Hotel Fuerte Marbella

This stately resort has been a Costa del Sol landmark since it opened in 1957. It attracts mostly couples, but families are also drawn by its beachfront location, pools, and kids' club, while event space makes it a popular venue for weddings and meetings. Whatever the occasion, this upscale resort impresses with lush tropical landscaping and tall trees lining the entrance. A bank of glass doors greets visitors as they step inside and onto beautiful white marble floors. Marble even lines the walls and makes up the large front desk that's illuminated by a huge glass chandelier hanging from the coffered ceiling. Dark wood paneling appears behind the desk and some other areas of the expansive lobby, where clusters of richly upholstered sofas and armchairs in red and gold tones encircle marble-top tables. Modern art adorns some of the walls of this quiet and classy resort. 

The Hotel Fuerte Marbella is situated on the beachfront off of the N-340, the main road that runs through Marbella and along the coast. It’s in a convenient area along the Marbella Promenade, which is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars. Alameda Park, with tropical gardens and a fountain, is a three-minute walk away, and it's only a five-minute walk into Marbella's Old Town. Once there, the narrow cobblestone streets are home to the Contemporary Spanish Engraving Museum (featuring works from Picasso, Miro, and Dali), as well as the Renaissance-era Plaza de los Naranjos and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city. It's about a 20-minute walk to the Plaza de Toros bullfighting ring, and about 15 minutes by car to Puerto Banus Marina. The dolphin shows and penguin exhibits at Selwo Marina Delfinarium are about 40 minutes away by car. Malaga Airport is a 40- to 50-minute drive from the hotel.

Guest rooms at Hotel Fuerte Marbella are simple yet upscale and tasteful. The most prominent element in the bedroom areas are the beautiful hardwood plank floors. The solid wood doors and trim reflect the hotel’s age and give the rooms a classic feel. Walls are painted white, except for those by the beds that are gray or light green. Light gray bed throws and dark gray bolster pillows accent the bright white bedding. Drapes are beige and some beds have padded white leather headboards, while others are wood poster beds. High quality wood furniture includes desks, upholstered armchairs, and small oval tables. The rooms are clean and spacious, ranging from 172 square feet (Standard Doubles) to 409 square feet (Junior Suites). The Junior Suites have separate sitting areas with sofas and additional flat screen TVs. The spacious bathrooms are the most upscale aspect of the rooms. They come in various shades of white, gray, beige, and salmon marble on the floors and walls. Some have marble vanities and double sinks, while others have roomy white, pedestal-style ceramic vanities. The shower/tub combos have rainfall showerheads and glass partial doors. Standard amenities include coffeemakers,  minibars, electronic safes, room service, magnifying mirrors, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms in the Exclusive category add robes and slippers as well as access to the hotel’s Exclusive Lounge that offers free drinks and snacks. The small balconies have tables and chairs. Some offer partial or limited ocean views, and other rooms have sweeping vistas of the Mediterranean. 

There are plenty of places to soak up the sun and take in the beachfront views at this hotel. It features an expansive lawn with lush landscaping full of loungers next to its glass-enclosed, heated indoor pool, which is open only during the cold months. It also has a sundeck next to its outdoor pool. The hotel has a private beach where lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. It’s next to the Beach Club Grill, which is also glass enclosed and offers outdoor seating right on the sand (note that The Grill is closed during January and February). Other dining options include Olivo Restaurant, which serves a hot breakfast buffet (not included in room rates) as well as lunch and dinner, while Noble Bar has lots of outdoor seating overlooking the beach. It provides nightly live entertainment that sometimes includes flamenco dancing. The fitness center is large, well equipped, and includes a sauna room and locker facilities. There is a beauty salon on-site, but no spa. The kids' club offers supervised activities for children from 4 to 16, but it’s only open during high season. Several spacious meeting rooms are available, and the business center has Internet access and printers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Concierge services are available, as are babysitting and valet laundry and dry cleaning. Parking is available on the hotel’s surface lot and underground garage, but it’s not free. Pets are allowed with some restrictions, and nonsmoking rooms are available.