Hilton has announced the signing of a major luxury resort, the Waldorf Astoria Marbella, in Spain’s Malaga Province. The resort is scheduled to open in 2029. This new development, undertaken in partnership with Higuerón Developments, will introduce the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand to Southern Spain.

The new resort is designed to reflect a contemporary version of Marbella’s Andalusian heritage. It will bring the brand’s signature service ethos, including its Personal Concierge service, to the Mediterranean coast. The property will include 120 guest rooms and suites. It will also offer 120 Waldorf Astoria branded residences, which are intended to merge residential privacy with the services of an ultra-luxury hotel.

The design of the hotel is being overseen by a conceptual competition involving three Pritzker Prize-winning architects.

Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, commented on the strategic importance of the signing. He said: “Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has long been synonymous with unparalleled luxury in the world’s most sought-after destinations. We’re delighted to once again work alongside Higuerón Developments as we introduce the brand to Marbella, bringing the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand to Spain’s Malaga Province. This signing represents another important step in our strategy to expand Hilton’s luxury portfolio globally, which now includes more than 550 trading hotels – from the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York to Conrad Hamburg and Waldorf Astoria Osaka. I look forward to Waldorf Astoria Marbella welcoming guests in 2029, with the hotel set to offer elegant service and unforgettable experiences for generations to come.”

The resort will feature an array of amenities. These include Peacock Alley, the brand’s signature lounge, two restaurants, a Lobby Bar, and a pool bar and grill. Wellness facilities are central to the resort, featuring a 750 square metre spa with four treatment rooms, a gym and both indoor and outdoor pools. The resort will also include a grand ballroom and multi-function spaces for events.

Javier Rodríguez, CEO of Higuerón Development, suggested the project will set a global benchmark. He said: “Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort aims to be a global benchmark in the ultra-luxury holiday segment. The arrival of this Waldorf Astoria resort in Spain reinforces and validates this commitment to excellence and consolidates Marbella as a prime destination for ultra-luxury tourism. The vision for this future project aligns with the existing core values of our company namely humanism, authenticity, innovation and sustainability, these values have accompanied us throughout our 30 years of history in Higuerón Gran Málaga Resort and together with our team are a fundamental part of the DNA of this Future Project.”

The property sits adjacent to a championship golf course. The course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1994, is scheduled for a sustainable redesign led by his son, Robert Trent Jones Jr. The signing ceremony took place in New York on 5 November.