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Location: Sotogrande, Cádiz (Spain)

Architect: International Hospitality Projects

Interior Designer: International Hospitality Projects

Hotel Group: Accor Hotels

Operating Partner: Alsotel

Landscape Consultant: Rocío Sainz De Rozas

Photographer Credit: Accor Hotels

The old Almenara hotel had an introvert design that was built around a pool area. It had been consolidated into the Sotogrande environment, becoming an inseparable part of Sotogrande over time. However, International Hospitality Projects (Ihp Group) believes that everything evolves, and Sotogrande should be no less. The area already offers luxury villas and high standing clubs, as well as the traditional Valderrama, a marina, and the beach Club El Trocadero. The challenge is for this project to reinvent and rejuvenate an Almenara Hotel that has become the rightful owner of the Sotogrande name, to become once again a point of difference, a new and fresh wave of young and innovative glamour that will become the first SO/Hotels and Resorts in Spain, Accor’s luxury and lifestyle brand.

There were 6 main points to the design: Create a sense of arrival, open the views, create a brand identity of “The Revolutionized Cortijo” based on the Andalusian Cortijo mixed with So/DNA, create unique designs for F&B outlets, integrate the existing building, and design the rooms for different guest experiences. The first ideas were clear. To open spaces, to breathe, to increase the light, to expand in the surroundings. So/ Sotogrande was redesigned from the master plan to the small furniture detail, with each of IHP Group’s departments working as a well-drilled unit to create a one-of-a-kind design that sets new standards in the luxury hotel industry.

The 5-star resort includes 152 rooms, 36 suites, 5 restaurants & bars, 26,910 sq. ft. spa and gym, meeting and wedding facilities, and 3 outdoor pools (with one indoors connected to the spa). Since the first sketches and studies, it was a must to integrate the hotel into the environment. The hotel buildings were originally agglomerated so IHP Group needed to open the space between them, demolishing those that block views, and reorganizing the new volumes. This additional space between buildings allowed the hotel to open up towards the golf course and sea, taking advantages of the existing terrain.

Creating a sense of arrival was one of the main points to the design brief. With IHP Group’s new design plan, access to the lobby and Reception area comes through an arrival plaza overlooking the golf course and the sea. The client immediately enters an Arrival Pavilion as their first experience in the Hotel. The rest of the experience is enhanced by the creation of a new independent Spa building with an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, integrated into the golf landscape, with luxurious treatment cabins and exercise areas.

As a Cortijo – traditional Andalusian countryside villa – the hotel has a local flavour brought through handmade details such as clay flooring, ceramic tiles, yute and rattan lamps and traditional terracotta pots used as washbasins. Local artisans created stunning elements designed by IHP reminiscent of the local Andalusian tradition: clay lattice inspired by the traditional arches and iconic pendant lamp inspired by flamenco fans. In addition to the connection with the landscape and location, Hotel So/ Sotogrande provides a connection to its community with the Golf Club and Spa that are open to the exclusive neighbourhood.