The Cateto Club is an experimental hospitality space on Spain's Costa del Sol designed by Alejandro Cateto. The project draws from the region's tourism architecture of the 1960s, referencing hotels, clubs and roadside destinations that shaped the area's leisure culture.
Influences include local landmarks such as the Aqua-Tec diving club in Fuengirola, the Three Towers of Torremolinos, Marbella's Ciudad Sindical de Vacaciones Tiempo Libre, and hospitality destinations including Marbella Club and Hotel Miami. The interior also incorporates references to designers such as Mario Bellini and Verner Panton alongside elements associated with Italian radical design.
A cylindrical geometry organizes the entire space. Circular forms appear in seating alcoves, bar elements, stools, lighting fixtures, floor patterns, doors and architectural openings. A three-metre-wide round entrance door serves as the project's defining feature and acts as a focal point for visitors arriving at the venue.
Image Credit: Loveladrillo
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Circular Spatial Design
- Cylindrical layouts and rounded architectural elements create immersive hospitality environments where geometry becomes a memorable brand asset and differentiator.
- Retro Tourism Revival
- Mid-century leisure references from coastal destinations offer a rich visual language for venues seeking nostalgic atmospheres with contemporary cultural relevance.
- Radical Interior Storytelling
- Design cues from experimental movements and iconic furniture eras transform commercial interiors into narrative-driven spaces that encourage visitor engagement and social sharing.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality Design
- Hotels, clubs and restaurants can use sculptural interiors to redefine guest experience through distinctive spatial identities rather than conventional decor.
- Experiential Retail
- Retail environments benefit from theatrical forms and heritage-inspired aesthetics that turn physical locations into destinations with stronger emotional pull.
- Tourism and Leisure
- Regional tourism brands gain new placemaking possibilities when local architectural history is reinterpreted as immersive contemporary venues.
