El Equipo Creativo transforms the essence of the Marbella classic Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel

Each new project by El Equipo Creativo reaffirms their talent for crafting spaces where visual and emotional storytelling intertwines with functionality and beauty. We now present their complete redesign of the public areas of Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel in Marbella. Following their acclaimed work for the first Kimpton hotel in Spain, in Barcelona, the studio once again collaborates with the international chain, transforming the essence of a local classic through the sophisticated, vibrant and contemporary lens that defines their practice.

Inspired by the Andalusian landscape and cultural heritage, the project seeks to capture the soul of Marbella through a bold reinterpretation of local aesthetics. The design language embraces lush greens, deep Mediterranean blues, golden light, and the artistic sensuality of the South—evoking poetry, ceramics, Picasso’s visual universe and an informal elegance that invites delight. All of this is filtered through a 1970s spirit that pays tribute to the hotel’s original architecture, introducing geometric patterns, latticed structures and textures that balance memory with innovation.

The hotel lobby: emotional and visual hospitality

The entrance to the hotel offers an emotional welcome into the aesthetic world envisioned by El Equipo Creativo. Far from being a mere transition space, the lobby and adjacent lounges create an immersive scene where Mediterranean warmth blends with the refined nostalgia of the seventies.

A serene white base serves as a luminous canvas for an interior architecture in which every element adds texture, rhythm and character. Natural woods, colorful curved furniture and retro-inspired finishes converse with hand-painted murals that reference the Picassian imaginary. These pictorial compositions—almost domestic in nature—evoke the figure of the sensitive collector, the traveler who finds refuge in art.

This first spatial gesture already reveals the philosophy behind the project: an emotional and visual hospitality in which aesthetics are not decoration, but atmosphere. The open layout of the salons and lounges invites guests to linger, to meet, to reflect. Everything is conceived so that arriving at the hotel becomes a welcoming experience.

El Patio Andaluz: the emotional heart of the project

One of the most cherished original elements of the hotel, the central courtyard has been elevated by El Equipo Creativo through a strategy of formal refinement and lush vegetation. Its new configuration is both sculptural and serene, centered around a water feature that becomes the visual and sensory focal point. Surrounded by lounge areas and a library, this space articulates the spatial sequence with quiet Mediterranean elegance.

Azul Bar: the blue soul of Marbella

An icon since its opening in 1962, Azul Bar is reborn with a fresh and sophisticated language. A central bar clad in 3D ceramic tiles anchors the space, now enveloped in shades of blue. Hand-painted murals featuring feminine forms inspired by Picasso’s world add a creative layer, transforming the environment into an intimate and vibrant setting—perfect for a seamless transition from day to night, where the energy never fades.

Pool and Costa Club Pool Bar

The pool area has been reimagined as an artificial landscape with topographical inspiration. Multi-level platforms, a warm white base and natural turquoise tones define a setting that evokes la dolce vita, balancing retro flair with contemporary chic. Within this luminous composition, the Costa Club Pool Bar emerges as a Mediterranean retreat under a terracotta pergola. Here, light and shadow dance across ceramics and textures, capturing the most sensual spirit of the coast.

Jara: dining in a garden

Jara restaurant offers the experience of dining in a garden. A white backdrop contrasts with green ceramics and lush vegetation, creating a serene atmosphere where Mediterranean tradition is served with aesthetic precision. As always in El Equipo Creativo’s work, the interior design becomes an extension of the culinary narrative.

Escondido Rooftop Bar: Marbella chic reimagined

The final gem of this spatial journey is the Escondido Rooftop Bar—a raised setting that captures the essence of Marbella’s chic with a playful seventies twist. On the upper platform, a terracotta-toned bar with bold geometric patterns sets the tone for sophisticated cocktails. Below, a panoramic pool lined with retro ceramics opens toward sweeping views of the Mediterranean. During the day, the atmosphere is relaxed and casual; at night, it becomes elevated and glamorous. With sunset reflections, unexpected details and a cinematic horizon, this rooftop becomes an unforgettable experience.

Project: Kimpton Los Monteros Hotel.

Client: Kimpton Hotels, IHG Hotels, Stoneweg Living.
Interior design: El Equipo Creativo. Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo, Lucas Echeveste Lacy.
Project leads: Daniel Trujillo, Marcos Merino.
Lighting: MMaslighting.
Architecture: GCA Architects GCA Arquitectos.
Project management: CBRE.
Location: Marbella (Málaga).
Completion: 2025.
Photography: Veerle Evens.

El Equipo Creativo: interior architecture that tells compelling stories and inspires people

Since its founding in 2011 in Barcelona by architects Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo and Lucas Echeveste Lacy, El Equipo Creativo has redefined interior design within the worlds of gastronomy and hospitality. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that spatial design should tell captivating stories and inspire people, always grounded in a strong conceptual approach.

Their first collaboration—the Tickets restaurant by the Adrià brothers—marked the beginning of a trajectory that would lead them to work with some of the most renowned chefs in the world, including Michelin-starred establishments. That project not only launched their reputation but also gave rise to the name of the studio, adopted from a nickname given by their earliest clients.

El Equipo Creativo’s design philosophy is based on a solid conceptual framework, where each project is a unique response to its context and to the client’s vision. Rather than following fleeting trends, they seek lasting solutions that combine materials, colors and textures to shape immersive, memorable atmospheres. Their process often involves close collaboration with local artisans, allowing for the integration of custom and sustainable elements into their work.

International recognition soon followed. The studio has received more than 70 design awards, including the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, FRAME Awards and BOY Awards. They have also been named Best Interior Design Firm by the Architizer A+Awards and recognized by Frame magazine as one of the 20 most influential designers in the world.

With a vision that goes beyond aesthetics, El Equipo Creativo continues to explore new ways of connecting space with human experience, establishing themselves as a leading voice in contemporary interior design.

Source: El Equipo Creativo y V2com Newswire.

Project by El Equipo Creativo