SO/ Hotels & Resorts, part of the Accor group, is set to open its very first resort in Europe this Summer.
With a presence in Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Russia and Cuba, the lifestyle brand champions a philosophy of contemporary, avant-garde luxury hospitality. As such, each of its hotels worldwide has a distinct personality, bringing together influences from the worlds of design and fashion.
With its concept of the ‘Revolutionised Cortijo’, SO/ Sotogrande will honour Andalusian heritage without losing the contemporary sophistication of the SO/ brand, fusing gastronomic and wellness guest experiences.
Located in one of the most exclusive areas of Andalusia’s Costa del Sol, Sotogrande, SO/’s 152-room Spanish debut will feature 36 suites, a locally inspired F&B programme, and plenty of health and wellness facilities.
Having collaborated with fashion designers at existing properties – Kenzo Takada at SO/ Mauritius, Christian Lacroix at SO/ Bangkok, Karl Lagerfeld at SO/ Singapore and Viktor&Rolf at SO/Berlin – the brand teamed up with Spanish creative Dolores Cortés for this project. Cortés was one of the pioneers in introducing prints to the swimwear world and represents the atmosphere that SO/ Sotogrande wants to reflect, in their words.
When guests aren’t relaxing at the resort, they can head to the gym or enjoy its nine golf courses, Polo Club, tennis and padel courts, or take part in water sports from local kayaking to Tarifa kitesurfing.
“Spain was missing from our portfolio, a country we’ve always wanted to explore and that fits with our energy, so we’re especially excited to be here,” says João Rocco, Vice President, Luxury Brand Management.
“We are always seeking destinations that amplify our unique style and DNA; and with the opening of Sotogrande, we’ve found exactly that and created an international reference for luxury and wellbeing.”
Sotogrande is 90 minutes from Malaga’s high-speed train station and close to the international airports of Gibraltar, Jerez and Malaga. Marbella and Puerto Banús are also just a half an hour’s drive away.
SO/ Sotogrande joins an existing portfolio that includes SO/ Paseo del Prado in La Habana, SO/ Mauritius, SO/ Berlin Das Stue, SO/ Vienna and SO/ St. Petersburg. The brand has plans to expand globally in the coming years too, with new hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Koh Samui, Dubai, Paris, Melbourne and Los Cabos in Mexico.
