Marbella would not have been what it was –and still is– without the Marbella Club Hotel • Golf Resort & Spa. Of that we are completely convinced. That Malaga fishing village that managed to steal attention from the French Riviera itself –becoming a meeting point for aristocrats, movie stars and adopted Marbellans who found in this corner of the Costa del Sol 'their place' in the world– it did so partly thanks to the influence of this luxury hotel whose signs of identity have changed little since then: exclusivity, authenticity and privacy are part of its hospital DNA.
Inspired by the origins of the hotel during the fifties, when it was the meeting place of Prince Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe and his new friends, such as Brigitte Bardot and Cary Grant, among others, Marbella Club Hotel has just launched the Clubhouse: a new timeless and multigenerational meeting point that encompasses a series of spaces –with constant movement– designed to drink, eat, pamper yourself and, ultimately, enjoy good times.
Rudi's.
Have been the interior designers Marie-Caroline Willms and Johanna Haniel , from the Spanish design studio EMCI Interiors, those in charge of giving shape, meaning and sensitivity to its fascinating interior design, which evokes the calm and relaxed atmosphere of an Andalusian village, but with that sophisticated touch that attracts us so much. Natural materials such as bamboo or terracotta are carefully intermingled with handmade ceramic details or wallpaper from the Schumacher house.
With zero pretensions and the sole intention of fostering feelings of belonging, connection, and community, the Clubhouse offers experiences with a Mediterranean aftertaste in each and every one of its key rooms: the restaurant El Patio, Rudi's, La Bodega and a cozy central patio with a hair salon, flower shop and versatile spaces for pop-up collaborations.
The Courtyard Bar.
THE BACKYARD
In the same place where the original 13 rooms of the hotel once stood, stands the new and lively restaurant El Patio. Open all day, here you can start the day with a revitalizing natural juice, have tapas at aperitif time, have lunch intoxicated by the aroma of jasmine or dine by candlelight in a captivating atmosphere. You only have to choose if you want to do it in the pergola, under the vines or with the family on the large wooden table.
Inside, a mediterranean feeling surrounds everything and two decorative elements will steal your attention: its imposing chimney, with sculptures of tritons made by hand by the Sevillian duo Exvotos, and its circular bar, inspired by Seville's Plaza de España... every detail tells a story.
Kitchen seen in El Patio.
From its relaxed menu, inspired by the Mediterranean Riviera and the Berber coasts, the Italian chef is in charge Armando Codispoti, in collaboration with Turkish chef Esra Muslu (former Soho House Europe and Ottolenghi London). Wild sea bass carpaccio, with bergamot, chili and lime caviar or octopus, with chili, pickled shallots and chorizo aioli are some of the suggestive dishes.
Four hands will tempt us in El Patio with their cocktails, as personal and elaborate as the cuisine itself: Clubhouse mixologist Nelson Gallo will add his botanical magic with homemade cordials (the aromatic herbs and citrus fruits are from our own garden), and renowned bartender Marc Álvarez will also add his expert knowledge (Hermanos Adrià and Grupo El Barri) through proposals for seasonal menus.
Dishes and cocktails at El Patio.
RUDI'S
Designed to be the stage where you can toast with champagne and accompany it with some tapas, Rudi's bar is a cozy, bohemian winter retreat where you can play a game of backgammon or listen to live music by the fireplace with a cocktail in hand.
In a heartfelt tribute to Count Rudi von Schönburg, the hotel's first general manager, who, at 88, is still active, Rudi's has been designed to evoke the feeling of a family living room –one with works of art inspired by the Alhambra and stools with tassels in the purest Andalusian style–.
Rudi's.
POP UP SPACES
The leisure experience at the hotel is lived around the central patio of the Clubhouse, where, in addition to a hairdresser, there is a boutique and a flower shop that serve as a showcase for the best talent in the region, as they support small local artisans and producers.
It also has versatile spaces perfect for pop-up collaborations, like the one you hosted last summer Chanel's ephemeral boutique, the first in our country... but not the last one, since – due to the good reception – this spring the French luxury brand will return to the Marbella Club Hotel with its seasonal collections.
A pop-up restaurant not to be missed is El Olivar, in which chef Andrés Ruiz develops healthy cuisine –free of additives and refined sugars– based on the seasonal product of the area. In the, dishes such as an organic corn taco or a coconut and fresh herb risotto They arrive accompanied by natural juices and smoothies of all colors and flavors.
Juice in El Olivar.
THE CELLAR
More than 400 references make up the letter of the cellar, that collects the history of local family wineries, as well as other more special ones, which is why it is the perfect place to carry out private tastings in which the sommelier Ángel González uses surprising tools such as land or biodynamic horns to give color to the encounters.
CLASSIC CLUBHOUSE SPACES
the discreet Summer Bar continues to provide the soundtrack to Marbella nights since the fifties with the melody of the piano and the murmur of the sea in the background and, at El Grill, grill master Roque Juárez Junior continues the family legacy , offering classic recipes that are cooked on the same bronze grill where Roque Juárez, his father and predecessor, worked.
SummerBar.