Far less overrun by tourists when compared to areas like Spain’s Costa Brava, Marbella tucks away within the country’s southernmost seaboard; fully immersed in the historically entrenched Andalusia region.
There’s a more staid, if semi-tropical and slightly vivacious, sense of luxury here. An “old world” appeal lends itself well to the “old money” visitors that vacation in the city. Among exclusive golf courses, pristine beaches, and historically ornate spas, grand hotels like the Kimpton Los Monteros stand in abundance.
Looking to better root the storied address within this, its picturesque surroundings, Barcelona-based interior architecture practice EL Equipo Creativo enacted a set of interventions.
Bringing indoor spaces – including the lobby and outdoor environments such as the pool bar – up to contemporary standard, the practice also introduced bold colorways, conducive materials, and forms deftly evocative of the setting’s distinctive natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Carefully applied shades of green reflect the verdant flora that encircles the property. While blues distill from the nearby sea, reds and browns stem from the tradition of ceramic-making here. All of this was carried out with a decidedly contemporary yet playful approach.
Rendered in a deep blue, painted mural demarcating different seating areas and focal points channel the compositional style mastered by Pablo Picasso – a native son of close-by Malaga. His deft understanding of organic and amoebic contouring also translates through curved structural inserts, a series of arched concave alcoves among them.
In its choice of finishes and furnishings, the firm was also careful to respect – even accentuate – the complex’s original 1970s construction. This consideration is perhaps most evident in the lobby and lounge. Here, a slight touch of iridescent shimmer interplays with bold color blocking and an eclectic array of patterning, carrying across from tile to textile; recessed wooden paneling to idiosyncratically crafted objects. Geometric sequencing juxtaposes plasmatic forms.
With a new monolithic but not overpowering water feature, the traditional Andalusian courtyard and patio was redefined as yet another lounge space. A legendary haunt ever since it first opened in 1962, Azul Bar retains its original charm but with new wall, floor, and ceiling treatments that emphasize a nautical theme; all while being far from kitsch. An almost breezy atmosphere – unexpectedly anchored by plush upholstered banquettes – allows for a smooth transition between day and night.
A strategic mixing and matching of terracotta tile with latticework brings the Costa Club Pool bar back in time. Era-specific yellow fabrics and tassel details drive this intention home. Tying everything together is the Escondido Rooftop Bar. Seemingly over-proportioned off-white and muted pink terrace tiles embody the underlying 70s theme. Optically, a large pool seems to almost extend straight out to the Mediterranean in the distance.
What: Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel
Where: Marbella, Spain
How much: Rooms starting at $340
Design draws: A legendary 1970s resort with indoor and outdoor public spaces cleverly revamped to reflect the rich color and long-established culture of its surroundings.
Book it: Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel
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Photography by Veerle Evens.
