Marbella makes a bid to stregthen its position as a luxury destination at FITUR, Spain’s largest tourism trade fair, currently being held in Madrid. marbellas.com reports…

Marbella’s Mayor has a hectic agenda at this year’s edition of FITUR, the 4 day trade fair running in Madrid until Sunday. Mª Angeles Muñoz has been busy with back-to-back meetings with Russian and Saudi Arabian authorities, as well as members of Spain’s national government.  Among the Mayor’s aims are securing greater funding for Marbella, in tune with the real rather than the registered population of the town, an issue she discussed with the Minister for Industry, Energy and Tourism, José Manuel Soria.  The Mayor also had the chance to greet Prince and Princess of Asturias, Don Felipe and his wife Doña Letizia, special guests at the opening of the Feria Internacional de Turismo 2012.

Forum for International Brands

The Mayor has signed an agreement with representatives of luxury development La Zagaleta, located in Benahavis, close to Marbella, to hold a Forum for International Brands during the Marbella Luxury Weekend, the second edition of which will take place again in Puerto Banús in  the summer 2012. José Luis Hernández, councillor for Tourism stated, that luxury shopping  in Marbella was one attraction that could help the town shrug off seasonality and create a year-round influx of visitors.

The new initiative is a bid for Marbella to be associated with the world of business and foreign investment, and will take advantage of the presence of a number of leading international brands at the events planned for the Luxury Weekend to showcase the city’s attractions. José Luis Hernández, said, “One of our objectives this year is attracting business tourism to Marbella, and we want to showcase our city as a place which offers great possibilities and guarantees to foreign investors.

Marbella has also flagged up its Andalusian cultural heritage and festivals – in particular Semana Santa – as a distinguishing feature which sets the town apart from other Mediterranean destinations.

For more information:

www.fitur.com

Marbella and Malaga are great for shopping, but if you want the full-on retail therapy experience in the run up to Christmas, then head to Madrid and shop ’til you drop. From the pijo paradise of Calle Serrano, to funky Fuencarral, whatever your tastes and budget, Madrid is shopping heaven. Report:  Louise Cook Edwards  Photography: Brands & Gary Edwards

Madrid, if you do not know Spain’s capital, is a city that manages to be cool, friendly, fashionista and classic all that the same time. Famed for its vibrant night-life, late night summer terraces and hedonistic spirit, when it comes to shopping, Madrid certainly doesn’t disappoint. In the age old, bright lights big city tradition, Madrid is a buzzing metropolis filled with breathtaking buildings, magical cityscapes, and iconic attractions which serve as an alluring backdrop to some good old retail therapy.

From the pijo paradise of Calle Serrano, to funky Fuencarral, whatever your tastes and budget, Madrid is shopping heaven. No provincial capital can ever compete with the shopping opportunities afforded by the capital city – and as Spaniards were recently voted the coolest nation in Europe, you can officially call Madrid the capital of cool. Commonly known as the biggest urban shopping area in southern Europe, there are even shopping and gourmet tours you can take to squeeze the maximum retail value out of your flying visit to Madrid.

Sophisticated City Shopping

But for those who like to pound the pavements freestyle, in search of shopping mecca,  Calle Serrano is a great place to start to get you in the madrileño mood.  Forming the hubb of Madrid’s most exclusive neighbourhood, the Barrio Salamanca, this area is home to all the finest designer names, art and antique shops, and the finest brands in the world.  In Serrano you will find international superstars such as  Prada, Ferragamo, Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent, along with Spain’s most celebrated home-grown fashion brands including Loewe, Manolo Blahnik, Carolina Herrera, Carrera & Carrera and Roberto Verino – all huge brands outside the Iberian peninsula. Serrano is also home to one of Zara’s flagship stores – the high street giant started with humble origins in Galicia, and is now in approximately 100 countries worldwide.

C/. Serrano is a wide avenue, buzzing with traffic, and home to the classic Spanish clique, los pijos, here you will see more well-groomed girls and slick hair señores per square metre than anywhere else in Spain.  With a Sloaney English country style, pijos are always immaculate, and shopping for well-cut conservative clothing is high on their list of priorties.

Together with C/ Serrano, neighbouring street, C/. José Ortega & Gasset forms part of Madrid’s Golden Mile. Also brimming with first class brands such as  Chanel, Tiffany & Co, Burberry, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Kenzo, Escada and Hermes, so this privileged neighbourhood is designed for the well-heeled shopper who doesn’t mind paying the premium for the latest in designer fashions. This is also the street to find a flagship Lladró store, if you are passionate about Spain’s most famous brand of decorative porcelain figurines. You’ll find Lladró at C/ Serrano 68.

Peppered with chic cafes and bars, in Calle Serrano you can make a day of it, stopping for lunch and coffee breaks as the mood takes you. There is also a branch of Spanish department store El Corte Inglés, where you will find plenty of designer buys, and a very good perfumeria.

Urban Street Style

New and exciting on the retail scene is the bustling pedestrianized shopping area forming a triangle between the Gran Vía, Corrdera Baja de san Pablo and Calle Fuencarral. Funkier, edgier and aimed at a younger, trendier crowd, this area is brilliant for low-key urban chic, with plenty of jeans stores – such as Diesel, Replay and Levi’s, along with colourful grunge from Desigual, and the latest in trainers from The Puma Store, Adidas and Foot Locker. There are plenty of quirky clothes stores, and great accessories around  -especially in C/ Corredera Baja de San Pablo, with La Tienda de Lolita, Femisa Objetos-Perdidos with some vintage items to be had at Biba Vintage on C/ Velarde, 1.   Also in this neighbourhood  at Fuencarral, 27 is is a fantastic Swedish sweet shop Oomuombu. A  superior chuchería, this candy store lists the ingredients of all sweets, and also serves frozen yogurt.

