Hard Rock Hotel Marbella

Studio Gronda, an international architecture and interior design studio, was awarded to design the public area’s interiors of the first resort hotel of the Hard Rock Hotels brand on the peninsula.

The adults-only hotel, operated by Palladium Hotel Group, is located in Puerto Banús, Marbella, facing the Mediterranean Sea. The project consists of the renovation of the first hotel complex built in Puerto Banús in the 1970s, which had great international impact. It is scheduled to open in July 2022.

The building, divided into two wings, concentrates between them a main axis with the main public areas including the Porte cochere, the reception, the VIP Check-In, the Lobby bar, the Rock Shop, the Lobby Lounge, a Pool Table Club, and the public toilets. The Lobby Lounge leads out to the chill-out terrace, overlooking the outdoor gardens and the main pool.
The east wing’s first floor of the hotel concentrates a large event space: the Grand Ballroom, the Sessions restaurant and a commercial gallery that gives access to the Body Rock GYM and the Rock SPA. The basement floor contains alternative venues for private meetings.

The design is based on the combination of brand attributes (passionate, irreverent, authentic, and unpredictable design) with local and cultural attributes (traditional Andalusian architecture, the work of Picasso, local ceramics and flamenco). Each space invokes a unique experience through this combination of traditional elements with a modern and contemporary overlay that assists in incorporating the memorabilia, an essential part of the brand. Studio Gronda created special custom furniture as well as large window displays in specific spaces to frame their objects.

The welcome experience invites us to inhabit the interior of a Spanish guitar, represented on the floor and ceiling by its shape, finished in natural oak wood. The receptions are located on both sides and the center of this area hosts the main element of memorabilia with dresses of international artists inside a faceted glass box elevated on a pedestal.
On the same central axis, we have located the “Grand Chill-Out”, a large scenario surrounded by a circular bench upholstered in burgundy leather. A large, curved ceiling hangs over it accompanied by fringed burgundy curtains surrounding a large spherical sculpture. The lyrics of the Spanish song Volando Voy are laser cut on this bronze sphere. This piece has been created also as a central focal point for the entire Lobby.
As the guests walk towards the end of the Lobby (towards the gardens), they will find the Lobby Bar on the east wing, with a grand bar finished in white lacquered wood slats with bronze accents and a green marble effect porcelain countertop. A chandelier-bottle rack in bronze and fluted glass is suspended above the bar. The space is surrounded by wire structures that contain golden metal arches. These arches act as an extension of the bar where the guests can enjoy a drink. In the background, a grand piano is camouflaged among lush vegetation.
On the opposite side, towards the west wing, arches with a solid structure houses the Rock Shop with clear accents of traditional Andalusian architecture; carpet with Andalusian tile motifs, traditional Spanish grating in burgundy and a strong contrast of golden arches over the blue walls.
Four large tables create a transition between the Grand Lobby and the Terrace Lounge. Going along the central axis of the building, we find the Terrace Lounge overlooking the main pool Stage and the lush palm garden. The gardens and the main pool surround a large circular Stage.
The Cocoon, a sculptural feature surrounded by water and vegetation. This stage reproduces a large nest, materialized by metal ribs and ropes that will house the DJ and the VIP guests.

The outdoor dining area, located just below the Terrace Lounge, consists of the Grill Bar and the Food Truck. This area includes tables covered by large parasols. As a nod to Andalusian tradition, the umbrellas are printed with large garnet color dots.

The Sessions restaurant, with a landscaped perimeter formed by exterior and interior vegetation, contains two rooms on different levels. The lattices on columns and between levels with bronze and natural bulrush finish, create a very cozy space attenuated by a constellation of luminous discs suspended at different levels from the false ceiling incorporating warm and elegance to the lighting of this space.

The atmosphere and lighting created by STUDIO GRONDA on these public spaces seek to highlight the attributes of the Hard Rock Hotel brand defined by unique pieces of international musical history, without ever leaving aside the comfort and exaltation of its guests.