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Rooms
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Dining
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Amenities
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Service
Summary
As the venue that put Marbella on to the luxury travel map in the 1960s, Marbella Club has retained the old charm gracefully. You will be instantly transported back to those bygone days by its white buildings, large established trees and palms and fabulous outdoor dining spaces. There are 115 more spacious than usual rooms & suites as well as 17 exquisite villas. With a focus on wellness and mindfulness and a comprehensive Kids Club, Marbella Club is an obvious choice for families looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday.
Where is it?
Centre of Marbella. As the venue that put Marbella on to the luxury travel map, the town grew around Marbella Club as its fame grew among the rich and famous globally. Hence, it is no surprise that it is at the centre of Marbella, with luxury shopping and nightlife Puerto Banús marina to the west (4 km) and romantic Old Town to the east (3 km).
It is connected to the rest of Marbella via a 4-lane carriageway, N-340, on the north entrance and a pedestrianised palm tree-lined seafront promenade on the south exit. Crossing the promenade from the hotel will bring you to the beautiful golden sand beaches of Playa Casablanca and Playa de Nagüeles where you will find hotel guests-only deck chairs and chiringuito (grilled seafood huts). Famed Puente Romano Beach Resort (puenteromano.com), Marbella Club’s sister hotel, is a 12 minute walk west (800m).
Although you can walk to Puerto Banús and the Old Town via the promenade within the hour, it is best done with a taxi on the 4-lane carriageway.
Marbella is in the region of Costa del Sol within the autonomous community of Andalusia in Southern Spain . The closest international airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) (airport-malaga.com) (50km, 45 minute drive).
What is it like?
Timeless beach chic elegance. Marbella Club made its name in the postwar 1950’s boom as the hidden gems for the high-society. From royalties to celebrities, they all flocked here for a relaxing sun-kissed Mediterranean beach holiday.
From a beachfront cottage with a swimming pool, it expanded over 5 hectares and will take 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other. It retained the old charm gracefully and you will be instantly transported back to those bygone days upon pulling up under the verandah. The delightful white buildings with its layered terracotta tiles, its green lawn, large established trees and palms and the outdoor dining spaces exude Mediterranean serenity.
But it is not just serenity, Marbella Club is also about fun and play. The latest addition to that is a newly renovated El Patio restaurant. It is a lush, bright and colourful space that has seamlessly combined outdoor and indoor dining. With bold floral print soft furnishing, wooden gazebo, hanging ferns, colourful vintage posters and some throwback photos from the 1950’s – there isn’t a better place to enjoy a fun relaxing summer days.
All these before we even got to the Champagne Room, Beach Club and the iconic pier.
What are the rooms like?
Homely classy comfort. There are 115 rooms & suites as well as 17 exquisite villas sprinkled individually or in small clusters across the resort. As such, most rooms are unique, but all designed to deliver a relaxing and luxurious homely experience. They produced this with more spacious than usual rooms, seamless outdoor and indoor space, deep mattresses, big plush comfy sofas, plenty of cushions, carpet rug, fresh flowers and fruit. There are only a handful of rooms & suites with sea view.
Travel tip:
We stayed at Garden Suite no. 251 on our recent visit in September 2021, which is on the upper floor of a 2-storey block of 12 suites. It is conveniently located in the middle of the resort. The freshwater garden swimming pool and the summer terrace, where the champagne breakfast is served, is a 1-minute walk away. The beach is a 3-minute walk in the opposite direction.
The spacious bedroom faces onto a manicured garden with olive, lemon and orange trees and a pond. Although lovely, it deprives it of privacy. The living room with balcony is bright but isn’t as roomy as the rest of the suite. The view from the balcony isn’t the best as it looks out to the cottage housing room no. 358 and 357 – although their windows are frosted for privacy.
The suite comes equipped with powerful air-conditioning, two 50-inch flat-screen Samsung TVs, Bluetooth JBL Horizon clock radio speaker, plenty of cupboard space, a yoga mat and gorgeous plant oil toiletries from UK-based Votary. The bathroom is comfortable, but the decor is dated and could benefit from an uplift.