Close to the funky Fuencarral triangle, you will reach Chueca, also a trendy patch of 21st century Madrid.  Peppered with boutiques, shops, trendy little hotels and restaurants, this area was once a gay stronghold, but has mellowed into a melange of styles and themes. English jewellery designerKaren Hallam has her studio in Plaza Chueca, nearby is trendy T-shirt emporium, El Tintero in C/ Gravina, while Aldaba in C/ Belen 4 is a haven of household gems.

The historical part of the city centre is, as you might expect, populated with many souvenir shops and tourist traps, but it certainly merits a visit.  In the Plaza Mayor itself is an historical sombrería, or hat shop named La Favorita where you can pick up a genuine fedora, o sombrero  de fieltro o cordobés…  The Plaza Mayor is beautiful at Christmas and is peppered with stalls selling Christmas trees, trinkets and traditional figurines for the Belén, or decorative Nativity Scenes that you find in homes  all around Spain.  You will also enjoy the inviting aroma of roasted chestnuts sold all over the city centre throughout the chilly Madrid winter.

Close to the centre is the famous Rastro – the flea market to end all flea markets. This one stretches out across a whole neighbourhood of Madrid south of the Plaza Mayor. Every Sunday – and  also on public holidays.  Here you will also find antique shops  selling among other things,  great art deco finds.

A Classic Hotel for Christmas (or pre Christmas) in Madrid

The fabulous Gran Hotel Conde Duque is an atmospheric hotel in which to spend some time Christmas shopping – during the coming Puente de la Constitución 3-6th December 6th is a public holiday), or to have a memorable Christmas getaway in Madrid.  With double rooms from a reasonable 80 euros a night, this is one luxurious place to stay for service, style and value for money.   The Gran Hotel Conde Duque has a fantastic offer in the pre-Christmas period, particularly for culture vultures.  They are offering a special package which includes a two night stay for two, two buffet breakfasts (one of the best in town!) and two tickets for the Russian Imperial Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker – at the nearby Compac Theatre on the Gran Vía, all for an incredible 130€.

Centrally located close to C/ Princesa  and the Gran Vía, the Gran Hotel Conde Duque is a haven of comfort, style and good service.  You can also opt to use the services of the hotel’s personal shopper – or take one of three tempting tapas routes  – with a guide – through different neighbourhoods of Madrid.

For further details or reservations please see www.hotelcondeduque.es or call Tel: 91447 7000.

For a full report on the hotel, one of marbellas.com’s favourites in the capital, don’t miss our complete review right here Hotel Conde Duque Madrid on marbellas

Gran Hotel Conde Duque – Some Things Never Change… Madrid is one of the most endearing cities in the world, as while other capitals tire, succumb to the high street giants, get trashy, and lose their identity, Madrid rises above the ravages of progress with style managing to retain all of her  glory along with that sassy Mediterranean buzz that makes it such an enduringly popular city with all that visit.

As a consequence, many establishments retain an old-world charm while existing and operating perfectly according to the rules of the modern world.  The Gran Hotel del Duque is one such place.  Languishing in an unobtrusive corner, south-west of the city centre, to step inside this classic hotel, is to enter another world, a world in which time stands still, a world of impeccable manners from impeccably uniformed staff, a world which buffers businessmen and visitors from the frenetic pace of city life outside the beautifully polished revolving doors.

A Haven of Style

The interior is a haven of style and grace.  Classic – but contemporary with rich woods, crimson and teal striped style, oriental rugs and exotic objets d’art gleaned from exciting destinations.  The style is far from the anodine world of business hotels, while not pandering in any way to tourism – it is a perfect travellers hotel – a place which would complement the stay of any discerning guest.

In the lobby is a library stacked with novels, travelogues and interesting tomes.  Aptly named “the forgettery”, it is the ideal place for a little “me time” a necessary addition to anyone’s busy schedule. And a fine place it is to buffer oneself from the world outside, relaxing on a leather sofa, surrounded by antiques, pot plants and the comforting fragrance of order and style. Although at first, seemingly formal, with its meeting rooms,  the Gran Hotel del Duque is also very much on the wavelength of personal well-being and purveys a series of pleasures and experiences for the senses, such as complimentary aromatherapy scents for rooms, access to a variety of massages and acupuncture sessions, along with appealing toiletries in the bathrooms.  The fitness conscious guest will also be given free use of a nearby gym.

It is somehow fitting that the Gran Hotel Conde Duque was founded in the 1950s – as the establishment seems to proudly uphold the values of the era, with overwhelmingly obliging staff, who cannot be faulted on their efficiency, politeness and discretion. The standard rooms are not particularly spacious, but they do have everything you could need, and offer a rarified ambience combining contemporary decor with creature comforts and modern appliances, such as TVs that can be programmed to wake you up in the morning, satellite pay TV,  internet access!

