Our
History

1554

The Fort

The history of the fort that gave El Fuerte Marbella its name dates back to 1554, when the emperor Charles V ordered its construction to protect the coast against pirates.

During the 19th century, the building became an important strategic location during the
Napoleonic invasion, since it was used as a power magazine storage fort. For this reason, only the remains of the building are still standing today.

1950 - 1951

José Luque Manzano

His business background

The Hotel El Fuerte, was founded by José Luque Manzano, who was forced to leave school at 14 to take charge of his father’s businesses. Those that knew him say he had a natural instinct for business. His first venture came about with the purchase of a chocolate Factory which went on to produce around 40,000 “El Carmelo ” bars between 1950 and 1951.

1954

Doña Elvira’s house

José acquired Doña Elvira’s house, which sat where the hotel now stands, for 1,200,000 pesetas. Those who knew him say that he “was a man who kept an eye constantly on the future”. Who could even begin to imagine the types of dreams that José Luque Manzano thought up at the time.

1957

Inauguration

The Hotel El Fuerte’s inauguration took place on 4th July 1957. The hotel was blessed and visitors were invited to an agape ceremony in the gardens, located right next to the sea. From the start of its journey, the hotel was marketed to foreign tourists. In those days, very few Spaniards could afford to go on holiday.

1958

First celebrity visitors

Walt Disney

Filmmaker Walt Disney stayed at El Fuerte in the spring of 1958. Pedro Guerrero was a young porter working at the hotel and remembers being tasked with walking Disney’s dog, Pluto along the beach. He still remembers the “juicy tips” the animator gave him for doing the job.

1959 - 1960

Lola Flores &
Diana Dors

Lola Flores, loved Marbella until the very end of her life and enjoyed lengthy stays at El Fuerte. She is one of the most memorable guests without any shadow of a doubt. Lola exuded art, a generous character and talent.

The filming of ‘Holiday in Spain’, starring
Diana Dors, the British “Marilyn Monroe” caused heads to turn. A large number of scenes were filmed on the beach and featured the lead character wearing a bikini, at a time when the local mayor still fined people for wearing that kind of clothing in public.

1962 - 1968

First renovation projects

There was barely a season in memory when builders didn’t work along hotel staff to improve the facilities. The first refurbishments involved building sea facing balconies in each room to give guests the experience of being outside.

In 1968, two extra floors were added to the hotel and the entire structure of the former flour factory was reinforced.

1963

Santa Marta

Santa Marta: Much more than a brotherhood

The founding of the Santa Marta Brotherhood was an important milestone in relationships between hoteliers and further promoted Marbella’s Holy Week, which had suffered a particular decline since the Civil War. In 1963, the brotherhood was founded. All of the founders were hotel managers with the exception of José Luque, who was El Fuerte’s owner.

1978 - 1987

Further expansion projects

New west wing

Few understood the true impact of José Luque’s work in bringing about significant refurbishments to the hotel, especially during the most difficult moments experienced in Costa del Sol tourism history. In 1978, he built the hotel’s East Wing. In a period of 21 years, the hotel went from 45 to 140 rooms.

Don José’s last great project, the construction of the West Wing, was left on the drawing board. However, his wife Doña Isabel, carried it out to an exquisite standard which saw the hotel grow to accommodate 263 rooms.

1990 - 1992 - 2010

Alberti, Penélope Cruz, Vargas Llosa...

Poet Rafael Alberti held a large event at the hotel where he spoke about the history of his work.

Another significant visit was made by Penélope Cruz and Timothy Dalton, who visited El Fuerte during the filming of the series ‘Framed’.

In 2010, writer Mario Vargas Llosa and Alfredo Montagne held a talk titled Architecture and life’ at Hotel Fuerte Marbella.

1992 - 2002

Continuous enhancements and

Hotel El Fuerte Museum

In 1992, the swimming pool cover was built and the hotel’s façade was redesigned in a terracotta clay color. Additionally, other work was done in the West Wing and public areas.

In 2002, the Museo del Hotel El Fuerte museum was inaugurated and provides a space offering a look back at the hotel’s history through the preservation of photographs, publicity and documents, and antique machines like switchboards, cash registers and coffee machines.

2022

Fuerte Marbella

Full refurbishment

After turning 60 in 2017, El Fuerte continued looking to the future and began the biggest refurbishment project in its history in 2022. A thorough transformation that will convert our renowned hotel on the Costa del Sol into a 5 star destination: the new El Fuerte Marbella.

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Gift Voucher Fuerte Group Hotels

Edge tasting menu

Offered by Paco Pérez and paired by Meritxell Flagueras - Only on 11 July

A unique opportunity to enjoy a tasting menu prepared in person by Paco Pérez, a chef with 5 Michelin stars, and pairings by the prestigious sommelier Meritxell Falgueras. A side-by-side you can’t miss:

Tasting menu steps:

SNACKS

  • Confit tomato tartlet with anchovy butter
  • Potato, bean and caviar
  • Melva sandwich
  • Taittinger Prestige ROSÉ (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier)

FIRST WAVES

  • Almond velvet with prawn
  • Zárate Balado 2022 – Albariño (D.O. Rías Baixas).

