They're the reigning princes of beach club, a collection of Miami-based promoters who launched an international franchise built around minimalist beach furnishings, meticulous guest list and locations that make you want to play all day long in the sun. Today their club's are the hottest beach venues in St. Bart's, Cabo San Lucas and even Marbella where it operates in the foreground of Don Carlos Beach Resort just outside of town. Not your usual laid-back Marbella beach bar, this all-out party haven is a hotspot for Spanish jetset looking to dance the day away in skimpy swimwear and flirtatious socializing.
Unlike the more inland Nikki Beach location of St. Tropez or pool-based version in Marrakech, the Marbella location integrates a nearby beach into the action with lounger and sushi service while keeping much of the party action closer to the pool and bar. While you definitely feel like your at a Spanish seaside hotel, much of the branding and operations are entirely independent of the Don Carlos Hotel - which make the experience a lot more fun and chic.
Visitors tend to arrive in the late-afternoon for the apres-beach parties throughout summer, to an array of available white loungers topped with hardly-modest singles looking to shake and shimmy through afternoon DJ sets while enjoying bottle service of Rosé. Around 6pm the scene shifts from the sun to the bar as locals get an early start on the night with lively dance party and occasional champagne shower. While we initially discredited the local Marbella scene as a second-tier St. Tropez, we were impressed by the scrumptious hometown selection of singles on hand for everyday tanning and summertime play that's even hotter and wilder than its South of France party sibling.
Tips
Open from April through September, the nightlife and local social scene are best during July and August high-season.
Last Word
A child of the infamous Miami-based beach club, Nikki Marbella boasts a poolside beach environment of fine dining, first class boozing and some of the sexiest flirting in the world.
