Those who travel tend to make comparisons and weigh different places up against each other. This is not only true of major world cities such as New York, Paris and London, or the desire to compare Madrid and Barcelona, but it is also the case with luxury seaside resort locations such as Monaco, the Costa Smeralda, Mallorca, the Côte d’Azur, Florida, California and of course, Marbella.
Venture along the elegant, palm-lined avenue of the Golden Mile, with its millionaire’s row of beachside villas, and you could imagine yourself to be in some top-end resort of the French Riviera – only, Marbella isn’t quite as costly and enjoys better weather!
Pass through the gates into the select country club estate of La Zagaleta, nestled in the hills above Marbella, and comparisons with some of California’s most exclusive residential areas come to the fore – yet Marbella is a more peaceful, easy-going place with a gentler pace of life.
Nearby Sotogrande may remind you of the charming marina and understated refinement of Porto Cervo in Sardinia, but it’s more economical, easier to get to, offers more year-round amenities and enjoys a 365 day a year season with permanent residents.
The resorts and beach clubs that straddle the coastlines of Mallorca and Ibiza are well-known, but with its growing and increasingly diverse range of beachside venues, the Costa del Sol caters to everyone from upmarket partygoers to those who want refined exclusivity, peace and service – and you don’t have to fly to an island to enjoy it.
While Marbella can’t offer the tax-free appeal of Monaco, it has at least as much in terms of culture, nature and lifestyle amenities on tap, and at prices that won’t make you blink, for the range of options includes everything from trendy Michelin-star night time venues to quaint eateries and traditional cafés full of local charm.
In Marbella, it all comes together, from sport, golf and sailing to fine dining, shopping and six-star deluxe services, not to mention nature, culture and a plethora of beauty spots in which to relax and entertain.