Santa Maria Polo Club Sotogrande

Polo clubs in Sotogrande are on the list of the best in the world. Polo, known as “the Sport of Kings”, has one of its great international meccas in Sotogrande. Of course, the unique landscape of Sotogrande has a lot to do with it, with its incredible views of the sea and the mountains.

Sotogrande boasts no less than 5 polo clubs: Santa Maria Polo Club, Ayala Polo Club, Polo Valley, Iridike Polo Club and Dos Lunas Polo Club.

And all polo clubs in Sotogrande are located less than 1 hour by car from Marbella city. So, if you live in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis or Sotogrande and you are a polo fan, you are in the right place!

Santa Maria Polo Club

Santa María Polo Club is the first polo club to open in Sotogrande. With its 9 courts and luxurious facilities, it is considered one of the 5 best polo clubs in the world.

Its history is closely linked to that of an authentic family saga, that of the Zóbels, which combines Filipino, Spanish and German origins. In fact, the entire history of Sotogrande is inseparable from this family.

​The origins of the saga are located in the Philippines, in the 19th century. Dr. Johannes Andreas Zóbel, a pharmacist of German origin, emigrated to Manila and opened the first chemical laboratory in the Philippines there in 1834. His son, Jacobo Zobel y Zangroniz married Trinidad de Ayala, a descendant of an illustrious family originally from Álava, in the Basque Country (and owner of important industries in the Philippines). Their children decided to combine their surnames and be called Zóbel de Ayala, to preserve their Hispanic origins.

The family arrived in what is now known as Sotogrande in the 60s of the last century. One of their descendants, Mercedes Zóbel de Ayala, had married the American businessman Joseph McMicking. In 1964, the couple decided to open a golf club near the mouth of the Guadiaro River. The first homes would be built around it, intended for the users of that field, and that is how Sotogrande was born: elite sport gave birth to the population, and not the other way around!

Enrique Zóbel founds the first polo court in Sotogrande

Indeed, golf was not the only sport that played a part in the origins of Sotogrande. In 1965, Enrique Zóbel, nephew of Joseph and Mercedes, built the legendary La Playa polo field. The Santa Maria Polo Club was born and the “Sport of Kings” made its entry into Sotogrande.

At first they were simply family tournaments, with a small group of aficionados. However, the number of these did not stop growing. In the seventies, the Sotogrande polo cups (Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups) were organized. The name of Sotogrande was beginning to sound strongly in the world of polo.

La Playa polo court had an unexpected and tragic end. A violent sea storm completely destroyed it in 1984. However, the Santa Maria Golf Club soon recovered. During the following two years, the two El Río courses were built (they currently exist and organize medium and high handicap tournaments). The Santa Maria Polo Club is located very close to the emblematic Sotogrande Marina, the charming leisure and fashion center.

An incredible space of more than 1 million square meters

Since its rebirth, the club has not stopped growing. Currently, the Santa Maria Polo Club has impressive facilities of more than one million square meters, spread over 3 areas.

LOS PINOS:

It is the main area. The high handicap matches of the International Summer Tournament and a large part of the winter tournaments are traditionally played there. It has 4 playing courts and one for tackling. The After Polo Sotogrande nightlife area is also located there. Its construction began in 2002 and ended in 2008. The opening of this area crowned the Santa María Polo Club as one of the largest and most important polo clubs in the world.

RIO SOTOGRANDE:

Currently this area has two polo courts. It also has a tent for events and the La Quinta restaurant. High and medium handicap matches from the International Summer Tournament and other winter and spring tournaments are played there. It was the main area of the club from its opening in 1986 until the creation of Los Pinos.

PUENTE DE HIERRO:

It has three courts, two of them used for medium and low handicap matches during the International Summer Tournament. They were inaugurated in 1992. They are home to the 39 impressive state-of-the-art stables available to the club. Inaugurated in July 2010, they have the “5 star” category.

A calendar of more than 30 tournaments

The club’s annual competition calendar is made up of more than 30 tournaments, among which the traditional Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups stand out, as well as the José Ignacio Domecq Memorial, the Santa María Open and the Enrique Zobel Founder’s Cup.

Now, the most important has always been the International Polo Tournament, one of the main competitions in the world. In fact, the high handicap Gold Cup in this tournament is one of the events that make up the Grand Slam.

​Beyond the exciting matches, Santa María Polo Club offers a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere for both players and spectators. The elegant clubhouse, with its gorgeous Andalusian architecture, offers a magnificent setting to socialize and enjoy the polo lifestyle. Visitors can savor exquisite cuisine, enjoy premium beverages and immerse themselves in the vibrant social scene surrounding the “Sport of Kings.”

The club’s commitment to the sport extends beyond the tournament season as it actively promotes polo at all levels. Santa María Polo Club hosts training programs, youth initiatives and amateur tournaments. In this way, it encourages the growth of polo and ensures its accessibility to enthusiasts of different levels.

Ayala Polo Club

As we indicated previously, the Zóbel saga continues with the Ayala Polo Club. Its founder in 1970 was Iñigo Zóbel, one of the sons of Enrique Zóbel (the creator of the Santa María Polo Club). And currently his daughter (and granddaughter of the founder), Paola Zóbel, runs it.

​With more than half a century of history, the Ayala Polo Club is a classic of this sport in its own right. And its place among the greatest polo clubs in the world has been consecrated in 2022. From this year, the Ayala Polo Club is in charge of organizing the Sotogrande International Polo Tournament, after the agreement signed with its “older brother”, the Santa Maria Polo Club (which organized the 50th Edition of the tournament in 2021).

The Ayala Polo Club is located about 3 kilometers north of Santa María Polo Club. It is a beautiful area further inland and into the mountains, known as Hacienda de San Enrique. In 2005, the Ayala Polo Club underwent a major expansion and remodeling. It currently has two headquarters, Ayala Central and Ayala Los Pinos.

The club has three professional polo courts and three exercise tracks, a covered riding arena and three groups of private stables with capacity for 400 horses. In addition to the 35 hectares of sports fields, Ayala Polo Club has 65 hectares of green land that accommodate multiple activities during the summer. The fields and other facilities of the Ayala Polo Club are considered by some to be the best in the world.

Nine tournaments are held at the Ayala Polo Club, spread over five months from May to September (Welcome Cup, KE Sotogrande Cup, Joseph McMicking Cup, Spanish Open, Manuel Prado Memorial and Colón de Carvajal…).

The International Polo Tournament is the most important highlight

Now, the most important event is the Sotogrande International Polo Tournament. The best polo players in the world come to try to win the coveted Bronze Cup, the Terralpa Silver Cup and the Gold Cup (three of the most important prizes in this sport).

​The International Polo Tournament is a first-rate social event that goes beyond sport. It includes gastronomy (with a gourmet area), fashion stalls, live music concerts and everything to enjoy a unique atmosphere.

By the way, highlights in the club include the excellent Cancha II restaurant, one of the best places to enjoy an authentic Argentinian “asado” or exquisite signature cuisine.

Of course, the Ayala Polo Club has inherited Santa María’s commitment to the “Sport of Kings”, well beyond the tournament season. The club is actively involved in promoting polo development initiatives, with youth programs and training sessions.

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Polo Valley

Compared to the previous two, Polo Valley is a newly established polo club. It was founded by Christian Byrne in 2015. However, it has managed to become a club of global importance due to the high quality of its facilities. Polo Valley gives special importance to initiation and training in the practice of polo.

Polo Valley is located further north and inland from Sotogrande. Following the course of the Guadiaro River, about 10 minutes by car from the Ayala Polo Club, we find Polo Valley, in a wonderful environment surrounded by mountains.

Located on a 40-hectare estate, Polo Valley has 3 polo fields and more than 150 stables. Its facilities are a true delight for the senses: dotted with palm trees, with well-kept grounds and impressive views of the mountains. Polo Valley also has a lake, clubhouse, accommodations and events area.

Polo Valley Sotogrande

The passion for polo was awakened in the founder, Christian Byrne, when he was a child, during stays with his family in Sotogrande. That hobby grew to become a life project. However, Byrne was aware of the difficulties involved in opening a polo club. So, he traveled to Argentina to train in depth in the world of polo and returned with his own and original idea about the type of club he wanted to open in Sotogrande.

A unique inmersive polo experience

His proposal consists of a comprehensive and immersive experience, with the sport of polo as the center, but offering “something more.” Indeed, Polo Valley has accommodations that allow its visitors a true retreat. Its complete training program for all levels adapts to any need. In fact, it is considered one of the best in the world.

An example of a specialized program is the Polo Challenge, an exclusive two-week experience for 6 people, once a year. The Polo Challenge offers the opportunity to absolute beginners to learn the sport and master the skills necessary to become a polo player.

But in addition, the club complements the practice of polo with an extensive program of activities around the concept of “wellness”: yoga, meditation, spa, horseback riding excursions through the spectacular surroundings, culinary practices with local organically grown products… This way polo becomes the center of a total experience for body and mind.

Polo Valley has also emerged as an excellent event center, in an idyllic, quiet and discreet location. In this respect, its wedding planning program stands out.

Iridike Polo Club

As if the 3 impressive polo clubs in Sotogrande already mentioned were not enough, the location completes its offer with 2 more. Iridike Polo Club specializes in low handicap polo. Teaching the sport and organizing “polo holidays” stand out as its main activities.

Iridike Polo Club is located a little further inland, about 25 minutes by car from Sotogrande. It is next to a spectacular mountainous area that extends to the Los Alcornocales natural park.

Iridike Polo Club is the creation of Luciano Irazábal and his wife, Marina. Iridike’s name comes from the name of a horse owned by Marina. The project began with a polo school, but due to the growing demand for polo facilities, the business expanded. The Irazábals acquired a 40-hectare country estate to house not only the courts, but also to create a vacation resort.

Currently Iridike Polo Club is divided into two facilities:

FINCA TRES ROSAS

It offers a polo field of 20 boxes and everything necessary for teaching polo: a sand riding arena, beaching tracks, etc. It is here that we find the 3 independent villas where visitors stay for their holidays at the club.

PUENTE DE HIERRO CLUB

The Puente de Hierro club, for low handicap competitions, offers 3 polo fields and more than 80 boxes. During the season from May to August, the club organizes 2 tournaments per week. And in August, the 4 Iridike Polo Puente de Hierro cups are played.

Dos Lunas Polo Club

Las but no least among polo clubs in Sotogrande: The Dos Lunas polo club is located closer to Sotogrande Marina, about 15 minutes drive. Its surroundings are truly idyllic: a beautiful valley surrounded by 92 hectares of mountains and with a pleasant microclimate. It is the perfect place to enjoy horseback riding.

Dos Lunas is a club specialized in dressage and polo. Its main activity is the preparation of highly competitive horses, but tournaments and teaching are also perfectly organized.

It has 2 professional polo fields and 2 all-weather training courts that are the largest in Europe. The advanced technology incorporated in the latter allows the computer regulation of humidity level and texture of the soil. This way, dust is eliminated in summer and puddles in winter. The club also has 2 grass tacking courts and an all-weather work court.

All in all, the club has the capacity to accommodate 3 polo teams with 50 horses each. In fact, it rents the facilities up to this maximum number of teams during the Easter and summer seasons.

And when it comes to accommodation, few competitors can compare with Dos Lunas polo club. Indeed, the complex has a 5-star hotel so that guests can stay in complete comfort.

Polo clubs in Sotogrande have choices for all polo fans

It seems clear that Sotogrande is a true paradise for polo fans. For both visitors and residents in Sotogrande, the polo clubs in Sotogrande offer an option that, added to others (such as golf, sailing sports or hiking) create an excellent offer of elite outdoor sports.

One of the great attractions for all those who plan to buy a house in Sotogrande is the possibility to enjoy sports in an idyllic natural environment, with sea and mountains, and a privileged climate.

If you wish to buy a house in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis or Sotogrande, a short drive from all these magnificent polo clubs, our real estate agency Libehomes is specialized in villas, chalets and country estates in Sotogrande, Estepona, Benahavis and Marbella.

Do not hesitate to contact us at +34 951 386 117 / LH@Libehomes.com

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Photo: La Reserva Golf Club Sotogrande

The best golf clubs in Marbella, Benahavis, Sotogrande, Casares, Estepona and Manilva. This is the ranking of the best 20 golf clubs for Libehomes:

1- Finca Cortesin (Casares)

2- Valderrama (Sotogrande)

3- Real Club Golf Sotogrande

4- Los Flamingos (Benahavis)

5- La Reserva de Sotogrande

6- Marbella Club Golf Resort (Benahavis)

7- Rio Real Golf & Hotel (Marbella)

8- Las Brisas Real Club Golf (Marbella)

9- Aloha Golf Club (Marbella)

10- Real Club de Golf Guadalmina (Marbella)

11- San Roque Club (San Roque)

12- La Quinta Golf & Country Club (Benahavis)

13- Marbella Golf & Country Club (Marbella)

14- La Zagaleta Old Course (Benahavis)

15- Los Naranjos (Marbella)

16- Atalaya Golf (Estepona)

17- El Paraiso (Estepona)

18- Los Arqueros (Benahavis)

19- La Cañada (Sotogrande)

20- La Hacienda La Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort (San Roque)

The quantity, quality and variety of golf courses is so great that the Costa del Sol is also called Costa del Golf. Ready?

