10 Reasons To Go To Marbella

  The European capital of sun, sand and sex, Marbella on the southern coast of Spain is where the rich, famous and fabulous congregate to engage in all manner of sinful activities away from the prying lenses of the paparazzi. After all, the area isn’t dubbed the ‘Costa del Crime’ for nothing. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll are all out on display in Marbella, from the alluring bikini babes strewn across its palm-fringed beaches to the hedonism that goes on in its decadent nightclubs. It’s no wonder celebrities flock here in droves; Bruce Willis has been spotted mingling with a bevy of beautiful women in its bars, Britney Spears has been snapped ordering a bottle of vodka in one of its most famous nightclubs, and heartthrob Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith even have a home here. In fact, they flew all the way from Hollywood just so Melanie could give birth here. A home away from their Hollywood homes for many of our A-list friends, and a bachelor’s paradise for those single and free to mingle, Marbella has it all: glamour, wealth and power. Allow us to take you on a whirlwind tour of this seaside town and fashonista hotspot.

1. Puerto Banús

  A trip to Marbella wouldn’t be a trip to Marbella without visiting this legendary port. Dubbed the ‘Port of Abuse’ by many of its heavy-drinking insiders, Puerto Banús is named after its designer (and legendary playboy) Jose Banús, who can be credited for single-handedly putting Marbella on the map. Row after row of designer shops, hip restaurants and trendy bars, the port is where the town’s super-rich moor up their megayachts and pose for their adoring public on the decks. Aside from the boats, the one-way road is like a supercar showroom, too, with every high-end marque you can think of polished to perfection and parked up outside hip and happening places. Whether you visit the port to inflict some damage on your credit card, to dine on fresh seafood or to dance like it’s 1969, you’re sure to have yourself a very good time. Highly recommended is an Indonesian dinner and rum cocktails at the nearby Trader Vic’s, followed by drinks at the world-famous Sinatra’s bar, which is like a who’s-who of the movie industry on a Friday and Saturday night. After that, you can move on to the nearby Suite nightclub, hidden underneath the very posh Puente Romano Hotel.

2. Nikki Beach

  Elsewhere in the world a day at the beach is all about dressing down and chilling out, but not in Marbella. During the hot summer weekends the cool crowd gather at Nikki Beach Marbella, a branch of the hippest beach resort chain around (with other locations in plush places such as Cabo, Coconut Grove, Hollywood, Marrakech, Miami, New York, Portimão, Puerto Vallarta, Reno, Sardinia, St. Baths, St. Tropez and Vilamoura).Furnished with white sunloungers, oversized parsols and wooden decking, and staffed with models seemingly ripped straight out of the pages of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue, Nikki Beach is definitely where the party’s at. All through the day and all through the night, DJs spin funky tunes and expert mixologists concoct the best mojitos in town – not without charging for them, mind you - while fashion shows and product launches are hosted throughout the long, languid summer season. While you’re here, stay at the adjoining Don Carlos Hotel for a truly five-star Marbella experience and make use of its luxurious spa.

3. The Marbella Arches

  As important as the Hollywood sign is to LA, the Marbella Arches signify the beginning and end of Marbella town. Curving gracefully over the road, each arch is made from white stone and has the town’s famous name carved boldly across the top. If you don’t manage to snap one with your camera, don’t worry; practically every postcard sold in Marbella has one on the front.

4. Marbella Club

  If you have only one meal during your time in Marbella, make it at the prestigious Marbella Club. The venue of choice for David and Victoria Beckham when they’re in town, the club’s lobby is brimming with socialities and well-known personalities vying for the attention of anyone who’ll look. But it’s not the people-watching opportunities alone you should come for; the club’s beach-side Sunday buffet serves up enough fresh lobster, king prawns and other seafood delights to keep you going until the following week, while the elegant MC Café is the perfect place to pout and pose for dinner behind its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. If you’ve got enough cash – and you’ll have to, if you want to fit in - fork out and stay in one of the Club’s bungalows for a truly unforgettable experience. Who knows, you may just bump into Posh and Becks milling about the grounds.

