Why book?
The words “summer” and “Marbella” are perhaps all that needs to be said. Those are sufficient reasons alone to plan a trip, but the list is actually much longer. This property’s long history and its celebrated traditions, its unique glamour and now its stellar return, have made the Don Carlos Marbella the place to stay on the Costa del Sol. There’s a sublime elegance embodied in the stylish furniture and textiles of its 308 rooms, suites, and residences; in the vases overflowing with colorful flowers; and in that delightful, distinctive scent that fills its communal areas. A breath of fresh air has arrived courtesy of prestigious interior designer Jaime Beriestain, who was entrusted with the ambitious project that has masterfully transformed the classic Hotel Don Carlos into the Don Carlos Marbella, with a revamped brand image that both embraces tradition and breaks new ground.
The setting is also high on the list of reasons to say. The hotel has an unrivaled location right on the beach—and not just any beach, but Elviria, the most sought-after stretch of coastline on the Costa del Sol. There are also two hectares of lush tropical gardens waiting to be explored, tempting culinary offerings, many swimming pools and a luxurious spa, with treatments incorporating Natura Bissé products. You can improve your game at the brand-new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, the first of its kind in Spain, and while away the hours sunbathing at the beach club.
Set the scene
This little haven of understated luxury on the Costa del Sol shuns ostentation and the limelight: it’s like a friend you have known all your life who invites you into your home while providing you with every amenity you may require, ensuring you have a perfect holiday. Much of the credit for this achievement goes to the hotel’s guest experiences team, although the improvements to the property made following the recent refurbishment and the updated interior design have undoubtedly played a part as well. A huge window added to the spacious lobby, one of the highlights of the hotel, welcomes guests with their first glimpse of the sea. This allows the warm Mediterranean light to fill the large open-plan space, where the different tones of the mother-of-pearl color palette are reflected in every custom piece of furniture by Beriestain’s own studio.
There are plants everywhere and fresh flowers in every corner. Everything fits together perfectly here: the vast rugs and the upholstery of the cushions and sofas, the wallpaper on the walls—inspired by elegant Chinese embroidery—and the furniture based on 17th-century Andalusian pieces, which Beriestain has skillfully reinterpreted, giving them a more modern and playful look.
The backstory
To discuss the history of the Don Carlos Marbella, we first need to rewind to the 1960s. In 1969, the hotel opened under the Hilton brand; this was the last Hilton opening that the brand’s founder, Conrad Hilton, attended in person. It was a resounding success, to the extent that the hotel remained at the very top of the Marbella hospitality scene for five decades, establishing the Don Carlos as an icon of luxury hospitality in Southern Spain.
With its distinctive late-modern aesthetic, the main tower stands out. The 14-story structure was nothing short of revolutionary at the time. It embodied a new direction for tourism on the Costa del Sol, namely, larger-scale accommodations that conveyed a welcoming message to travelers. For many years, Marbella and the Hotel Don Carlos were practically synonymous. It was the hotel of choice for celebrities including Antonio Banderas, Julio Iglesias, opera singer Montserrat Caballé, and the Baroness Thyssen. Then, in 2020, the hotel changed hands and it was acquired by the Canadian investment fund Brookfield Asset Management, which also took over the management company, Selenta Group. Now, under their leadership and following this major refurbishment, a new chapter in the history of luxury tourism in Marbella begins.
The rooms
In all the rooms, privacy is paramount. Each one feels like an intimate retreat, but here paired with impeccable service and first-class facilities. The Don Carlos Marbella spares no expense in providing every conceivable comfort to make its guests’ stay unique, which is why the materials used in its recent refurbishment are all of the very highest quality, providing the guest rooms with the feel of a luxury home. The design highlights organic shapes, stone, and wood as well as raffia and marquetry. All of this is combined with undeniable skill through an impeccable interplay of different tones, textiles, and textures. Large windows allow sea breezes to blow through, regardless of a room’s location. An interesting fact about the hotel is that, since its original construction, it has never had any rooms that face due south, directly at the Mediterranean. Instead, they offer oblique views of the sea. The light and shadows of Marbella’s landscapes are reflected on the walls of the rooms as if they were tapestries in motion. Natura Bissé toiletries add an extra touch of luxury to the spacious, well-appointed bathrooms lined in marble. If your minibar is empty, it’s because it’s a bespoke service here: Simply ask, and the attentive team at the Don Carlos Marbella will stock it based on your preferences.
Food and drink
The dining experience begins each morning in the Mediterranean-style setting of Los Naranjos, where guests can enjoy the extensive buffet either in the venue’s indoor dining room or on its pleasant terrace overlooking the gardens and the sea. There’s a variety of breads and Iberian cured meats, hot dishes prepared to order, and tempting pastries are complemented by fresh juices and coffees. Here, Beriestain sought to preserve the richness of the original materials and craftsmanship, with Mudejar-style moldings paired with textiles and furnishings that evoke elegant Parisian brasseries.
The birds who flit around the hotel’s gardens will join you at lunch at Sol & Sombra, the relaxed poolside restaurant. The fresh and light menu brightens up the day with dishes featuring local vegetables and fish from the Malaga coast, as well as old-school resort favorites like a fabulous club sandwich. When night falls, dinner is once again served under soft, warm lighting at Los Naranjos. Must-try dishes include the grilled turbot fillet with Béarnaise sauce and the Mediterranean-style tagliata of sirloin. At the tennis center, Break Point is a café offering healthy snacks and fresh juices all day. But there’s more to come. Campari by Manero opened as a pop-up and serves as a prelude to the restaurant Manero, set to open in 2026. To round off the dining offering, next year the Don Carlos Marbella will also welcome an iconic Asian restaurant that will bring flavors of the East to the hotel’s gardens.
The spa
Imagine starting your day with a complete water circuit to invigorate your body and mind and leave you energized. Or perhaps you’d rather visit the spa at the end of a day spent at the pool or beach with an exclusive treatment administered by the experienced therapists at the Don Carlos Marbella spa. All this and much more is within easy reach at the refurbished facility. Your visit to the spacious venue (it covers 1,600 square meters) begins with the stunning reception area. Continue on and you’ll find a facility that embraces the latest advances in wellness technology. It’s the ideal place for those longing for a few hours of relaxation, trying out the different pools, the steam room or the aromatherapy cabin.
The wellness area is operated under the Natura Bissé brand, whose commitment to well-being is widely recognized and whose products form the foundation of this sanctuary for body and mind. The only difficult part of a visit will be deciding which of the options on the menu to choose: are you in the mood for a revitalizing treatment, or a relaxing massage? Whichever one you pick, you’ll emerge having left some of your tension behind.