Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#4 of 7 resorts in Marbella
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
El Fuerte Marbella, a historic establishment on the Costa del Sol, is the Marbella hotel that best combines casual luxury, an exclusive and welcoming atmosphere and the sheer comfort offered by its location on the city centre’s beachfront, which offers stunning sea views right across Marbella’s seafront promenade and just a 5-minute walk from the Plaza de los Naranjos, in the Old Town. The hotel’s warm Mediterranean character is reflected in its classic interior design that offers guests timeless quality, designed by prestigious Chilean designer Jaime Beriestain’s studio, first-class gastronomy and professional service that puts the finest details first.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Hotel El Fuerte Marbella has garnered commendation for its impeccable cleanliness, with guests frequently mentioning the pristine conditions and daily housekeeping. Nestled in a prime location, the hotel offers easy access to the beach and local attractions, making it a hit with guests. The atmosphere is often noted as stylish and welcoming, complemented by well-appointed and spacious rooms.
High marks are also given to the attentive service and luxurious amenities, including a lavish pool and modern fitness center. However, opinions on value vary, with some guests finding the pricing steep despite the hotel's many positives.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Stylish
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
The hotel was recently renovated and everything was beautiful and up to the highest standards. We were particularly impressed by the staff who were always happy and smiling. Our feeling was that as a family-owned hotel, the atmosphere was very friendly yet very formal and respectful of the « client is king » attitude.
The breakfast buffet is particularly enjoyable
Read more
Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Hugo, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our hotel. We're thrilled to learn that you found our establishment maintained to the highest standards. It's heartening to hear that our staff's demeanor left a positive impression on you, reflecting our commitment to providing a welcoming and professional atmosphere. As a family-owned hotel, we aim to offer a friendly environment, ensuring that our guests feel esteemed and valued. We're delighted that you found the breakfast buffet particularly enjoyable. We strive to offer a delightful dining experience, and your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon for another wonderful stay. Warm regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very nice hotel overlooking ocean its worth going for full sea view. Excellent breakfast served till 11. Very pleasant staff rooms are spacious with tv ,safe and most whast you need , bar stays open till one but not rowdy mostly retired people and golfers this time of year PROS 1Location on beach almost. old town a short 5 min waklk 2 Outdoor and indoor pool 3 Pleasant Staff 4 Quiet ,in a nice way 5 extremely clean 6 all of the facilities you would associate with a 4 star hotel Cons 1 The boss complained no bottled water in room
all in all a yes from me
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â get a sea view with balcony
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from managementFM, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Dear Gearoidg2014, Thank you vey much for your nice comment! We are delighted to hear you had a good experience with our team and also you enjoyed our privilage location. Please accept our sincere apologies regarding the issue you had with the bottle of water. We are hoping to see you very soon in our hotel Fuerte Marbella! Kind Regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Hotel Fuerte delivered fantastic service across the board. Every staff member we met were amazing and seemed really happy in their job.
The rooms were clean and we the travel cot for our baby looked brand new! We were staying with a 7 month old and the staff were fantastic when we needed to use the microwave to sterilise.
The breakfast was lovely and the location to the beach front and old town was great.
Would definitely recommend and we would like to return in the summer to enjoy the outside pool :)
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from managementFM, Gerente at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
Responded 23 Jan 2020
Dear tomorrowsj, Thank you for your kind comment. We are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our staff, the new facilities and the breakfast buffet. It would be a pleasure to welcome you again soon at Hotel Fuerte Marbella!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel El Fuerte is the perfect location in Marbella if you want to have lots of activities, sights, restaurants, shopping and the beach all at your doorstep or within walking distance. The old town of Marbella was less than a ten minute walk. The hotel itself has had a recent renovation and is absolutely stunning inside and out. We paid extra for the "Selected" option (you need to sign up with your email address) which gives you access to a lovely, quiet lounge with free food and drinks as well as a special area at breakfast. This was worth the extra fee as the lounge had a lovely selection of small snacks and drinks throughout the day.
The room was impeccably clean and beautifully decorated. The housekeeping staff cleaned thoroughly and quickly each day, so the room was spotless throughout our stay. We had an ocean view with balcony which had plenty of space for a table and chairs.
