with the feeling of wanting to stay just a little longer — says more than any adjective.

The stay in numbers

• Guests: Miles & Gail.
• Profile: International travelling couple.
• Travel experience: More than 3 years travelling around the world.
• Service rating: 12 out of 10.
• The stay in two words: “Absolutely perfect”.
• Special mention: Edu, Paki and Elena.