It’s been twenty years since Club Med left the country that first welcomed friendly members in the 1950s. Indeed, it is on the island of Mallorca that the first club, then still made up of simple tents, launched the holidays that make you happy, as its founder Gerard Blitz wanted. Since then, the concept has evolved significantly, and the brand has emphasized in recent years its desire to offer more luxurious addresses in line with current concerns about comfort and environmental protection. And if Henri Giscard d’Estaing chose Marbella, it is not only for its fantastic microclimate… The building overlooking the city was already Club Med in the 1980s, before it was abandoned and taken over by hoteliers. ” The return to Spain is very symbolic for us, because it all started here. emphasizes Figaro President Henri Giscard d’Estaing. But it is also a desire to make our customers rediscover this happy, sunny Andalusia with its rich cultural heritage. »
The return to Spain is very symbolic for us, because it all started here.
Henri Giscard d’Estaing, President of Club Med
Andalusian and Mediterranean spirit
Design duo Mark Hertrich and Nicholas Adnet, accustomed to collaborating with Club Med, took on a challenge. imagine a completely new place on an existing structure and anchor it with the Andalusian spirit. Thus, the building was originally renovated by architect Patrick Guenard, who notably dressed it in stylized foliage and a turquoise blue that seemed to reflect the Mediterranean Sea. Outside, next to the entrance, a vintage mural from 1973, classified as a UNESCO heritage site, is a nice nod to the history of the place. The vast lobby, lit by natural light, features shades of green. ” We wanted to bring nature into the space, says Mark Hertrich. Here we explored the theme of olive trees, so abundant in the surrounding fertile plains, which continues in the Tierra Gourmet Lounge restaurant.. »
Paying homage to this land of contrasts, the restaurant offers typical Spanish dishes, cured meats and a wine cellar offering tastings of local specialties. Then you have to go down one level to discover the main restaurant, Bar Rouge, where the designers have created three very different spaces, a tribute to flamenco, equestrian art and Picasso, who grew up in the neighboring city of Málaga. Here, as in the rest of the hotel, the architects decided to create huge openings to bathe the restaurant in natural light.
485 rooms with large balcony and lounge area
Spread over 9 floors, the 485 rooms are also inspired by this vibrant and colorful Andalusia, with muqharabieh-type patterns, Córdoba leather and large photographs of equestrians. All have a large balcony with seating area to enjoy the sea or nature view.
Not located on the beach, Magna Marbella is considered an oasis in a 14-hectare garden planted with many Mediterranean varieties. At the highest point of the hill, the Zen space is a tranquil spot among the trees, where the infinity pool is for adults and the on-site bar offers fresh juices. A little further afield, the golf practice allows you to hit a few balls with a view of the sea, but for experienced players, the club offers access to some of the most beautiful courses in the region. If regulars find all the usual sporting facilities, it is also an opportunity to discover Padel, an accessible and friendly discipline born in Marbella in the 1970s. You can learn this fun game of squash and tennis with family or friends. . A paradise for children, Magna Marbella is one of the first to create the new concept of “Mini Club Med +”, whose activities are designed according to the pedagogy of positive education to develop their confidence, creativity or cooperation.
Between spa, pools and gardens
The spa now provides Cinq Mondes treatments through 14 cabins and has a very pleasant terrace overlooking the sea, where large beds invite you to take a siesta. Right next to it is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, quiet and whose marble decor, very bright, is particularly relaxing. A little further down, the main pool is designed like a lagoon, and “daybeds” mingle with lounge chairs to create more intimate lounging areas. The huge garden is also suitable for unusual events, such as the Garden Party on Wednesday evenings, where large tables and barbecues offer a luxurious and original moment. Like every night, the club is alive thanks to Pierre-Jean, the village headman, who perfectly embodies the club’s festive spirit.
If the little white streets of Marbella invite you to walk, Andalusia is at the gates of the city. Just an hour away, majestic Ronda, whose bullring dates back to 1785, is the ideal place to better understand the region and its history. The Excursions Office also invites you to discover the Picasso Museum in Málaga or the Caminito del Rey, amazing walking paths between the cliffs of Los Ardales Natural Park.
Club Med Magna Marbella, C. Padre Paco Ostos, S/N, 29601 Trapiche, Malaga. From 2965 euros per week for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (ages 3 and 6). Such. 0810.810.810.
Source: Le Figaro
