A 17th-century home – once the summer residence of Napoleon III ’ s wife , Eugénie de Montijo , later an underground artists ’ hangout – hosts this beautiful boutique retreat . Intimate rooms are inspired by Andalucian culture and the location in the heart of Marbella ’ s lively old town is a joy .
HOTEL CLAUDE
MARBELLA , MALAGA , SPAIN
LOCATION
On a buzzy street in the upper part of Marbella ’ s casco histórico , Hotel Claude sits right opposite the 15th-century Ermita de Santo Cristo , whose blue-tiled bell tower you can see from the roof terrace . The old town is having a bit of a stylish renaissance these days , and its maze-like white-walled streets are crammed with boutiques , geraniums , restaurants and bars , as well as a few historical sights . The seafront is a 10-minute walk away , with sandy beaches within a 15-minute walk , and Puerto Banús is a 20-minute taxi ride . It ’ s a 45-minute drive northeast to Málaga and the airport .
STYLE AND CHARACTER
Fresh from a creative head-to-toe makeover by local interiors firm Lord Designs , Marbella ’ s original boutique beauty skilfully injects bold , urban styling into its original 17th-century architecture . The whole place revolves around a light-flooded central patio with red-brick arches , marble pillars , an ancient well and a suspended wooden-fish sculpture , and each of the seven rooms has its own Andalucian theme . The thoughtful design gives guests maximum privacy , and a sense of understated luxury runs through the entire building . It ’ s all topped by a sunny Jaén-inspired rooftop terrace decorated with white-and-green tiling , while the corridors , patio and lounge are filled with works by cubist painter Willy L ’ Eplattenier .
THE ART OF LUXURY Issue 57 2023