This is one of the most prestigious hotels in Spain, and one of the most expensive, with villas renting for several thousand euros a night. For the past three years, this unique hotel and thalasso spa has made it a point of honor to offer its guests a complete wellness program. Pascal Languillon, Director of Luxe Wellness Club, explains.
A little history first. In 1954, Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg was able to acquire more than forty thousand square meters of waterfront to found the Marbella Club Hotel, a “boarding house” style resort in stark contrast to the usual luxury of the palaces of the time… In the 1950s, the hotel had neither telephone nor running water… It makes you smile today.
A meeting place for the international jet set
Although the hotel’s beginnings were very modest, the Prince had the good idea of bringing along some Hollywood friends he had met while studying in California. The hotel’s reputation was built on the quality of its service, the simplicity of its surroundings and the organization of parties, and over the years, the Marbella Club became a household name around the world, moving upmarket. The international jet set made the hotel one of their favorite spots in the 60s. Kings, queens, billionaires and celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, Sean Connery and Michael Jackson have all stayed here.
A magnificent seafront estate
Situated on the seafront, the Marbella Club hotel now comprises 130 elegant rooms and suites surrounded by lush gardens. Add to all this its 14 Andalusian-style villas, with private pool and garden… and you almost feel like you’re in a small Andalusian village. The greatest joy is to be found in the gardens, where the Prince himself had a passion for botany, and trees from all over the world were planted… Today, the hotel is a member of Leadings Hotels of the World and Traveller Made .
Sumptuous rooms and villas
I had the opportunity to see several types of rooms and villas. No doubt about it, they’re all superb, big and airy. The decor skilfully blends old and new.
The highlight of the show is the Villa del Mar, with its 7,000 m² facing the sea, 6 bedrooms and multiple lounges of unprecedented luxury… but for this you’ll have to pay up to 30,000 euros a night. Its clientele includes Arabian princes and celebrities, but it’s also an ideal venue for unforgettable parties.
In a much more reasonable price range, the suites offer a high level of comfort while offering the same opportunity to enjoy the various activities offered by the hotel, which in our opinion is its real strong point.
I also tried out one of the Marbella Club’s restaurants, the MC Café, not to be confused with an American fast-food chain… It was very good. There are 7 other restaurants on the estate.
An oversized Kid’s Club
It’s a children’s paradise, with a huge Kid’s Club that’s particularly well-stocked with a wide variety of games. It’s like the school we’ve always dreamed of, with vegetable gardens, cooking workshops for the little ones, and lots of activities to open their minds. Parents can serenely enjoy a detox juice by the pool or a massage, safe in the knowledge that their children are in good hands.
A holistic approach to well-being
The beautiful thalassotherapy spa overlooks the sea. There are 12 massage rooms, Vichy showers, and a range of top-of-the-range cosmetics used, including Comfort Zone, Babor and French marine-based skincare brand Thalion.
What’s most impressive about the Marbella Club is its promotion of a holistic, personalized approach to wellness, with classes including yoga and acroyoga, pilates, meditation and nutrition coaching. The small wellness catalog is the only one to be prominently displayed in every room.
Bioresonance and naturopathy
I met Paloma Ruiz, who is the naturopath and nutritionist dedicated to the Marbella Club wellness center. This former professional tennis player is now renowned for her expertise in the field of energy medicine. She offers consultations to hotel guests at the start of their stay, to work out a fitness program together.
A bioresonance device can diagnose and remedy all minor ailments in the body using a non-intrusive electromagnetic wave technique. Simply hold electrodes in both hands and wait for the machine to work its magic.
This technique awakens and invigorates vital functions, activates balancing mechanisms and provides the body with the energy it needs to regenerate itself. For skeptics, let’s remember that in all cultures and in all medical traditions preceding our own, healing was accomplished by shifting energies.
I left the visit with a small vial of homeopathy concocted by the naturopath, impressed by the seriousness and sincerity of the Marbella Club’s wellness approach, in this enchanting setting.
Our feeling
A marvel of charm and history, an approach to wellness that really makes you fall in love.
Luxe Wellness Club
Book
From 375 euros per night per room in low season, and from 1,000 euros in summer. Villas rent for several thousand euros a night.
Tested and approved in March 2019.
