In spite of its population of over 100,000 and a reputation unmatched in Spain as a luxury holiday destination, Marbella had not had a revision to its town planning ordinance in 24 years. With the new PGOU, it became the first town on the Costa del Sol whose planning ordinance fully complied with the regional government’s Urban Planning Law (Ley de Ordenación Urbanística de Andalucía–LOUA) dating back to 2002.

It was no easy task to approve the highly complex document, which will remain in force for the next eight years and regularizes the situation of no less than 16,500 of the 30,000 homes that were built illegally in the municipality over the last three decades. The new ordinance required approval by the Comisión de Ordenación del Territorio y Urbanismo de Andalucía, a body created to harmonize and supervise urban and rural development planning throughout the region. In addition, lawmakers had to address thousands of public enquiries made as the plan was being developed.

Both the rectification of past wrongs and the avoidance of similar problems in the future are vastly difficult tasks subject to the conflicting interpretations of thousands of lawmakers, politicians, home owners, and their lawyers. Courts have been instructed by the Andalusian government to continue the labor of “urban definition” concerning those homes and plots whose situations remain unresolved by “rationally mitigating the interests of real estate developers so that those of a social or any other nature considered in the legal sentences prevail.”

Between 1999 and 2007, a series of mayors were fired in quick succession and eventually jailed for, among other sins, enriching themselves by offering protected land to developers at below-market prices in return for bribes. After the national government took the unprecedented step of dissolving the municipal government and installing a temporary ruling commission, Angela Muñoz of the conservative Partido Popular was elected mayor in the 2007 nationwide municipal elections with the promise of returning Marbella to good governance and the rule of law. With over 100 people jailed in Caso Malaya, €400 million owed to regional and national tax authorities, a million euros in interest accruing each month, and vast shortcomings in public infrastructures, this was no easy task.

Someone eventually had to take up the challenge. The new PGOU is the main achievement of the Muñoz government. It does not only deal with the problem of illegal constructions. In compliance to the aforementioned Andalusian Urban Planning Law (LOUA) as well as the Andalusian Territorial Planning Ordinance (POTA), it specifically calls for the development of public housing, new tourism infrastructures, a network of public parks, and new public transport facilities including bus and rail. Over 26,000 new homes are planned for, of which almost one third are to be public housing. Some 3.7 million square meters are earmarked for public parks.

Naturally the economic crisis has hit Marbella, some say harder than elsewhere, and a good number of projects have been put on the backburner or simply interrupted due to financial, bureaucratic, and other shortcomings. These ill-fated projects include a new library, a polyvalent cultural activity centre, an agricultural museum, and the long-awaited geriatric center. Projects that were only partially completed, to the great disappointment of many, include underground parking infrastructures and the new network of daycare centers. The crisis has meant that both the regional and national government have cut off funding for public works and the improvement of tourism infrastructures (on which many of the aforementioned projects were fully or partially based). Finally, disagreements with the Seville and Madrid governments, both socialist, have stalled negotiations on the building of new schools and health centers.

But the news isn’t all bad. In addition to the approval of the PGOU itself, the new administration has presided over the successful completion of many significant public works. Among these are some 100 new public housing homes, the creation of a new neighborhood police unit, a new music and dance academy, refurbishment of Hospital San Juan de Dios, and a neighborhood refurbishment plan with dozens of projects completed involving lighting, hygiene, and decoration.  Also among the success stories are 22 new parks and children’s playgrounds as well as the new stretches of the seaside promenade and the new terraces at the pleasure harbor. The latter opened over 7,000 square meters of previously unused land to the public and now constitutes a new tourist attraction in and of itself.

On balance, then, things could be a lot worse for Marbella, and tourists seem to think so too, as indicated by the progressive recovery of this sector over the past couple of years. For its part, the local property market is showing a clear recovery in 2011, particularly as a result of the upper-price range purchases of foreign investors. Buyers seem to have regained a degree of confidence and finally be willing to take advantage of the generalized 30% markdown in prices that took place after the end of the property boom. If developers and politicians learn to stick to the rules–and the new PGOU is already helping in this regard–this could well be the dawning of a new era of brilliance for the pearl on the Costa del Sol that Marbella has always been.