We would recommend giving this room a miss and instead, for the same price, book one of the Deluxe Room with Sea View. Or if you want to treat yourself, go for one of the uniquely named suites.
Are there family-friendly rooms?
Marbella Club is built for families and large family gatherings. All rooms will accommodate a family of three and the Piedita Suite accommodates a family of four with a king plus twin beds.
For larger families, there are the following combinations of connected rooms:
- Deluxe Room + Deluxe Room
- Garden Suite Deluxe + Deluxe Room
- MC Suite + Deluxe Room
- Deluxe Room with Sea View + Deluxe Room with Sea View
- Royal Beach Suite + Deluxe Room with Sea View
- Imperial Beach Suite + Deluxe Room with Sea View
- Junior Suite + Junior Suite
- Maria Luisa Suite + Junior Suite
- Príncipe Alfonso Suite + Junior Suite
- Conde Rudi Suite + Junior Suite
- Junior Suite Deluxe + Junior Suite Deluxe
- Príncipe Alfonso + Junior Suite Deluxe
- Garden Suite + Garden Suite
There are also a selection of two, three and four bedroom villas. For the grander occasions, there is the 5 bedroom Villa Añil and Rincon del Mar as well as the beachfront 6 bedroom, 9 bathroom Villa del Mar – all come equipped with private garden, terrace and swimming pools.
But the main reason for any family to head for Marbella Club is the gorgeous 5,000 sqm Kids Club (for children age 4 to 14). This converted farmhouse with a large central courtyard, tropical garden, art & craft room, dance studio, aroma workshop and kitchen is a dream-come-true nursery.
How are the dining options?
The Grill
With a serious open flame grill in the centre of the restaurant, you know this place means business. Get a table at the alfresco summer terrace among the olive and palm trees and treat yourself to the flavourful, tender and juicy Nebraska Black Angus T-bone Steak for 2 (€180). You will be looking in your diary immediately to book the next visit. Dinner service only.
El Patio
A wonderful lively casual dining venue. This vibrant, relaxing all-day dining spot is full of character. The pergolas framed outdoor seats among a lush garden are perfect for laughter and fun while chowing down the gorgeous marinated sardines or wood-roasted organic chicken. The outdoor area seamlessly integrate with the cosy indoor area decorated with floral print soft furnishing, vintage images & photos and a wood-fire pizza oven. All-day service.
Beach Club
If you want to maximise your sun-bathing time, then the Beach Club is the place. It is next to the beach with plenty of deck chairs and dining tables by the seawater pool. At peak summer season, you an indulge in a buffet of a sumptuous spread with sushi, fresh seafood, paella, padron peppers, cous cous and the list goes on and on. Afternoon service only.
El Olivar
A modern healthy eating establishment helmed by Chef Andrés Ruiz, who is an avid long-distance runner. At El Olivar, he attempts to push the boundaries of healthy eating without sacrificing flavours and enjoyment. The dishes are sprinkled with ingredients like macadamia nuts, tamari seeds, tumeric and coupled with free-range or organic produce. The dishes we had on our visit tasted good and were beautifully presented. Afternoon service only.
MC Beach
Walk towards the beach from the resort and turn left when you get to the promenade. About 50 meters later, you will be at MC Beach. This is Marbella Club’s chiringuito, or grilled seafood shack on the beach. Classy and gorgeous with the classic white and blue decor. Choose from the regular dining tables, or enjoy fresh grilled octopus and squid with a piña colada on one of the Balinese beds or deck chairs. Afternoon service only.
Summer Bar
Take a seat at the Summer Bar for a pre or post-dinner drink. Swirling a glass of Mojito while lounging on a rattan armchair in this lush courtyard with a live music band will be a memorable time. Cheese, ham, tapas and mini pizzas are also available on the menu. Evening service only.
