La Zagaleta
February 9th 2015 | by Ginés GarcíaLa Zagaleta, prestigious even by Marbella standards
Follow the road up from the lively little town of San Pedro Alcántara, just a few minutes from the beaches of Puerto Banús and Marbella, and you enter the verdant foothills of the mighty Serranía de Ronda – a mountain range that dominates much of southern Andalucía with its majestic peaks, deep green valleys and cascading streams.
Here, at the foot of the mountain ranges, are some of the most exclusive hill clubs in Europe, including the most prestigious of all: La Zagaleta. Measuring close to 900 hectares of wooded hills in what was once a private hunting estate, this gated country club offers the most secluded luxury residential environment in all of Marbella. Set within its folds are dotted the luxury villas of those who seek to combine privacy and security with magnificent views across greenery and the Mediterranean Sea to the point where the Spanish coastline, Gibraltar, North Africa and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
Set upon large private plots ranging between 3,000 and 10,000 square metres are the luxurious villas for which La Zagaleta has become famous, all within easy reach of the estate’s members-only 18-hole golf course, which meanders beautifully through the hilly terrain amid stunning views. The stylish clubhouse is a popular social hub in the classic country club style that ranks among the most exclusive in Europe – complete with its own heliport.
Added to this is an equestrian centre with purebred Spanish and Arab horses to match its state-of-the-art facilities and beautiful surroundings. Hunting may no longer be practiced on the estate, but horse riders and hikers are encouraged to take in the natural beauty of La Zagaleta’s setting, home to deer, wild boar and diverse birdlife – including eagles hovering on the thermals high above. Other facilities include a members tennis club and concierge services that cater to homeowners and their guests.
Looking back down the coastal plain of Marbella from the elevated position of this domain you have all the peace and privacy you could wish for, yet La Zagaleta is no more than a few minutes removed from shops, cafés and restaurants, with the golf courses, spas and beach clubs of the Costa del Sol, as well as the amenities of San Pedro, Puerto Banús and Marbella within a ten-minute range. For those who can afford it, therefore, La Zagaleta in many ways represents the crème de la crème of the Marbella lifestyle.
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