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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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PROPERTY

VUT, AT and VV: Why Spain’s holiday let categories matter to owners

Have you ever seen the acronyms VUT, AT and VV when it comes to renting out your apartment short-term to tourists? Confused and want to know what it all means and why it matters for you? Read on to find out.

Published: 19 June 2024 14:52 CEST
Updated: 22 June 2024 09:14 CEST
VUT, AT and VV: Why Spain's holiday let categories matter to owners

VUT stands for Vivienda Uso Turístico or Property for Tourist Use, while AT stands for Apartamento Turístico or Tourist Apartment.

Sometimes tourist apartments are called VVs or Viviendas Vacacionales (Holiday Homes). They have the same rules and classifications as ATs, but are just called by a different name.

These two categories above, although are similar, are actually different and mean different things for both those who want to rent out their properties and those renting them.

The main differences are in the legal requirements, in accordance with the regulations of each region they’re located in.

READ ALSO – UPDATE: Which cities in Spain have new restrictions on tourist rentals?

What are VUTs?

VUTs can be houses, apartments, chalets or individual rooms and they can be rented through agencies or directly from the landlord. They are rented out for days or weeks at a time to tourists, but are rarely rented out for months, because then they would then be considered as tourist apartments (ATs) or long-term lets instead.  

The exact amount of time they can be rented for typically depends on the rules in each different region in Spain. These regional regulations also determine if you need a tourist licence to rent out your property or if you need to register with an agency for example.

They can be someone’s habitual home, which is occasionally rented out on platforms such as Airbnb when they go on holiday for instance. Or a home that is only rented out to tourists during a particular season.

What are ATs?

ATs on the other hand are only for tourist use and are never used as someone’s habitual home as well. In order to be legal, they need to have a tourist licence, register with competent organisations, adhere to quality and security regulations and also provide services such as cleaning and possibly a reception or concierge.

Tourist apartments are governed by Royal Decree 75/1997, which regulates the legal regime for the control of tourist apartment establishments.

Again, each region in Spain has its own laws regarding these types of accommodations. Some places have limits on the number of them allowed, while others have regulations on where they’re allowed.

For example, Seville recently announced it wouldn’t grant any more tourist licences for apartments located in the Old Town neighbourhoods, while Barcelona hasn’t been issuing new ones for years.

Málaga has also introduced new rules that tourist apartments must have separate entrances and some regions only allow them on the first floor of a building.

What are the main differences between ATs and VUTs?

ATs are intended for tourism use, with usually a stay of no more than three months, anywhere above this time and it’s a long-term let.

VUTs as mentioned before are typically rented out for less than 30 days and in some regions, it can only be a maximum of five days.

If you have a VUT, it’s not required for you to provide professional services, like cleaning, although if you rent it out on a platform like Airbnb you will be expected to carry out these duties, even if you do it yourself.

But, remember the classification isn’t always up to you and what you intend to use the property for. For example, in Barcelona a tourist licence is needed for any rentals of fewer than 31 days and the property must be for tourism purposes only, therefore it can only be a AT and not a VUT.

What do I need to know regarding these classifications?

Basically, whether your property is a VUT or an AT, you need to contact your local authorities before you start renting it out to tourists for any length of time and find out what the local rules and regulations are.

If you’re a tourist, then you’ll know that ATs typically have more regulations than VUTs and offer more services, and you can be sure that they’re legal and have a tourist licence too.

If the property is a VUT and just rented out to holidaymakers occasionally, it’s important to find out what services, if any, will be included and if the property is operating legally. You can do this by asking them for their tourist licence number, if one is needed.

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