Luxury lifestyle fit for a prime minister
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Ultra-select Marbella home[/caption]
Early risers in the Guadalmina urbanisation often spot a diminutive yet commanding figure jogging through the tree-lined avenues, closely followed by two more hefty companions. Former prime minister José María Aznar has been a regular visitor to the area since leaving power a decade ago, enjoying a morning run with his bodyguards, a regular game of padel at one of the nearby tennis clubs, and lunch or dinner with family and friends at a favourite local hostelry.
Late last year, he and his wife, Madrid mayoress Ana Botella, reportedly paid around €2 million for a new mansion in the urbanisation, on a 2,000 square metre plot close to the beach.
It is not known if they had a chance to meet, or jog together, but Aznar’s most recent visit was around the same time as former British prime minister Tony Bair was on holidays in Marbella with his family. The latter’s visit included a personal introduction to Málaga’s flamboyant Easter parades hosted by locally born Antonio Banderas.
More recently, Aznar’s successor as Partido Popular president, current prime minister Mariano Rajoy, buoyed by positive (or less negative) unemployment figures for April, took to the radio airwaves to declare that the Spanish economy was “improving”, there had been a “change of direction” and “we are reaching the end of the crisis”.
Asked if he could explain why many people had a different perception about the current situation, Rajoy insisted he was a realistic, and noted, “We have to be responsible. You can’t be a ridiculous optimist, but neither should you have a melancholic or killjoy attitude, because that doesn’t correspond to reality these days.”
Politics aside, it is true that there has been some good news for the Spanish economy recently, including increased interest by global corporate investors in Spanish real estate investment trusts, which – by extension – sends a message to potential expatriates that now is also a good time for them to buy a home in prime destinations such as the Costa del Sol.
[caption id="attachment_1239" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Valderrama's renowned fourth hole[/caption]
As for other developments from the good news desk…
• Hispania (whose partners include business magnate George Soros) was reported to have purchased Hotel Guadalmina Spa & Resort (on the sea not far from Aznar’s new home) and to be planning other “high-quality” investments in Marbella.
• On Estepona’s “New Golden Mile”, the Kiluva Group spent €40 million on a major revamp of the former Las Dunas, transforming it into the first Healthouse establishment offering “health and luxury”.
• Moving to the western end of the coast, Spanish media reports have revealed that NH Hoteles’ real estate division, Sotogrande S.A., which controls most of the Sotogrande macro-urbanisation, additional developable land, internationally renowned golf courses and other prime leisure amenities, is up for sale and already attracting top-level interest by global funds.
• Confidence in the property market is also likely to be boosted by government figures showing an increase in gross domestic product as well as other positive indicators including upgraded debt from ratings agencies and ongoing stabilisation of the financial sectors.
• During the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Costa del Sol authorities reported a positive outcome from meetings with Middle East airlines interested in expanding their direct links with Málaga international airport.
[caption id="attachment_1231" align="alignright" width="300"]
Spacious luxury living in Guadalmina[/caption]
If Tony Blair is contemplating more regular visits to the Costa del Sol, and buying a holiday home in one of Marbella’s most discreet and select areas, our featured property this week would make a superb family haven.
Located next to the golf course and close to the beaches of lower Guadalmina, the villa comprises spacious open-plan areas, double-height ceilings and extra-large doors to enhance the sense of space. The landscaped gardens feature stunningly manicured lawns and tropical vegetation, and two thatched “chiringuitos” or chill-out areas. There is also extensive off-road parking and a guest apartment – ideal for bodyguards.
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here to see more.
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Ultra-select Marbella home[/caption]
Early risers in the Guadalmina urbanisation often spot a diminutive yet commanding figure jogging through the tree-lined avenues, closely followed by two more hefty companions. Former prime minister José María Aznar has been a regular visitor to the area since leaving power a decade ago, enjoying a morning run with his bodyguards, a regular game of padel at one of the nearby tennis clubs, and lunch or dinner with family and friends at a favourite local hostelry.
Late last year, he and his wife, Madrid mayoress Ana Botella, reportedly paid around €2 million for a new mansion in the urbanisation, on a 2,000 square metre plot close to the beach.
It is not known if they had a chance to meet, or jog together, but Aznar’s most recent visit was around the same time as former British prime minister Tony Bair was on holidays in Marbella with his family. The latter’s visit included a personal introduction to Málaga’s flamboyant Easter parades hosted by locally born Antonio Banderas.
More recently, Aznar’s successor as Partido Popular president, current prime minister Mariano Rajoy, buoyed by positive (or less negative) unemployment figures for April, took to the radio airwaves to declare that the Spanish economy was “improving”, there had been a “change of direction” and “we are reaching the end of the crisis”.
Asked if he could explain why many people had a different perception about the current situation, Rajoy insisted he was a realistic, and noted, “We have to be responsible. You can’t be a ridiculous optimist, but neither should you have a melancholic or killjoy attitude, because that doesn’t correspond to reality these days.”
Politics aside, it is true that there has been some good news for the Spanish economy recently, including increased interest by global corporate investors in Spanish real estate investment trusts, which – by extension – sends a message to potential expatriates that now is also a good time for them to buy a home in prime destinations such as the Costa del Sol.
[caption id="attachment_1239" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Valderrama's renowned fourth hole[/caption]
As for other developments from the good news desk…
• Hispania (whose partners include business magnate George Soros) was reported to have purchased Hotel Guadalmina Spa & Resort (on the sea not far from Aznar’s new home) and to be planning other “high-quality” investments in Marbella.
• On Estepona’s “New Golden Mile”, the Kiluva Group spent €40 million on a major revamp of the former Las Dunas, transforming it into the first Healthouse establishment offering “health and luxury”.
• Moving to the western end of the coast, Spanish media reports have revealed that NH Hoteles’ real estate division, Sotogrande S.A., which controls most of the Sotogrande macro-urbanisation, additional developable land, internationally renowned golf courses and other prime leisure amenities, is up for sale and already attracting top-level interest by global funds.
• Confidence in the property market is also likely to be boosted by government figures showing an increase in gross domestic product as well as other positive indicators including upgraded debt from ratings agencies and ongoing stabilisation of the financial sectors.
• During the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Costa del Sol authorities reported a positive outcome from meetings with Middle East airlines interested in expanding their direct links with Málaga international airport.
[caption id="attachment_1231" align="alignright" width="300"]
Spacious luxury living in Guadalmina[/caption]
If Tony Blair is contemplating more regular visits to the Costa del Sol, and buying a holiday home in one of Marbella’s most discreet and select areas, our featured property this week would make a superb family haven.
Located next to the golf course and close to the beaches of lower Guadalmina, the villa comprises spacious open-plan areas, double-height ceilings and extra-large doors to enhance the sense of space. The landscaped gardens feature stunningly manicured lawns and tropical vegetation, and two thatched “chiringuitos” or chill-out areas. There is also extensive off-road parking and a guest apartment – ideal for bodyguards.
Click here to see more.