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Boats were always a key part of Marbella life: the fishing port has been an important economic and social centre for the area since its creation in the 19^th century, long before the town’s transformation into a one of Spain’s most important luxury tourism destination.

Just a couple of kilometres west, the smaller pleasure-only harbour was developed following the founding of the Maritime Club of Marbella in the fifties. The modern facility dates back to the eighties. It is 47,000 square meters and has room for up to 377 vessels from 6 to 20 metres in length. A crane, dry docks, fuel dispensing, electricity, towing, and drinking water are all available.

Of course amenities are not just for boat owners. The Maritime Club is here, and a sailing school and other aquatic activities including scuba diving are available. There are also bars with long and late opening hours and the several restaurants onsite include Caribbean, Indian, Spanish, and Catalan food. You can even get a traditional Thai massage for your feet or back.

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Are you ready to take advantage of the exceptional offers on the market today and invest in a time-tested Costa del Sol neighbourhood presenting clear advantages in terms of convenience and luxury? One place that could meet your needs is Urbanización Bahía de Marbella, situated just east of Marbella and west of Los Monteros, between the N340 and the beach, which is walking distance from any of the residences here.

The optimally central location of the “urbanización” is key to its appeal. From here, we are five minutes away from the La Cañada shopping centre, the Marbella town centre, and three important golf courses, Golf Rio Real, Santa Clara Golf, and Marbella Golf. It doesn’t take much longer to reach Hospital Costa del Sol, Puerto Banús, Estepona, and Manilva. For their part, the Malaga Airport and–in the other direction–Sotogrande or Gibraltar are only about half an hour’s drive away. Other nearby amenities include the English International School and the Cabopino marina.

Apart from sea, golf, and luxury living pleasures, there are many natural marvels in the interior of the region, including Ojen and the Sierra Blanca, the Sierra Bermeja above Estepona, roman baths at La Hedionda in Manilva, the natural pools of “La Nutria” (The Otter) on the Río del Padrón near Estepona, the white villages of the Serranía de Ronda and Valle del Libar… and the list goes on, with all these attractions being ideal for daytrips with friends or your family.

In terms of properties, the offer is varied: there are apartment complexes such as Gran Bahía de Marbella or Las Arenas, offering security patrols, luxury appliance fitted kitchens, terraces or private gardens, and communal gardens. Detached villas and townhouses are also available in the complex to suit the budgets and tastes of all investors. So if you are looking for a property in costal Andalusia, Bahía de Marbella is an area that should not be overlooked.

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To many, Marbella has been the stuff of dreams in the province of Malaga: a town with clean beaches and all the amenities one can think of, a history of exclusive holidaymaking and residing, golf courses galore, several natural parks nearby, proximity to the region’s historic landmarks, and the list goes on. It is clearly a great place to enjoy sunny Spain.

The Costa del Sol property investor must decide whether to look for a home in Marbella itself or in another nearby town. An option that many consider the best of both worlds is one of the residential neighbourhoods that exist just a 10-minute drive east of the town. This general area features a quieter lifestyle, a number of golf courses, and even quicker access to the Autopista del Sol and important amenities like the Malaga airport or Hospital Costa del Sol.

One of these “East Marbella” neighbourhoods is El Rosario, located in the hills just above the N340 national road. Curvy streets and spacious villas with mature gardens and generous views are what you get here. A number of restaurants, a supermarket, a bakery, and a tennis club are all walking distance from any home in El Rosario, and the beach is just south of the N340.

Access to golf is outstanding as El Rosario is adjacent to Santa Clara Gold and the Marbella Golf Country Club. For their parts, Greenlife Golf, Santa María, and Cabopino golf are three other courses only a couple of kilometres’ drive to the east.

Both luxury villa and plots are available here at a wide range of places. Elvira is without doubt a great place to take advantage of the current market’s relatively low prices and acquire a property with lasting value.

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1. Property in Los Monteros, Marbella East Los Monteros is a luxury residential complex of luxury apartments...

Los Monteros is a luxury residential complex of luxury apartments in east Marbella that is just walking distance from the beach and offers the best in terms of location, communal amenities, and property characteristics.