The hotel can provide every service to help guests stay looking sharp and businesslike, such as laundry, dry-cleaning, ironing and shoe cleaning – along with accessories to vanity such as hairdryers, bathroom scales, hydromassage shower and 24 room service. The meeting rooms would certainly help any self-respecting businessman or woman clinch a deal.  A haven of marble, air-conditioning and hi-tech – where  better to escape the highs and lows of the Madrid climate with a working breakfast, presentation or press conference at the Gran Hotel Conde Duque…?

Food for Thought

The Gastronomy at Gran Hotel Conde Duque is a great complement to this fine hotel. The breakfast spread is excellent – and you will find your self in the company of a highly cosmopolitan crowd.  The hotel also has a coffee bar for light meals and drinks, including a complete menu of mineral waters from all 5 continents,  the  tea rooms which offer a civilized experience of tea, cakes and canapes, along with live music on the Paraguayan harp.   The hotel also purveys a variety of fine wines from respected Spanish bodegas from the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions.  You can even pop into the souvenir shop onsite, to take away a quirky memento of your stay.

With double rooms from 81 euros per night, this centrally located hotel represents excellent value for a truly special stay and is a perfect location if contemplating a weekend of Christmas shopping in the capital… Ho ho ho  !!!
Call  Tel: 91 447 70 00 for reservations.

www.hotelcondeduque.es

Juggling Mums will breathe a sigh of relief when they discover the brilliant new 5 Cenas, or 5 Dinners delivery service recently launched on the Costa del Sol. Taking the routine and stress out of the lives of busy working Mums and professionals, 5 Cenas is an inspired – and affordable – solution to putting healthy and tasty food on the table time and time again. No matter how much you enjoy cooking, if you work full-time, simply finding the time to shop, meal plan, prepare, cook and serve meals day-in, day-out is a challenge many Mums and Dads could do without.  Factoring in good nutrition is a step too far for many parents who all to easily cave in to the “pizza or pasta please!” mantra of their adorable offspring.

Good Food without the Supermarket Dash
Nutritionist Christine Zellén had the inspired idea to create 5 Cenas as a way to take the chore out of feeding a family, with all the meal planning, ingredient hunting, shopping and carrying groceries knocked off the to do list…

Whereas private chefs are out of the league of most average households – 5 Cenas take the slog out of daily cooking, without the price tag of having someone in to cook, leaving Mum, Dad and the kids to work their wizardry in the kitchen and put the quality time back into cooking dinner.

“I had the idea just after Christmas when all my friends were asking me for tips on healthy eating! I thought to myself, I’ll come up with some healthy recipes, source the best products and deliver the shopping to people”.

With a background in nutrition, health food restaurants and personal fitness, Christine understands the impact of eating correctly on wellbeing and long-term health. “Obesity is becoming a big issue, and it is so important to educate children early in healthy eating habits.”

Recipe for Success
Healthy food, convenience and an affordable weekly spend, what is there not to love about 5 Cenas or “5 Dinners”? Add to this formula, easy-to-follow recipes and all the necessary ingredients to cook five dinners for two or four people – delivered straight to your door, and 5 Cenas is clearly a recipe for success. After all, no matter how much you like cooking, it is rare to find a family with an endless repertoire of healthy, easy to cook dishes.

The 5 Cenas Experience
Although Christine normally leaves the 5 Cenas delivery to her staff, it was service with a smile as she breezed into our garden carrying a 5 Cenas bag simply bursting with healthy goodies. We couldn’t wait to see what was on the menu, and were impressed to see a sheet detailing every ingredient in the 5 Cenas bag, and five easy-to-follow recipes that made the mouth water: Pumpkin & Carrot Soup with Tomato & Basil Brochette, Mexican Tortillas with Avocado Sauce, Ginger, Honey & Lime Marinated Chicken, Niza Pasta with Tuna, Sundried Tomatoes & Green Beans, Mushroom & Cabbage Risotto with Pork Chops… Recipes are graded Quick, Medium or Difficult – and methods are simple to follow.

You will, of course, need to have a few cooking staples at home, such as oil, honey and vinegar, but 5 Cenas does not stint on portions or quality – Christine goes as far as Málaga to find quality vegetables – and you can taste the difference. She also tries and tests a variety of brands of wholemeal pasta, rice, tinned tuna, etcetera, to find the best possible options for her clients.

Our 9-year old was a little apprehensive when he saw the kitchen piled high with green vegetables – but as Christine explained,” When children resist foods, just keep trying to introduce them – vegetables can be hidden in sauces, or eaten with dips sweetened with honey.”

The recipes were all simple to make – even the ones described as “Difficult”. And we were particularly impressed with the Mushroom & Cabbage Risotto –such a delicious combination –and it tasted nothing like cabbage, by the way!  The Pumpkin & Carrot Soup served with Tomato & Basil Brochette was simply sensational. All 5 Cenas recipes are balanced nutritionally, but they are not “written in stone”. You can change quantities and substitute ingredients – I confess to adding a spoonful of butter to the risotto – but that’s what makes cooking fun!

Variety is the Spice of Life
With 5 Cenas, shopping baskets for 2 or 4 people are available, and if you enjoy the experience you can subscribe to the service and have a delivery of fresh, healthy ingredients brought to your door every two weeks. At 78 euros for 5 x meals for 4 people, or 59€ for 2 people, you would be hard pushed to stay within that budget when shopping yourself, especially if you factor in the petrol, not to mention the time you will be saving…

“5 Dinners” offer their deliveries from Marbella to Fuengirola. New customers are given a 20% discount on their first order. So what are you waiting for, put the inspiration back into feeding your family, and enjoy an extra helping of quality time. What could be more priceless than that?

