La Reserva del Madronal, or simply El Madronal, is one of the Costa del Sol’s best-kept secrets. It’s on the Ronda Road in the district of Benahavis and perched 400 metres above sea level with spectacular views. El Madroñal lies on a vast plot of pine and cork forest adjacent to the ultra-exclusive La Zagaleta estate.
El Madroñal is a pine cork in residential area of private estates. It is very close to Marbella at around a 15min drive and to the coast at 10min. The estate is conveniently located at short driving distance to golf courses. Among them Los Arqueros Golf Course, La Quinta Golf and the golf courses of the Golf Valley. There is an abundance of recreational facilities in nearby Puerto Banus, the world famous marina, at a 15min drive.
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El Madroñal – Costa del Sol’s best-kept secrets
Marbella’s well known for attracting A-list celebrities and VIPs. Getting away from the paparazzi in the resort itself can be challenge. Nonetheless there is a place you can stay in complete privacy and still enjoy all that Marbella and Puerto Banus have to offer.
This peace is in an idyllic country retreat in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves. Yet it is just a short drive from Marbella and the coast. It might be close in distance but this tranquil refuge is a world away from the glamour of Puerto Banus. Here, you’ll find yourself in the heart of typically Mediterranean landscape with the Mediterranean and Strait of Gibraltar stretching beneath you.
El Madronal gated development sits above the Guadaiza River valley on the mountain side forested with pines, cork oaks and aromatic shrubs. Carpetted in wild flowers in spring and in a riot of colour in autumn , it’s home to a long list of fauna – wild boars, deer and mountain goats – as well as numerous species of birds.
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Attracting millionaires since 1950
This natural paradise rubs shoulders with neighbouring La Zagaleta, one of the richest postcodes in Spain, and has been earmarked by the rich and famous as somewhere to get away from prying eyes (and the cameras) since the 1950’s when the first millionaires built their exclusive retreats here. The development has been designed to provide space and privacy. Plots are at least 2,600 square metres so there’s plenty of scope for spacious houses and large gardens. All come with sweeping views you can see the different peaks that make up the Rif Mountains in Morocco.
Luxury is key to describing homes in El Madronal. Alongside spacious living go sumptuous furnishings and fittings, infinity pools, manicured gardens, state of the art technology, staff accommodation and room for several cars. All within natural surroundings where the silence is only broken by birdsong.
High security on the complex translates into total privacy. Numerous high-profile politicians, executives and businesspeople have escaped from their daily grind here for a welcome break. And plenty of celebrities have taken holidays in El Madronal far from the long lenses of the paparazzi. But discretion is absolute so you never know who’s staying until they’re not there anymore – as fans of One Direction has just discovered.
Celebrity homes on the development include the estate belonging to the film star Madeleine Carroll, known as the ‘iceberg maiden’ and star of Hitchcock’s ’39 Steps’. Her magnificent El Madronal home was one of the first to build and she spent her retirement here. You can get a taste of a Hollywood retreat by renting the large country mansion, Hacienda Madronal 2.
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