SOTOGRANDE

REAL CLUB VALDERRAMA

Real Club Valderrama, in Sotogrande, is the elite of the elite among the golf courses in Spain. Its importance transcends borders. It is considered the best golf course in continental Europe and one of the most important in the world.

The championships celebrated here are good proof of this: Ryder Cup in 1997 (Tiger Woods’ first); Volvo Masters (1988-1996 and 2002-2008); Amex World Championships (1999-2000); Open Spain; Andalusia Masters.

It was created by the most prestigious of golf course designers, the American Robert Trent Jones, and has been open since 1974.

The Real Club Valderrama has a main course with 18 holes (6,356 meters, par 72), and a secondary course with 9 holes, all par 3. The main course consists of four par 3 holes, eleven par 4 holes and 3 holes of par 5.

Each of the holes has its name (“El Árbol”, “El Túnel”, “El Sueño”…), but the best known for its difficulty is hole number 4, “La Cascada”. It is a spectacular par 5 of 533 metres, with a lake and a two-level green, defended by two bunkers and a stream with a waterfall.

In 2016, on the occasion of the Spanish Open, a contest was organized between three national teams of four golfers, just to complete this hole. The winners were the French, who did it in four shots in 34.87 seconds, halving the previous Guinness record.

We could also mention hole 17, called “Los Gabilones” but nicknamed “El Maldito”, due to its extraordinary difficulty. Suffice it to say that Tiger Woods sent the ball into the water a couple of times in the 97 Ryder Cup.

These are just a few examples of great golf moments in the fairways and on the greens of the Real Club Valderrama. In any case, the layout of the course allows for bogeying with relative ease, although making par is only up to experienced players.

To be able to play in this club you have to be a member or become friends with someone who is, since companions can play.

Obviously, the fees are not for all budgets (though the driving range is free). If you have the opportunity, just a visit to this emblematic place is worth it, even if you don’t play golf.

LA RESERVA CLUB

La Reserva Club is a neighbor of Real Club Valderrama (some of its fairways almost touch each other). This is a more modern golf course, founded in 2003 by Cabell B. Robinson. However, it maintains the tradition of excellence that makes Sotogrande an international benchmark in the world of golf.

The La Reserva Club golf course is located on a mountainous slope, with spectacular views of the sea and the mountains. It is an 18-hole golf course (par 72). At first glance we notice its wide fairways and extensive greens.

The terrain is generally smooth and undulating, but it poses interesting challenges for players. The abundance of water obstacles plays a role in this.

The first 9 holes are a true marvel. It is difficult to choose which one should be the iconic hole. Probably number 7 (par 3, 127 metres, handicap 18) would be the chosen one for us.

It is no surprise that La Reserva Golf Club has been included among the 12 best in Spain by the prestigious Golf World Magazine.

La Reserva de Sotogrande is an exclusive residential and holiday complex. La Reserva golf club is just one of the sports facilities it offers.

In La Reserva de Sotogrande we highligh The Beach, a 17,000 m2 artificial lagoon for all kinds of water sports. Motor boats are not allowed, for safety. However, one of the biggest attractions is the electric surfboard.

In addition, the complex includes the Racquet Center La Reserva Club, with 4 clay tennis courts and 5 paddle tennis courts with glass walls. Each sport has its respective academies.

As you can see, La Reserva Club is the perfect place to enjoy with the whole family: golfers and those who don’t play this sport.

LA CAÑADA GOLF CLUB

A neighbor of the two previous ones, La Cañada Club de Golf is also located in the inland area of Sotogrande (the one with the best views, due to its elevated terrain).

It is an 18-hole golf course, with a par of 71, which also leaves nothing to be desired. In fact, nine of the holes were designed by Trent Jones himself (creator of Valderrama, among many others) and the other nine by the also famous David Thomas.

Apart from the excellent design, it shares an extraordinary location with the Real Club Valderrama. There are no constructions around that interfere in the slightest with the splendid views.

However, La Cañada differs from the neighboring golf clubs in other aspects. We could say it is its economic version. The club was created on the initiative of a non-profit sports association dedicated to promoting golf.

Since 1982, this association has managed the first public golf course in Spain, the “Campo Municipal de Golf La Cañada”. Logically, La Cañada does not have the elitist and exclusive character of the Real Club Valderrama or La Reserva Club.

The club is open to all visitors and boast of offering the best value for money on the entire Costa del Golf. It is in fact one of the most popular, with an average number of sorties among the highest in Spain (almost 70,000 a year).

La Cañada Club de Golf has a total length of 5,841 metres. Its fairways, not very long, are affordable for players of all levels.

As is also logical in an institution of its type, La Cañada Golf Club places a special emphasis on teaching and children’s golf: in fact, the Municipal Golf School that it manages, with around 300 students, is considered one of the best in Spain.

The club is also a pioneer in Adapted Golf, with a school for the disabled that welcomes around 60 students. As if that were not enough, the club has an excellent restaurant, a gastronomic reference in the area, famous for its tasty rice with lobster.

REAL GOLF CLUB SOTOGRANDE

This is a classic among golf courses on the Costa del Sol. The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (par 72, 6,492 metres) is the first designed in Europe by the legendary Robert Trent Jones (in 1964).

With almost half a century of history, the club needed a full-fledged restoration and this was carried out with great success by Roger Rulewich and David Fleury, the two golf architects who have worked with Trent Jones for 35 years.

The restoration work, carried out between 2015 and 2016, meant an increase of 45 percent of the surface of the field, thus recovering its original size.

The importance of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is highlighted by its own creator, who considers it one of his five favorites among the more than 500 he designed around the world.

The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a perfect example of what Trent Jones means in the world of golf: courses that are perfectly adapted to the landscape and with a delicate balance between interest and difficulty for experts and fun for those who are not.

This can be summed up in the idea that a successful hole should be “easy bogey and hard par” (holes 4, 7, 13 and 15 are especially noteworthy).

The fairways of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande are quite wide. However, the greens are elevated and well defended by bunkers. That’s where players encounter the main difficulties.

Another curious fact is that the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande was the first in Europe to be sown with Bermuda 419, the variety of grass that later became standard for sports facilities due to its incredible resistance to trampling. It was also the first course to introduce a fully automatic irrigation system.

Unlike Valderrama and La Cañada, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is located in the beach area. One of its streets reaches a distance of only one hundred meters from the sea and the beach bars.

It is an area of large luxury villas, where the Santa Maria Polo Club and the emblematic Sotogrande marina are also located.

SAN ROQUE GOLF CLUB

A 5-minute drive on the highway from Sotogrande toward Cádiz we find the San Roque golf club. It is located in a spectacular environment, on high ground, surrounded by nature and with incredible views of the sea and the mountains.

San Roque Golf Club is an extensive resort that has: two 18-hole golf courses, the Old Course and the New Course; practice areas and putting green (one with 18 holes and two with 9 holes); pitching area; three practice bunkers; club house with luxury restaurant, shop and changing rooms.

The Old Course was built by Dave Thomas in 1990. The New Course was added in 2002 by Perry Dye, representative of another of the great North American dynasties in the world of golf.

The club was presided by the great Severiano Ballesteros and has served as a framework for important tournaments (such as the Spanish Open, in 2005 and 2006).

Open to the general public, San Roque Golf club enjoys a very good reputation in terms of value for money. Visitors are often surprised, as they don’t expect a field of this level for the price of admission.

And it is not an easy course at all, but rather the opposite. Those who have played the Old Course highlight the great variety in the layout of its holes, each one with a different challenge (holes 11, 13 and 18 are noteworthy). On the New Course the fairways are more undulating and have a greater abundance of obstacles, both bunkers and water.

ALMENARA SOTOGRANDE GOLF CLUB

Situated between the San Roque and Valderrama golf courses is the Almenara Sotogrande Golf Club. It is in an area a little further inland, next to the Los Alcornocales natural park. It is an idyllic setting to practice golf amid trees and with incredible views.

Also designed by Dave Thomas, Almenara Sotogrande is a 27-hole course, with 3 9-hole courses. It has been recently remodeled by Manuel Piñeiro, a legendary golfer, who has incorporated notable improvements.

Water and trees (pines and cork oaks) are the predominant elements in the landscape of the Almenara Sotogrande Golf Club. And in fact they have given their name to the 3 routes that make up the course: Lagos (lakes), Alcornoques (cork oaks) and Pinos (pines).

The Lagos course has wide fairways that run along the border of 3 lakes and beautiful groves, mainly pine trees; in the second (Alcornoques), the streets are quite wide, undulating, and also border a wide lake. The last of them, Pinos, has narrower fairways, so you have to fine-tune your shots, and has sand bunkers. The par 3 at the end of this course is a challenge up for the most experienced players.

Keep in mind that the streets are quite steep here. Using  a buggy is recommended to all those who are not very fit. Thankfullly we find drinking water at many points along the route.

As for accommodation, the Almenara Sotogrande Golf Club could not be better served: literally next door we find the spectacular 5-star hotel SO / Sotogrande. Apart from truly luxurious accommodation, SO / Sotogrande has elite facilities such as the SO / SPA & HEALTH CLUB and the SO / FIT gym, open 24 hours for its guests.

HACIENDA ALCAIDESA LINKS GOLF RESORT

A couple of kilometers further along the motorway in the direction of Cádiz, but on the sea side, we find the sixth golf club in the Sotogrande area, Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort.

This is a very special golf club, as it has the only “links” course in southern Europe. And what is a links golf course? The name comes from Scotland, the place where golf was invented.

The “links” are a certain type of vacant land in coastal areas, located between the beach and the crops. They are bare of trees and have a characteristic type of undulating terrain. Those were the places where some of the local inhabitants used to entertain themselves hitting balls with sticks as a sport. Thus they devised a new sport, without suspecting what it would become later.

The fact is that the coast of Sotogrande has a striking similarity with these areas of Scotland and has made it possible to host a true links course.

The links course (18 holes and par 72) has a course of 5,866 meters, of which almost two kilometers run along the beach. Needless to say that the landscape is incomparable, with the sea and the Rock of Gibraltar as a backdrop to the countryside.

On the inland side, the field is bordered by a protected wooded area, without no constructions of any kind.

Apart from being the only golf course of its kind in southern Europe, La Alcaidesa course has been included by Golf World magazine among the 20 best “links” courses on the old continent.

It has also been the scene of championships, such as the 1st PGA of Spain in 1995, the 2nd PGA of Andalusia in 1993 and 1994 and the Ryder Cup Junior Match of the United States against Europe in 1997.

The Resort also has another golf course, Alcaidesa Heathland (18 holes and par 72), with a length of 6,373 meters and designed by Dave Thomas. This course stands out for the great variety of its natural landscapes and the layout of its holes.

The holes on both courses at La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort pose interesting challenges for players. It is recommended to use the buggy for those who are not very fit, since this golf course is one of the most demanding on the Costa del Sol from a physical point of view.

As you see, buying a villa in Sotogrande means being able to enjoy six spectacular golf courses within a 5-7 minute drive. And this without leaving the area.

Driving in the direction of Estepona, Benahavis and Marbella, the golf fans can choose between more than 70 golf courses on the Costa del Sol, which is also rightly called the Costa del Golf.

MARBELLA

REAL CLUB DE GOLF GUADALMINA

A club with a lot of tradition, founded in 1959 by Norberto Goizueta, a visionary entrepreneur of Navarre origin.

The tourism boom in Spain had not even started and Marbella was yet to develop. However, the new club was already hosting important tournaments, such as the 1965 Spanish championship.

In 2008 it received the best accolade in its career, when King Juan Carlos I granted it the title of Real Golf Club. This is no doubt one of the best golf clubs in Marbella.

Guadalmina Golf is actually two courses in one, north and south (both 18 holes and par 72), and it is the most extensive on the Costa del Sol. In fact, one of its most striking features is that its fairways reach the beach.

The south course is famous for its difficulty and is therefore recommended only for experienced players. Its streets are long and narrow and are lined with good-sized trees.

The north course is also demanding, although for another reason: its more undulating terrain is interrupted by a fair number of water obstacles.

Here it is advisable to keep on the center of the fairways, otherwise it is easy to end up falling into one of the hidden water traps in the rough.

Beginners also have their place at the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina: it is the renowned driving range for 40 players, with a covered platform for 21 seats, putting green, chipping green and practice bunker.