Reserve your “5 Cenas” delivery on Tel: +34 952 768 331.

Visit the website: www.5cenas.com for further details.

Following his recent concert at the Puente Romano Tennis Club, at which fans were treated to a repertoire of new songs from TJ’s latest album, as well as an ample selection of old classics, will they be dishing out more Praise than Blame?  marbellas.com reports. Photography Gary Edwards

With a plethora of concerts being staged all summer long in Marbella, none was so highly anticipated as the one night only performance by Tom Jones at the Puente Romano Tennis Club.  With fans spanning three generations, there was no shortage of eager Jones fans willing to spend upwards of 90 euros for the privilege of seeing the living legend live on stage.  Playing to a packed Puente Romano, the veteran pop star played a compelling set taking in songs from his new album Praise and Blame, along with a wide range of his more raucous  – and romantic classics.

With a tight backing band comprising two female singers, two guitarists, keyboard and drums, despite now being in his 70th year, Tom Jones does not rely on gimmicks to get him through the night… and the extraordinary voice that has been the fortune of the Welsh born star, is certainly not on the wane.

While it was probably not the new material most fans were eager to listen to, Praise and Blame is a body of work that harks back to Tom Jones’s roots -and as such, is a brilliant showcase for his rich, emotional musicality.

New Works
The new album is something of a retrospective journey, drawing on Jones’s roots with a blend of gospel, blues, traditional and country songs, giving Jones the chance to wear his heart on his sleeve, emotionally raw and  true.  Talking of the new album, Jones has been quoted as saying:

“We wanted to go back to basics, go back to the source, it was just me singing live with a rhythm section – no overdubbing, no gimmicks, no complicated horn and string arrangements, just get the song down in an entire take, capture the meaning of the song, its spirituality, its life, and capture that moment, right there. And I think that’s what we’ve done.”

It is a truly remarkable record, one that captures the Tom Jones who listened to Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on the radio as a child growing up, who thought gospel music was “just like rock’n’roll, every bit as exciting but with deeper lyrics”, the Tom Jones who belted out The Lord’s Prayer as a jubilatory spiritual in school assembly, “because that was the only way I knew how to sing it, it was natural for me.”

Recording with producer Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Paolo Nutini, Laura Marling) at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the little village of Box in Wiltshire, coaxed the most exhilarating performances out of the singer. “Box is where my grandmother used to live, she was a Baptist and she’d have really appreciated what we were doing.  I really felt like it was an early sign, this record was meant to be,” says Tom.

Whether it’s John Lee Hooker’s ‘Burning Hell’, Bob Dylan’s ‘What Good Am I’, Jesse Mae Hemphill’s ‘Lord Help The Poor And Needy’, Susan Werner’s ‘Did Trouble Me’ or Billy Joe Shaver’s ‘If I Give My Soul’, Tom stamps his own authority upon the songs, it’s   as if they were written with  him personally in mind.

As an album, ‘Praise And Blame’ follows the universal journey of a man through the rites of passage, “as he reflects, observes and comments on what is going on around him,” says Tom. It’s not necessarily autobiographical, “but there are bits in there that I definitely relate to and can learn from.”

Classics Reworked
Although Jones did not earn his reputation as a white hot sex symbol for his classic ballads such as Delilah and The Green, Green Grass of Home, they are the kind of tear jerkers that just have to come out  of his particular box of tricks at every single concert.   And while other men at seventy may just be portly and grey,  Tom is given a pop star’s grace – and in his case, the years have simply made him as mature and alluring as a silver fox, with a gaze so intense it could bore holes through unsuspecting members of the audience.

As the night continued in Marbella,  it was clear that Jones had enough musical ammunition to blast his fans into a frenzy with the old classics such as Kiss and Sex Bomb… at which point the fans fought back with assorted underwear being launched at the stage…

Queen Tribute band blows Marbella Freddie Mercury fans away with a Beachside Rhapsody replete with the  Queen classics  they longed to hear live once again.  Another fantastic concert on the Costa del Sol in a season of musical excess, says marbellas.com. Photography – Gary Edwards.

You can never be sure if a Tribute band is going to deliver you a faithful enough experience of your favourite pop legends to risk seeing them… But luckily for Marbella, Freddie Mercury look-alike and sound-alike Gary Mullen didn’t disappoint with his two hour performance on Playa del Pinillo, the novel summer venue at the entrance to Marbella.

Singing everything from Barcelona to Fat Bottomed Girls to We are the Champions, Mullen hardly paused for breath as he belted out track after track to an audience who just couldn’t get enough. The balmy night was perfect for the open air concert which took place exactly 25 years after Queen and Freddie Mercury played their last-ever European concert to 25,000 people in Marbella’s football stadium.

More than a few people in the Mullen audience remembered that night a quarter of a century ago and were taken right back with the genius of the Killer Queen tribute band, and the spirit of the great entertainer himself, Queen front man, Freddie Mercury must surely have been drawn back to Marbella by the extraordinary coincidence of time and place, along with the not inconsiderable talent of Mullen whose performances have even been endorsed by Queen band members as the only tribute act they would recommend.

