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Luxury travel in Spain: Seven reasons Sotogrande may be better than Marbella

Marbella may be known as the glitziest place on Spain's Costa del Sol, but its lesser-known neighbour Sotogrande has enough going for it to earn the accolade of hidden gem, especially if you can afford the finer things in life.

Published: 9 May 2021 12:00 CEST
Luxury travel in Spain: Seven reasons Sotogrande may be better than Marbella
An aerial view of Sotogrande above and Sotogrande's port below Photo: Sotogrande S.A.,Sergio Rus/Wikipedia

After the isolation and lockdown of the last 18 months, we all need to get back into vacation mode, back into the sunshine and warmth. Plus, we could all do with treating ourselves to some luxury. After all, we definitely deserve it, having been through such an uncertain time.

So, where might you go to find relaxation in high-end surroundings? Where can you kick back, relax and treat yourself at the same time? We want to suggest you take a long look at Sotogrande, a world-class residential resort at the far western end of the Costa del Sol.

It might not be as famous as next-door Marbella – quite the opposite because Sotogrande is the well-kept secret among those who like their luxury discreet and sedate.

But we’re betting that you’re looking for a destination where you can reconnect with yourself, your family and your friends. And in peaceful surroundings. If that’s the case, then we know you’ll love Sotogrande as your next luxury holiday destination. Here are seven compelling reasons why.

Sotogrande showcases nature at its best

This year, more than ever, we’re looking for wide-open spaces. The chance to be outdoors and in nature. Fresh air, the sea breeze and sunshine are the tonics we need. And Sotogrande provides nature at its best and then some.

  • Sandy beaches – over 6km of coastline where magnificent views of the Rock of Gibraltar and the Moroccan coastline beyond are a given. Plus the well renowned ‘The Beach’, in La Reserva. Stunning golden sands around a manmade lagoon.
  • Rolling hills – verdant (all year round) and dotted with Mediterranean cork and holm oaks.
  • Mountain views – magnificent sierras define your horizon to the west, north and east.
  • Riverscapes – the mighty Guadiaro River meets the Mediterranean at Sotogrande, and its estuary and wetlands are a natural paradise.

Did you know? Nature takes centre stage in Sotogrande with tree-lined boulevards, green spaces and parklands throughout its 2,000 hectares. At La Reserva, you’ll even discover Provence in the exquisite outdoor spaces, designed by renowned French landscape gardener Jean Mus.

Sotogrande does tranquillity with a capital T

Hand in hand with all this nature goes a sedate, quieter pace of life, and you’ll find just the right dose of tranquillity at Sotogrande. Get ready to luxuriate in long summer days and leisurely evenings with no clock-watching, no hustle and bustle and zero stress. Perfect for switching off from everyday life and its recent challenges and turning on to life in the slow and best lane of all.

Did you know? Unlike some resorts on the Costa del Sol, built-up isn’t a word in the Sotogrande dictionary. Here, you’ll find no high-rises because most properties are villas on large plots or townhouses.

Sotogrande keeps a low profile

Part of the secret to being a world apart from the hubbub on the rest of the Costa del Sol lies in Sotogrande’s talent for staying off the radar. But don’t for one minute think that Sotogrande doesn’t attract its fair share of rich and famous.

Far from it – the resort has always been on the jet set’s second home list. It’s a perennial favourite with royalty and nobility, Spanish and European and film stars and singers from the world over as well as Spain’s richest families. Many own homes in Sotogrande and return year after year to holiday in the peace and quiet.

But don’t expect to see swarms of paparazzi after the celebrities or to read about them in gossip magazines. Sotogrande offers its A-list visitors the chance to keep a low profile, and all of them do.

Did you know? Privacy and discretion are the watchwords at Sotogrande.

Infinity Pool View. Photo: Handout

Sotogrande takes lifestyle to a whole new level

Vacationing in style involves superior leisure activities and in surroundings that are second to none. Sotogrande has ticked these boxes since the resort was established in the early 1960s. And when it comes to sport, Sotogrande really is your oyster.

World-class golf

Along with the legendary Real Club Valderrama golf course, regular host of premium tournaments, including the Ryder Cup in 1997, you can also play 18-holes at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and La Reserva Club. All three offer exceptional golf and stunning surroundings. Don’t fancy a round? Admire the immaculate fairways from one of the fine properties with frontline views of the greens.