This is undoubtedly one of the best courses on the Costa del Golf. Guadalmina Baja is the area of luxury villas par excellence on the Costa del Sol (and one of the few that are located on the beach).

LAS BRISAS REAL CLUB DE GOLF

Created in 1968 by Robert Trent Jones, one of the most prestigious golf course designers in the world.

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas is one of the most emblematic courses on the Costa del Sol. It is the first constructed in the famous “Golf Valley” (in the heart of Nueva Andalucía, the inland area of Puerto Banús).

With its 18 holes, par 72 and 6,198 metres, Las Brisas Golf has been intelligently designed to offer players interesting challenges. It is considered one of the best golf clubs in Marbella.

Its fairways are wide, but the terrain is undulating and has its fair share of obstacles, including ten artificial lakes and numerous bunkers.

Trent Jones has managed to integrate these obstacles into the landscape, creating abrupt angles that require precise shots and highly technical golf.

In the aesthetic aspect, Las Brisas Golf also leaves nothing to be desired. The field constitutes a true botanical garden, with trees and plants of dozens of species.

You can play in Real Club de Golf Las Brisas only if you are a member or if you are accompanied by a member. It does, however, have a restaurant open to the public, with excellent food and the best views in the area.

Las Brisas area has an abundance of luxury villas.

LOS NARANJOS GOLF CLUB

A short distance away we find Los Naranjos Golf Club (the “brother” of Las Brisas Golf).

This is another of the great golf courses in the Golf Valley and Nueva Andalucía. It is also the creation of Robert Trent Jones and was inaugurated a few years later, in 1977.

Unlike Las Brisas, Los Naranjos Golf (par 72, 18 holes) is open to the general public and has a variety of fees. It is a golf club suitable for international competitions, but also for mid-level players.

Not surprisingly, it has been repeatedly chosen as the best golf course on the Costa del Sol.

The course is characterized by its wide and long fairways, wide greens and wisely placed water hazards. Holes 1 to 9 present greater difficulties and challenges than the rest.

The terrain is comparatively flat, with gentle undulations. The course design has managed to make good use of its characteristics.

The facilities at Los Naranjos Golf Club have been renovated and are impeccable. As an example, the modern buggy incorporates a GPS system, which helps a lot in the field.

To highlight: the clubhouse and the restaurant with its terrace, a perfect place to watch the sunset over the valley.

Los Naranjos Golf area offers a wide range of new construction or fully renovated villas.

ALOHA GOLF CLUB

Aloha Golf Club is the third of the large golf courses in Nueva Andalucía. Another of the Costa del Golf classics, Aloha Golf is an exclusive club, for members only. However, it opens its doors to the general public in a certain time slot, for most of the year.

The club is the work of Javier Arana, considered by many to be the best Spanish golf course designer of all time. The 18 holes of the course respond to a traditional conception and exquisite attention to detail.

The course is 6,293 metres, with four par-5 holes, ten par-4s and four par-3s. It demands precision and offers great variety and guaranteed fun.

The gently undulating fairways, with lagoons and ornate groves, make the game at Aloha Golf a pleasure for the senses. The spectacular views of the La Concha mountain and the sea also contribute to this.

The designer specially selected the plant species that populate the field so as to have flowering plants and trees during all seasons.

Aloha Golf Club has a luxury terrace with spectacular views of the Giolf Valley. It also has a restaurant considered among the best in the entire area of Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús. This is open to the general public throughout the year.

BANUS EXECUTIVE GOLF

A few meters from the Aloha Golf Club we find the Banus Executive Golf. This is a little gem, especially for those who enjoy the short game.

Banus Executive Golf has a 9-hole course (all of them par 3). Its design is a delight and the maintenance is impeccable. The club also has two practice holes for short game and a wide driving range, to practice the drive at ease.

Now, if you like both soccer and golf, this is your place. Banus Executive Golf has a regular soccer field and three other 7-a-side soccer fields, also in perfect condition.

The clubhouse, the pro shop, the bar and the restaurant complete this original sports club, for golfers and soccer fans.

RIO REAL GOLF & HOTEL

Also Javier Arana’s creation, Río Real Golf is another of the great classics among the courses on the Costa del Golf.

Open since 1965, it is the closest golf club to Marbella city center (5 kilometers to the east, along the A-7 coastal highway).

Its location is truly privileged. Its incredible views make you forget how close it is to the city. The fairways follow the course of the Río Real until Los Monteros beach, one of the best in Marbella.

The Río Real course is, together with the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, one of the only two golf courses that have holes by the sea on the Costa del Sol. By all accounts, this is one of the best golf clubs in Marbella.

In fact, one of the services most praised by customers is the buggy transfer from the restaurant to the Trocadero, the emblematic designer beach bar located a few meters from the golf fairways.

Río Real Golf Club stands out for the beauty of its landscaping, with lush trees that include cypresses, pines, palms, olive trees and other species. Not in vain is it considered one of the best in Spain by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation.

The player will find here 18 holes with par 72, in a spectacular course of just over 6,000 meters. The variety of challenges and obstacles will force you to use every club in your bag.

Rio Real Golf & Hotel is quite a tourist resort: therefore, there is no clubhouse, but rather the facilities of the boutique hotel, which includes a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Inside, exquisitely decorated by Pascual Ortega, we find a restaurant renowned for its cuisine.

SANTA CLARA GOLF

Also in Marbella East we highlight the Santa Clara Golf Marbella, a more modern course (founded in 2001). Santa Clara Golf has struck the perfect balance for players of all levels to enjoy equally.

Golf course with 18 holes, par 71 and 5,922 meters, Santa Clara Golf Marbella really offers everything. Playing on foot is like a good training session, since it is somewhat hilly, especially in the first holes. It is thus recommended to rent a buggy for the first 9 holes, as the course then descends towards the sea.

There are sections to hit long shots, but precision is more important on this course, given the abundance of obstacles. We even find a par 3 from a bridge over the highway, the most unusual of all.

Santa Clara Golf Marbella has a renowned golf academy. The spaciousness of its practice tee stands out, with 20 posts and a long grass court, suitable for all clubs.

It also has a practice bunker, two putting greens and a pitching green. The clubhouse offers a pleasant restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, with the sea in the background.

MARBELLA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Just a few meters from Santa Clara Golf we find another of Robert Trent Jones’ creations, the Marbella Golf & Country Club.

With 18 holes, par 72 and nearly 6,000 metres, it is a fairly difficult and demanding course, not particularly suitable for beginners. However, it has one of the best golf academies.

The terrain is quite rough, especially on the first nine holes, which go up and down the hill. From hole 10 to 18 the terrain is flatter.

Some fairways are quite narrow and require a lot of precision in your shots. The abundance of bunkers and raised greens is another of Trent Jones’ “trademarks”.

A special highlight in Marbella Golf & Country Club is the clubhouse, with its Art Deco-style bar from the 30s, which for many is the best on the Costa del Sol.

SANTA MARIA GOLF CLUB

Five kilometers to the east of the two previous clubs we find another of the great courses in the East Marbella area, the Santa María Golf Club Marbella.

With an 18-hole, par 72 course, the Santa Maria Golf Club is located in Elviria, one of the most prestigious residential areas of Marbella.

Santa María Golf was originally a 9-hole course to which another was later added. The first section of 9 holes goes uphill towards the mountain and the second one returns, with incredible views of the sea from almost all the holes.

Of course, for those who are not very fit it is recommended to use the buggy, since the climb is quite demanding.

We highlight the superb state of the course, with impeccable grass, and also the design of the holes. The last 9 are the best, with special mention for hole 19.

The Santa Maria Golf Club is a highly technical course, varied, with fast greens that require precision shots.

As for the clubhouse, it deserves mention for its special charm, since it was made using an old Andalusian farmhouse from the 19th century.

The H19 restaurant also stands out, with views as pleasant as its Mediterranean and international cuisine.

The club also offers a swimming pool, two tennis courts and a bowling club.

CABOPINO GOLF

Driving another 3 kilometers along the A-7 motorway we arrive at Cabopino Golf Club. Of the great golf courses in Marbella, it is the one located furthest to the east.

The area is famous for its quiet residential areas and also for the Cabopino beach and marina, next to the protected natural area of the Artola Dunes.

Cabopino Golf Club, with 18 holes, is a relatively modern golf course (open since 2001). Given its location, we highlight the splendid views of the sea, which seems to be within arm’s reach.

The same can be said of the abundance of broad-crowned pines, characteristic of the area, which offer pleasant shade all around the fairways.

The course offers fun and interest for players of all levels, although it is arguably the perfect place for the medium handicap player.

We highlight the spectacular hole 3, one of the most accomplished on the entire Costa del Golf: a par 4 with a start from high ground and a green well defended by bunkers.

On the other hand, number 10 takes the cake in terms of views, due to its position open to the sea.

In addition to its well-kept golf course, the club offers the Cabopino Golf Academy (which includes children’s courses).

In the clubhouse at Cabopino Golf Club we find a professional shop and the restaurant “El Mirador”, with seasonal Mediterranean cuisine and splendid views.

BENAHAVIS

LOS ARQUEROS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Designed by golf legend Seve Ballesteros, Los Arqueros Golf is the ideal place for experienced players who appreciate the game on mountainous terrain (and unbeatable scenery).

With 18 holes, par 71 and 5,700 metres, Los Arqueros Golf is not one of the most extensive courses, but it has everything necessary to pose interesting challenges to the most experienced players.

The course takes good advantage of the accidents of the terrain. It is very varied, with quite narrow fairways (where you will need to fine-tune the shot) and several holes on a steep climb.

For those who are not very fit, the buggy is recommended. Beginners have their place too: driving range, chipping green, putting green and practice bunker.

The clubhouse at Los Arqueros Golf is very cozy and offers great views over the 18th hole.

The area around Los Arqueros, in Benahavis, has a wide range of villas, both new construction and modern design as well as already built, of traditional style.

EL HIGUERAL GOLF

In the immediate vicinity of Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club we find El Higueral Golf Club. It is a smaller course than its neighbors in Benahavis, with only nine holes, but it offers players a very interesting alternative.

Ingeniously designed by Roderick Segar, El Higueral Golf Club is a course with original features and personality.

In terms of environment and maintenance, it is considered one of the best on the Costa del Golf. Segar has used the terrain to perfection to achieve an ideal combination of difficulty and fun for players of all levels.

Some experienced golfers are fooled by the affordable aspect of El Higueral Golf Club and overlook it. However, it is by no means a beginner’s course and holds surprises and challenges that amaze even experts.

On the other hand, El Higueral is a perfectly affordable golf course for those who are not too fit, since it allows you to walk everywhere.

It does not have a clubhouse, but it does have a very nice cafeteria. Small, manageable and very pleasant would be the characteristics that best define El Higueral Golf Club.

MARBELLA CLUB GOLF RESORT

For those who love silence and nature when playing golf, the Marbella Club Golf Resort is the place.

It is located in a mountainous area above the AP-7 motorway. There are only a few developments of luxury villas, such as Monte Mayor. Even within the golf resort itself there are some brand new, modern style luxury villas. However, they are quite dispersed, so peace is complete.

The Marbella Club Golf Resort is owned by two of the most luxurious hotels in Marbella, the Puente Romano and the Marbella Club. As can be supposed, the quality of the services, the maintenance and the facilities correspond to a true elite club.

The Marbella Club Golf Resort has an 18-hole, par 72 course. It is the work of Dave Thomas and was inaugurated in 1999.

Given its location, we must highlight the impressive views along the entire route. The one at tee 18, with Gibraltar and the coast of Africa in the background, is worth mentioning.

We must point out the mountainous terrain: the use of the buggy is advisable for those who are not very sporty.

The fairways are varied and some of them pose serious challenges. There are frequent slopes and a good number of water obstacles.

We highlight the excellent condition of the fairways and roughs.

The Marbella Club Golf Resort has a club house and a restaurant, not very big, but very cozy. In any case, overcrowding here is not a problem. It is also worth noting the magnificent riding club.

LA ZAGALETA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

La Zagaleta golf club, in Benahavís, consists of two courses with 18 holes each. The first to be built, the Old Course (1990), is reserved exclusively for the residents/owners of this impressive residential complex of luxury villas; the New Course (2005), is open to members who are not owners in La Zagaleta (and their companions).

Those who know La Zagaleta may assume that its golf club is one of the most impressive on the Costa del Sol. And of course they will not be disappointed. La Zagaleta is considered the most luxurious and exclusive residential complex in southern Europe.

La Zagaleta is located in a spectacular natural setting of wooded hills populated by deer, fallow deer, mouflon and other wild species. Obviously a dream setting for a golf course.

Consequently, both the Old Course and the New Course are true models of how to integrate golf courses with nature.

The Old Course (par 72, 5,693 metres) is the work of the Californian architect Bradford Benz. Its exquisite arrangement makes the player see only nature around him.