Rudi’s Bar
If it does get a little bit chilly outdoor in the evening, it is time to take the party into Rudi’s Bar. A short dash from the Summer Bar or El Patio and you are in an over-the-top cosy drinking den. It is designed in the honour of Count Rudi – the General Manager of Marbella and the life and soul of Marbella Club alongside Prince Alfonso.
The deliberately ostentatious space evokes tales from the Arabian Nights, with draping gold curtains, bold print carpet and large painting of a walking tiger. It is one of a kind and another experience to cherish from the holiday. Evening service only.
La Bodega
It is not just a corridor connecting Rudi’s Bar with The Grill and the Summer’s Bar, it is where some of the priced wine collection can be appreciated visually as well as on the nose and palate. You can arrange for a wine tasting session in the connecting private dining room at La Bodega. Reservation only.
Garden Pool
If you are doing nothing by the freshwater pool, the Garden Pool restaurant is at your disposal. It has a comprehensive list of cocktails, wine, bubbly and light afternoon snacks on the menu. Afternoon service only.
What is there to do in the hotel?
You can spend days without venturing out of Marbella Club and still have an amazing holiday. There are plenty of areas within the hotel for various type of activities, from relaxation to learning a new skill. Sign-up for personalised activities or ask about complimentary group ones coinciding with your stay.
Meditate or pilates or yoga?
If you haven’t try it before, why not take some time to be introduced to meditation or pilates or yoga. Resident meditation therapist or pilates/yoga instructor will guide you through the motion at the spacious and well-equipped Pilates Studio (next to the gym) or in your villa’s garden. There is even an open air platform for Aerial Yoga. A fantastic activity to start a relaxing and mindful holiday, the type of holiday that put Marbella Club on the map. €100 for 55 minute session.
Learn to cook with a nutritionist
While you are on the wellness track, take it to the next level by learning how to cook a nutritional meal with a Nutritional Therapist. €185 for a 120 minute private lesson where you will make three dishes as well as get a personalised cooking plan for you to take home.
Paddleboarding or kayak
Hire paddleboards or kayaks and head out into the Mediterranean sea. Enjoy the sun, the sea-breeze and the beautiful views. €20 per hour (€30 for a two-person kayak). A personal paddleboard instructor can also be arranged for €100 per hour.
Do nothing by the pool or beach or the reading room
Doing nothing is our favourite form of activity and Marbella Club is great for that. Spend an afternoon at the freshwater swimming pool within a tranquil garden and another at the seawater swimming pool next to the beach.
You can then move on to the complimentary deck chairs on the beach or ones on the iconic pier or balinese beds at MC Beach. All these locations are well served with cocktails and snacks at your whim. If you prefer something indoor, relax with a book or get into a board game in the comfy reading room by the reception.
Rejuvenate with a facial and massage spa day
Treat yourself to a full day of indulgence and relaxation at the Thalasso Spa. Start with a soak in the seawater hydrotherapy pool. Sample each and every one of the hydro-jets available. Then, be pampared by one of their signature Stress-Reducing or Sleep-Inducing or Detoxifying Ritual massage.
After that, chill out at the sea-facing relaxation area with a fragrant tea before tucking into a 3-course lunch by healthy-eating El Olivar’s Chef Andres at the Beach Club. Repeat the same again in the afternoon with a facial instead of massage and you will be truly rejuvenated.
Work-out
Take a jog along the palm-tree lined beachfront promenade which is just at one end of the resort. A great way to see more of Marbella while enjoying the sea-breeze and sound of the lapping waves. Or for something more serious, head over to the gym in the middle of the resort for some cardio on the exercise bike or weight-training or boxercise. There is also an open-air platform next to the gym for TRX suspension training. Personal training available at € 100 for 55 minutes.
Who are the patrons?
Well-to-do families from across the globe looking to slow things down and to be fascinated by the charm of the old world. The larger than usual rooms as well as the comprehensive Kid’s Club are a key draw for families. The expansive ground with matured plantation and beautiful gardens are perfect for unwinding and relaxing the senses.
Are they pet friendly?
No.
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