Guide to Marbella Club Hotel

The Marbella Club Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Spain. It’s also a key part of Marbella’s history as a luxury destination. Located on the Golden Mile, right by the sea, this hotel has been welcoming guests since the 1950s. In this guide, we take a closer look at the Marbella Club Hotel, from its history and services to the property around it.

History of the Marbella Club Hotel

Luxury tourism in Marbella set down its definitive roots at this iconic establishment, one of the first hotels in Spain. Over 60 years after its opening, Marbella Club Hotel now ranks as one of the best hotels on the Costa del Sol and continues to be one of the places to stay in Marbella.

The German aristocrat Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe bought the large estate that houses the Marbella Club Hotel in 1948. With a privileged position right on the seafront in Marbella and at the heart of the Golden Mile, the hotel opened six years later with just 20 bedrooms. It quickly became popular among European royalty and aristocrats and attracted a wealth of celebrities. By 1962, the Marbella Club Hotel had acquired a reputation as the home of the jet set. It further consolidated this status when Puerto Banús opened in 1970.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Marbella Club Hotel continued to expand. It became a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and of Relais and Châteaux.

Accommodation at Marbella Club Hotel

The Marbella Club Hotel offers a wide range of accommodation, from rooms to large private villas. Every option is designed in a classic Mediterranean style, with bright interiors and private outdoor space.
Guests can choose from rooms, suites, bungalows and luxury villas. Most rooms have a private terrace providing views of the gardens or the sea, while the suites provide more living space for couples or families.
For those looking for extra privacy, the villas offer a home-away-from-home experience. They come with several bedrooms, private swimming pools, gardens and spacious indoor and outdoor living areas. Guests staying in the larger villas also benefit from personalised hotel services throughout their stay.
One of the hotel’s most famous residences is Villa del Mar, a beachfront villa that provides complete privacy with full access to all of the hotel’s facilities.

Amenities at the Marbella Club Hotel

Marbella Club Hotel offers many other high-end amenities. These include the Thalasso Wellness Centre, one of the most luxurious spas on the Costa del Sol. The hotel also comes with eight eateries, including a beach bar. Like the Puente Romano Hotel next door, the Marbella Club Hotel has its own beach club with the unusual touch of beach loungers on the pier – the views of the Marbella mountains from this pier are among the best on the Costa del Sol.

Wellness & Spa

At the heart of the hotel’s wellness offering is the Thalasso Spa, one of the most luxurious on the Costa del Sol. Located on the beachfront, it features a seawater pool, saunas, and a range of wellness treatments.

Dining and Restaurants

Dining is one of the highlights of a stay at Marbella Club. The hotel is home to eight restaurants and bars, each offering a different atmosphere and dining experience.

El Patio

El Patio is the hotel’s all-day dining venue and one of its most popular gathering places. Guests come here for everything from a morning coffee and breakfast to light lunches, afternoon drinks and evening cocktails. The peaceful setting, filled with Mediterranean greenery, provides an excellent atmosphere throughout the day.

Timings

• Breakfast from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
• Lunch from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
• Tardeo from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Dinner from 7:00 pm to 11:45 pm

MC Beach

Inspired by the traditional chiringuitos of Málaga, MC Beach offers a relaxed beach dining experience. Decorated in classic blue and white, the restaurant specialises in fresh seafood, grilled fish and Mediterranean favourites served just steps from the beach. It is also one of the best places in the hotel to enjoy the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Timings

• Lunch and dinner from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am
• Sushi Bar from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Bar Lounge from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Beach Club

The Beach Club is the social centre of Marbella Club, combining a stylish pool, restaurant and bar in one lively setting. It pays tribute to the glamour of 1950s Acapulco, reflecting the hotel’s own heritage. Guests can spend the day swimming, relaxing by the pool, enjoying Mediterranean dishes or sipping cocktails without ever leaving the beachfront atmosphere.

Timings

• Bar from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
• À la carte menu from 12:30 – 4:30 pm (Monday to Saturday)
• Grand Buffet from 1:00 – 4:30 pm (Sunday)

The Grill

The Grill restaurant is known for classic recipes passed down through generations of its grill chefs. The result is a perfect dining experience that focuses on exceptional ingredients and tradition rather than passing trends.

Timings

• 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm

Rudi’s

Rudi’s offers a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere for evening drinks. Champagne, signature cocktails, tapas and live music create a welcoming setting, while comfortable seating, a cosy fireplace and even a game of backgammon make it an ideal place to relax after dinner.

Timings

• Open from 7:00 pm to 01:00 am from October to May.

Summer Bar

Located within a fragrant orange grove filled with citrus trees and jasmine, the Summer Bar is the perfect place to begin the evening. This is one of the hotel’s most romantic outdoor venues where guests gather for pre-dinner cocktails accompanied by live music and piano performances.

Timings

• Open from 7:00 pm to 01:00 am (last drink order: 00:30 am) from May to September.

The Garden Pool

Located beside one of the hotel’s peaceful pools, the Garden Pool restaurant serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed outdoor setting. Seasonal salads, grilled seafood and sharing plates make it an ideal choice for lunch after a morning by the pool, with the laid-back atmosphere often encouraging guests to stay well into the afternoon.

Timings

• Open daily from 11:00 am – 6:30 pm

El Olivar by Chef Andrés

El Olivar offers seasonal, farm-to-table cooking using fresh ingredients harvested daily from the hotel’s nearby Finca Ana María. Situated near the adults-only pool and surrounded by lush gardens, the restaurant offers a menu that changes with the seasons and highlights vegetables, herbs and locally sourced produce. The restaurant is exclusively available to resident guests aged 16 and over, providing a peaceful and intimate dining experience.

Timings

• Bar from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Lunch from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Golf and Horse Riding at the Marbella Club Hotel

Marbella Club Hotel Golf Resort is one of the best golf courses in Marbella. The 18-hole course is situated in the foothills of nearby Benahavís, one of the most popular areas for luxury properties in Marbella, and is approximately 20 minutes from the hotel itself. The course was designed by Dave Thomas.

The hotel also runs the Marbella Club Equestrian Centre. Like the golf course, the Centre is located near Benahavís with spectacular mountain and Mediterranean scenery. The horse riding club regularly hosts events on the Spanish Show Jumping circuit.

Property near Marbella Club Hotel

This iconic hotel in Marbella enjoys one of the best postcodes on the Costa del Sol. As a result, it has some of the finest properties in Marbella, like its neighbour, Puente Romano. The Golden Mile is home to one luxury villa after another, many of which have frontline beach positions, just like the hotel. To whet your appetite, take a look at our latest listings on the Golden Mile.

Conclusion

The Marbella Club Hotel is more than just a place to stay. It represents the exclusive lifestyle that has defined Marbella for decades.

From world-class hospitality and fine dining to private golf access, it offers something truly unique. And with some of Marbella’s finest real estate right next door, the Marbella Club Hotel shows what it means to live in one of Marbella’s most iconic locations.

Looking to buy near the Marbella Club?
Explore our listings of luxury villas and beachfront properties on Marbella’s Golden Mile. Contact our team for personalised advice.