Photo: Monica Volpin/Pixabay

Championship polo

Known as the “sport of kings”, polo has been played at Sotogrande for over three decades. Every year, the world’s best strikers come together for the International Polo Tournament at Santa Maria Polo Club.

If tamer sports on a horse are your thing, you can go cross-country riding or show jump at the three equestrian centres in the resort.

All the water sports

With the ocean, river and a lagoon, Sotogrande offers plenty of scope for action on the water. Sail from Sotogrande Marina, go deep-sea fishing in the Straits of Gibraltar, kite surf on the waves, scuba dive in the Mediterranean or wakeboard on the lagoon at The Beach.

Hike or Horse ride through Sotogrande

One of the best ways to explore the stunning nature around Sotogrande is on your own two legs or by horse. The resort offers excellent walking routes and mountain trails. All on the doorstep.

Chill-out time

If you’re taking time out from exercise on your holiday or love chilling by the waves, head for one of the beach clubs in Sotogrande, all of which offer low-key luxury and in style. You’ll find Trocadero Sotogrande with beach beds, pool and two restaurants, plus other clubs right on the sands down by the Med. Or relax on the loungers or cabana beds at The Beach by the gently lapping waves on the lagoon at La Reserva.

The Beach, La Reserva Sotogrande. Photo: Handout

Fine wining and dining

Lovers of fine cuisine are also in for a treat at Sotogrande, where an excellent choice of eateries and venues await discerning foodies. The waterfront at Sotogrande Marina makes the perfect setting for the many cafés and restaurants. You can also dine at La Reserva, the hotels and golf clubs on the resort.

Did you know? Sotogrande has over 40 restaurants serving cuisine from all corners of the world. You can read a round-up here. 

Sotogrande does the best places to stay

SO Hotel Sotogrande. Photo: Handout

Best hotels

Five stars shine all-around when it comes to places to stay in Sotogrande. If you want to stay in one of the best hotels on the Costa del Sol, check out SO/ Sotogrande. Part of the Accor chain’s luxury portfolio has just opened its luxury doors and offers 151 rooms, including 24 suites to discerning vacationers. All in the surroundings of a traditional Andalusian Cortijo ranch.

Villa Vela, La Reserva. Photo: Handout

Best homes

But the true luxury comes in the private property, and Sotogrande excels at stunning villas with the finest finishes. The world’s best architects have put their signatures to homes in the resort where stunning modern, sustainable design finds the perfect setting. And as you’d expect, nature always rules supreme, ensuring the resort’s hallmark privacy and discretion.

Recent additions to the choice of property in Sotogrande include several projects in La Reserva. Each is designed to complement its surroundings, the Mediterranean lifestyle and high-end living. And each is the brainchild of internationally renowned architects. These spectacular properties come with a long list of luxury touches – swimming pools (indoor and out) are standard, as are cinema rooms, wine cellars, spas and gyms.

Not for nothing is Sotogrande now attracting the attention of the world’s discerning property investors, keen to buy the finest property in southern Spain within one of its most exclusive resorts.

Did you know? The Exceptional Homes Collection showcases some of the most magnificent property on the Costa del Sol.

Gates to La Reserva, Sotogrande. Photo: handout

Sotogrande keeps you safe

As an entirely gated resort, Sotogrande offers visitors and residents total security. Many residential complexes within the resort are also enclosed with 24-hour surveillance.

This, combined with discretion and tranquillity, means that there’s zero crime. Therefore, you can holiday with total peace of mind, which is always important.

The Marbella Arch, on the Costa del Sol. Photo: Guillermo Gavilla/Pixabay

Marbella is in easy reach.

And our final reason that Sotogrande should be your next luxury holiday destination is that if you do hanker after some glitz and glamour, the bright lights of Marbella and Puerto Banús are a mere 30-minute drive away. This means that you can pop along to a completely different world on the Costa del Sol quickly and easily. And then, of course, return to your sanctuary of peaceful discretion in Sotogrande.

This article has been written by The Property Agent specializing in real estate on the Costa del Sol. If you are looking for property in Sotogrande, visit their page here.

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LEGAL HELP

Noisy local fiestas: What to do when your Spanish town hall is responsible

Town and city fiestas are commonplace in Spain and they’re part of what made many of us fall in love with the country in the first place, but sometimes the town hall can overstep and the noise pollution just gets too much to bear for neighbours.

