Spain’s Don Carlos Marbella Reopens After $52 Million Renovation
The Costa del Sol icon is back with reimagined interiors and a Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre.
Photo: Courtesy of Don Carlos Marbella
One of Spain’s most iconic seaside resorts has officially reopened with a new look. Following a $52 million overhaul by Selenta Group, Don Carlos Marbella has emerged from its multi-year renovation with reimagined interiors by Jaime Beriestain, new dining concepts, an upgraded wellness offering, and the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Spain.
Set on Marbella’s sought-after Elviria Beach and surrounded by 215,000 square feet of subtropical gardens, the 308-room hotel now includes a mix of renovated rooms, suites, and long-stay residences. It’s also joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts L.V.X. Collection, a move that broadens access for advisors booking through consortia like Virtuoso and Signature.
The hotel’s biggest differentiator is its experience-forward programming. The new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre—home to seven clay courts and two padel courts—uses cutting-edge Wingfield analytics (a first for mainland Spain) and offers customizable programs based on Nadal’s academy methodology.
Wellness travelers will appreciate a Natura Bissé-branded spa and there are also two beachfront clubs. Nikki Beach anchors the scene, but the addition of Lucia Summer Club, a pop-up concept previewing the permanent 2026 restaurant, caters to a slightly more refined, family-friendly crowd. Culinary concepts across the hotel range from upscale Andalusian fare at Los Naranjos to poolside plates at Sol & Sombra and aperitifs at Campari Bar Manero, a Spanish-Italian hybrid from the Manero Group.
The renovation also positions Don Carlos Marbella as a serious MICE player on the Costa del Sol too, with 17 light-filled event spaces and capacity for both intimate incentive groups and large-scale conferences.
For clients splitting time between the coast and the cultural inland cities of Andalusia—or for multigenerational families seeking a diverse base that blends lifestyle, wellness, and recreation—Don Carlos Marbella is a sophisticated, flexible option. Advisors should note that the property is currently in a phased reopening, with more enhancements (including a permanent Lucia Marbella restaurant) expected in 2026.