The impressive views of the sea and the coast of Africa stand out. It is a very technical golf course, demanding, even difficult, with very undulating terrain.

The clubhouse deserves a special mention, with almost 5,100 m2, a swimming pool, restaurant, party room, billiards room, bridge room and pro-shop.

The New Course (par 70, 5,159 metres), the creation of Steve Marnoch and Jonathan Gaunt, is more affordable, being located on more flat terrain.

Of course, it has interesting obstacles and its environment is as spectacular as its “big brother”, the Old Course.

La Zagaleta completes its offer of sports facilities with a magnificent equestrian center.

LOS FLAMINGOS GOLF

The complex known as Los Flamingos Golf is located in the surroundings of a luxury hotel resort, the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort. The complex actually includes three golf courses, Los Flamingos, Alferini and Tramores.

The first of them (18 holes, 5,714 metres, par 71) was designed by the prestigious architect Antonio García Garrido. The architect left his mark on the elaborate landscaping, with an array of trees and stunning views of the Mediterranean.

The fairways of the first 9 holes are quite narrow, which requires a lot of precision when hitting, and the greens are of a good size. It is not surprising that Los Flamingos Golf has hosted prestigious golf tournaments, such as the European Seniors.

For its part, the Alferini course (with 18 holes, 6,641 metres, par 73) is quite difficult, even for experienced golfers.

For those who are looking for a challenge of their own height and find some of the courses on the Costa del Sol too easy, this is the ideal place. Here you have to hit long and straight, as there is little margin for error.

There are not many trees, but this is made up for by the hilly nature and the beautiful design of the course, with a great final hole with spectacular views from the tee to Gibraltar and the African coast.

Using a buggy is advisable, since the terrain is quite steep and there are some holes quite far from each other. The only point to improve is that there are no drinks in the field itself, so at least you will have to bring water with you.

Tramores (18 holes, 3,468 metres, par 63) is the most affordable of the three courses in Los Flamingos complex. In fact, this is the ideal place to get started in the sport, since it includes the Villa Padierna “Michael Campbell Golf Academy”.

Tramores is however far from being boring. Some experienced golfers take it as a good place to “warm up” before trying something more difficult, only to be surprised by its very technical holes and at the same time a lot of fun.

Nestled between two beautiful valleys, Tramores also offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

Los Flamingos is an area known above all for its contemporary style villas.

LA QUINTA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

La Quinta Golf & Country Club is located within the so-called Golf Valley. This zone extends from Benahavis through the area of Nueva Andalucía, the vast inland territory of Puerto Banús.

La Quinta Golf was designed by the famous golfer Manuel Piñero, three times world champion and winner of the Ryder Cup.

It is a special golf club, since it has a total of 27 holes, divided into three 9-hole courses. Each of these has different characteristics and adapts to different levels, so each player can find their ideal spot.

Camp A, San Pedro, 2,460 meters long, has wide fairways and open spaces, ideal for woods and long irons.

Camp B, Ronda, with 2,445 metres, has narrow fairways and requires greater technique.

Finally, Camp C, Guadaiza, is the most technical of all, due to the abundance of water hazards and others.

When an online reservation is made, the club allows you to play flexibly on any of the courses.

La Quinta Golf & Country Club offers a golf initiation program for children and young people and offers a restaurant, shop and other services.

Throughout La Quinta Golf area there are developments of modern newly built villas.

CASARES

FINCA CORTESIN GOLF CLUB

Finca Cortesín is a luxury resort located in Casares that includes a 5-star hotel, fine restaurants, developments of luxury villas, townhouses, and apartments, and a golf course at the level of the best in the world.

The first thing to know is that the Finca Cortesín golf course is not for all budgets, since we are talking about one of the most expensive on the Costa del Sol. However, it must be admitted that what you receive is at the height of what is paid, both in facilities and service.

That said, you have to pay attention to the offers, since Finca Cortesin Golf Club has special packages with accommodation, meals and golf at very attractive prices.

As for the golf course itself (18 holes, 6,766 meters, par 72), let’s note that it is not one of the easy ones. Perfect for masters, it will pose a real challenge for mid-level players. However, beginners will feel right at home as it includes a spectacular driving range.

Needless to mention that the conditions of the course are excellent and the setting is spectacular, with privileged views of the sea, especially from holes 9 to 18.

Except for the most sporty, it is recommended to use a buggy, since the distances are quite long between each green and the tee-off of the next hole.

The fairways are wide, but very undulating and have a large number of bunkers (a hundred!) with excellent sand that makes it easy to get out.

The pleasant experience is completed with regular visits from the drinks cart, cold towels every 6-7 holes, cleaning of the clubs at the end of each round, etc.

CASARES COSTA GOLF

Neighboring the luxurious and exclusive Finca Cortesín Golf Club, Casares Costa Golf is a compatively cheap alternative. However, this does not mean a lack of quality, neither in facilities nor in service. In fact, users rate it as one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol in terms of value for money.

Designed by Juan Carlos Martínez, the course has 9 holes located in an idyllic setting. The route takes us through a gently sloping valley, surrounded by greenery. Here we find vineyards, fruit trees and typical species of the Mediterranean forest.

As for the course itself, we must highlight hole number 7 (par 5, 472 metres), which has become famous on the Costa del Sol due to its great difficulty and is subject of frequent bets.

Three par 3s and five par 4s complete a course with a lot of variety, although in general it requires precision.

The layout is very comfortable, which is why many players consider it unnecessary to use the buggy.

Casares Costa Golf also has a golf academy, restaurant, gym and beauty salon. In short, everything necessary for the family to enjoy a full day of golf.

DOÑA JULIA GOLF CLUB

Very close to the two previous golf courses we find Doña Julia Golf Club. Only a few hundred meters separate some of its fairways from those of Casares Costa Golf.

Its layout begins very close to the Casares beach and extends inland, along increasingly higher ground, providing spectacular views of the sea and the African coast.

Doña Julia Golf Club completes the golf offer in the Casares area. Created by the renowned Malaga architect Antonio García Garrido, the club has 18 holes wisely integrated into the landscape.

Its technical difficulty is notable, even in the lowest pairs. The maintenance is excellent, which is not surprising, since it complies with the demanding standards of the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Facilities include clubhouse with restaurant, changing rooms and pro shop for golf items.

In addition, there is very good news for the very sporty (or if any of the family prefers the ball to golf clubs and balls): the Doña Julia Golf Club has two soccer fields, which are used by local clubs in their competitions.

ESTEPONA

VALLE ROMANO GOLF & RESORT

Valle Romano Golf & Resort is located 7.3 kilometers northwest of the city of Estepona (14 minutes by car). The resort offers an 18-hole course with par 71 and a course of 6,231 meters.

It is the work of Cabell Robinson, creator of renowned golf courses in seven countries. Being on high ground, it offers unbeatable views of the sea and the coast of Africa.

It is a demanding field, relatively difficult. It has unevenness and dangers that guarantee a fun and interesting game, even for professionals.

The greens are hard and fast. Some famous holes stand out for their difficulty, such as 1 and 12. In fact, the course has hosted international tournaments, such as the 2018-2019 European Challenge Tour.

The players highlight the impeccable state of the course, the cozy clubhouse and the natural grass practice court.

Valle Romano Golf & Resort also offers a wonderful chipping green with a bunker for playing short game, a putting green and a professional shop.

AZATA GOLF

Azata Golf is a new golf course in Estepona, inaugurated in July 2020. It is a neighbor of Valle Romano (some of its tracks are almost adjacent). It therefore enjoys the same spectacular views of the sea and the Sierra Bermeja.

It is also an 18-hole course with par 71 and a length of 5,703 meters. Its designers, Stirling & Martin, have managed to create a fun and interesting golf course for practically all levels. For this they have taken good advantage of the accidents of the terrain.

The Arroyo de Enmedio river skirts and crosses the tracks on its descent to the sea. There are also steep embankments, which add interest to the landscape.

The first 9 holes of Azata Golf are very technical. The streets are narrow and quite steep. They demand a good strategy and precise blows. The last 9 are already more open and allow a more relaxed game.

We must highlight the picturesque bridge on hole 3 (a par 4), with an incredible mountain landscape as a background.

Azata Golf includes a cozy club house, with a shop and a cozy restaurant, the Tito Buggy. It also has a prestigious academy run by Kiko Luna (Spanish national golf coach).

In just a few years of life, Azata Golf has already earned a solid reputation on the Costa del Golf.

ESTEPONA GOLF

A couple of kilometers further to the west of the city of Estepona we find the Estepona Golf club. A neighbor of Valle Romano, it is also located on high ground, which opens to the sea with impressive views.

Estepona Golf offers an 18-hole course (par 71, 5,671 meter length), with interest for players of all levels. It is a really varied course, in which no two holes are alike. Some are very technical and others, wider and longer, are perfect for a good drive.

The fairways are generally quite wide, but they all contain a fair amount of obstacles, which pose considerable challenges. The terrain is relatively rough in the area, with quite a few unevenness in the course.

The many uphill climbs require good shape, especially the 13th hole, known as “Cardiac Hill”. For this reason, those who are not very sporty are advised to use the buggy.

Among the holes, number 14 deserves mention, due to its special difficulty and its orientation towards the mountains of the nearby Sierra Bermeja, with incredible views.

The course of Estepona Golf has been improving its facilities and maintenance year after year. Also noteworthy is the restaurant with panoramic views of the sea.

LA RESINA GOLF

To the east of Estepona city, halfway to San Pedro de Alcántara, we find La Resina Golf course. This small 9-hole course is one of the most modern, relatively, on the Costa del Sol (founded in 2006).

The fairways are not very long, so it is a perfect golf course for those who like to play the short game. The holes are all par 3 except for one par 4. However, its designers have achieved a fun and interesting golf course, not only for amateurs but also for professionals.

To do this they have made good use of the irregularities and unevenness of the mountainous terrain.

Located in an elevated area, surrounded by green spaces (including the Selwo wildlife park), the La Resina course offers splendid views of the coast and the sea.

The field itself is an orchard, with lanes lined with flowers, which give us the impression of being in the middle of a garden.

The club offers a complete practice area, with a driving range, putting green and practice bunker. The clubhouse has a bar, a snack bar and a conference room.

EL PARAISO GOLF CLUB

El Paraíso Golf Club, located on the New Golden Mile, is an extensive golf course with history and tradition.

Designed by golf star (and great course designer) Gary Player and opened in 1973, it is one of the classics on the Costa del Sol. 18-hole, par 71 course, extending 6,131 meters from the championship tees.

It is considered a course of medium to medium-high difficulty, suitable for players of almost all levels.

The terrain is relatively flat and open: there are only a couple of ascents, so you can walk well with a cart. Nevertheless, do not rule out the possibility of doing it in a buggy, depending on your physical condition.

The fairways are wide and lined with palm and leafy pine trees, with areas of spectacular views of the sea and mountains.

It does not have too many water hazards. On the other hand, it does have many sand bunkers.

At El Paraiso Golf we highlight the cozy clubhouse, with its large terrace overlooking the 18th hole. Its restaurant is cozy and serves very good food.

El Paraiso area has promotions of modern villas and also traditional style villas.

EL CAMPANARIO GOLF

Further east, in the heart of the New Golden Mile, is El Campanario Golf & Country House. It is a small golf course, with 9 holes. However, it is located in a resort that offers much more.

This is the perfect place to spend the day with the whole family (and those who do not play golf do not get bored).

The club includes a complete spa and wellness area with therapeutic massage, a modern gym with views, a 22-metre indoor pool, a solarium with a Jacuzzi, three tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, a cafeteria and a restaurant specializing in Mediterranean food.

The holes are all par 3, to practice the short game.

El Campanario Golf is an ideal alternative for groups looking for golf as one more ingredient in a day of relaxation and sport.

ATALAYA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Finally, in the easternmost area of the territory of Estepona (at the beginning of the New Golden Mile) we find Atalaya Golf & Country Club.

This is another of the great clubs on the Costa del Sol. And it is great in the first place because of its size, since it consists of two courses with 18 holes each, the Old Course and the New Course.

The club is situated on relatively flat ground. This makes it suitable for playing on foot, although of course there is a buggy service.

The Old Course (par 72) is one of the classics on the Costa del Sol. It was founded in 1968 by Bernard von Limburger, one of the most renowned German golf architects.

The course has been renovated over the years to improve the game and to host professional tournaments.

The Old Course is really perfect for playing on foot: its wide fairways are lined with dense trees, which provide pleasant shade. It also offers wonderful views of the La Concha mountain and the sea.

The three lakes and the streams that serve as obstacles are home to various animal species.

As for the game, the successful design of the course guarantees interesting challenges for players of all levels. For example, the elevated greens do not make it easy to choose the right club for each hole.

