Photos: Desirée Varo

Located in one of the most charming buildings in the center of Marbella, the square of Santo Cristo, is this Andalusian jewel now reformed and converted into a boutique hotel. La Fonda has a long history that can be admired both in some recovered frescoes that were part of the sixteenth century Hermitage of San Sebastián as well as in the original columns of the later construction, which date back to the eighteenth century. All this was lost until it was recovered by Fonda’s team of architects and archaeologists. The decoration of the spaces adapts perfectly to the beauty of these discoveries and seeks to highlight the architecture of the building while achieving excellence for the comfort of the guests. Fonda’s restaurant, Jane,  is run by the famous chef Tomer Amedi and it is dedicated to the Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, where fresh products are the protagonists. It is open to the public every night and it will give, without a doubt, a lot to talk about.

If we want to imagine the glamorous Marbella of the 60’s and 70’s, a mandatory stop is La Fonda. Opened by the aristocrat and decorator Jaime Parlade, it was the place where the elite of the time used to meet and it was common to see figures such as Jean Cocteau or Truman Capote. La Fonda was born as a small and tastefully decorated establishment and today it has become an exquisite Relais & Châteax hotel in one of the most emblematic streets of Marbella.

La Fonda offers twenty rooms, all different and each with a particular charm that makes it unique. Three are suites and it is worth highlighting the one that has a small dome with a  shrine built in the seventeenth century. It is located in the living room and there you can see the original frescoes now recovered for the delight of the guests of this room. The views are an essential part in all the rooms, some of them overlooking the old town and others the iconic square. The rooms also have balconies and private terraces. What is common to all the rooms is the impeccable decoration and the quality of the furniture. The rest is guaranteed thanks to the fabulous mattresses and the original walls that isolate them from possible noise, although the area is very quiet. The extreme care of details is another of the signs that we are in a Relais & Châteax. Choice of different pillows , 24-hour service, minibar and coffee machine and an unimaginable number of extras with which we will be so pampered that will make us feel better than at home.

Another of the hotel’s treasures is the interior patio which stands in the shadow of two ficus trees that have been integrated into the ornamentation. Separated by small spaces, it offers us privacy with a great variety of uses. So we can decide where to have breakfast, chat with friends over a glass of wine or rest while enjoying the different lights that the day offers, while we replenish our strengths with a snack.

Dining at the Jane restaurant which represents the centerpiece of La Fonda’s gastronomy, is quite an experience. The concept of the kitchen was created by Lauren Gilbert. The head chef of the open kitchen is Tomer Amedi. This international chef is responsible for the success of famous restaurants such as El Palomar in London or Pascor in Kensington. His specialty is the Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, based above all on fresh fish and shellfish. The flavors that he proposes will make us travel to the Middle East, delighting our palate to the extreme thanks to the wines recommended by the sommelier. All this with an excellent value for money.

Highlights 

La Fonda represents the perfect fusion between modernity and comfort along with the history and tradition of Andalucía.

The hotel is a gem hidden in the heart of Marbella.

Lauren and Adrian Gilbert fell in love with the building and they set themselves the challenge of recovering it as part of the history of Marbella and turning it into this wonderful boutique hotel. 

Special treatments for golfers

• Clubs storage and cleaning service.
• Advice on golf courses in the area.
• Management of reservation of greenfees, golf clubs and caddies.
• Specialized golf physiotherapy.
• Golf box to take to the course.
• About Relais & Châteaux

Established in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an association of more than 580 landmark hotels and restaurants operated by independent innkeepers, chefs, and owners who share a passion for their businesses and a desire for authenticity in their relationships with their clientele.

Relais & Châteaux is established around the globe, from the Napa Valley vineyards and French Provence to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. It offers an introduction to a lifestyle inspired by local culture and a unique dip into human history.

Relais & Châteaux members have a driving desire to protect and promote the richness and diversity of the world’s cuisine and traditions of hospitality. They are committed to preserving local heritage and the environment, as encompassed in the Charter presented to UNESCO in November 2014.