Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Polo

It’s all been happening in Sotogrande the past month. First it was announced that Zagaleta Limited had purchased Valderrama Group and planned to press ahead with the “Valderrama 2” project in Castellar municipality, including a new championship course and a luxury tourist and hotel resort. Then the European Tour gave us the welcome news that Valderrama would be hosting this year’s prestigious Open de España golf championship in April. The nearby village of Guadiario (like Sotogrande, part of San Roque municipality) will also be in the limelight in March, when the grand finale of The Gecko Tour – Europe’s premier winter circuit for professional and amateur golfers (men and women) – is held at the La Cañada course. Local amateur star Mario Galiano (number one in the European amateur ranking for 2014) has already won twice on this season’s Gecko Tour and will be one of the favourites to make it a hat-trick at his home course.

In the meantime, Santa María Polo Club is preparing for its most internationally momentous season in nearly half a century of existence, starting with the European Polo Tour launched today (Friday) and continuing over the weekend. Top patrons and payers from countries including Portugal, England, Scotland, Ireland and Germany will be taking part in the tournament which – like other major events at the polo grounds – is accompanied by various social activities. On Sunday, for example, the Puente de Hierro bar will be open for spectators wanting to combine watching the action with enjoying a snack or drink. Earlier this year, the club reported that the World Polo Tour had raised the category of its summer Gold Cup tournament to Grand Slam status, one of only three polo tournaments in that category outside Argentina (the US Open and UK Open are the other two). The Cup event attracts the world’s top teams and players, and is part of the 45th International Polo Tournament, to be held at the Santa María Polo Club this year from 27 July to 28 August.

Last year the club received approval from the Junta de Andalucía (regional government) to initiate the first phase of a major sports-tourism project in Sotogrande, including plans for an exclusive development, premium residential plots near the polo fields, a five-star hotel, a spa and health club, a clubhouse, offices, shops and restaurants, a business centre, a fluvial park and 50,000 square metres of green areas. In addition to a proposed expansion of Sotogrande marina during the second phase, the project also envisions the creation of infrastructure for a future macro equestrian and polo resort as well as an “equine district” in the Valle del Guadiaro area. So this is the perfect area (and time) to purchase a property for investment purposes or as a second home – or even to move to Sotogrande permanently. Priced at an excellent €825,000, the beachfront penthouse featured here is located in the heart of Sotogrande’s stunning port area. [caption id="attachment_4213" align="alignright" width="300"]

(Photo by Pablo Ramirez)[/caption] Finally, a reminder that this is a long weekend in the region, with Andalucía Day celebrated on Sunday 28 February – and the holiday moving to Monday. Exceptional Homes We appreciate your taking the time to read about this outstanding property, but perhaps it is 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

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Polo

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