Leave your cares behind, these are the good times in Marbella with CHIC at the Starlite Occident Festival.
Rick Astley and John Legend will also be there and Kool & The Gang and Lenny Kravitz and rock legends Deep Purple.
And you can be too and stay at the best billet at the El Fuerte Marbella, 15 minutes from the festival site.
Stars come out at night
The only 5* in Marbella Old Town, built in 1957 and reimagined in 2023, has long been a favoured retreat for the stars.
With Penélope Cruz and Walt Disney among the famous names to have stayed within its walls.
Now in its 14th iteration, Starlite Occident has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most exclusive boutique festivals.
The best arenas we know are of the open-air amphitheatre.
And Occident is set within a former quarry.
Music to our ears
Beyond the music, the festival is billed as a complete lifestyle experience.
With award-winning restaurants including Tanabata, Temazo, Sandra’s Caviar Bar and Ánima.
Plus the Starlite Night Club, where DJs and special performances keep the party going into the early hours.
Highlights of the 2026 line-up include Lenny Kravitz (29 June), Gipsy Kings (3 July), Maroon 5 (7 July), Rick Astley (10 July), Anastacia (14 July), John Legend (20 July), Kool & The Gang (23 July) and Nile Rodgers & CHIC (26 August).
El of an hotel
El Fuerte Marbella’s quiet elegance is evident throughout the hotel, where each space reflects a balance of style and comfort.
The rooms and suites feature chic design with a soothing, relaxed feel, thoughtful amenities and Molton Brown products.
Take a dip in either or both of the two swimming pools set in landscaped gardens – including one reserved for adults.
An outdoor hot tub, a beach club, a gym, and inviting indoor-outdoor areas that flow seamlessly together.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Spa by Clarins offers a subterranean haven.
With a serene, low-lit hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and six treatment rooms.
Feed your soul
El Fuerte Marbella has a strong emphasis on gastronomy, showcasing local Andalucian ingredients wherever possible.
A sumptuous breakfast buffet at Soleo Beach Club is complemented with views of the Med, and tastes, in Le Marché.
Levante takes guests on a culinary journey that combines Andalucia’s abundant pantry with global ingredients.
And, of course, for celebrity watchers, the El Puerto Deportivo hotspot is also nearby.
Make my Day
El Fuerte Marbella has introduced a brand-new Day Pass experience for 2026.
Priced from €79.50pp, the pass offers non-resident guests access to an exclusive premium sunbed by the pool.
Or the beach from 11am-7pm, plus entry to the hotel’s VIP area.
Even better, 50% of the booking value is included as credit to spend at Bar Levante.
Prices at El Fuerte Marbella start from €390 per night in a Standard Double, with breakfast included for two people.