It’s A Kind of Magic

Queen have an enormous following in Spain, and the fans who gathered on this magical night at Playa del Pinillo spanned a wide range of ages and nationalities – all with one thing in common, a love of the pure theatricality of Queen, perhaps the best exponents ever of rock opera.  Although Mullen’s looks are not identical to the outlandish Zanzibar-born Queen front man, his stance and stage presence were eerily reminiscent of the mercurial Mr. Mercury, and his voice and delivery are about as close as you could  get without resorting to cloning the original glam rock star who sadly died of AIDS in November 1991. Following Freddie’s death John Deacon retired from Queen in ’97 but John Taylor and Brian May played on several occasions with Paul Rogers as “Queen and Paul Rogers” but this collaboration finished in 2009. The band had 18 number albums and 18 number singles and sold over 300 million records worldwide.

If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then Mullen and his band must be pure devotees of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s talents – although, perhaps they could do a little better in terms of costumes and sheer camp glamour – something Mercury had down to a fine art.

Made In Heaven

The concert audience was well and truly warmed up by previous X Factor finalist, Ruth Lorenzo, who is increasingly coming into her own a  force to be reckoned with now that she is performing her own material  and not so many cover versions.The Spanish star is always happy to be back on Spanish soil and connecting with a Spanish and expat audience.

By the time Mullen and co were up on stage, the people in the Marbella audience was ready to jump up and out of  their chairs and rock with the band – and the copycat Queen soon had the three-thousand strong crowd enthralled, just as the original band had 25 years before. Long live glam rock, long live Queen, Gary Mullen and a unique sound that truly was Made in Heaven.

Looking for a memorable place to get away from it all? As Louise Cook Edwards reveals, the Hotel Bobadilla – just an hour from Marbella is an absolute gem of traditional Andalusian style, creative cuisine and totally unbridled nature. Photos: Gary Edwards/Hotel Bobadilla

The Hotel Bobadilla  is without doubt one of the finest hotels in Spain. Tatler magazine went so far as to class it as one of the top 101 hotels in the world.  Located in a vast, unspoiled stretch of countryside between Malaga and Granada, Bobadilla is one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.  A true Andalusian thoroughbred,  this hotel is without equal in terms of its stunning location and the quality of services and leisure activities served with style to its privileged guests.

Neither the brochures nor the website, or even the appreciative cooing of previous guests can prepare you for the wonderful feeling you sense on actually driving into the grounds and seeing the 350 hectares of privileged woodland and olive groves in which guests can roam and relax at their leisure.  There are many beautiful five star hotels, but few, if any, that afford this sense of having unlimited space and freedom.

Bobadilla is not new, the hotel has been open since the 80s, and it is that maturity, and well-established feel that make the place so special, along with its stunning elegant rustic design, and the blissfully unspoiled tract of nature which effectively act as the “grounds” of
the hotel.  Yes, there are no less twenty-five kilometres of untapped nature to be explored on foot, mountain bike, horse, quad or for a more adrenaline fuelled ride, safari buggy.

Andalusian Country Life
If you have ever fantasized about owning a finca, or country house, then a stay at the Bobadilla can bring that dream to life. The design is based on a luxurious Moorish settlement, complete with chapel. Once inside a split level superior suite, complete with its own cosy open fireplace, elegant rustic furnishing, and a sun terrace overlooking nothing but the glorious Granada countryside, and a garden strewn with freshly-fallen oranges and autumn leaves, you are in your own private piece of Andalusian country life.  Order room service and enjoy a fino with plump local olives in the late afternoon sun, and you could be transported back to the idyllic visions of Andalusia written by Laurie Lee in As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning….  The suites are so private, so well appointed, and so tastefully designed – to be more like home than a hotel room -  that you could happily spend your entire stay there, making good use of room service and drinking in the pure, unadulterated tranquillity.

But as the list of activities you are given on arrival states, this is “Your Magnificent Residence in Spain” and you will no doubt want to make the most of the privileges on offer, and explore your options.  With everything from mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding and spa pampering among the choice, it is a case of where do you start…

Grand But Grounded
Just walking around the hotel itself is inspiring, with its grand reception, full of horse-shoe arches like the Mezquita de Cordoba, a white baby grand piano, lillies reaching for the sky in tall glass vases, vanilla scented candles and fabulous Moorish arch windows looking onto the hotel’s two fine restaurants. Sinking into a sofa and reading the Sunday papers here is just one rarified experience to be enjoyed at La Bobadilla. Every corner of the building is inspiring, with curious details, windows, patios, eclectic works of art. Just being there gives you an overwhelming sensation of experiencing the quintessential Spain, the real unspoiled Andalusia…

The spa also replicates the Moorish theme, and here you can be pummeled and preened with invigorating water jets, contrast showers and steam rooms – as well as opting for a host of beautifying treatments such as a vanilla milk bath or a caviar facial.  Then simply lie back on a heated lounger with rays of sunlight streaming in, and feel the ultimate in relaxation – another key Bobadilla moment.

The Finest Food
The cuisine at Bobadilla is legendary, particularly La Finca restaurant, which has been awarded the top gastronomic accolade of 5 forks and is considered a reference point for creative Mediterranean cuisine in Spain.   With dishes such as Ravioli with Wild Muschrooms and Black Truffle Sauce, or Lobster Gratin,  the fine reputation is well deserved, and reservations before arrival are highly recommended, otherwise you may be disappointed.  El Cortijo restaurant, shares a kitchen with La Finca, but for the 10% price
difference, La Finca delivers a much higher standard of cuisine.

