Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club: A Stylish Newcomer to Spain’s Southern Coast

Marbella isn’t short on luxury. But just when you thought the Costa del Sol couldn’t get any more polished, along comes Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club—the latest addition to the Iconic Luxury Hotels family, opening spring 2025. This one isn’t aiming to dazzle with flash. Instead, it leans into something slower, quieter, and arguably more memorable: a sense of place.

Set on Playa del Real de Zaragoza—a lesser-known but wonderfully peaceful stretch of beach east of Marbella’s centre—this new resort is the ninth in L+R Hotels’ portfolio and follows the group’s recent international expansions to Palm Beach and Venice. If names like Chewton Glen and Cliveden House ring a bell, you’ll know the level of polish to expect. But while Gran Marbella shares the same DNA, it’s been given its own distinct Andalusian identity.

Moorish Echoes and Mediterranean Calm

The design, led by hospitality studio Goddard Littlefair, wears its cultural influences proudly. Horseshoe arches, zellige tiles, and local stonework reference the area’s Moorish past, but it’s done with restraint. The mood is relaxed, not themed. You’ll find intimate courtyards with water features, lush vertical gardens, and interiors dressed in warm, earthy hues—terracotta, ochre, sage. Light is filtered through jali windows and lanterns, creating shadow patterns that shift with the day. The whole place feels like it’s been carved out of the landscape rather than imposed on it.

Accommodation includes 125 rooms and 10 suites. Highlights range from Garden Suites designed for seclusion to Terrace Suites with private pools or Jacuzzis. The Royal Marbella Suite is the showpiece—ideal for hosting (or hiding out entirely). There are two meeting rooms too, though it’s hard to imagine many coming here for work.

Dining With a Sense of Place

Food at Gran Marbella avoids overcomplication. The resort’s four restaurants and bars take a firmly local-first approach, with ingredients sourced from long-standing suppliers in the region. Expect open-fire cooking, fresh seafood, market-fresh salads, and seasonal fruit juiced daily. One restaurant offers all-day al fresco dining—a nod to Andalusia’s love for blending indoors and out. There’s a casual feel to it all: places to linger over tapas, Caipirinhas laced with local orange, and long, slow lunches.

But the real energy will gather around Amu Beach Club, the hotel’s social hub and the second outpost of the Monaco-born concept. It’s set to feature an infinity pool, oceanfront lounging, and direct beach access. There’s a whiff of nostalgia in the air too—echoes of Marbella’s golden years, when the coast was known less for superyachts and more for long Mediterranean afternoons and flamenco-fuelled nights.

Wellness, Not Just Spa Time

If the beach club brings the buzz, the spa is where guests can downshift. Seven treatment rooms will offer a mix of rituals and massages, and there’s a full thermal suite with a sauna, steam room, and indoor pool. A dedicated studio space will cater to everything from yoga to Pilates and breathwork. The goal here isn’t just pampering—it’s full-body restoration.

More Than a Pretty Hotel

What sets Gran Marbella apart is its attempt to connect guests with the wider Andalusian culture. There’ll be olive oil and wine tastings, sailing trips, and hands-on workshops with local artisans. These aren’t token gestures either—they’re part of a broader ethos to keep the experience rooted in the region. The location helps: it’s in one of Marbella’s lesser-developed areas, fringed by 27 kilometres of beach and close to small fishing villages that haven’t been polished into postcards.

For those who want a dose of Marbella without the noise, Gran Marbella offers an alternative. It’s smart without being smug, elegant without being sterile. And in a destination that often blurs into beachfront sameness, that makes it one to watch.

Reservations for stays in Spring 2025 will be available soon. For more information or to stay updated on exclusive offers and events, visit www.granmarbellaresort.com