Marbella Club Hotel

The undisputed grande dame of southern Spain, this iconic resort sprawls along a prime patch of the ‘Golden Mile’, a stretch of beautiful beach between Marbella’s Old Town and Puerto Banus’s yachts.

Built in 1954 by a prince as the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel, it soon attracted the likes of Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and Laurence Olivier, and has lost none of its glamorous lustre since.

There are 37 guestrooms and 78 elegant suites scattered throughout acres of jasmine-scented gardens with outdoor terrace overlooking the glorious gardens or views out to sea. There are also 14 two-, three- and five-bedroom villas, some with private pools, and the illustrious six-bedroom Villa Del Mar.

Choose from nine bars and restaurants including an opulent Champagne bar, lavish buffet at the legendary Beach Club, romantic grill restaurant and a trendy café. There’s also impressive tennis courts, three swimming pools, a modern Thalasso Spa, a Dave Thomas designed golf course, equestrian centre, superb kids’ club and a luxury shopping gallery. In short, facilities that rank it among the best in the world.