The New Course, for its part, was inaugurated in 1990. With par 71, this work of Paul Krings occupies the hills that are just above the Old Course.

Its route includes some slopes, but it can be done perfectly on foot. Of course, in the warmest months you may have to resort to the buggy.

Its higher position gives it even more spectacular views than those of the Old Course. Here the holes are uneven, which complicates the choice of club a bit more.

Apart from the two courses, the Atalaya Golf & Country Club has a golf academy (driving range, practice green and chipping area with two bunkers).

It also has a luxurious clubhouse with restaurant and terrace with panoramic views. One detail that stands out is the beautiful Gaudí-style kiosk that they have installed.

MANILVA

LA DUQUESA GOLF

La Duquesa Golf is located in the municipality of Manilva, halfway between Estepona and Sotogrande. Its location is privileged: a few meters from the sea, next to the picturesque Puerto de la Duquesa (just over the A-7 coastal highway).

Puerto de la Duquesa is famous as a leisure area, with a large number of bars and restaurants. And it is surrounded by great beaches. As we can see, this residential area of villas and apartments offers everything for enjoyment just a few meters away.

Although it is not as famous as the big Sotogrande clubs, La Duquesa Golf is also a reference. Its creator is, once again, Robert Trent Jones. And it has been open since 1986.

La Duquesa Golf is an 18-hole, par 72 course. The golf experience with sea views at La Duquesa Golf is second to none. The views are incredible. Depending on the orientation of the tees, the views extend from the African coast to the city of Marbella itself.

As for the holes, there are two clearly differentiated areas. The first 9 demand a precise game. They have narrow fairways and relatively elevated greens. In the last 9, on the other hand, the fairways are wider and allow a more relaxed game.

Medium level players can thus correct the mistakes made in the first part of the tour and be more satisfied with their performance. The last 9 holes are also the most spectacular. Particularly noteworthy is the 17th hole tee.

As we can see, players of all levels enjoy at La Duquesa Golf. The course can be easily completed on foot. It has unevenness, but they are not important. Even so, of course, it has of course a buggy service.

In addition, the club offers: golf school, driving range, putting green, chipping area, restaurant, bar, pro shop and swimming pool.

Thinking about people who take into account the schools in the area when buying a home, we also wrote a detailed article about the best international schools in Marbella. And now they will also be able to know more about the golf courses closest to their new residence.

If you want to buy a home in Marbella, Benahavis, Sotogrande, Casares, Estepona or Manilva, just a few minutes from these fantastic golf courses, our real estate agency Libehomes is a specialist in villas, chalets and farms in these areas. Do not hesitate to contact us at +34 951 386 117 / LH@Libehomes.com.

The post Guide of the best golf clubs in Marbella and Sotogrande appeared first on Live As You Believe.

Advantages of buying a house and living in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis or Sotogrande. What’s special about these areas? Why more and more people are buying homes here?

There are many advantages, but the difference is in the details. Some of the known advantages:

. A privileged climate (300 sunny days a year) for an open-air lifestyle.

. Variety of houses for all tastes: luxury villas surrounded by nature, apartments in the liveliest areas, on the beachfront, in the historic center….

. Safe investment: the market is quite stable even in times of crisis.

. Inexhaustible leisure offer (golf courses, horse riding, discos, beach clubs…).

. Animation throughout the year: there is no low season in Marbella!

. Top cuisine in first class restaurants.

. International schools of recognized prestige.

And now let’s see in more detail what is true in these and other alleged advantages of buying a house and living in Marbella. Myth or reality? We already anticipate that, in our opinion, the main advantage of buying a house and living in Marbella is not on the previous list. We summarize it in this idea: Marbella is much more than Marbella.

The weather, an advantage of buying a house and living in Marbella

The climate of Marbella is indeed fantastic. It is a true microclimate, with more than 300 sunny days a year, of mild winters and not too hot summers. In Marbella you can really enjoy the winter season.

In fact, in Marbella the denomination “low season” (winter) has been eliminated; winter has been unified with the previous “middle seasons” (spring and autumn) in a single great “middle” season with occupancy peaks typical of high season. For good reason: the activity of hotels, restaurants, shops and services in general increases nonstop.

Marbella has nothing to do with the typical tourist areas that only come alive in summer and are dead in winter. Marbella has a well-earned reputation as an area ‘open to the public’ 12 months a year. So-called “residential tourism” has big importance in this respect: we mean homeowners who do not reside in Marbella permanently but spend frequent periods in their homes.

Marbella, a benchmark for luxury and quality of life

Marbella has been able to preserve and enhance the characteristics that define it as the capital of luxury and glamour. The five-star hotels, the luxury shops of the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús or the haute cuisine restaurants are all a good sign of this (the traditional ones that still exist and also the new ones that come up every now and then).

An important key: the development of excellent infrastructures of all kinds. Marbella is no longer just synonymous with quality and luxury tourism, but with quality of life in general. The number of permanent residents who buy their homes in Marbella continues to grow.

Buying a house in Marbella is a safe investment

This is undoubtedly a clear advantage of buying a house and living in Marbella. The real estate market, even in times of crisis, is comparatively stable. And if we talk about luxury homes, even more.

The new home development business in Marbella is very dynamic. And yet, Marbella is sustainable. How is it possible? Thanks to a wise planning and development policy, which is also an international model.

The green areas in Marbella are extensive and they are well protected. Marbella does not suffer the degradation and overcrowding of other areas. No tall skyscrapers blocking views here, nor will there be: their construction is not allowed. Because Marbella has large areas of land to expand and create new residential developments. And this brings us to (in our opinion) the greatest advantage of buying a house and living in Marbella:

Marbella is much more than Marbella: the “Golden Triangle”

When we talk about Marbella, we are not referring only to the city, nor to the large municipality, which has 24 beaches along its 27 kilometers of coastline; when we say “Marbella” we refer to a large territory known as the “Golden Triangle” which also includes the extensive municipalities of Estepona and Benahavis. The real estate market in this entire area is a single market.

And this is so thanks to another of the advantages of buying a house in Marbella: the excellent highway communications. The highways have allowed the integration of all these municipalities into a single large tourist and residential area, with quick access from one to each other.

Just consider that the distance between the cities of Marbella and Estepona is only 26 kilometers (less than 25 minutes by car). And Estepona and Benahavis are following in the footsteps of Marbella when developing their quality-oriented real estate and tourism model. Together they configure not only the best, but also the largest residential area in the Mediterranean.

Two Golden Miles: Marbella and Estepona

As an example, the famous Marbella Golden Mile has its extension in the New Golden Mile, located in Estepona. This is the residential area located in the easternmost part of the municipality of Estepona, on both sides of the A-7 motorway, with villas, luxury apartments and golf courses (like El Paraiso Golf).

The city of Estepona itself is experiencing a spectacular development, to become a true  Marbella’s “little sister”. And all this avoiding “urban disasters”, always preserving and enhancing its attractions, just like the city of Marbella has done (a beautiful old town, a magnificent beach and a promenade that is unrivaled in all the Costa del Sol, among many other things).

The Coastal Path: the entire coast on foot or on your bike

By the way, it is worth mentioning the great project of the Malaga Coastal Path. The Andalusian government has a very advanced project for a gigantic promenade that will allow people to travel on foot or by bicycle practically the entire coast of the province of Malaga.

This will be longest coastal walkway in Europe, covering an impressive distance of 184 kilometers, of which more than 80% are already passable. The Malaga Provincial Council has created an online map where you can see the projected sections and those that are already open: Malaga Coastal Path Map.

The Coastal Path is a good example of the aspect we want to highlight here: Marbella is much more than Marbella and it even goes beyond famous towns within its municipality, such as Puerto Banús or San Pedro de Alcántara. The entire “Golden Triangle” is included within the word Marbella.

And if the coasts of Marbella and Estepona are added together, we get some 50 kilometers of coastline, with more than 40 beaches. All this must be kept in mind when we consider the advantages of buying a house and living in Marbella.

Benahavis, the beauty of panoramic views

As we go inland from the New Golden Mile we enter the municipality of Benahavis. Benahavis is a picturesque Andalusian mountain town whose urban area is small, but its municipal territory is very extensive. As we enter Benahavis, the terrain rises, which gives the entire area spectacular views.

In Benahavis we find areas of luxury villas (La Quinta, El Madroñal and its maximum exponent, La Zagaleta, the most exclusive in Europe). There are also luxury apartment complexes (Monte Halcones, El Herrojo, Reserva de Alcuzcuz…). And it is also an area known for its excellent golf courses: Marbella Club Golf Resort, La Quinta, Los Arqueros, El Higueral Golf…

Seeing Marbella as the entire Golden Triangle (Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis), the variety of residential areas and types of housing becomes almost inexhaustible: from traditional Andalusian houses or flats in the lively historic quarters, or on the seafront, to modern villas of minimalist lines in the middle of nature, or next to the golf courses.

Costa del Golf (and other sports): a great advantage of living in Marbella

The leisure options in Marbella are also inexhaustible. Golf deserves a special mention, with more than twenty magnificent golf courses in the area, including those of Nueva Andalucía (Las Brisas, Los Naranjos, Aloha); La Quinta Golf & Country Club, Los Arqueros, Los Flamingos, Marbella Club Golf Resort (in Benahavis) or El Paraiso, Atalaya and Valle Romano (in Estepona).

In addition, in a few minutes by car we find elite golf courses in Finca Cortesín (in Casares) or in Sotogrande (another golf paradise, with the Real Club Valderrama, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, La Cañada Golf, La Reserva Club or the San Roque Club).

Other than golf we find prestigious tennis and paddle tennis clubs in Marbella, such as Puente Romano Tenis & Fitness, Manolo Santana Racquet Club or the Royal Tennis Club Marbella; also horse riding and polo clubs, such as the Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande. And we could go on mentioning sports, like trekking or even skiing in Grenada: the snowy mountains of Sierra Nevada are just a couple of hours drive away.

Schools of great international reputation

Another advantage of buying a house and living in Marbella is the presence of elite international schools, where students can follow their entire education curriculum. We highlight among them: Swans International School, San José de Guadalmina, Sotogrande International School, Aloha College Marbella, German School of Malaga and The British International School of Marbella.

Close to all the wonders of Andalusia

As we have seen, there are multiple advantages of buying a house and living in Marbella. Lastly, let us mention its ideal location to visit and get to know all the wonderful destinations that are within a comfortable distance by car: Malaga (city of museums, 1 hour); Grenada (2 hours); Cádiz (2 hours), Córdoba (2 hours 12 minutes), Seville (2 hours 40 minutes), etc.

If you plan to buy a house in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis or Sotogrande, our real estate agency Libehomes is a specialist in villas and country houses in these areas.

Do not hesitate to contact us at: +34 951 386 117 / LH@Libehomes.com.

The post Advantages of buying a house and living in Marbella appeared first on Live As You Believe.

The best tennis and padel clubs in Marbella are… almost all of them (given the great quality of sport facilities in Costa del Sol). Nevertheless we have selected the clubs that boast a degree of excellence, whether we talk about the quality of the courts, the trainers, the services provided…

ALHAMBRA DEL GOLF PADEL CLUB:

The Alhambra del Golf Padel Club is located in the municipality of Estepona (bordering Marbella, in the exclusive area of ​​Guadalmina Baja). Its location is ideal for residents of the areas of western Marbella, such as Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara or Puerto Banús.

The Alhambra del Golf Padel Club is entirely dedicated to padel. It has 6 artificial grass courts, in a pleasant environment that makes it especially welcoming.

The club offers padel classes for all levels. Their only drawback: they don’t have many Mix-In options (mini-tournaments organized by the club, pairing the players who sign up with each other). Currently they only have it for women, on Fridays at 9:30.

For the rest, if you come with a partner or in a group, it is an extremely pleasant place to practice padel.

The club has a restaurant and a clothing and sports equipment store.

NUEVA ALCÁNTARA PADEL AND TENNIS CLUB

After several years closed for renovations, the Nueva Alcántara Padel and Tennis Club reopened its doors on February 9th 2022.

Nueva Alcántara is the residential area located on the sea side of San Pedro de Alcántara. The club therefore has an ideal location for residents of San Pedro, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, Guadalmina and Estepona New Golden Mile.

This is a club dedicated mainly to padel. It is in fact the main reference among the Marbella padel clubs. It has 11 padel courts and 4 tennis courts.

The Nueva Alcántara Padel and Tennis Club offers a complete training program. It organizes mix-ins for beginners (Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.); and also for medium-high level (Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.).

In addition, the club has a restaurant and sports equipment store. The facilities also house a complete gym. This belongs to a different company, so you have to pay separately.

REAL CLUB PADEL MARBELLA

The Real Club Padel Marbella is a reference in this fashionable sport.

Located in the interior area of Puerto Banús, it has a perfect location for residents of areas such as Nueva Andalucía, San Pedro de Alcántara or Guadalmina.

