La Maleta de Constanza: mayo 2011

El edificio del Ayuntamiento de Marbella

It is difficult to explain to your fellow citizens of Seville why you prefer to go to spend a few days at sea to Marbella, rather than go to Cadiz, coolest and better beaches. But nevertheless, as far as there is the good weather, I always escape to Marbella. In fact, this year I'm thinking of spending the month of August there instead of walking around for the world because I'm also looking for business opportunities.

 Here is where the "bisheeeeeeetes" says with his argentinian accent my brother Cesar, fashion and advertising photographer. Actually, this small city in Andalusia, spiritual capital and "Mecca" of the Costa del Sol is impressive in terms of deployment of resources and real estate splendor, and costs to realize that what gave rise to this is a charming white village that was buried under the bricks of Jesus Gil and his followers. 
The money can breathe and printing while moving in a territory of a High Level, and it moves a lot of wealth. Anyway, I also wonder how a place with such mediocre beaches has become a Chic tourist mecca , a mecca for Arab money, and a prestigious holiday destination. 

And often while I am by the Autoway 340 up and down, I wonder what is the real attraction. But that is where I find the answer. The first is that the Costa del Sol is in a great location, between sea and hills, the scenery is always beautiful, even after the abuse of property construction . For those unfamiliar with the area say that this bank is defensible from Mijas Costa in direction Cadiz, Fuengirola Malaga because the habitat has been destroyed by the density that has been built, and in summer the struggle for space sand on the beach, and a parking space, is a titanic struggle.
Another response is to feel that you are in a very cosmopolitan place, almost settled by citizens of northern Europe (7 of 10 home buyers are foreigners), who do you find billboards and magazines and newspapers in many European languages, as well, each tune both spoke English or German.Next to me is very appealing the amount of services available to you in a place inhabited by people from many parts of the world: restaurants, bars, specialty clinics, musical events, and of course the lavish parties that happen in the summer. 
So I set out to find houses or apartments for rent in August, and are surprised with the numbers of medium to high level, since the low, the apartments with one or two bedrooms are rented by the usual prices anywhere beach. I have asked for a study of 30 meters, in a good location, 950 €, the half of August. If you already move to a bedroom, can cost you € 1500 the fifteen days. But after two bedrooms, where rents are fired from the € 5,000 a month. 
Now,  if you pretend a house, you have to have a large disposable income. 

What are the best areas of Marbella?

Obviously there are subjective values ​​that have to do with personal preferences, and other targets, material, measurable, such as the value of land and housing. In the subjective view, for me the first value is the sea, I evaluated a place by the proximity to the beach for a chance to see the water from your window, and ease of walking to take a bath. This closeness can have it in Marbella town, but I do not like, because the beaches are small, most crowded and poorest outlook. So I think no doubt that the best beach areas are ranging from El Rosario to ELVIRIA, the sand is fine and relaviamente wide. However, in this area the houses cost three times less than in Puerto Banus, and floors, two times less. So everything, I never would rent anything in the Port of luxury yacht, simply because access to the sea is poor, and its beach is not really the best you can find on the Costa del Sol, however, the evening becomes night in a heavenly place to go for a drink, eat, or just go watch the multitude of people. (I will dedicate another post over the summer) 

Una casa privada frente a la Playa de Los Monteros

Where to stay in Marbella? 
The same criteria that I quoted in choosing housing can be considered when finding accommodation, although in this case is to discern if you come by car or not. For me one of the major drawbacks of the Costa del Sol, is that without a car you're nobody, it is necessary for all, as this area is built along the national highway 340 which is going very near the sea,sometimes even board and Mijas. Then, depending on where you are, to go buy a newspaper or a cup of coffee, you can not get around on foot or by bike, because sooner or later have to bump into the road, and even make up to 1km in the opposite direction you are going to find the change of direction. 

The hotels, to define their levels are governed by the standards of location in addition to the benefits and services. Some people prefer the center, then have the Fuerte Hotel, Don Pepe, NH, H10. But for those who prefer the quiet and the beach, we go to the "periphery" and I must say that in this case on the west coast, there are some fantastic hotels with very good value for money.Search engine can find real bargains at this time of year, unless we want to be in the center or on the west coast. The option I chose, the HOTEL MARBELLA PLAYA SENATOR chain, deserves another post.

Una casa privada frente a la Playa de Los Monteros