El Fuerte Marbella: history, luxury and famous personalities now in Historic Hotels Worldwide
Decades of history and glamour on the Costa del Sol: El Fuerte Marbella is now part of Historic Hotels Worldwide.
Marbella, September 22, 2025. The emblematic El Fuerte Marbella joins Historic Hotels Worldwide, the prestigious global program that celebrates historic luxury hotels. More than just accommodation, El Fuerte Marbella is a living witness to the history of Marbella and a setting for encounters with international figures.
Moreover, the hotel has been recognized as a finalist in the Historic Hotels Worldwide Awards of Excellence 2025, in the category Historic Hotels Worldwide New Member of the Year. The award ceremony will be held on October 30, further consolidating El Fuerte Marbella’s positioning in the international historic hotel elite.
The hotel’s name pays homage to the fortress built in 1554 by order of Charles V to protect Marbella from pirates. Centuries later, in 1957, the visionary entrepreneur José Luque Manzano inaugurated Hotel El Fuerte, beginning a history of hospitality that would mark the city’s tourist destiny.
Since then, El Fuerte Marbella has been the scene of memorable visits and anecdotes: in 1958 Walt Disney strolled along the beach with his dog Pluto, helped by a young bellhop from the hotel; Lola Flores made its gardens her Marbella refuge; and the British actress Diana Dors, the “English Marilyn Monroe,” caused quite a stir during the filming of Holiday in Spain.
The cultural footprint has also left its mark with Rafael Alberti’s mass lecture, the filming of the TV series Framed with Penélope Cruz and Timothy Dalton, and Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa’s talk on architecture and life in 2010.
The hotel has managed to grow and transform over the years, culminating in 2023 with the most ambitious renovation in its history, which elevated it to 5-star status without losing the charm and memory of its origins.
“Being part of Historic Hotels Worldwide is an honor,” says María Antúnez, General Director. “This recognition celebrates our journey and inspires us to continue offering unique experiences that connect past, present and future.”
For Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels Worldwide, “El Fuerte Marbella combines relaxed luxury and historical preservation, ensuring future generations can enjoy this unique destination.”
With this inclusion, the hotel joins a distinguished collection of accommodations with centuries of history in over 47 countries, cementing its position as an icon of luxury tourism on the Costa del Sol and a member of the L.V.X. brand of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
