Marbella

Welcome to Marbella – the favourite European destination for the rich and famous, for the international jet-setters and for the sun-and-fun lovers.

Modern Marbella is a sophisticated, multi-cultured, buzzing city with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, night clubs and art galleries, an Old Town of tapas bars, boutiques and the famous Orange Square - a melting-pot of tourists and Spanish, very cultured and very family-orientated, very exclusive and at the same time all-inclusive.

With origins dating back to Neolithic times, and with strong Roman and Moorish influences, particularly of art, architecture, music and cuisine, Marbella is located between Seville, Granada, Cordoba and the Sierra Nevada ski resort, in Andalucia, the birthplace of Flamenco and modern bullfighting. In more recent times Marbella has seen tremendous growth in both tourism and development, thanks in no small part to Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, the visionary whose decision to transform his family villa into the exclusive Marbella Club attracted royalty, celebrities and Hollywood elite from all over the world, and directly influenced the later development of Nueva Andalucia, the harbour and sporting port and perhaps most notably, world-famous Puerto Banus with its marina full of splendid yachts, its Casino and its exciting night life. The development of the Guadalmina Golf Course in 1959 opened the way for the golfing boom which has justifiably earned this part of the Costa del Sol the sobriquet “Costa del Golf”.

Marbella enjoys a sunny micro-climate, protected from extremes of heat and cold by the encircling mountains, including the emblematic La Concha, and it offers something for everybody. The sparkling Mediterranean Sea; the best beaches in Spain; parks; nature reserves; swimming; horse riding; an excellent promenade; the Puente Romano open air theatre; modern health facilities; private education; La Cañada - the biggest shopping mall on the coast; and most importantly a genuine family-orientated environment. All-in-all a thriving, modern-day attraction for tourism, residency, business and investment. And being just 1 hour from duty-free Gibraltar, with newly-extended Malaga Airport only 2-3 hours from most European cities, it is the destination of choice for millions of visitors each year.

Puerto Banus

If rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous appeals to you then look no further than Puerto Banus. The legendary playground of jet-setters, royalty and international celebrities, Puerto Banus attracts party-goers from all over the world.

Boasting multi-million dollar yachts in its 915-berth marina, extensive sandy beaches lined with chiringuitos, numerous nightclubs, piano bars, cocktail bars, pubs, clubs, discotheques, cafes, sports bars and, of course, its Casino, the bustling, vibrant port has everything on offer to satisfy the most demanding of tastes.

Wining and dining in the many restaurants is a culinary delight, with top-quality international cuisine on offer. Exotic jewellery, high fashions and pricey designer brands compete to catch the eye in the stylish, boutique-lined narrow streets.

The more energetically inclined can enjoy water sports, swimming, jet-skiing and paragliding, or even charter a yacht. For those who seek a peaceful interlude there is the Plaza de Antonio Banderas, a wide, spacious square just above the port, ideal for relaxing on a bench in the shade, soothed by the sound of nearby fountains, until once more refreshed and ready for the next venture.

Just a few steps away lies El Corte Ingles, the modern, multi-storey, high-quality department store, and just around the corner is the multi-cinema complex. For sculpture lovers a superb, three-ton Rhino statue by Salvador Dali completes the larger-than-life picture that is the exhilarating, fun-loving, modern-day Puerto Banus.

Make gains while the sun shines

The Spanish property market has crashed, but don’t be put off by the economic chaos: it’s a great time to buy. (This was the headline to an article in The Sunday Times on 16th January 2011, written by Zoe Dare Hall)

Good news and Spain have been reluctant bed partners in recent years. Holiday home sales and construction of new houses are down, the market is depressed and it is a challenging time for sellers and property agents.

There is a reduced pool of buyers and a large pool of sellers. If you already own a Spanish property, you are most likely worried about falling house prices and currency fluctuations. However, if you have cash and yearning to own a house in the beautifully diverse and sunny Costa del Sol you can be choosy, so book your flight now.

Property on the Spanish coast has dropped by as much as 30% from the peak, but it looks like this downward spiral has ended. This situation is likely to bounce along for a little while, but prices are unlikely to fall further. A property that cost €800.000 a short time ago is now likely priced at €600.000. That is a big incentive. If you are itching to buy, but worried about where, how can you find an investment likely to hold its value in these troubled times?

Location is the prime rule for any home, and holiday homes are no different. Choose established areas where quality is the norm, such as Marbella and its surrounding areas. The affluent have always chosen here and the infrastructure has developed to support them. During the boom property in this area came with a high price, but now after a 20 to 30% price reduction they are far more affordable.

Being able to sell easily in the future can be an important factor in what to buy now. To maximize your chances - talk to Santana Estates. Santana Estates personnel have enormous experience and are happy to give you advice on property, location and facilities in this area.

Finally, decide for yourself what a property is worth to you, then buy it and enjoy using it.