It won’t be news to anyone if we say that Marbella, the unofficial capital of the Costa del Sol, has been one of the top international tourist destinations for decades now. As Spanish rumba group, Los Chichos asked in the 1970s, “¿Qué tendrá Marbella?” – What is it about Marbella?
One of the things that makes Marbella such a uniquely privileged destination in southern Europe is its microclimate. There’s a tendency to dismiss this idea as if it were an illusion or a folk take without any basis in science. But any meteorologist will tell you that the city’s precise location is the reason for its milder winter temperatures and cooler summers, with at least a degree and a half of difference compared to neighbouring towns.
The explanation is the way the northern side of the city is sheltered by the mountain range known as the Sierra Blanca, part of the Penibaetic System, neighbouring the imposing (and sometimes snow-capped) Sierra de las Nieves, and is crowned by the iconic outline of La Concha, a seashell-shaped peak that soars to 1215m in altitude. The result is an average annual temperature of 18 ºC, 2900 hours of sun a year and annual rainfall of around 628 l/m².
Another of the city’s strong points is its fantastic public amenities, especially its hotel infrastructure, as well as its marinas and other leisure facilities. Marbella boasts over 200 hotels within the city itself and is only 40 minutes from Malaga International Airport. Inside the municipal limits, there are also 17 golf courses open all year round, rising to a total of 40 in a radius of 60km. The city has 27km of coastline and 24 beaches with easy access, plentiful services and excellent sand and water quality.
Yet another of the city’s attractions is its character: open, sophisticated and cosmopolitan. According to municipal statistics, today Marbella’s population includes over 130 different nationalities. In spite of this, it still has all the qualities of a typical Andalusian town, with almost all its essential charm preserved intact. To see for yourself, just stroll through the streets of the old town centre and visit the Plaza de los Naranjos, the Casa del Corregidor and Santo Cristo church.
It is this essential atmosphere that is perfectly captured at BlueBay Banus****, a magnificent hotel designed to recreate the main streets of Marbella’s historic centre – including the chapel. A hotel complex located only minutes from the legendary luxury of Puerto Banus, as well as the city’s busiest night spots, its trendy bars, top restaurants and most exclusive boutiques. The ideal base from which to enjoy Marbella, a five-star destination that never goes out of fashion.
