Marbella, SpainCerrado de Elviria
Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club
Andalusian beachfront refuge
Riad courtyards with trickling fountains and sweeping horseshoe arches lead down through subtropical gardens to a beach club on the sand.
“The Marbella hotel's interior design and architecture pay homage to Andalusia's Moorish legacy, featuring sweeping horseshoe arches…”
What it’s good at
Bronze
Goddard Littlefair interiors pair delicate jali screens and handcrafted Moorish lanterns with intricate zellige tilework and riad courtyards.
Bronze
A Champneys spa pairing Mediterranean botanicals with a Turkish hammam, cold plunge, and heated indoor lap pool.
Bronze
Direct access to Playa del Real de Zaragoza, three garden pools, and an oceanfront beach club.
Outside the door
On Playa del Real de Zaragoza along the Elviria coast, fifteen minutes east of Marbella Old Town.
What they say
One MICHELIN Key
Michelin
Also in Forbes Travel Guide.
The beachside hotel offers natural garden, sea and mountain views from its elegant and contemporary rooms and suites…

The rooms
Neutral palettes blend with woven wall art, while top-floor Terrace Suites add private hot tubs and ground-floor Garden Suites feature plunge pools.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The spa & gym
Leave the phone upstairs.
A heated indoor hydrotherapy pool anchors the spa, complete with a Turkish hammam, cold plunge, sensory showers, and seven treatment suites.
At the table

Terraza serves Málaga-style breakfasts and grilled local seafood, while Amù Beach Club pairs oceanfront dining and infinity poolside cocktails with sunset DJ sets.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The resort sits directly on the quiet sands of Playa del Real de Zaragoza, fifteen minutes east of Marbella Old Town.
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
Outside the door
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.