The Real Club Padel Marbella has 10 padel courts: 8 of them of artificial grass and 2 (the faster ones) of synthetic resin.

It has a padel academy, with classes organized in groups, and also individual classes.

The club organizes Mix-In sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Apart from padel, the club offers a complete gym with areas for indoor and outdoor training.

It is a perfect place to go with the whole family. It has a large recreational area with a restaurant, a bar with a pool table and a children’s area with a bouncy castle.

CLUB INTERNACIONAL DE TENIS & PADEL

Located a few meters from the Real Club Padel, in Puerto Banús, the Club Internacional de Tenis & Padel offers excellent facilities for practicing both sports.

It offers 3 clay tennis courts with grandstands and ATP court dimensions, 4 “hard” courts also with ATP dimensions and 2 artificial grass padel courts.

The Club Internacional de Tenis & Padel offers group classes for children and private classes for adults. The prestigious ex-professional tennis player Javier Garrido directs the school.

It does not have the Mix-In option —to match players with others of a similar level— so you have to go in pairs to play.

The other services offered are a bar, sports shop and private parking.

ALOHA TENNIS CLUB

The club is located next to the Aloha Golf Club, in Nueva Andalucía. Therefore, it is at a very convenient distance (less than 5 minutes drive) for residents in all the urbanizations of this area: Los Naranjos, Las Brisas… It is also very close to La Quinta (Benahavis) and the Puerto Banus area.

Aloha Tennis Club has 3 tennis courts (2 hard courts and one clay court).

It offers tennis training and classes for all levels, from young and amateur to professional level.

The club also includes an indoor yoga area, with daily sessions.

It also offer a bar and restaurant and parking with 24 hour security.

TENNIS BROTHERS MARBELLA CLUB

The Tennis Brothers Marbella Club is located in Nueva Andalucía, very close to the Aloha Golf Club. It is therefore in a very convenient location for residents in this large area of ​​the municipality of Marbella. Specifically, it close to the areas of Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, Aloha and also Puerto Banús and Marbella Golden Mile. The club is also just a few minutes drive from some of the residential areas of Benahavis, such as La Quinta.

The Tennis Brothers Marbella Club has five plexipave courts (“hard court” type). This material provides an intermediate bounce, without irregularities in the trajectory of the balls. It is ideal for training and to enjoy.

Proof of the high quality of its facilities: they were chosen by Boris Becker and Novak Djokovic as the training venue for the 2014 Australian Open. The club was founded three decades ago by brothers Bernard and Frank Frances, ATP professional players from the Brazilian and French tennis associations.

The Tennis Brothers Marbella Club enjoys a great reputation as a training center for tennis players.

The Tennis Brothers Marbella Club team has prepared a number of professional players, including members of the ATP Top Ranking.

The club’s academy trains children in groups

The club’s academy trains children in groups and adults in individual lessons or with another player. They organize one-day mini-tournaments and Mix-In on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

As a complement to the specific tennis preparation, the center also offers plyometric sessions, athletic training based on jumps to increase the power of the muscles and the speed of movement.

The club has a nice bar-restaurant next to the tennis courts.

LOS GRANADOS RACKET CLUB

Los Granados Racket Club is a padel club located in Puerto Banús, a few meters from the beach and the marina area.

Los Granados Racket Club has 5 synthetic resin padel courts, one of which is covered. They offer padel classes for all levels and organize weekend tournaments once a month.

Its bar-restaurant stands out, with a very good gastronomic offer. And of course its location, unbeatable for combining a day of tennis with enjoying the beach and all the leisure options in Puerto Banús.

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

The Manolo Santana Racquets Club is a true reference among tennis clubs at all levels. Until shortly before his death on December 11th, 2021, the idol of Spanish tennis personally selected the trainers of his club, to guarantee the excellence of his tennis classes.

The Manolo Santana Racquets Club is located at kilometer 2 of the Istán highway, very close to the golf clubs of Nueva Andalucía and 10 minutes by car from Marbella city center.

It has 6 tennis courts, for all modalities: 3 hard courts, 2 clay courts and one grass court (so all Grand Slam tournament surfaces are included). It also has its padel area, with 4 courts.

The club offers tennis and padel classes of all kinds: for adults and children, individual and groups. They also organize Mix-In for both tennis and padel, for all levels: Wednesdays for beginners, Thursdays and Saturdays for intermediate levels and Fridays and Sundays for high levels.

The Manolo Santana Racquets Club is much more than a tennis club. It is a complete sports center for the whole family, with a gym, fitness room, yoga, taekwondo and ballet classes, pool with swimming and aquagym classes.

Children also have the option of a Summer Camp, which includes volleyball, soccer, ping-pong and other sports for maximum enjoyment outdoors, all in a bilingual English-Spanish environment.

Of course, the club has a sports shop and also a restaurant, the Grand Slam, cozy and with an extensive menu of excellent cuisine.

PUENTE ROMANO TENIS & FITNESS

The Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness Club is the Mecca of tennis in Marbella and the Costa del Sol. It was founded in 1979 under the direction of none other than Björn Borg and for many years it was managed by Manolo Santana (the main court is named after him).

Affiliated with the ATP, it has hosted important tournaments and has welcomed great world tennis figures (Boris Becker and John McEnroe among others).

In 2018 it hosted the Davis Cup round of 16 between Spain and Great Britain. On March 5, Spain qualified for the final phase of said tournament against Romania, precisely on the Manolo Santana court, in tribute to the Spanish master.

Its emblematic headquarters in the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile offers 10 tennis courts (8 clay courts and 2 “hard courts”, plexipave). The club also includes 4 padel courts, all of the highest professional level.

The Puente Romano Club tennis academy (Escuela Amor & Paz) is run by Pepe Imaz in collaboration with Marko Djokovic (Novak Djokovic’ brother). It offers options for everyone, from 4-year-olds to training for professional players.

Classes take place morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. There are annual programs, from September to June, and also vacation programs in the school summer months.

Among the best tennis and padel clubs in Marbella

The Premium program is an individual, tailor-made tennis course, prepared according to the client’s requirements.

Finally, the Puente Romano Club reserves its VIP Experience for the most ambitious (and exclusivity-loving) players. The stage is of course the Manolo Santana court. And the experience is a 3-day workshop (of the kind known as “tennis clinics”) with the renowned Spanish player Pato Clavet, who reached number 18 in the ATP ranking.

The experience will be dedicated to improving all aspects of the game: technique, strategy, competition and analysis. After this intensive program, hand in hand with a top-level professional, the participant obtains a precise diagnosis of his/her game and the keys to maximize it, making the most of all his/her capabilities. The VIP Experience includes accommodation at Hotel Puente Romano.

Apart from its tennis and padel courts, the club has: a gym with state-of-the-art Technogym ARTIS machinery, an activity room, a massage room, a sauna and a Turkish bath, a restaurant and a professional shop.

EL MIRADOR CLUB DE TENIS Y PADEL

El Mirador Club de Tenis y Padel is located in the urbanization of the same name, in the northern area of Marbella city (just above the AP-7 motorway).

This is the inland area of Marbella’s Golden Mile, with the most exclusive villa developments (Sierra Blanca, Nagüeles, Cascada de Camoján…).

El Mirador Club de Tenis y Padel has 6 padel courts and 3 tennis courts (two clay courts and one Flexipave, intermediate speed).

The club offers classes for all levels: Pretennis, Initiation, Improvement and Adults.

The club organizes tournaments, although they do not have the option of Mix-In, so it is necessary to go to play in pairs.

El Mirador is a good place to go with the whole family, as it has a leisure area for children and a multipurpose room with various activities (yoga, pilates, stretching, aerobics, etc.).

LOS MONTEROS RACKET CLUB

Los Monteros Racket Club is next to the exclusive Los Monteros Spa & Golf Resort hotel complex.

It is located 8 kilometers east of the city of Marbella, along the A-7 motorway, very close to luxury residential areas. It is also next to the great golf clubs of Marbella East (Santa Clara, Marbella Golf, Rio Real) and the beaches with more glamorous beach bars (Trocadero Arena, La Cabane Beach Club…).

Los Monteros Racket Club has 5 tennis courts in total: 2 clay tennis courts with a top clay system, which combines a textile membrane with high-quality clay; and 3 “hard courts”.

Hard court is ideal for an intermediate game, with bounces halfway between clay and grass, also avoiding irregularities in the trajectory of the ball.

The club also offers padel courts

The club also offers padel courts and one quite special among them, not seen everywhere: a beach-padel court (also suitable for beach volleyball), to enjoy playing on white sand without having to go to the beach.

The courts can be rented in pairs, but the club also offers the option of Mix-Ins. Just sign up and the club team will look for fellow players of the same level to organize a mini-tournament.

For classes, the club has the Set Academy, with courses organized by age and level. There are also individual, personalized classes and special courses at specific times of the year.

The club also has a gym with state-of-the-art machines and a cafeteria.

Thanks to its collaboration with Hotel Los Monteros, the club offers Hotel + Tennis packages, which include the use of the facilities during the stay.

ROYAL TENNIS CLUB MARBELLA

Very close to Los Monteros, less than a kilometer down the A-7 motorway, we find the Royal Tennis Club Marbella. The club offers 8 magnificent clay tennis courts, a hard court and 2 padel courts.

The club organises Mis-Ins on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 12:00, on Fridays from 09:30 to 11:30 and on Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00. The Mix-Ins are supervised by a coach (drinks are included).

The club also organises a good number of tournaments. It is the annual venue for more than 20 federative tournaments for different categories, such as the ITF seniors.

As for classes, the Royal Tennis Club Marbella offers all levels: Mini-tennis, Beginners, Intermediate Level and Advanced Level (both tennis and padel, for children and adults).

As a bonus, the Royal Tennis Club pays great attention to a sport that normally goes unnoticed: ping-pong. The club has 4 professional tables and also classes for all levels.

Ping-poing develops concentration and abilities

Ping-pong develops concentration and the ability to make quick decisions: several studies have shown that it increases the intellectual performance of those who practice it.

In addition to racket sports, the club has a gym equipped with state-of-the-art machines and a team of professional fitness instructors. It includes activities such as Power Pilates, Stretching, Body Sculpting and Aerobics.

There is also an outdoor swimming pool —25 meters long and 10 meters wide— with swimming lessons during the summer season.

In case someone still wants more sport, the complex has two professional pool tables “Pyramid” type (Russian manufacture), 12 feet long.

CLUB PADEL PINOMAR

The Club Padel Pinomar is located very close to the Royal Tennis Club, just a couple of minutes away, also on the A-7 motorway.

The club has 6 padel courts with state-of-the-art artificial turf. The floor is made of porous concrete, for a perfect drainage during the brief rainy season.

The court is covered with artificial turf 12 mm high, filled with blown sand. This allows for a perfect game for players of all levels.

The club is not limited to padel: it also ofers has a 7-a-side football field, an outdoor gym with various activities and fencing classes.

The Kids Sport Club organises sports activities for children and also events of all kinds, such as birthday parties.

DON CARLOS TENNIS CLUB

Driving 2 more kilometers along the A-7 motorway, we find the Don Carlos Tennis Club, associated with the emblematic Don Carlos Leisure Resort.

This tennis club is located very close to some of the most prestigious residential areas and developments in Marbella East, such as Elviria and Hacienda Las Chapas.

Don Carlos Tennis Club offers 7 excellent clay courts and two fast Rebound Ace courts, the type of surface used at the Australian Open.

There are individual, pair and group classes, and the possibility of tournaments, but the club does not organize Mix-Ins.

Don Carlos Tennis Club is located close to some of the best beaches in Marbella, with the emblematic beach club Nikki Beach.

MARBELLA SPORTS & PADEL CLUB

Marbella Sports & Padel Club is located in Elviria, one of the most prestigious residential areas in Marbella East.

This is an exclusive, members-only Padel Club. In total it offers 10 padel courts, 8 full-size and 2 for individual play.

We also highlight a modern Technogym/Outrace gym (outdoor and indoor gym).

The club also offers a sports shop and the NJOY bar-restaurant.

THE BEST TENNIS AND PADEL CLUBS IN MARBELLA: THE LIBEHOMES RANKING

The best tennis and padel clubs in Marbella are (in our humble opinion) the following:

Tennis clubs:

1. Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness
2. Royal Tennis Club Marbella.
3. Manolo Santana Racquets Club

Padel clubs:

1. Club de Padel y Tenis Nueva Alcantara.
2. Real Club Padel Marbella
3. Alhambra del Golf
   

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The best international private schools in Marbella are among the best schools in Spain. Marbella means quality of life: a privileged climate, the sun, the sea, an exquisite gastronomy, exclusive residential areas and also a great educational offer for the residents’ children. It comes as no surprise that new groups of students leave the international private schools in Marbella each year  to continue their education at the best universities in the world, where they will be prepared to join the elite of dozens of countries.

