From Olivia Valere to Bonbonniere: What Changed on the Istán Road
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If you have a memory of Marbella nightlife from the last twenty-odd years, there's a good chance Olivia Valere is in it. The club on the Istán road, just above the Golden Mile, was the place where the town's summer crowd ended up. In 2026 that chapter closed. The building is now Bonbonniere Marbella, and the name you'll see on posters, tickets and the door has changed with it.
A short history of Olivia Valere
Olivia Valère was a French businesswoman who opened her first nightclub in Paris in 1981 before making Marbella her second home. Her club on the Istán road ran for more than two decades (sources disagree on whether it opened in 1997 or 2000) and became the town's best-known late-night address. She died in Paris in June 2022, aged 75. Her children had been running the club alongside her in her final years, and according to andalucia.com it kept operating until 2025.
Bonbonniere takes over
The property is now leased for ten years, 2026 to 2036, to Mandala Group, which also runs Bonbonniere in Tulum and Mykonos; the brand was created by Joe Fournier. The refit cost more than €15 million and covers a 2,150 m² space. The structure was kept, and so was the big circular mosaic on the floor that still spells out "Olivia Valere", now left as a nod to the woman who built the place. Design, lighting and sound are new.
The DJ terrace opened on 12 June 2026 with Claptone, followed the next night by Macarena Hoffman and Discosid, and Seth Troxler about a week later. The club itself had its grand opening on 2 July with Diplo, and the opening week carried on with Notre Dame, Cordiki and Marco Carola. The site describes the sound as tech house, which is a fair summary of that line-up.
What a night at Bonbonniere looks like
- Season: summer only. The terrace opens around 10pm and the club runs until 6am (listings give 11:30pm or midnight as the start).
- Door: smart-chic. No beachwear or swimwear, no hats or caps, no sandals or flip-flops.
- Bags: medium and large bags go to the cloakroom; small handbags are checked at security.
- Prices in 2026: general entry €30 to €60 depending on the night, VIP entry €150, according to andalucia.com. VIP zone packages are sold separately.
Who's behind Bonbonniere
Bonbonniere is a brand created by Joe Fournier and run by Mandala Group, which already has Bonbonniere clubs in Tulum and Mykonos and lists Madrid and Miami as coming soon. Marbella is the group's Spanish summer outpost for now. Tables and VIP zone packages are sold through the group's own ticketing, and the drinks list leans on cocktails, champagne and a long tequila selection.
For Marbella, the change means the Istán road keeps a big summer club, just with a different crowd and sound. Where Olivia Valere was a mix of shows, concerts, theme parties and restaurants, Bonbonniere is built around international house DJs and a terrace that gets going before midnight.
And LØV Olivia Valere?
The restaurant part of the old complex, formerly Babylonia Palace, didn't go anywhere. LØV Olivia Valere is a candle-lit courtyard built to look like the patio of an Arab palace, with room for 350 diners and its own entrance next to the club. It opens at weekends through the winter, on holiday evenings and for private parties. The Olivia Valere website still advertises Friday and Saturday opening, so if you book there, you're booking dinner at LØV, not a night at Bonbonniere.
Where to go until Bonbonniere reopens
Bonbonniere is closed until next summer. If you're in Marbella between October and May and want the same dinner-into-club idea on the Golden Mile, look at Momento in Villa Parra, Motel Particulier in Marbellamar (open every day from 7:30pm to 3am) or NYX inside Puente Romano, Wednesday to Saturday. We cover all three in our Golden Mile guide.
Olivia Valere then, Bonbonniere now
| Olivia Valere (club) | Bonbonniere Marbella | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | Until 2025 | From 2026 (lease to 2036) |
| Run by | Olivia Valère and her family | Mandala Group |
| Building | Istán road, km 0.8 | Same building, refitted |
| Format | Club with shows and restaurants | DJ terrace + club |
| Season | Weekends, summer peak | Summer only |
| Restaurant | LØV next door | LØV still next door |
Frequently asked questions
Who was Olivia Valère?
A French businesswoman who opened her first nightclub in Paris in 1981 and then ran the club on Marbella's Istán road that carried her name for more than two decades.
When did Olivia Valère die?
She died in Paris in June 2022, aged 75. Her children had been running the club with her, and it kept operating until 2025.
Is Olivia Valere still open?
Not as a nightclub. The club closed after 2025 and the building reopened in summer 2026 as Bonbonniere. The name lives on in the LØV Olivia Valere restaurant next door, which opens at weekends in winter.
Is Bonbonniere open now?
No. Bonbonniere is a summer club. Its first season opened in June 2026 (terrace) and July 2026 (club). Expect the 2027 season to start around the same time; we'll update this page as soon as the dates are out.
Where exactly is it and how do I get there?
On the Carretera de Istán (A-7176), around km 0.8, above the Golden Mile and near the Marbella mosque. It's a drive from Puerto Banús or the town centre, so plan a taxi both ways.
Who runs Bonbonniere Marbella?
Mandala Group, which leased the building for ten years (2026 to 2036). The Bonbonniere brand was created by Joe Fournier and also has clubs in Tulum and Mykonos.
Can I still book Olivia Valere?
You can book LØV Olivia Valere, the restaurant, which has its own booking page and WhatsApp. For a club night in that building, you're now booking Bonbonniere.
What music does Bonbonniere play?
Tech house, according to its own site, and the 2026 line-up backs that up: Claptone, Seth Troxler, Marco Carola and Diplo for the opening night.
Ready for your night in Marbella?
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