The luxury brand Waldorf Astoria will land at Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort with a 220 million euro complex.

The first Waldorf Astoria complex in Spain, the most luxurious brand of the Hilton chain, at the Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort will involve a global investment of 220 million euros. This was announced at the iconic Peacock Alley in New York, where the agreement to undertake this project was formalized, concluded on November 5th between Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, and Javier Rodríguez, CEO of Higuerón Developments, as reported by SUR. This meeting, which was attended by Dan Wakeling, Vice President of Luxury EMEA at Hilton; the Mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, and Javier Rodríguez, CEO of Higuerón Developments, provided the first details about an unprecedented development that will transform the historic Marbella Golf, with one million square meters, into an "integral ultra-luxury ecosystem".

This is an action that opens new opportunities for the entire Costa del Sol in the highest value-added segment and comes from the most exclusive firm of Hilton, the leading hotel company in the world with a portfolio of 25 top-tier brands comprising 9,000 properties and more than 1.3 million rooms in 141 countries. A chain that has welcomed more than 3 billion guests throughout its more than 100 years of history, which has 500,000 employees worldwide and a Hilton Honors guest loyalty program, with more than 235 million members. Featuring the Waldorf Astoria brand in a hotel complex is already a luxury in itself.

The complex will have 120 rooms and suites, as well as 120 branded residences designed to integrate the privacy of a home with the services typical of an exclusive hotel

The future Waldorf Astoria Marbella complex, which will redefine the highest power tourism in Marbella and position this city in the most exclusive tourism segment, will have 120 rooms and suites, as well as 120 branded residences designed to integrate the privacy of a home with the services typical of an exclusive hotel, and which will be managed by Waldorf Astoria. The resort will offer "a unique proposition combining accommodation, wellness, and personalized experiences," they point out.

Architectural commitment and "global benchmark"

This new offering also aims to be a benchmark in terms of its architectural and landscape commitment. In fact, three architects awarded the Pritzker Prize are participating in the conceptual contest that will define the aesthetics of the resort. As for the golf course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1994, it will be reinterpreted by Robert Trent Jones Jr., son of the American architect, with a contemporary and sustainable vision. Although they assure that the intervention will preserve the essence of the original layout, it is now intended to adapt to current demands for efficiency and environmental respect.

"Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort aspires to become a global benchmark in the segment of ultra-luxurious vacations; and consolidates Marbella as a privileged destination for high-level tourism"

Javier Rodríguez

CEO of Higuerón Developments

At this presentation in the Big Apple, the relevance of this opening was highlighted. Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, states that "Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has long been synonymous with luxury in the world's most coveted destinations. We are pleased to collaborate again with Higuerón Developments, introducing the brand in Marbella and marking the debut of Waldorf Astoria in Spain. This signing represents another significant step in our strategy to expand Hilton's luxury portfolio globally, which currently includes more than 550 hotels, from the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York to Conrad Hamburg and Waldorf Astoria Osaka. I look forward to Waldorf Astoria Marbella welcoming guests in 2029, offering elegant service and unforgettable experiences for future generations."

In this regard, Javier Rodríguez, CEO of Higuerón Developments, focuses on the ambition of the project: "Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort aspires to become a global benchmark in the segment of ultra-luxurious vacations. The arrival of the first Waldorf Astoria in Spain reinforces this commitment to excellence and consolidates Marbella as a privileged destination for high-level tourism. Our vision is based on essential values: humanism, authenticity, innovation, and sustainability, principles that have guided our trajectory for more than 30 years at Higuerón Gran Málaga Resort and that, together with our team, form part of the DNA of this future project."

Expand

For her part, the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, has stated that "it represents a milestone for the city and consolidates its leadership in top-tier tourism" and has emphasized that the choice of the municipality "to host an iconic brand and an international reference in the luxury segment confirms Marbella's ability to attract strategic investments and continue generating opportunities linked to a model of maximum quality." "This resort will open a new stage to reinforce our positioning in this exclusive market," she valued at the event held in New York.

Attention to detail and experiences

Going into more detail about what will be the first Waldorf Astoria in Spain and the only resort of this firm in Europe, they advance that "each space will be designed to ensure absolute comfort and attention to detail, with privileged views of the Mediterranean and a strategic location just five kilometers from the center of Marbella and thirty minutes from Malaga airport." They assure that it will be "a complex where beyond accommodation, it will offer a range of experiences focused on wellness and gastronomy." Thus, they explain that it will include a new Country Club incorporating a 750 square meter spa, indoor and outdoor pools, gym, and wellness areas, as well as a culinary proposal with signature restaurants, a lobby bar, and outdoor spaces. In the 'branded residences', guests will have personalized services and access to premium facilities such as private spa, chef service, 24/7 attention, and experiences designed to shape a lifestyle that combines luxury, privacy, and absolute comfort.

Higuerón Developments has insisted on the before and after of this destination that will mark the arrival of Waldorf Astoria and has highlighted that "this project aligns with the history of this real estate investment company, hotel development, and management of leisure and wellness facilities that has already marketed more than 3,000 homes, which will increase with the expansion plan in which they contemplate designing more than 200 properties per year over the next ten exercises and that has been developing this concept for more than three decades."