'I found a little-known side to Marbella with pretty streets and charming history'

If you want to escape for a long weekend of luxury, right on the beach and within walking distance of shops and restaurants, Marbella in southern Spain is ideal. And if you thought it was all about TOWIE, then think again.

Arriving at the El Fuerte Marbella hotel, you can easily imagine it having been the place to stay when it was built in the 1950s. It retains that air of elegance – and it was five-star luxury from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by friendly staff who were only too willing to help us, and there’s a wall of fame featuring the celebrities who have stayed there, including film producer Walt Disney and actress Diana Dors.

Steeped in history, El Fuerte is built on the grounds of a fortress dating back to 1554. It is one of Marbella’s oldest hotels, and is perfectly located for exploring the picturesque Old Town. The hotel has recently undergone a significant refurbishment and now offers a Clarins Spa, six restaurants and three pools.

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We stayed in a beachfront room with a spacious balcony, complete with a gorgeous view of the sea. With a super comfy bed and a fabulous freestanding bath to lie in while admiring the vista, we had everything we needed for a wonderfully chilled-out break. There was even a heated seat on our toilet!

The food at El Fuerte Marbella

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the buffet-style Le Marché restaurant, which has so many stations, it’s hard to know where to start. At breakfast, I opted out of the nine-course tasting menu and instead went for fresh pancakes with fruit and maple syrup.

In the summer months, the rooftop restaurant Edge is open, which is run by Michelin-starred Spanish chef Paco Peréz. For a more relaxed vibe, we enjoyed lunch at the beach restaurant, Soleo. It’s a quaint, casual restaurant (known as a ‘chiringuito’ in Spain), and the seafood was to die for. For an iced coffee by the pool we headed to Qahwa, which offers specialty coffee and pastries.

Sign up for the Selected package to receive special services such as VIP areas and table service at breakfast, as well as access to a private lounge with free-flowing food and drinks between 11am and 9pm.

What to do at El Fuerte Marbella

At El Fuerte the beach is right on the doorstep but if you prefer not to get sand everywhere, there’s a heated garden pool which is family friendly and open all year, a second garden pool for all ages and an adult-only infinity rooftop pool – the perfect choice when you want to avoid the busy beach during the high season and hotter months.

For those looking to work off that nine-course breakfast there’s a gym on the sixth floor where you can enjoy panoramic views while you exercise, a rooftop yoga area, and a personal trainer on hand should you wish to book a one-to-one workout.

The spa at El Fuerte Marbella

In the hotel’s basement, the Clarins Spa is a peaceful haven. It has six treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna and a steam room. I tried the Beauty Sleep treatment – a relaxing face and body experience to help improve your sleep quality and leave your skin glowing – and it was 50 minutes of total bliss.

Marbella's Old Town

El Fuerte is a five-minute walk from Marbella’s charming Old Town – a labyrinth of restaurants, bars and boutique shops where shopaholics like myself can pick up something unique to wear.

Stop for a coffee in the Plaza de los Naranjos, where you can people watch while you sit and soak up the atmosphere. We also booked in for a walking tour around the Old Town and along the Avenida del Mar promenade, where you can see some amazing Salvador Dali sculptures.

For a more active day out, hire a bike from the hotel and cycle along the beachfront avenue, the Paseo Maritimo. It’s a wonderful way to take in Marbella’s beautiful surroundings.

How much does it cost to stay at El Fuerte Marbella?

Double rooms at El Fuerte Marbella start from €390 on a room only basis. Breakfast is an additional €45 per person per day.