The Marina d’Or hotel complex is moving into its next phase, a landmark reference in Castellón’s tourism sector. News emerged that the Fuertes Group, owner of the ElPozo food brand, would hold the shares, while the Benidorm Magic Costa Blanca chain would manage them. Sources in digital media and industry outlets placed the operation’s value around 70 million euros, notably below the 100 million euros paid by the US fund Farallon in earlier years.
The current owners of Marina d’Or continue to carry the company’s capital while facing ongoing financial obligations. Amid a global pandemic that hit the hotel industry hard, the complex has undergone multiple refurbishment and restructuring cycles, driving up overall investment and reshaping its business model.
external management
Fuertes’s move mirrors Farallon’s prior strategy: acquire ownership and hand day-to-day operations to a third party. Gestión Activos Turísticos (GAT) managed these duties from 2020 through December of the following year. Now, with the sale finalized, Magic will oversee the daily operations of the hotels, spas, theme parks, and tourist apartments that comprise Marina d’Or.
The operator is expected to expand activities by hosting events and festivals to attract new visitor profiles, similar to recent initiatives in Alicante.
Approach
Magic, a family-run enterprise owned by the García family, arrived in Castellón after establishing itself in Benidorm as a major tourism hub. Fuertes, meanwhile, runs four hotels in Murcia and two in Alicante and has collaborated with Barceló since February. Fuertes and Magic are also coordinating at Terra Natura, the park in Benidorm.
The Marina d’Or sales effort was reported by this newspaper in collaboration with investment consultancy Colliers, which has long supported asset transactions and investment strategy.
Regarding the current status of the Orpesa complex, the general manager, Antonio Maeso, who spoke in June during the summer season launch, noted that losses had been halved in 2022 and that new ownership would bring fresh ideas and business plans.
Previous experience in Castellón
The Fuertes group has ElPozo as its flagship brand, though its portfolio has shifted over the years. Its involvement with one of the region’s oldest ceramic companies illustrates a broader history in the sector. The center around Vila-real faced challenges after energy-related losses, and as a result Fuertes pivoted toward markets where it holds stronger a footholds. The Castellón region has seen evolving strategies as the group focuses on core strengths and regional opportunities.