El Fuerte Marbella
Marbella, Spain
★ Verified by our editors · June 2026
The verdict
Marbella's original hotel, opened in 1957 and reborn in a 2022 redesign by Jaime Beriestain — a five-star beachfront landmark right on the promenade, a five-minute walk from the old town. Andalusian charm meets clean contemporary design, with a Paco Pérez rooftop. The best-located luxury base in central Marbella.
Travellers who want to be on the beach and walk to Marbella's old town, with contemporary five-star comfort.
You want a secluded resort or a country estate — this is an in-town beachfront hotel in the heart of Marbella.
Book a sea-view room on a high floor, and have dinner at the rooftop Edge by Paco Pérez at sunset.
The rooms
Around 250 rooms and suites with sea or garden views, restyled in 2022 by Jaime Beriestain Studio — a polished blend of Andalusian character and clean contemporary design, with the sea-view rooms along the promenade the ones to book.
The setting
On the beachfront of central Marbella, right on the seafront promenade and a five-minute walk from the Plaza de los Naranjos and the old town. There's a rooftop with a pool and bar, beachfront dining, and the town's restaurants and shops on the doorstep.
The food
Several venues, headlined by the rooftop Edge by Paco Pérez (fusion cooking and views from the celebrated chef) and the beachside Soleo for relaxed all-day dining, plus bars around the pool and promenade.
Getting there
About 40 minutes from Málaga airport; the old town is a five-minute walk and Puerto Banús around 10 minutes by car. You don't need a car to enjoy central Marbella — public parking is nearby.
Good to know
Marbella's first hotel (1957), now five-star after a 2022 redesign and part of the family-owned Fuerte Group. The appeal is the central beachfront location and the rooftop dining; it's an in-town hotel rather than a resort.