The breakfast buffet at Bobadilla is superb; delicious hams and cheeses, fruit skewers, freshly cooked eggs and chorizo, a selection of olive oil varieties, a bountiful choice of breads, melt in the mouth pastries, and unusual fresh juices, Nespresso coffees and beautifully prepared teas, all served on the finest porcelain. This has to rate as one of the
best hotel breakfasts in Spain.

Back to Nature
For all its creature comforts and friendly and discreet service, which are of an incredibly high standard, the highlight of the Bobadilla is the unparalleled access to nature once you step outside the door.  It is not every day you can take a mountain bike ride through olive groves,  passing wild rabbits, and hearing the sound of birds chirping at every turn. For a small charge you can canter out on horseback along endless trekking routes, or take a speedier ride around the grounds in a buggy or quad.  Those with a firearms licence can shoot clay pigeons, or hunt for small game, all within walking distance of the hotel.

Closer to the hotel itself, you can try a round of archery, book a tennis court, play table tennis, or settle down by the magnificent pool – which is designed to blend seamlessly with the environment. Children – who are absolutely welcome at Bobadilla – have their own pool and play area, and not far from the pool, there is an enclave for a delightful family of deer.  Could you possibly ask more of a hotel?

The rarified ambience of Hotel Bobadilla comes at a price naturally, (in winter from 199€/night & breakfast- roughly a euro per hectar of space) but with special offers in low season, this is one luxury worth investing in.
After all, you simply can’t put a price on good memories – and at Bobadilla those are assured.

A Barceló Premium Hotel, La Bobadilla, Loja , Granada. Tel: 958 321 861

www.barcelolabobadilla.com

Hot on the heels of Joaquin Cortes, George Benson, Rafael Amargo, Mica Paris and Soul2Soul we can look forward to a host of class acts including, Jamie Cullum, Earth, Wind & Fire, a rousing tribute to Queen, The Millionaire’s Summer Party, Jamiroquai and Kid Creole… Summer 2011 is all set to become entertainment paradise in Marbella… reports marbellas.com

Marbella may have become too small for the super groups who will only play to crowds of 50,000 plus, but this summer is proving that Marbella society still has a thirst for quality entertainment, and in the next few weeks the culture hungry crowd will be royally entertained by some of the finest names in the business.

Tom Jones – Live in Concert

18th August – Living legend, Tom Jones  will be making a star appearance on 18th August at the Tennis Club Puente Romano -
his first concert in the area in a decade.  As  the years pass by, Jones loses none of his charisma and sex-appeal, and his
performance is all set to crank up the temperature on an already sizzling Marbella summer.

The music of Tom Jones traverses musical eras and genres, appeals to the young and old, mainstream and cutting edge. The
Godfather of modern soul and sex symbol to 3 generations of women, Marbella audiences can expect the star to be performing
his classics including Kiss, Delilah, Sex Bomb and new tracks from his critically acclaimed album Praise & Blame. The concert
begins at 8pm. Tickets are from 90€ to 250€ plus handling fee.  Available from ticketmaster.es.

The Millionaires’ White Summer Party
Lovers of the Rat Pack era should make a beeline to the fabulous concert coming to Finca La Concepción on Saturday 30th July. Introducing an “Evening from Las Vegas” the Millionaire’s White Summer Party will offer all the glitz, glamour and style of the glory days of Hollywood, with the sounds of Frank Sinatra – as interpreted by accomplished sound-alike Stephen Triffitt. Acclaimed as one of the best cover artists in the world, he will perform a wide repertoire of Sinatra classics with the full backing of a 22-piece Big Band Orchestra, and a flurry of Las Vegas showgirls.

The night will continue with Maxine Barrie – performing as Shirley Bassey and follow on with Eric Conley paying homage to the late, great Barry White. He’ll be setting the mood for a party hosted by International DJ Rusty Egan, who will be playing classic Studio 54 disco tracks until the early hours.
VIP ticket holders will be treated to a champagne reception with Veuve Clicquot.  Tickets can be requested via the website www.millionairessummerparty.com for 120€ per ticket.  Marbellas.com will also have two tickets to give away – so watch this space!

3rd August  -  Jamiroquai
Following the disappointment of a last-minute Costa concert cancellation a handful of years ago, Jay Kay fans will be thrilled to know that the king of cool will be playing his cosmic mix of funky classics in Malaga at the Auditorio this summer.  Touring since March wit the Rock Burst Light Star Tour which will take him across the 5 continents, this is your chance to see the likes of Cosmic Girl and Travelling without Moving performed straight from the horse’s mouth… Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com

Piano Man
Hot on the tails of Jay Kay, another serious UK talent of a different ilk will be taking to the stage.On 4th August, the fabulously talented pianist and jazz singing virtuoso, Jamie Cullum will be delighting audiences at the Castillo de Sohail as the talent makes its way westward, With tickets from 35€, this is a rare chance to catch one seriously talented young man in concert.  For details contact www.riffmusic.org

“Beach Boys”
The Playa del Pinillo at the entrance of Marbella is the surprise new open-air venue for a host of talent this summer. 23rd July sees the Life Festival, once again in Marbella  – a giant beach party with a top line up of Djs including John Shelvin, Fonsi Nieto, Ruben Morán, Rebeka Brown & Superlush DJs. With a white dress code, expect to see a sea of white Expect to find a summer fave rave to remember.  For details of pricing, and tickets, please see www.riffmusic.org

