The way to Marbella from Malaga’s Costa del Sol airport feels like flipping through a catalogue of postcards. Limestone-clad beachfront houses poke through clusters of leafy trees. The sun is on watch duty, keeping sunbathers warm as they doze off to the ebb and flow of the Mediterranean Sea. Kite surfers dot the glistening water, putting on a show for Andalusian balconies.
A little over 50 minutes into the scenic journey, the road takes you to Marbella’s inner artery, exposing lush high grounds at the foot of the picturesque Sierra Blanca mountains. Atop one of the hills sits Andalusia’s newest resort – and a ticket to your dream holiday destination – Club Med Magna Marbella.
Club Med Magna Marbella opened its doors in the heart of Andalusia
The friendly staff at the resort will make sure you are taken care of during your stay
ONE WITH NATURE
Located on acres of protected land, Club Med Magna Marbella lives in a remodelled helix-shaped building with an interior inspired by the region’s heritage. A go-to getaway for families, the resort is a cultural, culinary and communal sanctuary complete with Club Med’s archetypal convenience and service excellence.
It has 485 multi-tiered rooms, including connecting rooms for families, five swimming areas, and round-the-clock assistance courtesy of multilingual GO®s (Gentil Organisers) and GE®s (Gentil Employees), so you, the GM® (Gentil Member), can make the most of your stay.
On its way to getting Green Globe-certified like its global contemporaries, the resort uses rainfall for its irrigation systems and solar panels to generate energy. It also follows a zero single-use plastic policy, thanks to its ‘Bye Bye Plastics’ programme.
SEEK, AND YOU SHALL EAT
Travel and training are the driving force behind Club Med’s seven-decade-long F&B success. “It’s a school of life,” explains Hospitality and Leisure Director Guillaume Radius. “Our chefs have grown with us and experienced different cultures, cuisines and lifestyles through travel, acquiring the necessary knowledge and expertise to cater to our guests’ needs while infusing their personal touch.”
And as is the case for its other locations worldwide, the resort offers a glocal approach to food with a focus on sustainability. “We source 70% of our products locally, which means our guests can discover the region’s rich offering while we support the economy,” says Guillaume. “We base our recipes on the availability of local produce, not the other way around.”
Whether it’s eggs, yoghurt, pancakes, and seasonal fruit for breakfast, tapas, pasta, salads and steak frites for lunch or ceviche, beef tartare, oysters and foie gras for dinner, the resort’s main dining outlet - and live-cooking hall - Sueños is a place of culinary opulence and personalised eating.
Alternatively, gourmet restaurant and boutique Tierra offers all-day à la carte dining in an intimate setting. Marvel at the sweeping coastal vistas that extend to neighbouring Morocco while you tuck into creamy seafood paella and melt-in-the-mouth côte de boeuf to the tunes of live music.
Guillaume recommends...
In the mood for an authentic Andalusian feast? Guillaume suggests the Ensalada Malagueña (salt cod salad with potatoes and sliced orange), Rabo de Toro (braised oxtail stew) and Tocio de Cielo (a traditional flan-like caramel custard). Cue the sobremesa*!
*Sobremesa (“upon the table”) is a Spanish tradition of relaxing at the table after a big meal.
WORKING OUT AND WINDING DOWN
In true Club Med fashion, countless sports, leisure, and entertainment activities are available year-round.
Challenge your friends and family to a game of padel on one of the resort’s six courts, stretch your muscles in an invigorating pilates session, or practise your golf swing on the manicured driving range with the Sierra Blanca as your backdrop. Children can join in on the fun at the Family Fun Zone play area, unleash their creativity at any of the resort’s three Kids Clubs or hop on an educational family excursion to learn about the environment.
Other activities include beach volleyball, tennis, archery, circus and trapeze school, basketball, yoga and ping pong, including lessons for all ages on select sports.
If relaxing and becoming one with nature sounds more appealing to you, head to The Zen Oasis’ adults-only pool for some downtime or enjoy celebrity-worthy spa treatments at the Club Med Spa by Cinq Mondes.
Come sundown, get all dressed and glammed up and expect lots of mingling at one of Club Med’s emblematic parties. “Our staples include our Garden Parties and post-padel tournament parties where we’ll have food, drinks and entertainment,” says Guillaume. “We also host food-focused events every day around the Rouge Bar.”
All scheduling, dress code and booking details are available on the resort’s bespoke mobile app.
Marbella's charming Old Town
Roam the town's alleyways
GO BEYOND
A 30-minute walk from the resort leads you to Marbella’s picturesque Old Town.
Roam its winding cobbled alleys as you uncover the long-lost secrets of Renaissance-era buildings, watch the world go by in one of Plaza de los Naranjos’ (Orange Square) tapas bars, take in the beauty of the historic Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación, and don’t forget to bring home a handmade keepsake from one of the hole-in-the-wall stores.
For more information:
Visit dnatatravel.com
Call +971 040 389 8407
WhatsApp 800 DNATA (36282)
or visit in-store
