Designer chic in Marbella’s enchanting old town

Hotel Claude - a haven of hotel chic - brings divine decor and 21st century creature comforts to a 17th century mansion house in Marbella’s enchanting Old Town.

Until now, visitors to Marbella seeking an authentic experience of the bustling historic centre have had little choice in terms of accommodation. Faced with large sea front hotels, apart-hotels or basic guesthouses - those seeking the hip-hotel experience were simply heading for disappointment.

Opened in July 2007, following a stunning, five-year renovation plan, no expense has been spared on the renovation and decoration of the recently opened Hotel Claude. Across the street from one of Marbella’s picturesque churches in the heart of the town’s earthy Old Town, Hotel Claude is the result of a painstaking, labour of love.

Those lucky enough to have already discovered the designer gem have sent out ripples of approval. Set in a substantial 17th century townhouse owned by Juan Berjano, the idea to convert it to a hotel came from his stepson and stepdaughter Franz and Desiree Willmes.

A bon viveur, who lived there with his first wife, a French opera singer, in the glory days of Marbella in the 70s and 80s, Berjano and his home, played host to endless soirees, performances and vibrant social occasions.

The house had been neglected for two decades when the dynamic siblings decided to restore it. Designed in a close collaboration between Franz’s Spanish wife Maria, and top Barcelona architect, Angell Gordon, the refurbishment has respected all the key features of the house, while transforming it into a luxury boutique hotel.

With its contemporary classic salons, simply oozing style, a bijou black and white restaurant, and lovingly restored original features such as the intricate wrought iron door, simple patio, complete with a well, columns and smooth limestone flagstones, the Hotel Claude has been restored and preened to a high level of comfort to suit the discerning and design conscious 21st century traveller.

Seven Stylish Suites

Behind magnificent carved wooden doors, seven suites with evocative names such as Francesa, Contemporánea, Savannah and Oriental offer unique variations on a unified design theme featuring sumptuous beds with high headboards, chaise longue, flat screen TV screens, i-Pod sound docks, quirky furniture and open bathrooms. The colour schemes, flooring - from brick to dark wood - and details give each room a charm of its own.

“One of our main aspirations for the hotel is to fill it with the fun and laughter which characterized the place for years,” enthuses proprietor Franz Willmes, a London-based bonds trader with Spanish roots. “The hotel is perfect for a few couples to enjoy together or a family or two - that would suit the spirit of the house perfectly.”

Gourmet’s Delight

The restaurant at Hotel Claude, opening in November, will be a gastronomic gem. The establishment has secured the services of a top German chef whose impressive career, spanning 20 years, has seen him head up the kitchens of several leading European restaurants. Prior to his appointment at Hotel Claude, he was head chef at a Relais Chateuax restaurant in Germany with 3 Michelin stars. Currently devising a tantalizing repertoire of gourmet dishes based on the freshest local Mediterranean produce, gourmet weekends and soirees are sure to be a key attraction of the chic, Marbella hideaway.

Complete with lounge, library, and all the latest techie must-haves including wi-fi, overhead projector, PlayStation, even laptops if needed, the hotel also has a courtesy bar, and is already winning over clients with its personalized, bespoke approach.

The roof terrace is one of the hotel’s quirkiest features. Surrounded by spires, crumbling rooftops and swallows diving at sundown, where better to soak up the ambience of the street life below, with a glass of fino and a few slivers of jamón.

Step outside Hotel Claude’s wrought iron gate and experience the buzz of Marbella’s enchanting Casco Antiguo. Surrounded by narrow white streets, bustling squares, quaint shops and the scent of orange blossom, the Hotel Claude is just a five-minute walk from
the shaded Alameda Park with its traditional ceramic tiles and copious fountain, and the beach beyond.

Hotel Claude, C/ San Francisco, 5, Casco Antiguo, Marbella, Spain.

For more information, go online to Hotelclaudemarbella.com.