The legendary Marbella Club Hotel on the Costa del Sol is one of our favorite luxury hotels in southern Spain. Originally the private holiday villa of a German-Spanish prince, this exclusive beach resort in Marbella has been hosting royalty, Hollywood stars and other discerning travelers since it opened in 1954.

Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the rugged Sierra Blanca mountains, Marbella Club is known for its laidback glamor, tropical gardens, world-class hospitality and luxurious facilities. It’s a wonderful coastal escape and an excellent base for privately touring this part of Andalusia. 

Inspired by the beautiful pueblos blancos (“white villages”) of Andalusia, the resort has a charming village feel.

Whitewashed bungalows and private villas draped in bougainvillea and adorned with hand-painted tiles are scattered among lush, palm-filled gardens.

Light-filled rooms are individually decorated in contemporary Andalusian style with calming neutral color palettes and artisan textiles with traditional, local craftsmanship seen in carved fireplaces and colorful tiles.

Balconies and terraces overlook lush gardens, facilitating an airy indoor-outdoor feel.

Welcoming touches from the hospitality team greet guests upon arrival.

Marbella Club also has stand-alone private villas with two, three or four bedrooms, a wonderful option for friends and families traveling together who want luxury, privacy and style.

Most villas have their own private garden, swimming pool and full kitchen.

Artisans of Leisure travel specialist Claire Munn recently stayed at Marbella Club with her extended family and noted, “The space and privacy of our stand-alone villa combined with all of the resort amenities and services was perfect for our multigenerational family trip. With four small children in tow, we loved having our own pool and kitchen as well as the option for room service.”

“A highlight of our villa stay was having a private chef come one evening. He prepared delicious tapas and traditional paella in our tranquil, flower-filled garden,” Claire added.

Marbella Club also has multiple dining options, including El Patio, a stylish outdoor space surrounded by jasmine…

…the poolside Beach Club with a thatched roof and the popular MC Beach, a relaxed seaside bar and grill. A more formal option is The Grill.

Breakfast is served al fresco on the terrace of The Grill and the buffet is legendary.

The Summer Bar is a favorite place for an aperitivo surrounded by orange trees and accompanied by live piano music.

The Marbella Kids’ Club is one of the best in Europe, making it an incredible destination for families. Located on the site of the original villa, the kids’ club is in a specially designed 50,000 square-foot compound has its own kitchen, yoga and dance studio, dining area and garden. The robust program of activities throughout the day include perfume making, science experiments, baking, painting, pottery, treasure hunts, gardening and more.

Additional facilities include a private beach, luxurious gym and spa, fashionable boutiques and gift shops, access to horseback riding, a tennis club and golf on a Dave-Thomas designed links course.

Charming Marbella Old Town is a short 10-minute drive away, and Malaga, the vibrant capital of the Costa del Sol, is just under an hour.

We arrange private excursions from Marbella Club in the Andalusia region, including privately touring Granada and the Alhambra with an expert local guide, exploring the white villages of Andalusia, visiting the clifftop town of Ronda, and wine tasting in the high-quality boutique wineries of the Serrania de Ronda Mountains.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private Spain tour that includes time at Marbella Club and other favorite destinations such as Seville, Cordoba, Barcelona, and Madrid.