Situated in a ideal beachfront location and surrounded by 20,000 square metres of tropical gardens, the property was completely redesigned by the prestigious interior designer Jaime Beriestain, who has reinterpreted its historic essence with a sophisticated, warm, and profoundly Mediterranean approach. The result is a space where timeless elegance coexists with the most modern comforts – 308 rooms, suites, and residences offering panoramic views of the sea and garden, designed for a new generation of discerning travellers and to win back long-standing guests. Altogether, the ongoing renovations — already visible to guests during the summer 2025 season — along with the initiatives set to launch in 2026, amount to a total investment of approximately €45 million (approximately $52 million).

The rebirth of Don Carlos Marbella is not only an architectural and aesthetic transformation, but also a commitment to redefining the concept of Mediterranean luxury through authenticity, wellbeing, and gastronomy. The hotel thus consolidates its position as one of the great re-openings of the year in Europe, a place where every corner has been designed to offer unforgettable experiences. All the new leisure and gastronomic offerings the hotel has in this first phase of reopening will be complemented with exclusive leisure and dining options in the following months.

A Leisure Program for the Senses

Sport also plays a fundamental role at the new Don Carlos Marbella, featuring the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, the first in Spain and seventh centre in the world, created using Rafa Nadal’s training methodology. With this approach, the hotel seeks to offer its guests a unique experience complemented by high-level tennis training, whilst also being designed for everyone. This facility features seven clay courts, two padel courts with spectacular ocean views, and a Pro Shop with Nike and Babolat products. Its training programs are available for players of all ages and levels including The Wingfield System, which is the only technology of its kind available at a tennis center on mainland Spain. It tracks and analyzes gameplay, providing statistics and performance insights to help players improve. The centre follows the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar methodology, based on the experience acquired by the legendary tennis player and his team over more than 15 years of participating in the best international sports competitions.

Don Carlos Marbella also features a new and exclusive pop-up from Lucia, the new brand from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group that opened last year in Cannes: Lucia Summer Club 2025. This Summer 2025 pop-up further showcases the restaurant group’s vision with a vibrant design that offers a sneak preview of the Lucia Marbella that will open permanently in 2026 with an expanded outdoor area and a new evening restaurant on the hotel’s beachfront. At Lucia Summer Club 2025, guests can enjoy a special menu designed for the pop-up and centered on the brand’s Cuisine du Soleil philosophy, a fresh take on Mediterranean flavors with sun-drenched ingredients. This space offers a carefully curated selection of seasonal dishes, ideal for lunch or a snack by the pool or by the sea, in a family-friendly setting designed for relaxation, closely aligned with Don Carlos Marbella’s own concept of an eclectic and family-friendly menu. This concept adds to the beach area’s offering, where Nikki Beach has also been a success for years.

Gastronomy That Excites

The new Don Carlos Marbella also offers its guests and visitors a wide and varied culinary offering with four dining venues: Los Naranjos, Sol & Sombra, Break Point and Campari Bar Manero. These represent four different ways to savor the south, each with its own personality, but united by a common vision: authenticity, proximity, and a true connection with the Mediterranean environment.

Los Naranjos is the culinary heart of the hotel, a refuge of flavor and light where Andalusian tradition takes centre stage. Here, each breakfast begins peacefully, in a space filled with Mediterranean aromas and cuisine born from a profound respect for the products of the land and sea. As evening falls, the restaurant transforms into a tribute to the tastes of the south, a proposal to awaken the senses. Among its offerings are the Signature Trio (natural oyster, crispy caviar fritter, and mini tempura lobster brioche), the Risotto with Red Shrimp Carpaccio, and the Mediterranean-style Top Sirloin Tagliatelle. Sol & Sombra, located next to the pool, is an open-air oasis that adapts to the rhythm of each guest: from a refreshing drink at the bar in the sunshine to a leisurely lunch, this space celebrates the vitality of summer. This restaurant has two settings: one in the bar and sun lounger area, and another with tables for a more relaxed experience. The cuisine is fresh, light, and tasty, designed to be shared with laughter and good company. Break Point, located inside the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, is the ideal café to recharge with snacks, natural juices, or healthy food to complement your workout. Located in the hotel’s elegant Andalusian courtyard Campari Bar Manero is a unique cocktail experience that fuses the Italian sophistication of the aperitif with the warmth and vitality of Spanish culture in a space designed by interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. This innovative concept is born from the collaboration between the iconic Italian brand CAMPARI and the renowned Spanish restaurant group MANERO. The carefully crafted cocktails pay tribute to Italian classics while incorporating ingredients and techniques that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Spain.

With these four new offerings, Don Carlos Marbella strengthens its commitment to a cuisine that connects with and celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle. Los Naranjos, Sol & Sombra, Break Point and Campari Bar Moreno aren’t just restaurants: they’re four distinct concepts that complement the experience.

A Destination for Wellness

Among its new key features, Don Carlos Marbella features a state-of-the-art indoor spa featuring Natura Bissé —a brand renowned for its innovation, effectiveness, and sensorial sensitivity—designed to offer wellness experiences with exclusive treatments. Here, wellness becomes an art that transcends aesthetics to embrace the essential, a space where the body is liberated and the mind rests. This temple of wellness captures the vibrant energy of the Mediterranean, transforming it into rituals that pamper the body, mind, skin, and soul. From the citrus freshness of Andalusian orange blossom that awakens the senses to the warm touch that releases tension, every detail is an invitation to reconnect with oneself, the present, and with what truly matters.

