The storied legacy of the Marbella Club

We chart the evolution of a former finca in southern Spain that grew to become an A-lister’s oasis, beloved by everyone from Brigitte Bardot to the Duke of Windsor

Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody

Modern hoteliers owe a lot to Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe-Langenburg. The Spanish prince, playboy and businessman was responsible for bringing to life the Marbella Club, a legendary hotel that continues to serve as the blueprint for beach resorts the world over. The first hotel to grace the shores of the Golden Mile, its arrival in 1954 prompted the transformation of Marbella from a sleepy fishing town into one of 20th-century Europe’s most exclusive holiday destinations.

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