One of Marbella’s most legendary nightlife venues has shut its doors, bringing to an end a chapter that helped define the Costa del Sol’s golden era of glamour, excess and celebrity.

The namesake club founded by Olivia Valere was a symbol of a time when Marbella drew aristocrats, tycoons and Hollywood stars throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Valere, who arrived in Marbella in 1984, built an empire that captured that spirit, first through venues like Gray d’Albion and later with her flagship nightclub on the Golden Mile.

Backed during its rise by former mayor Jesus Gil, the club became one of the most iconic nightlife destinations in southern Europe.

Death, family feud and a turning point

But her death in 2022 at the age of 75 marked the beginning of the end.

While the club continued under family management, stability quickly unravelled amid a bitter inheritance dispute between her widower, Philippe Valère, and her children.

At the centre of the conflict was a handwritten will signed in 2011, which her children challenged in court, questioning its validity.

The legal battle spiralled into a prolonged feud involving lawsuits and public accusations.

In the end, the courts ruled in favour of Philippe Valere, recognising the will and granting him significant control over key assets, including properties in Paris and Guadalmina.

The remaining estate – including land, jewellery and debts – was divided among family members.

The ruling effectively reshaped control of the business. By 2025, Valere’s children were no longer involved in its management, with responsibility shifting to a tighter inner circle, including her son Xavier.

Despite efforts to steady the ship, the venue, once synonymous with exclusivity and spectacle, was increasingly out of step with a new generation of luxury tourism.

Behind the scenes, the family had already been searching for a partner capable of reviving the brand.

That shift is now confirmed. The space has been leased for the next decade to the Mandala Group, which plans to relaunch the venue under a new concept: Bonbonniere Marbella.

Legacy lives on

While the nightclub as it was known has closed, the Valere name will not disappear entirely.

The family will retain control of the adjoining restaurant, now rebranded as LOV Olivia Valère, preserving a link to the legacy built over four decades.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.