Marbella

Background

Until the 1950s Marbella, like much of the Costa del Sol, was a sleepy fishing town in and unspoiled area of hills, fields and deserted beaches. After World War II, Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe began to buy plots of land in the area and spread the word about the beautiful location to other aristocrats and members of royalty who were looking for a more tranquil alternative to the more developed resorts of the French Riviera.

In 1954 the Prince opened the American-style Marbella Club Hotel and people began to flock to the area, building magnificent villas and bringing the small town prestige and prosperity. Marbella gradually became Spain’s answer to St Tropez and gained a reputation as one of the most stylish seaside resorts frequented by celebrities and jet-setters.

Despite losing some of its original charm, Marbella still retains a certain cache and remains popular with the wealthy and famous thanks to its excellent amenities and enchanting location set between the sea and the Sierra  mountains. It is one of the most important tourist cities along the Costa del Sol and both Marbella and its surroundings are a popular choice for those looking to buy property in Spain.

Profile

Marbella is a very cosmopolitan town and counts over 137 different nationalities among its residents including a number of aristocrats and celebrities. 30% of inhabitants are international,  many of which are from northern Europe, the US and Saudi Arabia. Most of the wealthy and influential tend not to buy in the centre of town, rather they choose the stunning private villas which are located in the hills behind Marbella.

There are other luxury properties located a few kilometers away from Marbella in the port of Puerto Banús and also in the grounds of the various golf clubs in the area. The larger villas tend to be rather lavish and all have large swimming pools and extra services.