-How did you decide to come to Marbella and why?
The Russians took everything from me and gave me everything, because, at the time, the whole family had to escape from Prussia where they ordered us to be sent to Siberia. And, with a lot of luck, we came to the best place in the world, which is Marbella.
-How did you end up managing the most emblematic hotel in Marbella?
My mother wanted me to be a diplomat and my uncle a banker and I combined these two professions by managing the Marbella Club Hotel. I had just graduated in hotel management at the Lausanne School in Switzerland, and Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe offered me a job with him. I started in 1956 when I was only 24 years old and in 1961 he was appointed general manager, a position I held until 1983.
-What is the history of the Marbella Club Hotel?
Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe knew many celebrities and went to many parties in Hollywood. At this time, his family bought the Santa Margarita estate where they settled, enamored by the surroundings and the climate of the Costa del Sol. They invited people from Hollywood to visit their home and they were captivated by the beauty of the paradise that is Marbella. That is where the story of the Marbella Club Hotel begins.
Its blue sky and its climate. Seeing the Marbella sky in the morning brightens my life. I love the surroundings, Marbella and its people. I felt at home from the first moment I visited Andalusia.
-What is the most curious anecdote about Marbella Club?
Many, and one of the most curious parties in my opinion was “las burradas” (the donkeys). I ordered 60 donkeys for all the clients and each one of them arrived on a donkey to the place where we celebrated a flamenco party. A different and familiar atmosphere was created and everyone was delighted.
But we celebrated many parties, costume parties, theme parties and the millionaires had such a good time that they fell in love with Marbella even more.