Glam Rocks into Town
5th August  – the beach will come alive with the memory of Queen, thanks to Tribute band Gary Mullen & The Works who will perform One Night of Queen.  The date marks exactly 25 years since Queen and Freddie Mercury played their last-ever European concert to 25,000 people in Marbella’s football stadium.
Yes, 25 years later to the day, Marbella will once again rock to the sound of Queen’s greatest hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Killer Queen and We are the Champions.
Tickets are from 30€, and are available from a number of outlets including Ticketmaster, El Corte Inglés and FNAC. Marbellas.com will be offering two x tickets in our upcoming 6th anniversary giveaway, so keep reading daily for full details!

In celebration of 40 years of Queen, and 40 years of Hard Rock Café, our friends at Hard Rock Café Marbella in Puerto Banús are offering all ticket holders a free drink with their main course.
Present your ticket at the restaurant any time between 13th July and 13th August.
On 13th July they will be holding a special “Queen Day” with special cocktails, menu and a non-stop soundtrack and videos of Queen classics. www.dreamticketpromotions.com

High Octane Glamour Gala
On 6th August, the über glamorous Starlite Gala takes Marbella’s reputation into the stratosphere of super celebrity with hosts, the Desperately gorgeous Eva Longoria, and latino lover extraordinaire and malagueño superstar, Antonio Banderas.  For the second year running, this mega gala will bring high octane glamour to Marbella, at the Villa Padierna, the very hotel Michelle Obama holidayed in last summer with her gals. Divine location, stellar guests and a host of irresistible raffle prizes including coveted art, jewellery and exotic trips, the Starlite Gala is simply in a different firmament.  www.starlitegala.com

Boogie Wonderland…

A few days later on 13th August smooth funksters Earth Wind and Fire will revive the slick sound of 70s and 80s disco at the prestige open air concert venue at Puente Romano Tennis Club.  The multi award winning line up will whip up a storm of hi–energy tracks including the legendary Boogie Wonderland, Gotta get you into my life and Shining Star . Promoted by Awesome events, a variety of ticket prices are on offer, including VIP tickets with champagne to get you in the party mood.

Tickets can be purchased at El Corte Inglés and from www.ticketmaster.es.

A Stylish Finale
And on 25th August, just before the sun goes down on Marbella’s summer madness, Kid Creole & the Coconuts will bring some of their tropical sunshine to the ultimate party venue, Nikki Beach. Playing a set of his signature slick blend of feel good latino party music with killer lyrics, Kid Creole and his band will be followed by the foxy singer turned DJ, Sophie Ellis Bextor who will keep the party mood going until 5am.  Tickets will be 50€, or 30€ for just the after-show party. A delectable pre-show dinner with a Creole twist is the perfect complement to the feel-good event of the summer (also 50€). For reservations contact Nikki Beach on Tel:  952836239. www.nikkibeach.com

DATES IN SHORT

21st July – Nikki Beach
Diamond Party

23rd July – Playa del Pinillo Marbella
Life Festival – DJs John Shelvin, Fonsi Nieto, Ruben Morán, Rebeka Brown

30th July – Finca La Concepcion
Millionaires White Summer Party

3rd August – Auditorio Malaga
Jamiroquai

4th August – Castillo de Sohail Fuengirola
Jamie Cullum

5th August – Playa del Pinillo Marbella
Queen Tribute

6th August – Villa Padierna Hotel
Starlite Gala

13th August – Puente Romano Tennis Club
Earth, Wind & Fire

18th August – Puente Romano Tennis Club
Tom Jones

25th August – Nikki Beach
Kid Creole & the Coconuts
followed by DJ tunes from Sophie Ellis Bextor

Marbella Luxury Weekend raises the High Octane Luxury Stakes in Puerto Banús. A 10 million dollar violin, a 400,000 euro Rolex, the launch of a new McLaren, fashion shows and shop openings, celebrities flying in from the four corners of the globe, The Marbella Luxury Weekend promises to be the biggest showcase of extravagance Spain has ever seen….putting Marbella once again at the centre of the world’s stage for fashion and high end tourism.  Louise Cook Edwards previews the four-day homage to unabashed consumerism.

Expectation is growing for the imminent Marbella Luxury Weekend, taking place from 2-5th June in Puerto Banús.  With an astonishing 30 brands taking part, the event promises to be a never-seen-before display of everything Marbella is famous for: fashion, designer shopping, fabulous jewelry, fast cars and heaps of glamorous people coiffing champagne.

But without talking too lightly about Marbella Luxury Weekend, the event is a masterpiece of management and organization, and behind the upcoming four day programme of fashion shows, shop launches, world premieres of fashion and jewelry items and luxury cars, yacht displays, and a clutch of cultural interludes, all fuelled by copious quantities of champagne and canapés, no less than two years of monumental coaxing and planning has gone into pulling together this extraordinary treat for lovers of luxury.

