It’s a happy 70th birthday to one of Europe’s most superb resort hotels.
The Marbella Club first opened its doors in 1954 when aristocratic businessman Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe turned his family finca in a quiet fishing village in southern Spain into a 20-room hotel. His friends, many of them the jet-set of the day, soon discovered the area’s joys and the hotel became a byword for glamour and glitz, with Brigitte Bardot, Roger Moore and royalty coming to party.
Under new ownership since 2011 and now with 115 rooms and suites, the Marbella Club retains its discrete and thoroughly Mediterranean brilliance, an understated charm that perfectly follows the philosophy of ‘elegant simplicity’ laid down by Prince Alfonso.
Where?
As one of the original fincas on this stretch of the Costa del Sol, the Marbella Club has bagged a prime slice of beach on Marbella’s illustrious Golden Mile, 45 minutes from Malaga airport with Marbella Old Town to the east and Puerto Banus to the west.
Style
Authentic Mediterranean finca meets five-star luxe with a deft touch. Nods to Marbella’s Moorish history mix in with Andalucian verve to provide a colourful backdrop that’s both hugely energising and wonderfully calming. You’ll want to take it all home.
Facilities
Anyone for aerial yoga? How about beach boxing or a nutritional workshop? Wellbeing, Spa, Nutrition and Fitness are the four cornerstones of the Marbella Club so no surprise that the wellness facilities are top rate. You name it, they have it. There’s a good gym with equipment indoor and out, regular Pilates, yoga and workout classes including personal training and a beachfront thalassotherapy spa with single and couples’ treatment rooms. You can book in for wellness programmes that run from one to seven days.
The world’s first padel court was set up at the Marbella Club – a stone marks the spot – and a brand new high-quality court has recently opened, with further padel and tennis courts, and coaches, at the neighbouring Puente Romano resort. Then there are three swimming pools, all heated, a golf course 25 minutes away in the Benahavis hills, an off-site equestrian centre, water sports on the beach and group hiking tours. Oh, and a 5,000 square metre (and that’s huge) Kid’s Club of dreams for 4 to 14 year olds.
Extracurricular
It’s one hour to hippy chic Tarifa, the southernmost point of Spain and the gateway to the windy Costa de la Luz, a kiteboarding and windsurfing hotspot. The more overt (in-your-face) glamour of Puerto Banus is closer, somewhere to take in the gleaming yachts in the marina or catch a boat for a journey along the Costa del Sol. Walk or run along the beachfront promenade - or borrow bikes from the hotel to tour delightful Marbella Old Town. Explore the vineyards of Ronda, sample dining on the Golden Mile or take a taxi to Malaga, 40 minutes away, one of the Mediterranean’s most underrated cities.
Food & drink
The choice of restaurants and the quality of the food is top drawer. There’s the leafy laid-back charm of El Patio, the formality of The Grill, the farm-to-table emphasis of El Olivar and the poolside beach restaurant with its regular seafood buffet. My favourite is MC Beach, a contemporary take on a traditional chiringuitos, an elegant blue and white beachfront beauty serving up exceptional seafood. A glass or two of rosé, sardines al espeto, pil pil prawns, or perfect paella: perfection.
Which room?
This is a low-level resort with a vast range of handsome rooms, suites, bungalows and villas spread through the densely planted grounds. It might take a day to get your bearings but really, when gardens are this beautiful, isn’t that all part of the fun? All rooms have some outside space, some with private gardens, and come with Nespresso coffee makers, separate bath and shower and room for an extra bed or cot. The biggest villa sleeps up to twelve in six bedrooms.
Best for...
Everyone. Young families, loved-up couples, wellness-seeking singles and older couples are among regular guests who can each find their piece of Mediterranean nirvana.
Details
Nightly room rates start from €1,000. marbellaclub.com
