Once a Marbella icon with roots in the 1970s, the Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel has entered a new era of interior identity. Tasked with reimagining its public spaces, Barcelona-based studio EL EQUIPO CREATIVO approached the project with a sensitivity to the hotel’s historic character while introducing a rich dialogue between local context and modern hospitality design.
Rooted in the Local, Framed by the ’70s
The studio’s design intent draws heavily from the Andalusian landscape—sunlit greenery, sea blues, terracotta tones—infusing the interior with a palette that reflects the poetic imagery of the region. But this isn’t a purely nostalgic project. The team leans into the building’s original 1970s architectural language, folding in geometric patterns, curved forms, and built-in features that recall an era of bold interiors. The result is a layered atmosphere that’s locally grounded yet stylistically expansive.
Artistic Overlays and Handcrafted Layers
EL EQUIPO CREATIVO’s storytelling design is perhaps most visible in its curated use of art and craft. Hand-painted murals inspired by Picasso—who was born just an hour away in Málaga—grace the Lobby and Lounge, reinforcing an aesthetic that feels at once domestic and expressive. These artistic elements continue into other public zones like the Azul Bar, where blue ceramic tiles, 3D textures, and sculptural lighting create an immersive visual narrative.
The Andalusian patio, a holdover from the hotel’s original layout, now centers around a modern water feature. Rather than erase the past, the design embraces it—reinterpreting it with tactility, craftsmanship, and contemporary restraint.
Fluid Zones, Flexible Moments
Functionally, the redesign introduces spatial flexibility while maintaining coherence. The Lounge and Library shift between public and private with wooden sliders, while outdoor areas like the Pool and Costa Club blend seamlessly into the natural topography.
The Escondido Rooftop Bar exemplifies this layered programming—combining elevated views with stepped seating platforms and visual cues from the ‘70s. Daytime transitions to nighttime are built into the spatial DNA: what’s casual and relaxed by daylight becomes sculpted and cinematic by sundown.
Narrative-Driven Hospitality
Known for narrative hospitality environments, EL EQUIPO CREATIVO continues its trajectory of designing spaces that feel inhabited by stories. This project marks their second collaboration with Kimpton Hotels (the first being in Barcelona) and solidifies their reputation for crafting interiors that go beyond surface aesthetics.
By using Marbella’s past as both a material and metaphor, the team achieves a compelling hybrid—part regional homage, part spatial storytelling.
Technical Sheet
| Project Name | Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel Redesign |
|---|---|
| Location | Marbella, Spain |
| Client | Stoneweg Asset Management, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, IHG Hotels |
| Design Studio | EL EQUIPO CREATIVO |
| Founders | Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo, Lucas Echeveste Lacy |
| Project Leaders | Daniel Trujillo, Marcos Merino |
| Design Team | Rafaela Aranzaens, Francisco Vargas, Yesica Peña, Luren Debernardi, Nashla Silva-Pro, Abigail Almaguer |
| Lighting Design | MMAS lighting |
| Scope | Interior design of all public spaces |
| Design Theme | Mediterranean-rooted contemporary design with 1970s influences |
| Key Features | Lobby, Lounge, Library, Andalusian Patio, Azul Bar, Pool Area, Costa Club Bar, Jara Restaurant, Escondido Rooftop Bar |
