Higuerón Developments has announced the arrival in Spain of Waldorf Astoria, a Hilton brand, with an investment of €220 million to transform Marbella Golf into the luxury resort Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort, scheduled to open in 2029.
The project, signed in early November, was presented on 12 December at an event in New York attended by Hilton’s Vice President of Luxury EMEA, Dan Wakeling, the Mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, and the CEO of Higuerón Developments, Javier Rodríguez.
According to Rodríguez, Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort aims to become a “global benchmark” in the ultra-luxury holiday segment. He added that the arrival of the first Waldorf Astoria in Spain reinforces this commitment to excellence and consolidates Marbella as a leading destination for high-end tourism.
This development will reinforce the Costa del Sol as one of the world’s most exclusive destinations – while positioning Higuerón as a benchmark for premium real estate projects in Spain.
The future resort, with privileged views of the Mediterranean, will be located five kilometres from the centre of Marbella and around 30 minutes from Málaga Airport. It will feature 120 rooms and suites, alongside 120 branded residences designed to combine the privacy of a home with the services of an ultra-luxury hotel, all managed by Waldorf Astoria.
Wellness and gastronomy will be central to the project, with highlights including the brand’s signature Peacock Alley lobby bar and a new country club with a 750 m² spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and dedicated wellness areas. The culinary offering will include signature restaurants and outdoor spaces – creating a distinctive concept that blends accommodation, well-being and personalised experiences.
As for the hotel’s design, three Pritzker Prize-winning architects will take part in a conceptual competition to define the resort’s aesthetic. The golf course, meanwhile, will be reimagined by Robert Trent Jones Jr., son of the architect of the same name, with a contemporary and sustainable vision – preserving the essence of the original layout while adapting it to current standards of efficiency and environmental responsibility.
For Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, the development “represents another important step in our strategy to expand Hilton’s luxury portfolio globally, which already includes more than 550 hotels – from the legendary Waldorf Astoria in New York to Conrad Hamburg and Waldorf Astoria Osaka”. He added that he looks forward to Waldorf Astoria Marbella opening in 2029, offering refined service and memorable experiences for future generations.
