Don Carlos Marbella Reborn: Inside the Costa del Sol’s New Era of Mediterranean Luxury

An icon of Mediterranean glamour has returned to the spotlight: Don Carlos Marbella has reopened after a €45 million transformation, unveiling a contemporary vision of beachside luxury on the Costa del Sol. Reimagined by renowned interior designer Jaime Beriestain, the resort now blends Andalusian heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic across 308 rooms, suites and residences surrounded by 20,000 square metres of tropical gardens and sweeping sea views.​

Place image: Hero banner – wide shot of the resort’s beachfront and pools at sunset, showing sea, gardens and the main building.

A New Chapter in Mediterranean Luxury

Originally opened in 1969 and long considered one of Marbella’s most glamorous addresses, Don Carlos Marbella has entered a new era under Selenta Group and Brookfield Asset Management. The redesign pays homage to Andalusia through tactile materials like raffia, stone and natural wood, soft shell‑inspired tones and custom furniture that echo the waves of the Mediterranean and traditional Andalusian shawls. Floor‑to‑ceiling views in the new lobby draw the eye to the horizon, while rooms and residences have been crafted for a new generation of discerning travellers — and for loyal guests returning to their favourite Costa del Sol icon.​

Sport, Beach Clubs and a Full Sensory Leisure Program

The rebirth of Don Carlos Marbella is about more than architecture; it’s also a bold new leisure program designed to engage all the senses. The resort is now home to Spain’s first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, a world‑class complex with seven clay courts, two padel courts overlooking the Mediterranean, a pro shop stocked with Nike and Babolat, and training programs built on the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar methodology. Technology like The Wingfield System tracks and analyses play in real time, giving players of every age and level performance insights usually reserved for professionals.​

On the beachfront, the resort’s legendary Nikki Beach Marbella is joined by Lucia Summer Club 2025, a pop‑up from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group’s new Lucia brand that previews a permanent Lucia Marbella opening in 2026. With a Cuisine du Soleil‑inspired menu, Lucia Summer Club 2025 offers sun‑drenched Mediterranean dishes designed for relaxed poolside lunches and family‑friendly days by the sea, reinforcing Don Carlos Marbella’s eclectic, multigenerational appeal.​

Four Gastronomic Concepts That Celebrate the South

Gastronomy sits at the heart of the new Don Carlos Marbella, with four distinct venues – Los Naranjos, Sol & Sombra, Break Point and Campari Bar Manero – each offering its own take on Mediterranean flavour.​

• Los Naranjos is the hotel’s culinary heart, where mornings begin with light‑filled breakfasts infused with Andalusian aromas and evenings evolve into a tribute to southern flavours, from a Signature Trio of oyster, caviar fritter and mini tempura lobster brioche to red shrimp carpaccio risotto and Mediterranean‑style top sirloin tagliatelle.​
• Sol & Sombra, beside the pool, is an open‑air oasis with bar, sun‑lounger and table areas, serving fresh, shareable dishes that match the rhythm of long summer days.​
• Break Point, within the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, is a casual spot for smoothies, healthy snacks and light meals that complement a training session.​
• Campari Bar Manero, in the hotel’s Andalusian courtyard, is a cocktail bar conceived by Lázaro Rosa Violán that fuses Italian aperitivo culture with Spanish energy, created in collaboration with CAMPARI and the Manero restaurant group.​

Together, these four concepts transform the resort into a culinary destination that captures the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.​

Place image: Beside this section – atmospheric shot of Los Naranjos at dinner or a close‑up of a signature dish; secondary image of Campari Bar Manero’s courtyard and cocktails.

Natura Bissé Spa: A Temple of Andalusian Wellness

At the core of the renovation is a new indoor spa carrying the Natura Bissé seal, conceived as a sanctuary where wellness becomes a complete sensory art. Treatments harness Andalusian elements like citrus, sea breezes and warm sunlight to create rituals that soothe body, mind and soul in a space designed for deep rest. Signature experiences include the Don Carlos Charm Ritual with crystal exfoliation, fresh petals and an orange blossom stone massage; the Mindtouch Experience Ritual, which pairs sensorial technology with evocative fragrances; and the Golden South Essence Massage, inspired by southern light and calm.​

Design That Reinterprets Andalusia

Jaime Beriestain’s design for Don Carlos Marbella takes inspiration from Andalusian craftsmanship, the waves of the Mediterranean and the horizon line, while nodding to the Dolce Vita and Parisian brasseries. Throughout the hotel, raffia, stone, natural wood and custom furniture are paired with a seashell‑inspired palette to create spaces that feel both sophisticated and deeply rooted in place. Enhanced sea views from the lobby, textured walls, and handcrafted details in rooms and suites ensure the property feels like a true “destination hotel” rather than just a place to sleep.​

A New Benchmark for Events on the Costa del Sol

With its reopening, Don Carlos Marbella is also positioning itself as a leading MICE venue on the Costa del Sol, offering 17 multifunctional spaces flooded with natural light for everything from intimate board meetings to large conferences and gala dinners. Combining sophisticated design, advanced technology and tailored service, the hotel aims to create event experiences that are as memorable as its leisure stays, with tropical gardens, beach clubs and fine‑dining venues all just steps away.