This gated community with 24-hour security includes a clubhouse with restaurant, a 400-meter squared gymnasium, three tennis courts, and three paddle courts. Views from the majority of the two, three, and four-bedroom apartments as well as from the gardens and swimming pool are of the Marbella Bay and the Sierra Blanca mountain.

The apartments feature state-of-the-art materials, for instance Bosh-furnished kitchens, generous use of wood both inside and outside, and beautifully finished bathrooms. The complex as a whole is designed in the Andalusian pueblo style, fitting in perfectly well with its environment.

Golf lovers shouldn’t feel left out here in Los Monteros, as there are no less than seven golf courses nearby, the closest two being the Marbella Golf Country Club and Santa Clara Golf, situated across the N340 national road.

In short, Los Monteros offers all the advantages one would expect of a new luxury apartment complex in suburban Marbella: luxury living by the beach as well as proximity to Malaga and its airport, the Puerto Banús marina, and all the nearby cultural and natural wonders that Andalusia and Morocco have to offer.

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Cascada de Camojan urbanization is situated in Marbella on the eastern foothills of the mountain known as La Concha. It offers stunning views to Sierra Blanca, the Strait of Gibraltar, and – on those beautiful clear days – to Africa. Apart from its stunning location. It presents the advantage of being a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Puerto Banús and Marbella, as well as just 35 minutes from the airport at Malaga.

The residential community gets its name for its stunning swimming pool with virtual beach and waterfall set in beautiful tropical gardens. Naturally the complex is gated and offers 24-hour security with a guard patrolling at night.

Marbella has a long history of being the holiday town par excellence in Spain, where local residents and visitors can enjoy luxury seaside living and, since the seventies, the new pleasure harbour Puerto Banús. The town is the centre of the Costa del Sol, the coastal region famed for its constantly reliable sunshine, a fact which has made possible the creation and success of over 70 golf courses, some of which have attained world fame.

This is also the right place if you were looking for a bit of travel and adventure in addition to luxury-style living in the sun next to golf and the sea. Part of Marbella’s appeal is attributable to the fact that it is such a short distance away from so many important natural and cultural attractions in the region: the Serranía de Ronda, the Sierra Blanca, the Sierra Nevada, Granada, Cádiz, Seville, Jerez, Cordoba, the city of Malaga and even Morocco are just some of the destinations within a few hours’ drive from here. Whether you are investing in a home or a holiday property for extended stays, Cascada de Camojan is ideal.

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One of the best known and possibly the most exclusive pleasure harbour in the province of Malaga, is Puerto Banús. The harbour and residential area of the same name are a part of Marbella, a town that has been dubbed the Monte Carlo of Spain thanks to its history as an exclusive seaside retreat. Over the years golf has come to equal and perhaps even surpass the sea as an attraction, but the local lifestyle has remained as exclusive as ever.

For both residents and seasonal visitors, Los Granados Apartments in Puerto Banús is a great place to use as a base to enjoy all the activities on offer in the area. First of all, the location could not be improved, with the luxury complex adjacent to the Puerto Banús beach and just a few minutes’ walk from the port. Second, both private and shared facilities are simply outstanding at Los Granados.

Ground floor apartments have a private pool, small garden, and an elevated terrace from which to enjoy views over the Mediterranean. Inside, there are either two or three large bedrooms with an equal number of marbled bathrooms. Kitchens are equipped with the best fittings and there is a separate laundry room. The living and dining room are large and feature a sliding door opening onto the terrace with excellent sea views.

Communal amenities include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tropical gardens, 24-hour security, parking directly next to the apartments, a games room, a gym, and a restaurant. With assets such as these, an apartment at Los Granados clearly represents a great property investment on the Costa del Sol.

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1. Puerto Banus, Marbella One of the best known and possibly the most exclusive...

A relative newcomer in the hall of fame of Costa del Sol golf clubs is the Dave-Thomas designed Marbella Club Golf Resort, in Benahavís, Andalusia, Spain. The 18-hole, 6,247-metre course has a 12 minute minimum between tee times, ensuring that it will not get too crowded. The thatched-roof clubhouse overlooks the 18th green and the lake of the first and has been designed in a classic style to recreate the hunting lodge atmosphere of the Marbella Club.

As for residence onsite, the course is dotted with over 100 plots and existing villas, the latter of which have been constructed by outstanding local architects. The 24-hour security watched community boasts a stately tree-lined cobblestoned main driveway and stunning views from just about anywhere in the lush grounds of the complex.

An equestrian centre was inaugurated in 2001, where owners can keep their horses and have them cared for and where riding lessons are given. Wonderful rides are possible in the nearby hills and woodlands, as are long walking excursions, both featuring stunning views over to Gibraltar and Africa.

Quick access to the beach, Marbella, the N340 coastal road as well as the motorway further enhance the appeal of properties here, and the road connections are perfect for day or longer trips to a host of culturally important nearby destinations including the Serranía de Ronda, Granada, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Morocco, and Cadiz.

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One of the best known and possibly the most exclusive pleasure harbour in the province of Malaga, is Puerto Banús. The harbour and residential area of the same name are a part of Marbella, a town that has been dubbed the Monte Carlo of Spain thanks to its history as an exclusive seaside retreat. Over the years golf has come to equal and perhaps even surpass the sea as an attraction, but the local lifestyle has remained as exclusive as ever.

Puerto Banús is the brainchild of José Banús, an entrepreneur who had acquired some land to breed fighting bulls in the area known today as Nueva Andalusia. In the sixties, he envisioned adding a luxury Marina to Marbella and eventually contracted two architects, Noldi Schreck and Macos Sainz to undertake the project. The harbour facilities and the first homes were inaugurated in May 1970 and a rush of businesses and residents quickly followed to settle here. The marina almost immediately became a natural extension of Marbella, gaining wide international acceptance. For instance, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia moored his giant yacht here alongside those of a host of famous personalities.

Apart from the marina itself, proximity, both immediate and relative, is key when it comes to Puerto Banús as a location for residential living. The town of Marbella, luxury shopping facilities, a dozen renowned golf courses, beaches, restaurants, and nightlife are all right in Puerto Banús or a short drive away. For trips lasting a day or more, a car will get you to some of the most important sites in the region: the Serranía de Ronda (30 minutes or less), Granada (3 hours), Gibraltar (1 hour), Málaga (1 hour), Cadiz (3 hours), Sevilla (3-4 hours), Cordoba (3-4 hours), and of course Morocco (quick ferry crossings from Algeciras, about an hour’s drive away).

Finding a good investment right in Puerto Banús is easy. Los Granados, Oasis de Banús, Laguna de Banús, Malibu, Playa del Duque, Playa Rocío, and La Alcazaba are some of the local residential complexes offering a wide variety of apartments, duplexes, and penthouses in permanently guarded communities with the usual amenities of tropical gardens, swimming pools and much, much more. They are all situated a short walk eastward from the marina, on or very near the beach, with the Marbella Club Hotel and the Puente Romano Hotel Beach Club just a little further east.

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1. Property in Los Granados, Puerto Banus One of the best known and possibly the most exclusive...

It was originally the private residence of its founder Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe – Langenburg who built a private residence in the early 1950´s before adding a further 20 rooms in 1954 and calling it the Marbella Club Hotel. It is mainly due to his drive and enthusiasm that “this small paradise on earth” as he described it became the destination for the rich, royal and famous over the ensuing years.

Obviously since this time the house and grounds have undergone extensive renovation to facilitate modern hotel guests but the hotel still possesses the unique charm and ambiance of an exclusive club, which now features 121 bedrooms suites and 16 typically Andalusian style villas. And what could be better than being located in the heart of the Golden Mile with the beach at your feet and a choice of exclusive restaurants, clubs and shops within easy reach.

For those who fall in love with the ambiance and convenience of the club and with the wallet to afford the best, occasionally one of the discreet and beautiful private villas situated within the grounds of the Marbella Club or the private community of Santa Margarita (the original site of the club) comes up for private sale. The club also features its own golf course in the neighboring area of Benahavis, designed by the award winning player and course designer Dave Thomas. Conveniently, a tennis court and four paddle courts can be found at the sister hotel Puente Romano, another exclusive resort hotel situated on the beach closer to Puerto Banus which also has a selection of restaurants and the nightclub “Suite”. It comes to no surprise that Marbella Club has been awarded with “Travel and Leisure Best Hotels in the World” from 2004 through to 2007.

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