Marbella is known as the Spanish Riviera. In the space of just 50 years, what was once a peaceful fishing village became an aspirational international tourist destination, literally oozing with the rich and famous. Its 11 golf courses, 26 kilometres of fabulous beaches, breathtaking landscapes, extensive choice of outstanding hotels and restaurants, three marinas with the capacity to play host to the world’s most ostentatious yachts and an eternally warm climate are more than enough reasons to make this a favourite spot with jet setters from around the world.
And it all came about as a matter of chance back in 1940. Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe was forced to stop in Marbella when his Rolls Royce broke down but was so enchanted by what he found there that he decided to buy some land and built several hotels and residential developments. In 1954 he opened the Hotel Marbella Club, which even today continues to form part of the city’s Golden Mile. It didn’t take Prince Hohenlohe long to convince Europe’s ruling classes to choose this place to spend their holidays, which offered them total discretion and luxury. The 1970s saw the arrival of Prince Fahd bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, the previous Monarch and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. He would stroll around the town, spending indecent amounts of money. Accompanied by a court of around 3,000 members, a one-day visit to Puerto Banús by this member of the Saudi Royal Family could generate a profit of around 35,000 euros for the city.
In the 1990s, Mayor Jesús Gil, who was also a property developer and Chairman of Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid, continued to introduce improvements and innovations to the city, creating new infrastructures, sports and cultural centres, municipal offices, parks, gardens and golf courses, etc. Following a number of scandals related to corruption within the local authority and organised crime which have become part of the city’s history, Marbella has managed to rise up triumphantly from its ashes to once again act as a magnet for the rich and famous, all eager to make the most of this marvellous stretch of the Costa del Sol.
Members of the jet set ‘save the dates’ on their calendars to make sure they don’t miss out on any of the events in a city that has emerged to shine with the same glamour and style as in other golden ages. This is partly due to the visit by Michelle Obama in 2010, and the collaboration of celebrities such as Eva Longoria and Antonio Banderas, who has even been called the new Alfonso de Hohenlohe. Such famous names as Julio Iglesias, Antonio Banderas – who we referred to above -, Spanish glamour queen Carmen Lomana, the Duchess of Alba, bullfighters such as Fran Rivera or Manuel Díaz El Cordobés, Spanish singer Isabel Pantoja, families that form part of Spain’s high society including the Goyanes, Gunilla Von Bismark and Luis Ortiz, businessman Juan Abelló and his wife Ana Gamazo, Alejandro Agag and Ana Aznar, all own homes in Marbella.
If you’d like to discover just what it is that draws so many A-listers to this fabulous part of the Costa del Sol then come and find out for yourself. You’ll be dazzled by the luxury boutiques, first class restaurants, exclusive clubs and stunning hotels. Spend some time people-watching at one of the street cafés in Puerto Banús, the jewel in Marbella’s crown, and we guarantee you’ll spot personalities from Spanish and international high society, the world of films, sport and the gossip magazines. And then come back and tell us all about it!
“If you’d like to enjoy yourself like a film star for a few days in Marbella, then you should stay at IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ Iberostar Marbella Coral Beach, a four star hotel featuring an avant-garde décor that is a truly magnificent choice for couples. You’ll also be able to chill out at the Sea Soul Beach Club – total relaxation in an exclusive atmosphere in one of Marbella’s most luxurious areas. Just picture yourself lying on a Bali hammock with a cocktail in one hand and gently swaying to the fabulously soothing background music. In a place like this, total rest and relaxation is guaranteed”.