Miguel Gomez & Jose Luis Hernandez – Key Figures

At a packed press conference at Gomez & Molina jewelers, Jose Luis Hernandez, Marbella’s Councillor for Tourism highlighted the fact that 200 people are actively involved in the planning and creation of the Marbella Luxury Weekend, an event which under its frivolous facade has a serious message and purpose.  ” The Marbella Luxury Weekend has been conceived primarily to kick-start consumption in a depressed economy.”  The consumer sector represents 65% of Spain’s gross national product – an even bigger slice of the economy than property and construction – so it is vitally important to get people spending and shopping again,” added Hernández, who cites the event as a huge achievement for Marbella, and the kind of initiative which does justice to Marbella as a 5-star holiday destination.

Jose Luis Hernandez also stressed the key role played by jeweler, Miguel Gomez in orchestrating this multi-brand event, saying simply, that without Miguel’s input, it would be virtually impossible to get the Marbella Luxury Weekend off the ground.  “Miguel is one of a rare breed of entrepreneurs in Marbella, the kind that can stay the course when the going gets tough, and follow through on ideas, no matter how many obstacles are put in the way…”   For more than 40 years, Gomez & Molina have showcased many of the world’s leading brands in Marbella – and along with his ideas and creativity, Miguel’s relationship with these brands has made a huge contribution to making this event a reality”.

For his part, Miguel Gomez, mentioned the twenty or so jewelry brands that his firm will be showcasing at the Marbella Luxury Event, including Chanel, Rolex, Ebel, Hublot, Davidoff, Boucheron, Antonini, Ulysse Nardin, and not surprisingly, a great many world firsts and outstanding achievements of the four day event will take place within the walls of the Gomez & Molina jewelry store.  Among the brands presenting their latest time pieces and jewelry lines are Rolex – who will show off the only 400,000 euros watch in Spain,  Osborne Toro watch – including the Marbella model – and the world premier of the Heritage watch collection by -Alexander Shorokhoff.

The Fashion Pack

Fashionistas will be in for a treat, with the launch of Tom Ford’s first collection of womenswear,  the launch of the latest Dolce & Gabbana collections,  a preview of Jimmy Choo’s winter shoe collections, while most of the port’s boutiques will be offering guests cocktails and treats all weekend long.  Fashion shows will take place in the evenings on a high impact catwalk taking central stage in the Paseo Benabola. The piece de resistance has to be the launch of edgy celeb favourite, A&G Rock and Roll Couture, who have set up shop right next to Versace at the entrance to the port. With cool followers such as Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell and Ashton Kutcher, this brand is about to bring Marbella a taste of serious street-cred.  Fans of rock chic among the MLW’s VIP guests, can meet the brand’s creator Amal Guessous at an after-show party.

Adding further luxury and opulence to the already outstanding line-up of launches and world-firsts, the assembled VIP guests will be treated to an extraordinary selection of culinary experiences, including fine wines, champagnes,  sushi, exotic Mediterranean canapés, chocolate fountains and lashings of caviar….  There will even be a private launch of Ice Imperial – the latest creation from Möet et Chandon.

With celebrities such as Ivana Trump and Adnan Kashoggi, Ana Obregón and Marisa Berenson in town, Marbella Luxury Weekend is due to bring back some of that old-style Marbella glamour, big time…

For many years the Marbella Marina near the lighthouse was somewhat of a ‘no go’ area after dark with dingy bars and a rather unpleasant atmosphere. Even during the day the bars were dirty and there was not much on the menus apart from egg ‘n’ chips and a selection of burgers. The ‘food’ which came out of unclean kitchens was served by unwelcoming waiters who looked as though they needed a good scrub and a sleep.

Time for change

Walking into the ‘New’ Marina now from the newly built paved top terrace, there is a growing selection of smarter modern eateries and bars. These changes are part of a huge effort to bring new life and energy to the Marina, giving it a much needed face lift. Delfines is leading the big push and has invested heavily in creating a restaurant bar giving customers an experience which will have them coming back time after time.

Passion for excellence

We spoke to Swiss born Isi and his wife and business partner  Katja, the owners of Delfines. Having taken on a total of nine locales and turned them into one business they told us about their plans and expectations. Isi speaks of how he wants to give clients an experience which will ensure return visits. Concentrating on value for money is one of his main concerns together with offering the very best salads, meats and offering a wide selection of tapas and dishes prepared with passion. Isi and Katja are also very mindful that their staff are key to the whole plan, knowing that a smile costs nothing but is worth a fortune. Restaurant manager, Silvia keeps the staff in check.

Choosing your table… or sofa

The large front terraced overlooks the yachts, the middle area has a comfortable lounge patio and the back is where there will be a glassed restaurant called Piratas (due to be completed in 4 weeks). With a huge open kitchen, long barbecue grills and two of the best clay ovens on the market there will be the opportunity for customers to eat in Piratas or Delfines or takeaway. There are lounge sofas in various places around Delfines and also large plasma screens which fold down from the ceiling when needed. During the day food is served from 10am, and in the warmer months the bar will become a late night soft bar for after dinner copas. What better place to chill in those balmy evenings, over looking the Marina…

Party Guests

Coinciding with a major football match when throwing a party can be difficult, but on this occasion it was perfect. Due to the large area and different zones of the Delfines the Madrid vrs Barcelona match was watched by those who were interested, but guests who were not, didn’t feel they were in a sports bar. Members of the Marbella Town Hall, paid their respects to the owners and clinked glasses in way of a brindis. Also in attendance was Bob Slingerland from Holland Flowers, Diana Perez and her husband Adam Winfield.

The ‘New’ Marina is found near the lighthouse on the paseo maritimo in Marbella.