LawandMore Magazine
Travel
Image: View of Gibraltar from the 18th hole at the Marbella golf club.
Sun, Sea & Ski
There is more to Andalusia than first meets the eye
Located on the southern coast of Spain in the region of Andalusia, Marbella was once upon a time an illustrious playground for the beautiful, rich and famous – Cary Grant, Ava Gardner and Audrey Hepburn have all graced the shores of this beautiful part of Spain that boasts 340 + days of sun a year. Now however, it’ s more closely associated with the likes of‘ The Only Way is Essex’, stag do’ s, hen do’ s and the spectacle that is Linkers Bar *. This should not deter people from visiting, because nestled in the lush estate on the golden mile between Puerto Banus and Marbella Old Town, lays the Marbella Club.
After the 2 nd World War, Marbella was a small city with barely 1000 inhabitants; however this was to change when Ricardo Soriano moved to the city and developed a country estate called El Rodeo, where he would often invite his wealthy and famous friends. Shortly after, his nephew Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg bought another estate Finca Santa Margarita in 1947, which would later become the Marbella Club. The Marbella Club was frequented by movie stars, business moguls and nobility. Visiting families such as the Rothschild’ s and Bismarcks soon helped transformed Marbella into the Jet Set destination it has become so famous for.
The Marbella Club has come a long way since 1954 when it had a mere 19 rooms and one suite. Now part of The Leading Hotels of The World group, the Marbella Club now has 84 rooms, 37 elegant suites and 14 luxury Andalusian-style villas. Each villa has its own garden and pool offering guests that extra bit of privacy should they want or require it.
There are 6 dining options at the boutique resort; the Golf Club, Pool Bar, MC Beach, MC Café, Beach Club, The Grill and The Champagne Room – perfect for cosy winter evenings, the newly renovated champagne bar has played host to some of the world’ s most know celebrities and offers Jazz on Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Marbella Club, isn’ t just for those looking to enjoy fine dining and sunshine; the hotel has an exquisite 18 hold Golf Course situated a 20 minute drive away, which on a clear day has views to rival that of any other in the surrounding areas – you can take in the sierra, Gibraltar and the North African Coastline whilst finishing up on the 18 th hole. Designed by Dave Thomas, is exclusively for the use of hotel guests and property owners, another bonus for those looking to escape and perfect for guests wanting guaranteed morning tee times. Also located up by the golf course is a state-of-the-art riding facility and stables, which now hosts the Spanish Show Jumping Championships.
The Marbella Club and Spa has always had close ties with skiing and the Sierra Nevada, in the early sixties, Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe often promoted the ease with which guests could water ski in the Mediterranean and within two hours be on the slopes of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada.
El Lodge Ski and Spa resort is the only luxury ski-in ski-out property in Sierra Nevada; constructed from‘ season finished timber’ the building effortlessly fits into its alpine surroundings. Having spent over 1.5 million euros on refurbishment with interior designs by Andrew Martin, the ski lodge has just 20 rooms, offering that all important privacy.
“ The team at Law and More couldn’ t recommend the Marbella Club more if they tried.”
After a stressful game of golf or horse trekking up the mountains, there is no better way to relax, than at the Thellaso Spa on the Mediterranean beach front. Soak in the Salt water jet pool, steam in the Turkish Hammams or experience luxury with Moroccan Spa treatments.
No one would benefit from the award winning spa more than those who’ ve just spent two days skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada- yes, that’ s right, skiing.
The Marbella Club hotel group have recently acquired‘ El Lodge Ski and Spa’ in the Sierra Nevada, only a 2 hour drive from the beach front property on the Mediterranean. For those looking to enjoy both Ski and Sea, the Ski & Sun package is a great way to go about doing it. You’ ll receive two nights at El Lodge, followed by two nights at Marbella club, and in case of bad weather a ski lift closure, guests will receive a complimentary transfer to Marbella with an executive room upgrade.
Lodge luxury is backed up by its
El impressive 5 * Ski rental service, which includes; boot warming services and outdoor slippers, allowing guests to enjoy the property’ s prime location, terrace and al fresco dining.
The hotel offers direct access to the slopes, and is a mere 50m from the chairlift – guests can enjoy 45 pistes and 6 off-piste routes, and just in case the heavens fail to open the resort has 16 artificial snow machines to create the perfect conditions.
Situated only an hour and a half from Malaga international airport, people looking for a new ski resort need look no further. Marbella Club and El Lodge are the perfect duo for those looking for both Sun, Sea and Snow.
The team at Law and More couldn’ t recommend the Marbella Club more if they tried. It’ s the ultimate weekend get away and so beautiful that we’ re already looking at booking our next trip.
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