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Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Ojén

On first impression, Ojén would appear to most people to be just one more charming, but otherwise unremarkable, village in the Costa del Sol hinterland. On further investigation, however, the reality is much more impressive. Recently the town joined some heavyweight company in the international limelight, gaining a prestigious place in the latest list of “50 best places to live in the world” published by The Times newspaper in the UK and prepared by travel specialists. Only three other Spanish cities were included in the list – Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Zahara de los Atunes (on the Atlantic coast between Tarifa and Cádiz city) – and Ojén finished higher (35th) than such iconic cities as Rome, Paris and Stockholm. Factors taken into account included quality of life statistics, infrastructure, gastronomy, climate, the environment and surroundings, and how easy British residents can integrate into the community. Welcoming the news, Ojén mayor José Antonio Gómez said he hoped the international repercussions would translate into even greater recognition for Ojén as a first-class tourist and second residence area, highlighting its appeal as an authentic Andalucian experience and the perfect complement to the traditional sun and beach tourism offered by nearby Marbella. With a comfortably assimilated 3,000 inhabitants, Ojén straddles the more populous parts of the Coast as well as the Sierra de las Nieves mountain range – a future Andalucía-designated nature park – with superb views over the Mediterranean. Its location is ideal for those seeking adventure and nature-based activities (a “Trail Centre” is due to be opened in June), classic village charm (narrow streets, whitewashed walls, decorative flower pots), and the convenience of being just a short drive from the Coast’s main services and amenities. Writing in The Times, Helen Davies (editor of the newspaper’s “Home” supplement) noted, “We live in a globalised world with a burgeoning digital economy so the choice of where to live – be it permanently, at the weekend or for months at a time – is decreasing as fast as Brits ditch their inhibitions in the sunshine.” One international personality who is already fully aware of Ojén’s charms and attractions as a prime residential destination is Madrid-born and now mostly Florida-based Julio Iglesias. The Spanish crooner purchased a 45 hectare-property in the municipality (part of which – once owned by bullfighter Curro Romero – extends into Marbella) in the 1970s and named it “Cuatro Lunas” (after his 2000 album “Noche de Cuatro Lunas”). The sprawling forest-surrounded property is located high above the coast in the La Mairena (Elviria) and La Mina areas. Closer to the coast is the property featured here. Extending over 600 square metres of built area on a 2,506 square metre plot, the seven-bedroom, south-orientated villa is located on a hill above Marbella on the way to Ojén. It offers magnificent views to the coast from every level, with the nearest beach just 10 minutes away by car, and the closest shops and restaurants five minutes. The master en suite bedroom, with its beamed vaulted ceiling, takes over the top floor, while the living area is also stunningly spacious. Special Selections We appreciate your taking the time to read about this breathtaking property, but perhaps it’s not exactly right for you? If not, we invite you to have a look at our other special selections for: La Zagaleta, Luxury Villas, Golf Properties, Seafront Properties, Apartments and Special Offers. Click on the category of your choice and follow the link. Also please feel free to roam around our website: www.villamarbellanow.com. [caption id="attachment_3063" align="alignright" width="150"] Sky Line Design: photo by Alessandro Russotti[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3061" align="alignright" width="150"] Euroluce Lladro: photo by Carola Merello[/caption] More positive news for the property industry came from the recently concluded Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, where the organisers reported a renewed sense of optimism among exhibitors and industry visitors. As president Roberto Snaidero concluded, “The Salone constitutes the first signal of the forecast recovery”, an observation repeated by Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, who also saw the exhibition as underscoring the industry’s recovery after difficult financial times in recent years.