The Puente Romano was built in 1974 as one of the most exclusive apartment complexes in Marbella, along its most fashionable “Golden Mile”. After the extreme success with the neighbouring Marbella Club Hotel, which was, during the Sixties and Seventies the meeting place for the international jet set, its founder and owner, the German-Spanish Royal Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, followed his vision for the luxurious apartment complex, virtually next door.
One of the frequent and favourite guests in Marbella Club was Mr. Mouaffak Al Midani, who had much interest in the complex Puente Romano after many conversations with Prince Alfonso. Finally Mr. Al Midani bought the entire complex Puente Romano in 1979, which has its name from the antique Roman bridge, located in the centre of its extensive gardens. This Roman bridge was built in the first century, as part of the Via Augusta, the old road, which once connected Rome with Cádiz. Mr. Al Midani, after the acquisition, converted the Puente Romano into a luxurious resort hotel. In 1979 Puente Romano was officially opened as a Hotel.
The Hotel Puente Romano offered in those days 184 rooms, which offered due to their original purpose with 45-55sqm extremely opulent rooms, all equipped with large balconies or terraces. The first important event at the hotel was the wedding party of the tennis legend Bjorn Borg with Mariana Simionescu in 1980. Bjorn Borg afterwards became the first Manager of the Puente Romano Tennis Club. The Puente Romano was, since its opening the meeting point of the international high society, also due to the fact that Regine’s Nightclub was part of the Hotel’s attractions.
Two years later, in 1982, the Hotel Puente Romano became a Member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
In the following years, 1992 to 1994, the Resort was enlarged by rooms and suites, including the Imperial Suite, which are located close by the beach, also by the Beach Club Restaurant and Pool, which overlook the Ocean and the Beach Club Pool.
Mr. Al Midani sold the Hotel Puente Romano in 1994 to the Family David Shamoon, who still possesses the property today.
Following his vision that a luxurious large Resort needs equivalent banqueting and conference-space, the Andalucía Conference Centre was opened in June 2002 after three year’s construction. The total capacity of the Salón Andalucía, its largest room, amounts up to 650 persons, and can be subdivided into five large rooms. It is one of the largest and most modern Conference Centres in the Costa del Sol.
In 2006, a large refurbishment project was initiated, the refurbishment of all guest rooms and suites, and a repositioning of the restaurants and bars, all was completed in 2010.