Among the most notable treatments offered at this space is the Don Carlos Charm Ritual, a deeply sensorial experience that combines an exfoliation with crystals and fresh petals and a massage with orange blossom and warm stones, restoring inner balance; the Mindtouch Experience Ritual, which goes even further: an immersive experience that, through sensorial technology and evocative fragrances, dissolves tension and awakens a deep connection with yourself; and the Golden South Essence Massage, inspired by the light of the south, celebrates the calm and natural beauty of the Mediterranean with a relaxing body massage that leaves a feeling of absolute serenity.

Design Inspired by Andalusias Essence and Timeless Luxury

Under the vision of prestigious interior designer Jaime Beriestain, every corner of the hotel now reflects the essence of Andalusia, inspired by cultural and natural elements. From the Andalusian shawl, the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, and the horizon line, to the reinterpretation of classic 17th-century furniture, the entire design proposal is built on a central axis that enhances the hotel’s identity. Furthermore, for Beriestain, the interaction of light with the sharp edges of shapes, the Dolce Vita, and Parisian brasseries have also been sources of inspiration in his creative process. These, although they may seem very different from each other, have been integrated into the designer’s universe to create the new identity of the Don Carlos Marbella.

The new lobby now boasts enhanced panoramic views of the sea, so guests feel its presence from the very first moment. Meanwhile, materials such as raffia, stone, and natural wood have been used in the guest rooms, offering an immersive experience of comfort. The color palette, inspired by the iridescence of seashells, provides an atmosphere of calm and well-being. Thus, the combination of craftsmanship, natural materials, and a contemporary approach makes this hotel a destination in itself.

Benchmark for Event Hosting on the Costa del Sol

In its new phase, the hotel will offer a completely renovated and diverse offering for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) sector. Specifically, there will be 17 multifunctional rooms, all with natural light, that adapt to different types of events, from intimate meetings to large conferences and banquets. With meticulous attention to detail, the hotel has opted for a combination of sophisticated design and cutting-edge equipment to guarantee unique experiences for guests who choose the hotel for all types of events.

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Madrid’s most dynamic neighborhoods are within an arm’s reach. Chueca, Huertas, and Malasaña each have a distinct vibe and energy. Whether you’re in the mood to browse designer boutiques along the Gran Vía or spend the day immersed in masterpieces at the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, everything feels close at hand.

Contemporary Design Meets Historic Roots

Originally opened in 1956 and given a sleek 2016 refresh, this five-star gem blends modern design with historic charm. Notable guests have graced the building over the decades, most famously Ernest Hemingway, who frequently enjoyed cocktails here during his time in Madrid. Even with interiors that are now modern and refined, a sense of legacy is still woven into the place. You can almost picture him sitting at the bar.

The hotel’s 123 rooms and suites have a minimalist aesthetic, with neutral tones, hardwood floors, and bold, big black-and-white photography behind the beds. Guests will find modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, kettles, and well-stocked minibars. 

Many rooms offer stunning skyline views of Madrid, and if you feel like splurging, some of the premium and Junior suites include spacious private terraces. Bathrooms are large and thoughtfully designed, featuring both bathtubs and walk-in rainfall showers, NH-branded toiletries, and powerful Black Mambo hairdryers.

Culinary Delights, Rooftop Views, and a Secret Spot for a Nightcap

Just off the main entrance, the Lobby Bar at Casa Suecia offers an inviting all-day escape. With its large windows, warm colonial-inspired décor, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the kind of spot you could settle into morning, noon, or night. Light breakfasts transition to afternoon bites, then curated cocktails and tapas plates crafted from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the truffled grilled cheese, it’s a standout. Whether you’re craving a well-pulled espresso, a mid-day snack, or a low-key evening drink, the Lobby Bar delivers every time.

Casa Suecia, the hotel’s main restaurant, serves a Mediterranean-influenced menu in a space that feels more like a stylish neighborhood favorite than your typical hotel dining room. Mornings begin with a generous buffet featuring everything from freshly sliced Spanish jamón and classic Spanish omelets to an array of Iberian meats, house-made pastries, pressed juices, and plenty of gluten-free options.

Evening brings transformation as Casa Suecia shifts into a warm, buzzy dinner spot. But insiders know there’s more to discover. Excuse yourself “to use the restroom,” and you might just stumble upon Clandestino, the hotel’s hidden bar. Tucked behind a discreet door in the corridor, this sultry hideaway invites you to settle into plush red velvet banquettes or slip into the cheetah-print-draped back room. Anchoring the space is a striking wooden bar, said to be salvaged from a cathedral in France, adding a note of grandeur to the moody ambiance.

For a change of scenery, head upstairs to Ático, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Spread across two levels, it draws a chic local crowd for sunset cocktails and panoramic views over the Madrid skyline. Try the RoofTOP Spritz or a White Negroni. On weekends, it transforms into one of the city’s most talked-about brunch scenes, with tall glasses of ice-cold Cava, croquetas, Spanish charcuterie, platters of seafood, and a DJ spinning the kind of tunes that might just get you dancing.

Wellness and Relaxation

While the hotel doesn’t feature a full-service spa, it does have a well-equipped fitness center for guests who want to maintain their workout routine while traveling. For those seeking relaxation, in-room massages can be easily arranged through the concierge or the hotel’s StayApp. It’s a convenient, no-hassle option. Simply wait for a knock at the door, and a professional therapist will arrive to help you unwind on your schedule.

Written By: Dana Freeman

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