FROM THE GALICIAN RÍAS

  • Lobster, bolognese and fine bean
  • Remírez De Ganuza 2021 – Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía (D.O.Ca. Rioja).

THE KING OF THE ATLANTIC

  • Sole, meuniere, tender almonds
    and summer truffle
  • Domaines Ott Chateau De Selle 2022 – Garnacha, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon (A.O.C. Côtes de Provence).

SALTY UNIVERSE

  • Beef with Café de París sauce
  • Pago de Carraovejas 2021 – Tinto fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

SWEET WORLD

  • Spiced flan, mango and citrus
  • Molino Real 2019 de Telmo Rodríguez – Moscatel de Alejandría.

See Menu

 

Price: €150 per person with pairing included.

Book your table in the calendar below, or call +34 951 560 715.

Autumn sale

This autumn, get a discount from 20% at El Fuerte Marbella and visit the Costa del Sol during one of the best times of the year. Book on our website or by calling +34  951 562 004it’s only valid for 7 days!

The offer conditions are as follows​:
  • Discount starting from 20% at El Fuerte Marbella.
  • Offer can be combined with your Club de Amigos discount.
  • Offer can be combined with Second Chance Rate.
  • Offer available only until the 16th October 2023, inclusive.
  • Applicable to bookings at El Fuerte Marbella from October 22, 2023, to January 6, 2024.
  • Not valid for use with other offers.

FREE TRANSFER

Get a free round-trip transfer from Malaga Airport if your booking amount exceeds €4,500.

The offer conditions are as follows
  • Free round-trip transfer from Malaga Airport to Hotel El Fuerte Marbella. Standard car; please consult the supplement for a higher model. Maximum capacity: 3 adults (2 large suitcases of 20kg each or 1 large suitcase and 2 small ones).
  • When making your reservation over €4,500 through the website, choose your transfer for €0. Also available by calling our Call Center.
  • If your reservation includes 2 rooms or more, the amount must exceed €3,000 per room.
  • Available for bookings only through the website or the Call Center.
  • For more information, call +34 951 562 004.

LAST CALL

Book on our website or by calling +34  951 562 004, it’s only valid for 7 days!

The offer conditions are as follows
  • Exceptional discounts starting from 30% at El Fuerte Marbella with Second Chance Rate.
  • Offer can be combined with your Club de Amigos discount.
  • Offer available only until the 24th July 2023, inclusive.
  • Applicable to bookings at El Fuerte Marbella (from 30%) for the entire season.
  • Not valid for use with other offers.
Charme & Taste blue logo

exclusive TASTING MENU

The “Charme & Taste” breakfast, included for Selected guests, consists of a tasting menu with an exclusive variety of dishes. A 9-course journey created by our chef and dedicated to the most exquisite palates.

Only available by booking through our website or Call Center. A tasting menu per person and stay. The date and time chosen must be arranged in advance with the hotel.

Would you like to be "Selected"?

Become part of a small, select group that enjoys exclusive access to the finest that El Fuerte Marbella has to offer.

Would you like to be "Selected"?

Become part of a small, select group that enjoys exclusive access to the finest that El Fuerte Marbella has to offer.

  • Accommodation in the finest rooms with excellent views.
  • Free hydrotherapy session per person per day.
  • Branded amenities “Molton Brown”.
  • Luggage packing/unpacking service.
  • Enjoy the Selected area at breakfast (from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
  • Access to our Private lounge including food and drinks from 11:00 to 21:00h.
  • Late check out until 15:00. Subject to availability.
  • 2 hours free access to our meeting room.
  • Free parking after your sixth day with us and free for your entire stay for those guests in La Dama Master Suite, Selected Junior Suite Front Sea View & Selected Suite Front Sea View rooms.
  • Accommodation in the finest rooms with excellent views.
  • Free hydrotherapy session per person per day.
  • Branded amenities “Molton Brown”.
  • Luggage storage services.
  • Enjoy the Selected area at breakfast.
  • Access to our Private lounge including food and drinks from 11:00 to 23:00h.
  • Late check out until 15:00. Subject to availability.
    2 hours free access to our meeting room.
  • Transfers to places of interest in Marbella.
  • Free parking after your sixth day with us and free for your entire stay for those guests in Master Suite, Junior Suite Front Sea View & Suite Front Sea Views rooms.

OTHER SERVICES

ac

Air conditioning

telephone

Telephone

minibar

Minibar

hair-dryer

Dryer

tv-led

High definition
LED TV

kettle

Kettle

Iron

safety-box

Safe

coffee-machine

Coffee maker

Free Hygiene & cleaning products

We'll offer you the pillow of your dreams
PillowHeightHow do you sleep?
AlboránLowIf you sleep face up or you ofter change position
BrasiliaMediumFor people that sleep face up o sideways
ElbaHeightThe perfect pillow for people that sleep sideways
MariposaCervicalMaximum ergonomics to take care of your neck
  • Flex pillows offer you a refreshing sleep.
  • Choose yours depending on your sleeping position
  • Hygienic pillows. treated with Teflon: a protective stain – resistant film by DuPont laboratories.