El Fuerte Marbella has long been a landmark on Marbella’s beachfront promenade. Recently reborn as a 5-star property, it combines a rich history with fresh interiors, thoughtful dining, and well-being facilities. The hotel offers 251 rooms and suites with sea or garden views and a range of dining options from the rooftop Edge by Paco Pérez to the beachside Soleo. Its central location puts Marbella’s Old Town just a short stroll away.
Arriving at El Fuerte Marbella, the experience starts outside the hotel with the valet parking your car and a bellman swiftly taking our luggage. The hotel sits right on the Paseo Marítimo, the lively promenade beloved by cyclists, joggers, and those taking leisurely strolls, all accompanied by the sound of the Mediterranean waves.
El Fuerte Marbella has welcomed many famous guests over the decades, including Walt Disney, who reportedly drew inspiration here for Pluto. The hotel’s rich history also includes visits from various international stars, making it a landmark not just for its location but its cultural legacy.
Being a Selected guest meant I bypassed the main reception to check in at a dedicated desk, greeted with a welcome glass of cava and handmade chocolates. A swift lift ride took me up to my sea-facing room, where the gentle colours of terracotta, green, and soft neutrals created a soothing retreat.
My room overlooked a canopy of pine and palm trees, the sea just beyond. The recent remodelling of El Fuerte Marbella has been careful and considerate, blending warm southern Spain colours and textures with clean, modern lines.
The Selected Lounge
One of the highlights for me was the private Selected Lounge. It is a quiet, space just for Selected guests, serving a selection of alcoholic drinks, refreshments and snacks throughout the day. The lounge felt like a haven after a morning by the pool or an afternoon walk in old town. There lounge opens to large covered and open terraces exclusively for Selected guests.
As a Selected guest, I enjoyed several extras, including a welcome cocktail on the rooftop, complimentary hydrotherapy session in the spa’s wet area each day, as well as Molton Brown toiletries in the room. The staff offered luggage packing and unpacking services too. I was also able to take advantage of late checkout at 3 pm, stretching my stay without the usual rush.
Thoughtful Touches
The hotel features an elegant library where guests can borrow both fiction and non-fiction books, thoughtfully organised by language sections—perfect for a leisurely holiday read. It’s a charming and practical addition. The lobby also hosts rotating art exhibitions, adding a creative flair to the welcoming atmosphere.
Art of Breakfast
Breakfast at El Fuerte is a highlight. Alongside an impressive buffet with a la carte hot options, selected guests enjoy an exclusive tasting breakfast that celebrates the region’s finest local produce. The menu thoughtfully pairs sourdough breads with a selection of butters and honey varieties sourced nearby. Elegant dishes arrive one by one, such as a delicate Iberian ham waffle topped with smoked salmon and a creamy potato and spinach omelette made with carefully confit ingredients. Local cheeses served with homemade fruit compotes and nuts add richness, while a sweet finish featuring strawberries and a light orange blossom sponge cake offers a gentle close. This approach to breakfast feels both refined and deeply connected to the flavours of the area.
Dining at El Fuerte
The hotel’s dining options are as varied, and allow you to mix fine dining with more relaxed daytime options.
Edge by Paco Pérez, on the rooftop terrace, is the signature dining experience. Paco Pérez crafts the menus and visits to ensure quality. I enjoyed some stand-out dishes, including a pre starter of Málaga clams served on a seaweed bed, a starter of quail cannelloni with béchamel, and a main dish of Coín beef fillet in Café de Paris sauce.
On the beach, Soleo has a truly Mediterranean feel. Listening to waves gently lapping the shore as I savoured local seafood, including battered cod, fritters with local scarlet shrimp and traditional tapas like tortillita de camarones. The space is informal, yet elegant, perfect for a sunset meal after a day on the sand.
Levante, the terrace restaurant, offers a breezy midday option with creative street-food inspired dishes. I especially liked the takoyaki shrimp gyozas with Japanese mayo and the burrata quesadilla with guacamole. The fresh pasta with guanciale and pecorino Romano filling was rich but balanced.
Well-being
The spa uses Clarins products, and the wet area with hydrotherapy pools invites guests to slow down and restore. The outdoor pools and shaded gardens provide further options to relax. Beach access is immediate, via a lift or spiral staircase, with sunbeds reserved for hotel guests along the beach.
El Fuerte’s location shines. Stepping out puts you almost directly in Marbella’s Old Town. I wandered through narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed buildings. The nearby Puerto Deportivo buzzes with nightlife later into the evening.
Photo credits: Manolo Yllera and Andrew Forbes
Contact Details
Website: www.elfuertemarbella.com
Address: Paseo Marítimo s/n, 29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain
