Marbella in the past couple of years has undergone a remarkable resurgence and is once again regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in Europe, being crowned as the jewel of the Mediterranean and labelled ‘the playground to Europe’s rich and famous’.

Discovered by the international jet set back in the late fifties. The Marbella Club was built in 1954 by Alfonso de Hohenlohe as a private residence, where he invited royalty, influential business associates and his social peers from Europe and The United States. In the late 1970´s he redeveloped the property to become the Marbella Club as we know it today. In reality, due to its glamourous appeal, Marbella with the fabulous climate, guarantees both visitors and residents the relaxing environment for which The Costa del Sol is renowned for over five decades.

Marbella boasts 320 days of sunshine each year together with its unique micro-climate and numerous sun-drenched beaches. Subsequently there are an abundance of Five Star hotels to accommodate the multitude of visitors; the two principal ones being the opulent Marbella Club and her sister hotel, The Puente Romano which indeed continues to draw footfall from affluent individuals, celebrities and royalty throughout the year. Indeed the Marbella Club even in its early days attracted a star-studded guest list including Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot.

They are situated within a minutes’ walk to the tree-lined paseos, snaking along the Mediterranean coast. Whilst doing this you will experience the smell of sardines cooking on open fires at one of their many beach side chiringuitos, the chinking of glasses, the sun, sea, surf, and sangria, all adding to the relaxing ‘Manana attitude´.

Then of course there are the plethora of beach clubs which are dotted along the coastline from San Pedro to Elviria. The crème de la crème include El Ancla renowned for serving the best flame grilled sardines and boasts the largest sea water pool on the Costa del Sol. Nearby is Bora Bora, Plaza Beach and The Ocean Club where those with substantial budgets can spend a glorious day in their VIP Square which costs an eye-watering 675 Euros and comes with a 3 Litre bottle of Champagne. The Marbella Beach Club which irrefutably lays out the best seafood buffet and for those who wish to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine with a quick stroll across the paseo, the Club also has its own chiringuito. Further up the coast just down from the Don Carlos Hotel is the world famous Nikki Beach famed for its White Opening and Red Closing Parties.

Marbella has over the last fifty years and continues to this day to be the favoured celebrity hotspot for holidaying here. Celebrities who have been spotted here include Hugh Grant, Mel Gibson, Lady Gaga, Jeremy Clarkson, Meghen McKenna of TOWIE Fame, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Michelle Obama, Shirley Bassey, Eva Longoria, Spanish actor and artist Jordi Molla and Simon Cowell, who I was fortunate to be granted an interview with, Hollywood heart throb Andy Garcia and Prince Harry. Also not forgetting long-time resident and stalwart ambassador for Marbella; Antonio Banderas. These are among the many other ‘A list’ stars who regard this golden coast as a home-from-home during the spring and summer season.

Marbella has also become an integral destination for famous music artists to perform especially during what has now become the world famous Starlite Festival together with one night show-stopping performances at the aforementioned Puente Romano Hotel. This year’s line-up includes Julio Iglesias who has a palatial mansion here, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, The Pretenders and Anastacia to name but a few. The Puente Romano is hosting George Benson and Michael Bolton. Plus, Marbella’s nightclubs have an array of top talent too including Paris Hilton and Jason Derulo at Mirage and Craig David at La Sala’s Aqwa Mist. Certainly no shortage of entertainment for those lovers of watching their music idols live on stage.

Regarding Real Estate here for the last eighteen months Marbella has seen an increase in property prices across the board. In August 2014, Hello Magazine stated that ‘Marbella has been voted the top destination for celebrities and the jet set and is now being labelled as Spain’s Beverly Hills. In addition, J.S. Marcus of The Wall Street Journal, recently wrote that ‘The ritzy, sun-soaked Spanish coastal city of Marbella is beginning to resemble Southern California more than Southern Spain.’

Subsequently the boom in the luxury property market in Marbella now mirrors the glamour and recent reformation it exudes with a large influx of celebrities actively looking for property to buy on the Costa del Sol and will see a further increase in high earning buyers gracing the Spanish shores to do the same especially as the Marbella Property market is rebounding from its depressed state of recent years, much to the relief of Marbella Real Estate agents and the overall economy of the Costa del Sol.

So, a solid platform for the inevitable return to boom times in the Marbella property market is almost complete. With property prices still below 2006 levels a substantial increase in residential property prices across the board is expected in the coming years. Although the recovery is already in full swing and some new developments are selling off-plan, there is still an abundance of attractive, competitively priced properties for sale in all price brackets. Bargains can still be found. For those interested in investment, the prospect of capital appreciation is supplemented by a strong rental market offering high returns on investment. Since Brexit and the fact that with the pound against the sterling being almost at parity now is irrefutably the time to invest. How very refreshing for the discerning buyer.

Such is its appeal now the exclusive residential areas such as Marbella’s La Zagaleta and El Madronal are now the preferred areas where Sting, Vladimir Putin and Rod Stewart stay whilst visiting Marbella. Antonio Banderas, Simon Cowell and Prince have all brought villas here too.

For those who have substantial income have in recent years heavily invested in properties along The Golden Mile, Sierra Blanca and Sotogrande with price tags to match. However multi-millionaire Sir Michael Smurfit, KBE has decided to depart these shores and placed his vast Marbella villa on the market for a staggering 80 million Euros. However with the majority of buyers here they are safe in the knowledge that their investment will grow in stature with the continuing appeal with not only the elegance of this glorious jewel in the heart of the Costa del Sol, alongside the glitz and the glamour, Marbella is now akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes spreading its wings emanating the fact that Marbella is now once again irrefutably regarded as the principal European destinations for visitors, investors and retirees along the Mediterranean coast.

Needless to say showing off their material status for many living or visiting here is vital. Their entrance or arrival is all important and nothing shows the personality of a person, whether famous, rich or understated, than the car or mode of transport in which they arrive. This competitive spirit is ever-present in both locations and needless to say, whilst either walking alongside the marina in Puerto Banus or along The Golden Mile or Riccardo Soriano the latest top of the range sports cars are always in public view. Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Porsches and more are never out of sight or sound.

Marbella realising this huge demand has opened its arms wide to greet this arena of hedonistic big boy toys. Therefore, if price is not a concern, it is possible to find any vehicle whether it be on land or sea to buy or rent. Last year C. de Salamanca, located in San Pedro de Alcantara, (near Marbella) was voted the chosen showroom by UK car Company Jaguar, to unveil their latest model – The Jaguar XE.

Like cars, houses and hotels, shopping is extremely important to the wealthy traveler and there is no compromise made in Marbella. Puerto Banus, regarded as the Rodeo Drive of Southern Spain, is hailed as a Mecca for the discerning shopper. The Port over the last few years has undergone a major luxury facelift and now sees over 4 million visitors visiting this exclusive seaside mall of the most well-known global brands. All of the major names are on parade and even the most seasoned of retail therapists, will not be disappointed. Brands include: Gucci, Chanel, Agent Provocateur, Brioni, Bulgari, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Tods, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo and La Perla among many others.

In a nutshell, Marbella is now back on the map of top European tourist destinations. The beaches are clean and well maintained. There is an abundance of restaurants from the ‘posh, must be seen’ to the aforementioned chiringuitos (typical Spanish beach bars) and ventas serving locally caught fish and beautiful tapas. The ‘old town’ is full of alfresco bars and is absolutely charming and Marbella’s night-life is never ending. On the other extreme, all sorts of sport facilities are on your doorstep including over 70 golf courses, the coast has not been nicknamed the ‘Costa Del Golf’ for nothing.