The best hotels in Marbella

Michelle Obama got into some hot water stateside following her 2010 stay at this salmon-hued citadel of elegance, with critics saying she’d pampered herself a bit too much on the taxpayers’ dime. Regardless of your political leanings, you’ll understand what attracted the former First Lady to these digs rising from the hills above central Marbella. Aside from the lavish suites, big draws include enviable access to the Puro Beach Club just down the road, three golf courses and cocktails at Eddy’s Bar that are bracing in the best possible way.

Where is it? Bang in the middle of one of an 18-hole golf course, Villa Padierna is just 10 minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus and there’s a shuttle service to its very own beach club. 

Which room? Whether you go for a deluxe room or a suite, you’re in for a treat with marble-clad bathrooms, rain showers and coffee makers in every room. We like the ones with the lake view. Feeling flush? Book out an entire villa. 

Time Out tip: Make a beeline for a table at La Veranda where you’ll be treated to fine Basque fare and live flamenco music.

A biggie and an oldie, but still a goodie. You can also rely on this well-oiled machine to provide all the perks of a large resort, including tennis courts, three pools (one of them indoor and heated, and another just for the kids) and a smorgasbord of restaurants serving up everything from sushi to caviar to desserts to a southern Spanish interpretation of that famed Basque steak at T-Bone Grill.

Where is it? With an enviable location sandwiched between the sea and the foothills of the Sierra Blanca mountains, Gran Meliá Don Pepe’s rooms rarely disappoint when it comes to views.  

Which room? The RedLevel Front Sea View room not only has a sunny balcony and ocean panoramas to wake up to, but it also gives you access to tailored services including access to VIP areas and priority bookings.

Time Out tip: For those with a sweet tooth, check out Darcis serving up luxury chocolates, ice cream and patisserie.  

This highly touted Old Town option should please the budget-minded and travellers with fond memories of Asian destinations. The seven rooms are named after various famed Far East locales (Lhasa, Sarawak...) and deliver a sense of feng shui zen. Guests rave about the breakfast, a small staff that quickly comes to feel like family, and a rooftop terrace with striking views of sea and mountain. It’s a top choice for couples.

Where is it? La Villa is a clementine’s throw from the popular Orange Square. 

Which room? The Luxury Escape Room Plus has a beautifully tiled terrace with a hot tub. 

Time Out tip: Holidaying in a couple? Add a romantic package to your stay for ultimate amorous vibes. 

This Mediterranian oasis is perched atop a cliff in a manner reminiscent of a Bond villain’s lair with some astounding views to boot. The rustic digs are ideal for couples beyond their party years and preferably travelling without kids. And it comes at a surprisingly good value.

Where is it? Perched on a hill just 10 minutes’ drive from Marbella’s beaches.

Which room? Book the Deluxe UrbanSuite for private access to a pool and Finnish sauna. 

Time Out tip: Instead of hitting the clubs, guests can start a late-night jam session with the piano and bongos at their disposal.

Formerly known as the Byblos Hotel, this hideaway nestled in the depths of the Andalusian hills was a famous retreat in the ‘90s and ‘80s counting Princess Diana and the Rolling Stones as guests. It’s since been beautifully renovated and reopened in 2022 as La Zambra (named after a bare-footed Flamenco dance) and is now filled with calming earthy colour palettes and furnishings made from natural materials. There are hidden atriums with trickling water features, shady tiled courtyards lined with cypress trees and beautiful terraces to discover across the resort – not to mention two pools, a golf course, tennis courts and a spa with a Moorish wet area. Throw in four brilliant restaurants and you won’t want to leave. 

Where is it? Nearby the sweet mountain town of Mijas Pueblo, between Málaga and Marbella and not too far from Granada and Seville. 

Which room? Opt for a garden room with a terrace to wake up to the sights and sounds of Andalucia every morning.

Time Out tip: Book one of the five therapy ‘journies’ in the Mood Spa for the ultimate relaxation experience. 

With just seven homey rooms set in a 17th-century townhouse, Hotel Claude should please even the most discerning boutique freaks. Note that there’s no pool or full-service restaurant, but guests have access to nearby spa and swimming facilities. And the 24/7 multilingual staff will happily arrange for a local chef to come to you for a personalised meal. All the rooms were refurbished in 2020, so expect a slick, fresh touch to each bedroom. If it’s good enough for former residents, including Napoleon III’s wife, it’s good enough for you.

Where is it? You’re an easy amble to bustling Port Banús and its unabashed parade of ultra-luxe cars, but when it's time to turn in, you’ll doze off on a peaceful street in Old Town’s northern reaches. 

Which room? We love the Chic Superior room with the beautiful heron mural. 

Time Out tip: Sit out on the San Lucas Terrace, a gorgeous outdoor space inspired by the San Lucas Fair in Jaén filled with green and white tiles, candy-cane striped awnings and Andalusian flowers. 