The pool areas are beautiful and well kept. The beach area was lovely as well and had a separate area for "Selected" guests with beach chairs which was monitored by a hotel staff member. It was too cold to swim in the sea in April, but we enjoyed the heated pool!
Finally, I will echo what other reviewers have said about breakfast. The variety of food is lovely - lots of fresh fruit and breads and eggs etc, but service was so slow we often waited quite a while for coffee or menu items. We are not ones to linger over breakfast so if we returned we would probably opt to eat breakfast outside of the hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Antunez Corrales, Director General at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
My family and I have just returned from the Fuerte Hotel in Marbella so visited during COVID. We were very impressed by how the staff looked after us and felt quite safe throughout. Also what was hugely impressive was how we were treated by every single member of staff reflecting the fact that this is a family run hotel. Nothing was too much trouble and we were always acknowledged by staff members regardless of seniority. The rooms were comfortable and well serviced with balconies that provided a great seaview even though billed as side seaview. The breakfast buffet was extensive and always fresh and appealing. Fabio runs a tight ship! We’re sorry to hear they must close for now but hope they can reopen for Christmas and stay open. I would not hesitate to return.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Antunez, Director General at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
Responded 30 May 2021
Dear Jennifer B, we are really pleased to read such an amazing review that reflects how much you enjoyed your stay with us. Now that we are open again we would love to welcome you soon!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This staff is pleasant, the room is clean, the view is gorgeous and the location excellent, but the use of strong fragrance in the lobby and hallways is overwhelming and inescapable. I run through the lobby holding my breath to get away from it. It burns my nose and throat. DO NOT STAY HERE if you have the slightest allergy or are sensitive to smells. It is completely unnecessary to diffuse this toxic fragrance seemingly everywhere and is a huge detraction to the overall experience. A real disappointment in an otherwise very nice hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from managementFM, Gerente at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
Responded 6 Mar 2020
Dear G1831TKandreas, Thank you for sharing with us your experience. We are really sorry for the inconvenience with the smell. Our priority is customer satisfaction, so we take your comment like a present to improve and give you a better experience next time you visit us. We hope to welcome you again soon at Hotel Fuerte Marbella! Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here in late August till early September 2019. This was a birthday present to myself and did not disappoint. Upon check-in, I paid a bit extra to upgrade to a bigger room. I was also offered a bottle of wine as a birthday treat. My room balcony overlooked the pool and Mediterranean Sea, a beautiful view every morning. Breakfast was served daily with a variety of options. The property itself was very nice, 2 pools and beachfront. I liked how they had one pool for families with kids and the other pool was adult only. The hotel also offered bicycles to guests who wanted to go for a ride around the area. The location was prime with a lot of shops and restaurants in walking distance. Old Town Marbella was a ~5-7 minute walk and was very charming. Puerto Banus was a 10 minute drive. I will certainly be returning here again, I absolutely loved my stay and recommend this hotel to others.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Antunez, Director General at Hotel El Fuerte Marbella
Responded 7 Jul 2020
Dear SharryD89, We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful stay with us and that we contributed to a great vacation. We are also very happy to know that you enjoyed your superior room, our breakfast service and made the most of our facilities. We hope to welcome you in Fuerte Marbella soon again.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at this hotel for the week of the New Year and we have loved it!
Everyone at the hotel has been very kind, professional and always available to help on any matter.
Our rooms have been spacious with big balconies and comfortable beds. Housekeeping and turndown service was done on a daily basis with also daily change of towels and bedsheets (if needed & requested).
The gym has a fantastic view overlooking the sea and with all new equipments. It has been a pleasure working out there.
The SPA experience has also been satisfying and relaxing.
As the hotel has been newly renovated, everything in the hotel is clean, new and well designed.
And to top it all up, nothing could beat a +15 to +20 degrees winter weather of Marbella!
We had a fantastic stay at a beautiful and amazing hotel, in the best city! Will definitely come back!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear guest, Thank you for choosing our hotel for your New Year's week stay! We're delighted that you enjoyed the spacious rooms, breakfast buffet and the service from our team. Your kind words about our gym, SPA, and the overall newly renovated hotel are truly appreciated. We're thrilled you had a fantastic time in Marbella, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
El Fuerte is a great hotel, we were told it was really good before the remodelling but now it’s a beautifully styled modern hotel. It’s located pretty much in the centre of things 5 minutes walk from Marbella’s iconic old town and right on the beach just at the end of the kilometre long stretch of bars and restaurants that line the seafront of this upmarket resort.
