Our relaxing parenthesis at Marbella Club

This past summer, my family and I stayed at the mythical Marbella Club. This magical stay far exceeded our expectations. Here is our testimony.

Founded in the mid-1950s by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, the Marbella Club was originally conceived as a large property for the prince’s friends. For many years, film stars, crowned heads and other happy fews enjoyed this place dedicated to happiness and joie de vivre.

Over the decades, the property was expanded and transformed into a boutique hotel. The original atmosphere has remained intact, so much so that during our holidays we had the impression of staying in a luxurious South American hacienda from the 1970s.

This feeling of well-being and freedom envelops you from the moment you arrive. You have the feeling of being in a bubble away from the outside world and the hustle and bustle. It is a very pleasant and relaxing feeling.

Luxury here does not mean gold fittings and stuffy service. Luxury is strolling through the flower gardens, savouring local dishes prepared with organic vegetables from the garden, reconnecting in the spa or soaking up the sun by the pool.

The hotel’s clientele is mainly family-oriented. There are also couples and older guests who have been here for many years and who like to party at the piano bar after dark.

All these people form a sort of community, a privileged club from which the hotel probably took its name.

During our stay, we really got the feeling of staying in a family home, where delicacy and kindness are the first values. Magic happens everywhere in the hotel.

We had opted for a suite with a terrace, located on the first floor. A comfortable bed had been set up in the living room for our 6-year-old son, while we slept in a separate master bedroom. On arrival, a snack and colouring books were waiting for our child in the bedroom.

The suite offers all the comfort of a 5-star establishment and is characterised by its generous size and careful decoration. Garden rooms are also available for families travelling with smaller children. Villas are also available. In total, the hotel has around 80 rooms, spread across the estate and housed in small buildings in traditional Andalusian style.

The breakfast is very pleasant and is served on the terrace until 11am. The hotel places great emphasis on healthy food and even offers sessions with a nutritionist. At lunchtime it is very pleasant to have lunch in one of the two beach clubs of the hotel. These are chic-casual places, known throughout the region. The Beach Club with the pool offers an all-you-can-eat buffet (€95 per adult and €45 per child) with lobster and grilled fish, seasonal vegetables and local dishes such as Iberian pork and paella. The quality is top notch, I highly recommend this culinary experience!

Housed in the 5,000 square meters formerly dedicated to the prince’s house, the Marbella Club’s kids club is one of a kind. In summer, it also welcomes babies. Multiple areas offer original activities, supervised by highly specialised staff: kids yoga, pastry workshop, fragrance creation workshop, sports, crafts, gardening, treasure hunt, archaeology workshop, dance studio, etc.

Parents are welcome to share moments of complicity with their children. Recently, the kids club also offers a very stylish concept store dedicated to kids. Our son Achille had a wonderful time in the kids club and made some French, Swiss and English friends.

The activities are really well thought out and are personalised according to the children’s desires. For example, girls make flower crowns, while boys make creative objects from recycled materials.

It is one of the most beautiful children’s clubs in the world and is frequently featured in the pages of international decoration magazines. A place where you can entrust your children with peace of mind, without feeling guilty. They will be pampered by the ten or so nannies who are present every day.

The Marbella Club is located on the seafront and offers direct access to the beach. Our son loved to go hunting for giant shells and building sandcastles.

The hotel is a 5-minute drive from the old town. It is very pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets, visit the designer shops and sit at one of the many typical restaurants. Just below the old town, an outdoor area is entirely dedicated to children: trampolines, duck fishing, candyfloss stand… this permanent fair will make your children happy.

Malaga airport is 35 minutes away. The hotel organizes transfers with child seats, but we preferred to rent a car to visit the surroundings.

As you can see, we had an excellent stay at the Marbella Club. It is a unique experience for the whole family. An experience that leaves you with lasting memories. Of course, it comes at a price, but I can tell you that it is well worth it. If you like authentic luxury, charming and legendary addresses, you won’t be disappointed.

Jerome