An understated boutique option, there are just nine rooms at The Town House, where Moorish tiling abounds and round-the-clock service warmly greets you. The roof terrace receives high marks for its views of La Concha mountain and the low-slung Old Town skyline. There’s no hotel restaurant, but the charming offerings of the neighbourhood are right at your doorstep. And there’s a straightforward yet satisfying continental breakfast included. 

Where is it? In a calm corner of Marbella's Old Town that’s a pleasant walk to the shore. 

Which room? The King’s Landing room is an eye-popping space with a pretty patio and resplendent murals above the bed.

Time Out tip: Note that the third-floor bedrooms are on the small side.

Even the smallest rooms at this palm-tree-lined resort have a king-sized bed, open plan seating area and a private terrace overlooking the two glistening pools that form the stunning centrepiece of Boho Club. Lounge on a deckchair with the sublime silhouette of the La Concha Mountains in your periphery or watch flamenco in the alfresco bar filled with orange trees, geraniums in clay pots and multicoloured ceramics. Be sure to book in for dinner at the hotel’s glamorous eatery run by chef Michelin-starred chef Diego del Rí. 

Where is it? On a private estate on Marbella’s famous Golden Mile. It’s just a short stroll to the beach and a quick drive to Puerto Banús or Marbella town.

Which room? Every room here is a jewel-toned enclave of luxury. But, opt for a bungalow for the ultimate private terrace and access to the lush gardens. 

Time Out tip: Book a pool and picnic experience for the ultimate alfresco meal in the resort’s gardens. 

Gourmands take note: Puente Romano houses a tasty collection of restaurants, including a Nobu outpost, a Thai joint, and a steakhouse. You can sweat it all out on one of ten tennis courts (a certain Björn Borg opened the complex in 1979) before hitting a pool bisected by a spiffy footbridge and flanked by towering palm trees. Or you can hop right down to the beach. Suites, grand suites and villas nod subtly to old-school Mediterranean influences and are noted for decks seemingly the size of airport hangars.

Where is it? One of the most exclusive apartment complexes on Marbella’s ‘Golden Mile’, you’re near golden sand beaches and bustling nightlife all in the shadow of the Andalucian countryside.

Which room? All suites have an ocean-facing jacuzzi on a private terrace and a deluxe in-room sauna. 

Time Out tip: There are lots of food options here, but make sure you check out the Sea Grill – a riff on the traditional Spanish beachside fish shacks known as ‘chiringuitos’.

The Amare might be near Marbella’s Old Town, but the lodgings are contemporary and sleek, with just a hint of tiki kitsch to keep guests on their toes. It’s located beachside. A recent redesign gave the adults-only spot a sun-drenched vibe in which indoor and outdoor spaces merge seamlessly. DJs get you dancing at the rooftop Belvue bar, the perfect spot to work off any caloric damage done by dinner Restaurant Messina, which has a Michelin star. 

Where is it? A short stroll to Marbella’s picturesque Old Town. 

Which room? Prime rooms in The One class have sea views and include access to a free drink-dispensing lounge. 

Time Out tip: Hit up the spa which does classic treatments and more off-the-wall offers like Tibetan sound massages. 

Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and assorted Kennedys are among the notable guests of yore who put Marbella Club on the international jet set map and made this once-sleepy seaside town the travel magnet it is today. Chef Juan Gálvez oversees the direction of the resort’s whopping nine restaurants, but the Santa Margarita stretch of the Golden Mile is within easy reach for guests looking to venture beyond the 121-bedroom (and 16-villa) hotel’s striking arches. The verdant 300-acre grounds also include a spa with treatments catered to you by a team of wellness gurus.

Where is it? Set between Marbella and Puerto Banús on a club golf resort. 

Which room? Opt for the Garden Suite for leafy views from the cosy terrace and luxurious Mediterranean furnishings. 

Time Out tip: Look out for special events on the complex like luxury brand pop-ups and wellness activities. 

The only hotel within the walls of Marbella’s 10th-century Moorish fortress, El Castillo is a slice of historic Andalusian style cleverly melded with swish modern charm. Lovingly restored in 2022, the 19th-century mansion is a breathtaking building to behold, from the sunlight-flooded atrium where sculptures of muscular human figures hang from the ceiling above an ancient amphora, to the stunning roof terrace with sheltered leafy spots for dining and views across the historic centre. Each of the 15 rooms are cosy but chic with custom-made bedding and beamed ceilings. And make a beeline for onsite restaurant A Fuego using sustainable, fresh local ingredients for its seasonal menus.

Where is it? In the middle of Marbella’s old town, you’re just footsteps away from most of the major historical sights and the beach is just around the corner. 

Which room? The Deluxe Doubles on the first and second floors, have huge windows and cosy designs that highlight the building’s historical features. 

Time Out tip: Ask the friendly staff to organise a range of experiences including on-site massages or tailored days out.