Meliá Collection Arrives on the Costa del Sol with a New Five-Star Hotel in Estepona

Meliá Hotels International has strengthened its presence in the Costa del Sol’s luxury hospitality sector with the opening of Hacienda del Mar Meliá Collection, a five-star hotel located on the beachfront in Estepona.

The project marks the arrival in Málaga province of The Meliá Collection, the group’s brand dedicated to distinctive hotels connected to the history, culture and identity of their destinations.

The transformation of the former Kempinski Hotel Bahía involved an investment of €12 million. The renovated resort features 131 rooms and suites, 45,000 square metres of gardens, three outdoor swimming pools, direct access to the beach, a spa and four different dining venues.

A New Luxury Tourism Offering in Estepona

Hacienda del Mar celebrated its official opening with an event attended by hundreds of guests, institutional representatives and personalities from the tourism and social sectors.

Those present included Gabriel Escarrer, chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, as well as representatives of local and regional authorities. The evening combined gastronomy, live music and a performance by Málaga singer Nuria Fergó.

Well-known figures such as Helen Lindes and Jaydy Michel also attended the celebration, which was inspired by Mediterranean summers, nautical culture and the coastal lifestyle.

With this opening, Estepona expands its high-end accommodation offer and strengthens its position as a destination associated with wellbeing, gastronomy, golf and exclusive experiences.

A Renovation Focused on Rooms and Outdoor Spaces

A significant part of the investment was used to completely renovate the rooms and suites of the former hotel, as well as to create new dining and leisure concepts.

The accommodation features contemporary décor inspired by the Mediterranean, with natural materials, warm tones and spaces designed to make the most of the surrounding light.

Many of the rooms offer views of the Alboran Sea. The most exclusive categories include spacious suites with terraces and outdoor hot tubs, as well as The Penthouse, one of the hotel’s flagship accommodation options.

According to information published by Diario Sur, the hotel’s average rate is above €600 per night, although the final price may vary depending on the dates, room category and booking conditions.

A 45,000-Square-Metre Oasis by the Sea

One of Hacienda del Mar’s main attractions is its extensive outdoor area. The resort is surrounded by 45,000 square metres of gardens, designed as a large botanical oasis facing the Mediterranean.

Three outdoor swimming pools, spacious relaxation areas and direct access to both the beach and Estepona’s seafront promenade are distributed throughout the landscaped grounds.

The architecture retains Mediterranean-inspired features and Moorish influences, with terracotta tones playing a central role in the overall design.

Art also occupies an important place within the hotel. Hacienda del Mar displays works created specifically for the property by German artist Stefan Szczesny, whose pieces incorporate colour, light and references to southern European culture.

Four Dining Venues with Their Own Identity

Gastronomy is one of the main pillars of the hotel experience. Hacienda del Mar offers four different concepts designed for various moments of the day.

Neguri Beach Club is located directly on the beachfront and offers a relaxed experience inspired by yacht clubs, with the Mediterranean and seafood taking centre stage.

El Burladero reinterprets traditional Andalusian cuisine from a contemporary perspective. Its menu focuses on local ingredients and recipes connected to southern Spain, including signature dishes such as slow-cooked oxtail.

The dining offer is completed by Almenara, the hotel’s breakfast restaurant, and Umbral, its lobby bar, designed as a meeting place for coffee, cocktails and moments of relaxation.

A New Spa Dedicated to Wellbeing

The hotel also includes a spa with treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath and relaxation areas.

Its programme combines health and beauty treatments with services for guests seeking to make wellbeing part of their stay.

Its proximity to some of the Costa del Sol’s main golf courses also allows the hotel to provide experiences and services aimed specifically at golf enthusiasts.

A Strategic Location beside El Padrón Beach

Hacienda del Mar is located next to El Padrón Beach, in an area between central Estepona and Marbella.

Its location allows guests to combine beachfront relaxation with visits to Estepona’s Historic Centre, trips around Andalusia, golf days and excursions to nearby destinations such as Puerto Banús.

Meliá presents the hotel as a base from which to discover the region’s cultural and natural heritage while enjoying an experience centred on the slower pace and identity of Andalusia.

Meliá Strengthens Its Expansion on the Costa del Sol

The opening of Hacienda del Mar forms part of Meliá Hotels International’s growth strategy in Málaga province, particularly within the luxury and premium segments.

The hotel group is investing more than €120 million in five high-end properties on the Costa del Sol. Several of these projects are already operating, including ME Málaga, which opened recently as part of the company’s growing luxury portfolio in the region.

With its arrival in Estepona, The Meliá Collection adds a hotel combining beach, nature, art, gastronomy and wellbeing, reinforcing the Costa del Sol’s development as a higher-value tourism destination.

Practical Information

Hotel: Hacienda del Mar Meliá Collection
Category: Five stars
Location: Estepona, Málaga
Address: Autovía del Mediterráneo A-7, kilometre 1066
Rooms and suites: 131
Gardens: 45,000 square metres
Outdoor swimming pools: Three
Restaurants and bars: Neguri Beach Club, El Burladero, Almenara and Umbral
Wellbeing facilities: Spa, indoor pool, sauna, steam bath and treatment rooms
Access: Direct access to the beach and seafront promenade
Telephone: +34 952 809 500

Information source: Diario Sur