Spain’s only seven-star hotel to open in Almuñecar

WORK on the first seven-star hotel in Spain, the Bahia Fenicia, planned in Almuñecar, is due to begin in 2013. This will be the second seven-star hotel in Europe. The promoter, Banyan Tree, presented the application for the building permit from the local town hall on Monday and has handed in the project for the complex.

The documents present the hotel as a ‘five-star luxury superior’ category, which is the highest allowed in Spanish law.

However, the promoter has requested a special dispensation from the Tourism Department to be officially named as a seven-star hotel. Banyan Tree Holdings is a leading international hospitality brand that manages and develops premium resorts, hotels and spas.

The plan is for the hotel and phase one, with some 50 private apartments, to be completed in 2013 and for phases two and three to start running in 2014 and 2015.

The hotel will be built in the area known as ‘El Peñon del Lobo’, between the Eastern Marina and Cotobro. It will cost approximately €230m and be built on 13,341 square meters, will feature 200 luxury rooms, a spa, and integrated environmental gardens. Standard rooms with be 40m2, and services such as limousines, a helicopter and a private butler will be available.

A further 32,428 square meters will be for residential housing, with apartments of up to 500m2, each with a private pool on the terrace. Owners will be able to get a professional cook, room services and all the services available at the hotel, as well as having the possibility of taking part in an exchange programme where they can let visit other Banyan Tree resorts in the Maldives or Thailand while other owners visit their apartments in Spain.

It is estimated that this hotel will provide more than 600 permanent jobs and full training will be provided.

“This will position our town as one of the most exclusive destinations,” declared Mayor Juan Carlos Benavides.

“The project has the full support of the town hall and given the degree of consensus between authorities, things should go smoothly,” said the mayor.

Picture Credit: nexnearapha