The new Don Carlos Marbella opens its doors after an ambitious renovation

The legendary Hotel Don Carlos, a symbol of Marbella's  sophistication and exclusivity since 1969, has just reopened its doors as the new Don Carlos Marbella. Following an ambitious comprehensive renovation led by Selenta Group—part of the portfolio of the Canadian fund Brookfield Asset Management— this emblematic establishment is embarking on a new era in which contemporary luxury  and Andalusian heritage merge to create an unprecedented hotel experience on the  Costa del Sol.  

Photo credits: Don Carlos Marbella

Situated in a privileged 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. 

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.

Photo credits: Don Carlos Marbella

A leisure programme for all 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 programmes 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 centre 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 centred on the brand's Cuisine 

du Soleil philosophy, a fresh take on Mediterranean flavours 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. 

A 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 savour 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 flavour 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 three  distinct concepts that complement the experience. 

A destination designed 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.

A design inspired by the essence of Andalusia 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 colour 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.

A benchmark for event hosting on the Costa del Sol 

In its new phase, the Selenta Group Hotel in Marbella 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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