Published: 22 May 2024 09:35 CEST
Noisy local fiestas: What to do when your Spanish town hall is responsible

It’s bad enough in Spain when you have to deal with noisy neighbours or loud bars and clubs, but what about when the culprit is your ayuntamiento (town hall) or city council?

If you want to know what your rights are on noise from construction, find out here, what to do about noisy neighbours here and about bars and clubs here. 

During these local fiestas (every city, town and village has at least one a year), councils set up concert and performance venues form of open-air stages or tents called casetas or carpas.

In these cases, there’s often no sound insulation and the noise carries much further as everything happens outside.

Even though these festivals may only go one for a week or two, they can often disturb residents who aren’t in attendance and are trying to sleep.

You could be someone who needs extra sleep like a doctor, nurse or firefighter, you may be ill or have small children, there are many reasons why you might not be able or want to join in. Even if you are in the minority, your rights should still be respected.

In fact, in places such as Barcelona, when the local Gràcia festival takes place, there’s so much noise created by neighbourhood organisers that some people even decide to leave their apartments for the week as they know they won’t be able to sleep.

This option is of course not open to everyone, and in truth, you shouldn’t have to leave your home temporarily because of a celebration that is supposed to bring joy to the local population.

So, what can you legally do and what are your rights?

Even city and town councils must continue to comply with municipal by-laws during local fiestas. The Spanish Civil Code guarantees that you should have respect in your own home.

Law 40/2015, of October 1st, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, which came into force in October 2016, establishes that “Public Administrations objectively serve the general interests and act in accordance with the principles of effectiveness, hierarchy, decentralisation and coordination, with full submission to the Constitution and the Law”. 

This means that even the authorities must uphold the law and serve their people. They have a public responsibility to manage and to do it to the best of their abilities.

The first thing to keep in mind is that you stand a much better chance of getting your council to listen if you find other people who are affected too, so it’s not just you complaining on your own.

Make sure to talk to your neighbours or others living on the same street to find out if they’re also affected by the noise and form a group of people who share your grievances.

In theory, councils and ayuntamientos are in charge of enforcing celebration schedules, making sure the volume of music isn’t too loud, controlling the capacity at venues and enforcing alcohol laws so that people are not drinking on the street (if it’s not allowed in that region).

READ ALSO – FACT CHECK: No, Spain’s Balearics haven’t banned tourists from drinking alcohol

According to Law 7/2002 on protection against noise pollution, these are the maximum sound levels allowed for leisure venues:

Nightclubs: 104 decibels

Venues with musical entertainment: 90 decibels

Game rooms: 85 decibels

Bars and restaurants: 80 decibels

Find out if the festival events and activities infringe on any of these rules and regulations above and if they do then you have a case to take to your town hall.

Technically, the festivals should take place at a local fairground or somewhere away from the main residential area, but we know that this is not always the case. The concerts and events often happen in the very streets and squares where people live.

Firstly, you need to contact your ayuntamiento or local council or explain the problem. It’s best if you put it in writing so there’s a record of what you’ve said.

Try to include as much evidence as possible as to how the festivals are breaking the rules and include testimonials from as many neighbours as you can.

Organisers may not listen to you the first time, but if you keep contacting them, they will be forced to listen and have to respond.

If the situation is the same every year and they still don’t change anything, then you and your neighbours should contact a lawyer to represent you and take the matter to court.

This has actually been done several times by different communities throughout the country and in many instances, the law has sided with the people instead of the authorities.

In 2017, the Superior Court of Justice of Navarra, sided with a community of owners in Mutilva Baja when they complained about noise coming from an outdoor tent which had been erected for the festivities of the local patron saint. They claimed it was noise pollution above the legal levels and said the council had done nothing to try and reduce it.  

In another case in Getafe, thanks to a neighbourhood protest led by a lawyer specialising in noise pollution called Ricardo Ayala, the carnival celebrations were moved to the fairgrounds on the outskirts of the city.

Again in 2022, in Castilla-La Mancha, the Supreme Justice Tribunal imposed a sentence on the the Puerto Lápice City Council due to damages derived from noise pollution from musical events held in the town square.

The celebrations were not forced to be stopped completely but the council did have to agree with a limitation on hours and noise levels specifically for the concerts held in tents outside. It did not affect any other part of the festival.

Therefore, it is possible to take legal action against your ayuntamiento if they are breaking the law, but there’s no guarantee it will be a straightforward process.

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