Club Med has officially opened its newest European resort, Club Med Magna Marbella. This marks the brand’s return to Spain, as the very first Club Med resort was founded on Spain’s Balearic Islands in 1950. The four Trident (4-star), family-friendly resort welcomed its first guests on 20MAY 2022 with views of the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Marbella, and Sierra Blanca.
Guests who checked in over the weekend were the very first to experience the resort's indoor-outdoor architecture and design, culturally immersive culinary experiences, and range of activities designed for a variety of travellers.
During the resort’s opening ceremony, Henri Giscard d'Estaing, Club Med’s President and CEO, shared his sentiments about the brand’s continued growth. “Today, we are proud to return to Andalusia, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe, with a new premium resort, Club Med Magna Marbella, which perfectly showcases what Club Med has become today after major changes in the last 20 years, a premium, ‘glocal’, happy digital brand aiming to develop a more sustainable tourism.”
The Resort
Located in the Andalusia region of Spain, Club Med’s new family-friendly resort is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Blanca and spread across 35 acres of gardens and terraces. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a short distance away from the city of Marbella, the resort also holds greenery and flora.
"Traditionality with a hint of modernity" is a theme displayed throughout the resort’s architecture and design. The property was designed with an indoor-outdoor concept that is married with décor inspired by Marbella’s art, culture, and nature. A variety of accommodations, including 485 guestrooms, are designed to suit a variety of guests, from families and couples to solo travellers and large groups. Each Deluxe, Superior, and Family Suite is inspired by the region and its surrounding scenery.
The resort’s two restaurants and three bars offer culinary experiences thoughtfully curated to showcase the local food and drink of the region. The main restaurant, Suenos, is at the heart of the resort while the Tierra Gourmet Lounge welcomes guests all day long with a bar, wine cellar, and gourmet snack bar for Spanish wine tastings, happy hour, live music, and tapas.
As part of Club Med’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility, the resort has permitted the creation of more than 300 direct jobs, of which more than half were filled by local recruitment, as well as 140 local indirect jobs. Following its opening, Magna Marbella aims to earn its Green Globe certification for a sustainable hotel operation. Under the brand’s “Happy to Care” program, almost 95 per cent of all Club Med resorts have been awarded this eco-certification, which is renewed yearly. Aligned with that commitment, the resort is also equipped with solar panels that will supply the required energy for water heating purposes as well as a rain collection and treatment system that will be used to water the gardens.
Activities
More than 25 sports and activities are included in a stay at Club Med Magna Marbella, like Zen yoga, aerial fitness, golf, flying trapeze, archery, beach volleyball, and paddle tennis (native to Marbella). Guests can also take a dip in one of five pools including an indoor freshwater pool, the main lagoon pool, an adults-exclusive Zen pool, a dedicated kids pool for the Children’s Clubs, and a family-friendly water park area. For those looking to unwind, the resort’s wellness area includes a Club Med Spa by CINQ MONDES complete with a steam room, 14 treatment rooms, and an exclusive indoor-outdoor relaxation room for added privacy.
While adults enjoy wellness experiences, kids can write their own vacation stories in Club Med’s children’s clubs which offer an array of customized activities for kids and teens from four months to 17 years old. Families can also participate in the Club Med Amazing Family program, an agenda of weekly activities for families to bond. Amongst the resort’s range of family activities are “must-try experiences” which include paddle tennis tournaments, a stroll through the nearby Pueblos Blancos, an Andalusian garden party with unlimited sangria, tapas, and wines, and spending the day at the Family Fun Zone featuring water slides, a variety of water games, a mini-golf course, and a zipline.
Destination + Exploration
Andalusia, often referred to as "the garden of Europe", holds varied landscapes along with cultural and historical discoveries. Located near Spain's south coast, Club Med Magna Marbella is a 20-minute walk from both sandy Mediterranean beaches and Marbella's city center. It is also an hour drive from Gibraltar, Ronda, and Malaga, if guests wish to explore the Arab-Andalusian history and natural wonders of the region.
Excursions to the Doäana Natural Park and Caminito del Rey, as well as four-wheel drives through Sierra de la Nieves and visiting local villages allow guests to explore the natural beauty and heritage of Southern Spain.
For more information on Club Med, visit its web site.