San José de Guadalmina

Colegio San José de Guadalmina is one of the best international schools in Marbella. Proof of this is its inclusion in the prestigious Forbes list of the 50 best private schools in Spain. The Colegio San José has another center in Estepona town. Its curriculum includes all stages of education.

The San José International Private School offers a bilingual English-Spanish education. In addition, their students receive an excellent French and German language instruction, including specific preparation for the DELF tests of the Alliance Française and those of the Goethe Institut.

In Colegio San José, new technologies are a must. Their methodological program, called STREAMING (Science, Technology, Radio and multimedia, Engineering, Arts and Maths), is a good example.

Soccer School and Music School for students

The sports facilities at San José school stand out among all educational centers. They include an olympic pool, basketball courts and tennis. The school has its own football school and teams of different categories, which participate in local championships. Also noteworthy: its prestigious Professional Conservatory of Music, where students receive musical training.

Swans International School

Established in 1971, Swans International School is one of Marbella’s most traditional private international schools. Swans International School has two teaching centers: a primary school in the El Capricho urbanization (just outside the urban area of ​​Marbella, on the famous Golden Mile); and a secondary school in Sierra Blanca, one of the most exclusive urbanizations of luxury villas in Marbella, located on the foothills of the mountains bordering the city.

Swans International School combines the best British schools programs with avant-garde Singapore’s educational systems, admired by specialists for their excellent results. Its language teaching system stands out. Apart from the more traditional languages, such as English, French, Spanish and German, it includes Chinese and Arabic.

The primary curriculum begins at age three and extends to age six. It places great emphasis on vocabulary, mathematics and new technologies, with a focus on participation and “cooperative learning”.

In secondary school, pupils aged 7-11 follow a program based on the UK National Curriculum, ending in public examinations to obtain the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

Spaniards and those with a native Spanish language level also follow the Spanish system (EP and ESO). Baccalaureate students (ages 12 and 3) follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Swans International School offers excellent sports facilities, with soccer and basketball courts, as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities, including cooking, painting, music and various sports.

English International College

The English International College is another of the best international private schools in Marbella. Founded in 1978, the English International College Marbella sends sending dozens of students each year to the best universities in the world (including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale).

Its program incorporates elements taken from the best English educational institutions. It is one of the few schools offering specialized education in Computer Science, Music and Physical Education to all students from 3 years of age. These same students also receive training in foreign languages, ​​including Spanish, French and even Mandarin Chinese.

Few students are as familiar with the use of new technologies as those at the English International School of Marbella. Looking to the future, students receive lessons in virtual reality, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence.

However, this comes together with an emphasis on the fundamental pillars of learning, such as a passion for reading or mental math. All this from a strictly humanistic perspective, focused on the person and his/her socialization.

Located in Marbella East, in the prestigious Elviria area, the English International College has modern sports facilities that include a swimming pool and soccer and basketball courts.

Aloha College Marbella

Aloha College is another of the international schools in Marbella with a great prestige and tradition. Open since 1982 and located in Nueva Andalucía, next to the famous Aloha Golf Club, it offers a British-style education to students of all stages. The Aloha College Marbella curriculum simultaneously provides training in the Spanish language and culture, which enables students to certify their education both in the United Kingdom and in Spain.

Students start in Primary following a very comprehensive program, based on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). After completing their secondary education, most finish their school curricula at the center, with the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and from there a large number go on to join some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Aloha College Marbella boasts an educational center of 30,000 m2, which allows ample space for each of the groups of students. Having small classes is a priority, to maximize a personalized attention to students, a hallmark of this teaching center. Aloha International College welcomes students of more than 50 nationalities.

German School of Malaga

The German School of Malaga is located in the municipality of Ojén, 20 minutes by car from Marbella city. The German School of Malaga is an educational center supported by the German State. This means an access to financial aid for the best infrastructure and equipment, and also for maintaining a large staff of teachers. This guarantees small classes and a close teacher-student relationship.

The school is also recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and therefore all its degrees are automatically validated.

The German School of Malaga has a long history, of more than a century. Founded in 1898, it had to be closed due to the Second World War. Later it was reopened, in 1966, already in its current location.

Since then, the development of the school has been spectacular. In fact, it was the first German school abroad to receive the highest educational distinction in Germany, as “College of Excellence”.

Atalaya International School

Atalaya International School is located in the municipality of Estepona, but right on the border with Marbella (next to Guadalmina area). Its location is therefore very convenient for students who reside in Marbella, especially on the Golden Mile, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía or San Pedro de Alcántara.

Atalaya International School includes all stages of education: infant, primary, compulsory secondary, baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate (IB). It also offers preparation courses for the University Entrance Exams (PAU). It is a bilingual English / Spanish school, although its program also includes the teaching of other languages, such as French and German.

Atalaya International School boasts a complete sports club, with facilities such as a soccer field and basketball courts. In addition to these sports, students can practice volleyball, karate, yoga and other specialties.

The wide range of extracurricular activities at Atalaya School includes possibilities for all tastes: music, cooking, creative writing …

Alborán School

The Marbella East area has a wide range of schools. Another of the most prominent is Alborán School (Colegio Alborán), with a curriculum covering the entire educational cycle.

The Alborán School methodology combines the traditional magisterial method (the teacher explains the lesson to the students) with the most innovative and participatory ones. Examples of the latter are: the “cooperative learning” system, with techniques such as “Research Group” or “I help you, you help me”; “Learning by Playing” or “Gamification” (use of games in usually formal contexts); or “Learning by Teaching” (in which students have to learn and then teach what they know).

Colegio Alborán attaches great importance to new technologies. Thus, the school has launched a project to implement the teaching of computer programming, robotics and 3-D design. The project will be implemented at all levels, from elementary to high school, adapting it to each of the stages.

In terms of languages, the Alborán school is strongly committed to English as an essential tool to access the labor market. The school prepares its students to pass the various Cambridge ESOL Examinations. At the end of the course, the exams are carried out in the center itself, by Cambridge ESOL Examinations teachers who come to the school and give the certificates.

The British International School of Marbella

Among the best international private schools in Marbella, we cannot forget to mention the British International School of Marbella. Founded more recently than the others (2010), it has nevertheless gained an important reputation.

Its new campus is located in the exclusive area of ​​Nagüeles, on the Golden Mile, with a privileged location offering views of the sea and La Concha mountain.

The educational philosophy of the British International School of Marbella is based on personalized teaching. Small classes allow teachers to monitor students individually and pay attention to their particular needs.

The educational program of this school is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC), enriched over more than a decade with the experience of the global network of schools that are part of the British Schools Foundation.

The modern facilities of the British International School of Marbella include a large sports field, a 25-meter heated swimming pool, an auditorium with a capacity for 400 people, a music school, an art studio, a large library, laboratories and specialized classrooms.

Laude San Pedro International School

Located in Nueva Alcántara (on the sea side of San Pedro de Alcántara), Laude San Pedro is one of the most prestigious international private schools in Marbella. It includes the British national curriculum (the International Curriculum for Primary Education, the GCSE and A-Level exams) and the Spanish curriculum (ESO and Selectividad).

Laude San Pedro International School has a detailed curricular policy, in which it differentiates the academic learning, the acquisition of values ​​and off-classroom activities. The effectiveness of the Laude San Pedro school system is demonstrated in the UK GCSE and A-Level examinations, as well as in the Spanish “Selectividad”: the results of its students are above the national average in both countries.

Laude San Pedro school also offers a wide program of extracurricular activities, including football, basketball, tennis, karate, fencing, gymnastics, artistic dance, chess, robotics, electronics, cooking…

Calpe School

Also in San Pedro de Alcántara, specifically in the Linda Vista area (very close to the beach), we highlight Calpe School. This is a preschool and primary school, for students from 2 to 11 years old.

The younger children (2 to 5 years) follow the program called the Early Years Foundation Stage. By means of different games (“Happy to Learn” technique), students are introduced in four main areas: Language, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Artistic Expression.

In the following stages, the students follow a very complete program, with specialized teachers. Calpe School places special emphasis on English and mathematics, without forgetting subjects such as history, geography, science, music, French and physical education.

Calpe School utilizes modern equipment to familiarize its students with the use of new technologies. Classes are small, to guarantee a personalized attention to each of the students at this crucial stage.

Villas for sale near schools in Marbella: if you want information or for visiting properties, we are at your disposal at info@libehomes.com and +34 951 386 117.

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Sotogrande International School (SIS), the best school in southern Spain, is an international model for educational institutions. Obviously, having the best school within a few minutes drive is an important factor for people who are considering the possibility of buying a home in Sotogrande.

State-of-the-art technology, an educational method adapted to our present day realities and luxurious facilities in a paradisiacal environment: those are the three keys that explain the success of Sotogrande International School. To these we could add experience, since Sotogrande International School has been training the elite of Southern Europe and Northern Africa for four decades already (students of both sexes and from 3 to 18 years of age).

Impressive facilities, close to elite golf courses

Aiming for excellence is evident in all aspects related to the school and it is naturally transmitted to the students. Its impressive facilities strike at first sight. Sotogrande International School is very close to La Reserva Club and the Valderrama Royal Golf Club, two of the most relevant and exclusive institutions in Sotogrande. It is a natural space surrounded by forests, with superb views of the green Sotogrande coastline and the sea.

Sotogrande International School has three campuses. In the central building we find —in addition to the administration offices— art, music and computer classrooms, a theater, a multimedia library, an adult courses department, the reception area and the cafeteria. Four other buildings, specially designed to house the classrooms, are located around the central building.

Science area, equipped with three laboratories

The Science Area includes three fully equipped scientific laboratories, for a learning based on direct experience. Sotogrande International School has boarding students, comfortably accomodated in a 4-star hotel acquired by the school and integrated into the San Roque campus. And, of course, outstanding sports facilities could not be lacking in a school like this: a football field and other sports, with artificial grass, an athletics track, a multipurpose sports center and a 25-meter swimming pool.

The spaces in the campuses are open, bright, well connected by paths and green areas, open to the countryside and the surrounding forests. The facilities are not a simple luxury for enjoyment, but an essential element of the educational philosophy of the best school in southern Spain. A philosophy based on participation, collaboration and sociability.

Sotogrande International School offers a multicultural environment

Sotogrande International School offers not only an excellent education, but a comprehensive and enriching personal experience, in an international and multicultural environment. This will undoubtedly mark his students deeply and positively for their entire lives.

What is the educational system offered by Sotogrande International School? Its inspiration is undoubtedly British, although its curriculum combines the best of the British and Spanish systems, with various international contributions.

SIS’s teaching philosophy is focused on motivating the student and fostering a constant desire to learn. This will be especially valuable in a society that demands continuous learning and re-skilling.

Approximately half of the students are British and the other half is divided between 50% Spanish and the other half of other nationalities. As for the staff, most of the teachers come from the UK, although the school also employs teachers from Spain, the United States, South Africa, France and Germany.

New technologies are a must at Sotogrande International School

New technologies are an essential element in teaching. Its use is no longer just a means of learning, but an end in itself, in a globalized and technologized society. The school buildings are connected to each other by a fiber optic system, which allows students to have access to the internet and intranet through fixed and personal computers. Many classrooms have projectors connected to the computer and interactive whiteboards for presentations.

Very important: the Sotogrande International School encourages public speech and open debate among its students, an aspect unfortunately neglected in Spanish traditional teaching systems. Not surprisingly, all students who earn the college’s prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma have gained access to good universities around the world.

Elite Sports program, with access to scholarships

In addition, for students who excel in sports, the Sotogrande International School has the Elite Sports program. It is developed in collaboration with sports academies (such as the SotoTenis academy) for a specialized training and preparing of the students.

The first level is called Future Champions. Once the students have acquired an adequate preparation, they access the next step, Junior Champions. Finally, the best will reach the top level or Elite. The aim of the program is to prepare and to guide sports students so that they can get sports scholarships at the best universities.

Apart from the excellent facilities, the students enjoy all that Sotogrande and the Costa del Sol have to offer as perfect environments for extracurricular activities. The school offers a varied program, which includes excursions, trips, sports competitions and cultural exchanges.

A Summer Camp open to non-students

Moreover, the school organizes a Summer Camp every year, open to non-students, in which participants enjoy the facilities and the activities of the school during their holidays (tennis, horse riding, swimming, diving, golf, excursions and, of course, an immersion in the English language).

No doubt, Sotogrande International School is the best school in Andalusia and southern Spain. It is an ideal choice for those who consider the possibility of living permanently in Sotogrande. And also for those who wish to acquire a villa for summer holidays, with availability of educational, sports and leisure activities for their children.