Surprisingly, it seems to be an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the middle of the action.
The grounds are hard landscaped with marble and stone and the dining facilities sprawl out into the grounds providing guests with an optional al fresco dining and drinking options on the terraces. All the outdoor furniture is new stylish and fairly comfortable. There is another predominantly seafood restaurant on the beach, again it is clean, smart and well run with attentive service and good food.
The terraces are generously provided with comfortable loungers with a towel and headrest delivery service. It has the usual amenities two swimming pools, Jacuzzis etc all designed with impeccable taste and quality materials. One, matter of concern was that of a guest allowing a baby into the swimming pool and the adjacent jacuzzi. The staff did nothing to stop this and I for one view the prospects of a non potty trained child in a public pool as a serious hygiene issue. It’s difficult telling guests to behave but that’s part of hotel management.
The inside of the hotel is impressive. After a two year remodelling process the interior has been completely remodelled and they have done a superb job, brilliant design and quality materials. Sadly I have to report that after assuring me in writing that all building works were finished I had to endure two days of noisy construction work before complaining. The building noise and banging stopped immediately and has abated thus far, so they appear to have redeemed themselves.
Rooms are, as you might expect modern well appointed and stylish. Room service is efficient and cheerful there is also a turn-down service in the evenings. Generally the friendliness and approach ability of the staff is a feature throughout the hotel. Nothing is too much trouble and none of it is over professional or forced. The vast majority of the workforce are local, clearly happy in their jobs and a credit to the hotel.
So overall this is a stylish and well run hotel, that has been so completely transformed it is in effect a new hotel. Yes there are some teething troubles and in truth service could be a bit snappier at times but small faults are more than compensated for by a welcoming attitude.
Would I stay here again? Yes, absolutely yes it’s charming, stylish and personal, not yet perfect but getting there. It merits its new 5 star rating.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr. Coastal769012, Thank you for leaving your feedback. Your opinion is very important to us and your satisfaction is our main purpose in El Fuerte Marbella. We are glad that you found the hotel wonderful after the renovations, and we`ll keep working to meet all your expectations. Looking forward to having you back soon!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
I'm sorry to say very much to my regret, that the treatment of years ago was unbeatable, but it has changed the strategy, the attention and sympathy that they distributed before, now you don't even notice it, the reception is very serious and unwelcoming by the staff, the beach restaurant has a regular service, in terms of quality and waiting time, especially the quality of the product, the waiters throughout the hotel with a lot of penanillo in the ear, but nothing, they pass by and they don't listen to you when you call them, order bread and bring it to you at the end of the meal, the older waiters the most professional, especially Amores who lives up to his name, a true professional as deserves a hotel of that category, and Rosa in the breakfast service in the section very friendly fruits, Dishes in the restaurant very sophisticated in ingredients and little variety, are missed simple dishes of a lifetime, traditional gazpacho, traditional salads, tortillas, a simple mixed sandwich, etc. Quality and service have been lost, a shame... because the rates are the same as always. The cleaning service also regular in terms of replenishment of ammenities and variety, do not leave a comb. The rooms are missed good mirrors.
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Hemos tenido una habitación exclusive con bañera en el salón y la televisión que era ese su sitio...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Cardil,
Sorry for the delay in the response, we just opened. We do organise excursions, you just need to contact the hotel and we will guide you throughout many different options. Hope to see you soon.
Depending on traffic conditions about 45 minutes. Normally I book a transfer at taximarbellamalaga. com from Malaga airport to strong hotels in Marbella, they are low cost and reliable.
There are more places to choose from in the Marbella area.
PRICE RANGE
RMÂ 1,338 - RMÂ 2,457 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
el fuerte resort, el fuerte marbella, el fuerte hotel marbella
LOCATION
SpainAndaluciaProvince of MalagaCosta del SolMarbella
NUMBER OF ROOMS
266
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