5. Old Town

  The Old Town may not be as flashy and glitzy as everywhere else, but it’s the undisputed heart and soul of Marbella. Winding cobbled streets snake between narrow buildings towards Orange Square where couples sit on park benches and watch the world go by, while excitable Japanese tourists snap away at anything that moves with their high-tech cameras. Once here, take in the famed St. Mary church in the square before settling down in one of the nearby ‘tapas’ bars and enjoying a beer with the boisterous locals. Arguably the best place in Marbella to see in the New Year, the Old Town is full of character, life and history. Silicone-filled blondes and steroid-pumped hunks not allowed.

6. The Copper Tower

  Situated in the middle of the street in Marbella town, The Copper Tower gleams in the sun like a beacon of light and marks the beginning of ‘The Golden Mile’ (a prestigious mile-long stretch of Marbella that is reserved only for those who can afford its snooty address). In fact, many people call it ‘the lighthouse’ because it’s just so luminous. While the residents who see it day in and day out don’t really appreciate it – in fact, most of them use it as a marker for directions – outsiders can still marvel at its shiny beauty.

7. Olivia Valere

  The most famous nightclub in Marbella, Olivia Valere is stylish, sophisticated and simply the best when it comes to good drinks, good music and good company. Opened by Marbella’s very own queen of the night, Olivia Valere, in 1997, the club has remained a firm favourite with the jet-set crowd and has room for over 1,000 refined revellers. The trailer park trash is kept out with a 10-metre wall that surrounds the premises, while the likes of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey are just a few of the famous names to have graced the guest list. You can forget two-for-one shots and embarrassing gyrations across the dance floor, too; here, it’s all about class. Decorated in a distinctly Arabic style, the club is mostly built al fresco, with manicured gardens, trickling fountains and palace-style terraces adding to the 1,001 Arabian Nights-style ambience. In addition to a disco, there’s a restaurant, private club and dazzling crystal bar – perfect for propping up when you’ve had one too many glasses of champagne.

8. La Concha

  Crowning Marbella is the looming shape of La Concha, part of a mountain range that extends across the Spanish coast. Meaning ‘shell’ in English, the crustacean-shaped rock is great for an energetic day’s climb or hike. Once at the top, you’ll take in breathtaking views from Malaga to Gibraltar, so be sure to pack that camera.

9. Sierra Nevada

  You can’t come all the way to Marbella without taking a road trip up to Sierra Nevada for a spot of skiing or snowboarding. Usually covered with snow from November to April, the mountain range is hugely popular with those who don’t have the time or money to jet to Aspen or Courchevel at the drop of a hat. With guaranteed sunshine and some of the best conditions and highest peaks in Europe, it’s not hard to see why it’s busy from the beginning of the season right to the end. It’s got a great nightlife, too, with after-ski drinks taken in cosy wooden lodges.

10. Marbella Palace

  The former home of Saudi King Fahd, the Marbella Palace sits atop a hill high above Marbella. Built as a replica of the White House in Washington DC, the palace is made completely from white marble and gold, and contains two mosques, a hospital and several expansive villas. The king is long gone now, but this ostentatious marvel still remains for all to see and envy.

About the author:

  Nick studied at Sussex University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies. When he’s not writing – which isn’t often – he enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, downloading music, eating out and travelling as much as he possibly can; Marbella, Miami, London and Phuket are his favourite places in the world.

  Nick has worked on a number of newspapers, magazines and websites – including Caché, Colures and AskMen.com - and specialises in popular culture, luxury and travel. He particularly enjoys writing about all that is beautiful in the world, including luxury hotels, trendy restaurants andthe latest gadgetry for the home. If it’s hip and gorgeous, Nick will have something to say about it.

  He is currently working on his first children’s book, which hasgenerated interest from a number of London-based publishers, and runs his own online magazine at www.gunpowder-magazine.com.