Sotogrande is one of the most exclusive urbanizations in Europe, famous for its elite golf courses, superb beaches and luxurious villas. If you want to buy a villa in Sotogrande, do not hesitate to contact us by phone (+34 951 386 117) or by email (info@libehomes.com). Our real estate agency Libehomes, specialized in the commercialization of villas, will provide you with all the information you need about how to buy your property in Sotogrande, Marbella, Benahavis or Estepona.

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Which are the best private international schools in Estepona? The municipality of Estepona is not only the city and its surroundings: it covers a very large territory of 137 km2. In Estepona there are excellent international schools. Living in Estepona near a good private international school is quite common. Many residential areas have a private international school in the neighborhood or within a few minutes’ drive.

Colegio San José in Estepona

The Colegio San José in Estepona (shown in the above image) is included in the prestigious Forbes list of the 50 best private schools in Spain. Located within the urban area of ​​Estepona, the Colegio San José covers all stages of education: infant, primary, compulsory secondary, high school and the International Baccalaureate program.

The Colegio San José has another center in Guadalmina (San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella), at a very convenient distance for people who live in the eastern part of Estepona (the New Golden Mile).

The private international school San José in Estepona attaches fundamental importance to languages. In fact, it is an English-Spanish bilingual school and has the status of a training and examining center from the University of Cambridge and Trinity College London.

In addition to English, Colegio San José offers excellent teaching in French and German. Your students can receive preparation for the DELF tests of the Alliance Française and also for those of the Goethe Institut.

San José School in Estepona employs the most advanced means in education. Students receive a preparation adapted to the technological world of the 21st century. The name of its methodological program clearly indicates it: STREAMING (Science, Technology, Radio and multimedia, Engineering, Arts and Maths).

It is a program based on some of the most prestigious educational systems in the world, such as Project Based Learning (PBL), Design Thinking or Service Learning.

Soccer School and Music School for the students

This private international school has excellent sports facilities (an olympic swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis). It has its own Soccer School and teams of different categories, which participate in local tournaments. Its prestigious Professional Conservatory of Music also stands out.

In addition to the residents in Estepona city, the location of the San José school is very convenient for those who live in Estepona West. Areas such as Valle Romano, Estepona Golf, Guadalobón, La Gaspara or La Galera are less than 10 minutes away by car.

It is also a very good location for those who live in the areas north of Estepona city (such as Los Reales, Sierra Estepona) and east as well (Alcazaba Beach, Selwo, El Velerín, Guadalmansa …).

For students who need transportation, this private international school has a complete route service from Sotogrande to Elviria, in Marbella East. The Colegio San José is no doubt among the best private international schools in Estepona.

Atalaya International School

The extensive eastern area of ​​the Estepona municipality, known as the New Golden Mile, is home to luxury residential areas and renowned golf courses (El Paraiso, El Campanario, Atalaya). It also includes private international schools, such as the Atalaya International School.

Located on the border with Marbella municipality, the Atalaya International School is also very conveniently located for residents in nearby areas of Marbella, such as Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía.

The Atalaya International School boasts a strictly bilingual learning system (English and Spanish), without neglecting the learning of other languages. Like the San José School, the Atalaya International School offers all stages of education: infant, primary, compulsory secondary, baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate (IB). It also has preparation courses for the University Entrance Exams (PAU).

The Atalaya International School has a complete sports club and modern facilities, including a soccer field and basketball courts. Its sports activities also include volleyball, karate, yoga and a multisport program of initiation to a wide variety of sports.

Its wide range of extracurricular activities includes all kinds of options, from piano to ceramics, cooking or creative writing. Like San José, this private international school has a bus route service from Sotogrande to Elviria, in Marbella East.

International School of Estepona

Also on the New Golden Mile, in El Paraiso area, we find the International School of Estepona. This British school is dedicated to the little ones. It includes Early Childhood 1 (2 to 3 years), Early Childhood 2 (3 to 5 years) and Primary (6 to 12 years).

The International School of Estepona follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, adapted to a fully bilingual system (English-Spanish).

The International School of Estepona stands out for its excellent facilities, in a fenced and secure area of ​​3,700 m2. It uses the latest technologies to support teaching, with a computer area and interactive electronic whiteboards. Climatized for all seasons, with a garden for the little ones and equipment for all kinds of sports.

This school does not have a transportation service for students, although it is very close to the intercity bus stop. Most of the students are taken to school by their parents in their private cars: the school offers an ample parking space for them.

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Which is the best French-speaking real estate agency in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, Casares, Manilva or Sotogrande?

This is a question we hear more and more frequently and it is no wonder. A traditional paradise for the British, the Costa del Sol has seen a steady increase in the number of French inhabitants and visitors. If we add Belgians and Moroccans, these three nationalities together are the largest group of foreign buyers of real estate in the area.

If we look at each country separately, the British are largest group of foreign residents on the Costa del Sol, around 15.5%. However, if we look at the language that we hear around, we may be in for surprise.

The French-speaking group of foreign property buyers is the largest in Costa del Sol

Indeed, if we add French (7.4%) to Belgians (6.3%) and Moroccans (4.8%), then French-speaking home buyers in Costa del Sol are the largest group, with 18.5% of the total. The other prominent groups are Germans (7.5%), Swedes (5.8%) and Italians (5.4%).

Moreover, Moroccan, Dutch and Belgian tourists are the ones who have remained the most loyal to the Costa del Sol, despite the Covid (two groups of Francophones in the top three).

Logically, this Francophone boom on the Costa del Sol is bringing about an increase in the number of real estate agencies that offer their services in French.

Real estate services in French… and much more

What are the features of an agency that aspires to become the best French-speaking real estate agency in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, Casares, Manilva or Sotogrande? The most obvious answer would be French-speaking real estate agents, who can:

– accompany buyers in their search for their ideal property.

– advise and accompany selling owners in the marketing and sale of their properties.

However, real estate agencies provide more than that. They offer a diverse range of services that can be useful to their clients. Logically, the greater presence of French-speaking residents on the Costa del Sol attacts a growing number of professionals and services that advertise “on parle français”.

Libehomes, a real estate agency specialized in French-speaking clients

Our Marbella real estate agency, Libehomes, is a specialist in French-speaking clients. It’s logical, since its founder and director, Manuel Alarcon, exemplifies a life between the Spanish and French worlds. Raised a step away from the border between France and Spain (in Rosas, Girona), he spent all his school years in France and he is completely bilingual. He also has extensive experience in the French-speaking markets, as well as a wide network of contacts and friends (including Belgium and Morocco).

Aware of the needs of our French-speaking clients, Libehomes offers real estate services in French and much more. We have French-speaking collaborators, such as lawyers, builders and other professions related to housing.

Practical and sentimental reasons give us a special motivation when we work for French-speaking clients. Especially when we have the pleasure of completing with them the important operation involving the purchase or sale of a real estate property.

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Which is the best real estate agency in Marbella? I want to buy a house in Marbella, in Estepona, in Benahavis, in Sotogrande. Or I want to sell my home in Marbella, Casares, Manilva… how can I make sure I am in the best hands?

Two are the keywords leading to the answer: service and specialization.

A real estate agent who sells villas over € 1,000,000 does not work the same way as the one who sells apartments of € 200,000, or commercial premises, to give a few examples. The best real estate agency in Marbella, Estepona or any other town is aware of this. Therefore, they will be very clear about who is in charge of each type of product.

A real estate agency specializing in villas, chalets and country houses

In fact, real estate agencies do specialize in specific types of property. Services and technological tools are usually different, depending on which kind of property we are talking about..

The first step for a real state agency is advertising the property, to optimize its visibility; later, it will fulfill all necessary tasks leading to the completion of a successful sale.

When looking for the best real estate agency in Marbella, we can start by taking a look at the properties featured on the agencies’ websites. An agency specializing in villas, chalets and country houses, such as Libehomes, will showcase a wide offer of these types of properties. In addition, the commercialization of a villa requires specific types of technological tools.

– High quality professional photography (HQ Photo).

– High quality video, with the use of drones (HQ Video).

– HQ Virtual Tours. Thanks to the impressive presentations of Matterport, 3DVistaPlayer, Floorfy or Realisti.co, users can comfortably move around a home from their computers or mobile phones. This tool is widely used in countries like the United States, to the point that some people buy properties online, without even setting foot on them. Virtual tours are becoming more and more common in Spain, though at the moment they are mainly used for villas.

Real estate agencies also tend to specialize in a specific type of activity, basically sales or rentals (long-term or short-term). Libehomes is a real estate agency specializing in the sale of villas in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, Casares, Manilva and Sotogrande.

An exclusive sales mandate means advantages for everyone

Working on an exclusive basis is a key characteristics of a quality real estate agency. Logically this will be one of the most important factors when deciding which is the best agency.

This has a lot to do with the technological tools that we described above. Obviously, the high cost of HQ photography and video, as well as virtual tours, will be affordable for a real estate agency only when it has an exclusive sales mandate. And these tools will be essential when advertising our home for sale, taking into account the wide offer that exists in the market.

Why should I sign an exclusive sales mandate to sell my house?

This is not, of course, the only reason to sign an exclusive sales mandate when selling my house. When you sign an exclusive sales mandate, the real estate agency will pay a special attention to your property, since it will be sure that all its efforts and investments will be rewarded when the sale takes place (which is not the case if the property is marketed simultaneously by several agencies, without an exclusive mandate).

Some people are reluctant to sign an exclusive sales mandate with a real estate agency. Their fear that  potential buyer clients will thus be limited to those found directly by the agency (and that they will be “deprived” of all those who would arrive if they signed a mandate with several agencies).

This could be true in the past, but in the internet world it is no longer so: real estate agencies with an exclusive mandate will advertise the property for all the world to see, including all the other agencies. They will have no problem with accepting clients contributed by other agencies and sharing their fees with them.

Virtually all of the real estate agencies in the US work, on an exclusive basis, due to the great advantages it offers to all the parts involved (sellers, buyers and agencies). European countries are quickly adapting to this system, as more and more owners understand the benefits of signing exclusive sales mandates.

Specialization and quality services define the best real estate agency

This takes us to the second factor that we mentioned above, when looking for the best real estate agency: in addition to specialization, services. Quality services, of course. The best real estate agency in Marbella will not just advertise its properties. It will also offer its clients a variety of services, among which we can mention:

– An optimal valuation of the market price of the property.
– Verification of the legal and administrative status of the property.
– If necessary, regularization or “updating” of the aspects that are necessary for the sale.
– Preparing the villa for sale (“home staging“).
– A careful selection of the clients who will visit the property.
– Advising and accompanying its selling clients through all steps leading to the signature of the sale at the notary.

Of course, we also need to examine the question from the buyer’s point of view: which is the best agency to buy a house in Marbella, Estepona, Manilva or Sotogrande?

First of all, the best real estate agency will always have a strong local presence. For example, Libehomes has a strong focus on the villa areas of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis (incorporating some other areas in full expansion, such as Manilva and Casares).

The advantages of working on an exclusive basis

A key factor here is also the quality of the services offered by the agency. Have you ever had the experience of wanting to find your ideal home and going from one place to another without being shown anything that really interests you? Old fashioned methods of working are the cause of this. In the most advanced countries, such as the United States, when a person has a serious intention of buying a house, he/she signs an exclusive purchase contract.

What does a client obtain when signing a exclusive purchase contract? Basically, an intensive search of properties meeting his/her criteria, during the time established by the contract. There are various types of exclusive purchase contract. In certain cases, the client delivers a deposit of a certain amount, which will be returned when the purchase is made (the agency fees are paid by the seller). If the buyer does not purchase a home within the reasonable period specified in the contract, then the deposit will be definitely paid to the agency, as compensation for the expenses (time, work and money) incurred in the search.

Paying for quality services is logical: free services are seldom adequate

In Spain, people often think of a real estate agency as of a “home store”, where you enter and ask for the products they have for sale. Obviously, you don’t expect store owners to charge you just for showing you what they have on their shelves. However, in countries like the United States, people accept that real estate is not similar to other commodities. The mere fact of finding and showing real estate property implies specialized search work and visits, which generate costs.

When a real estate agency shows its clients one, two or three properties and then “abandons” them, it is because the agency cannot continue investing time and money for nothing. When a client signs an exclusive purchase contract with a serious agency, he/she knows that the agency will search intensively for him/her and will show all the options available in the market. Thus, the client will have a much better chance of finding his/her ideal home. Isn’t such an investment worth it, when it comes to something as important as buying a home?

The best real estate agency in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, Casares, Sotogrande, Manilva…

A quality real estate agency also offers buyers a variety of services, accompanies and advises its clients in all due steps up to the sale signature. In this case, with special attention to all legal and administrative aspects affecting the property, for the clients’ total peace of mind.

Service and specialization. Deep knowledge of the areas and types of real estate property. Technological means adapted to our present world. Exclusive sales mandates and exclusive purchase contracts (both synonymous with quality services). These are the characteristics of the best real estate agency in Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, Sotogrande, Casares, Manilva …

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