Alan Wentworth-Harley's Marbella Property Insider

Marbella and its surrounding areas have been bustling with events, developments, and notable incidents in recent weeks, reflecting the dynamic nature of this popular Costa del Sol destination. Sports enthusiasts had something to cheer about as FC Marbella showcased their prowess with a 3-0 victory over Cártama, thanks to a stunning second-half performance. This local football action underscores the region's vibrant sports scene, which continues to draw attention and support from locals and visitors alike. The area's commitment to health and wellness was highlighted by the offer of high-quality, affordable hair transplants for less than €3,000 in Spanish clinics, demonstrating the Costa del Sol's growing reputation as a hub for medical tourism. However, the healthcare system faced challenges, as reports emerged of patients enduring over a year-long waits for surgery at a Marbella hospital, raising concerns about healthcare accessibility. Marbella's cultural landscape is ...

Starting this Friday, when Malaga's festive lights burst into life, the pulse of the city's metro services will quicken. From 5.30pm to 11pm, the heart of the city will pulse with trains arriving every five and a half minutes. The anticipation is building. November 24, circled in crimson in countless calendars, heralds the beginning of Christmas in Malaga. At 7pm, the city's authorities will unveil the seasonal splendour along the premier shopping avenue, Calle Larios, signalling the start of holiday festivities. An impressive array of over 2.2 million LED lights will adorn 500 thoroughfares, plazas, and landmarks, turning the city into a luminescent wonderland. This spectacle is set to draw throngs to the city's core. In response, Metro de Málaga is ramping up its train schedule, promising a train every 5 minutes and 20 seconds from November 24th, as announced on their X social media platform. This enhanced train schedule kicks off on the lighting ceremony day, offerin...

The Torre del Puerto hotel and conference centre, financed by Qatari investment and backed by the Hesperia hotel chain, has been approved by Malaga city officials. The decision was reached in a recent urban planning council meeting with six votes in favour and four against. This luxury hotel, standing at 116 meters, is set to be constructed on the Levante dock esplanade. The project, which has faced a five-year delay, received the green light from the city's urban planning committee. Support and opposition for the project were divided. The Partido Popular members voted in favour, while the Socialists and one member from Podemos opposed it. Vox chose to abstain from voting. The development has faced criticism from the 'Let's Defend Our Horizon' group and UMA art history professor Francisco Rodríguez Marín, who argue that the tower will disrupt Malaga's skyline and obstruct views of the historic La Farola de Malaga lighthouse. Socialist spokesperson Mariano Ruiz Araúj...

Summer in Malaga airport sizzled not just with the blazing sun, but with the fiery spirit of striking staff, stirring a cocktail of chaos in the terminals! The security guardians, armed with signs instead of scanners, have launched a seasonal strike saga, turning the airport into their stage of protest. The plot? Well, endless queues snaking through the terminal, a live drama that unfolds especially during the grand performances of peak times - a spectacle captured and premiered on Facebook this very morning! Adding more turbulence to the terminal tale, the handling heroes - the backstage crew that make your skyward journeys possible - rallied in a choreographed protest on the 23rd of October. Their stage spanned across various airports, with Malaga stealing the spotlight. The act? A passionate performance against the tender's tricky script, composed by Aena for the orchestration of ground handling symphonies. But wait, the drama doesn’t end there! The warriors of Iberia in Malaga ...

With a 'can-do' spirit that would make a sand castle builder proud, the Marbella town hall is steering a beach revitalisation project right off the pages of a fairy tale. Like a magnificent sand migration, the process kicked off at Las Chapas-Alicate and will sweep through Casablanca, La Fontanilla, and San Pedro Alcántara.  Mayor Ángeles Muñoz let slip that a mountainous 120,000 cubic metres of sand would be borrowed from the town hall’s own treasure chest to finance this sandy renaissance. "The central government seems content playing in the shallow end, leaving us to dive deep for a definitive coastline stabilisation solution," Mayor Muñoz said, clearly not one to bury her head in the sand. In a stroke of midnight genius, the work is taking place under the cloak of darkness - from midnight until 8am - sparing sun-seekers and local business the sight of bulldozers invading their tranquil beaches. Mayor Muñoz confessed that the project couldn't have hit the groun...

Fuengirola's "Market Marvel": A Whimsical Quest for the Perfect Indoor Haven Prepare to be awestruck as Fuengirola sets the stage for a grand spectacle of architectural marvels! The town hall has unleashed a captivating challenge by inviting bids for the construction of the avant-garde Mercacentro covered market. With a staggering budget of 13 million euros and an estimated completion time of 18 months, this remarkable project promises to redefine the realm of indoor markets. Nestled in the heart of the old market area on Avenida Alcalde Clemente Díaz Ruiz, this visionary masterpiece has been meticulously designed by the brilliant minds of Verdasco Arquitectos + González + Getinsa. Their ingenious plan encompasses the use of a cross laminated timber system (CLT), a green construction material that flaunts its eco-friendly prowess. Brace yourself for a structure that transcends boundaries! Complying with European directives on sustainability, ecological quality, and energy...

Hold on to your teacups and prepare for a tale of financial shenanigans! The real estate market in Malaga province has taken a wild turn, leaving potential buyers and sellers in a state of bewilderment. It seems that the Euribor, that sneaky interest rate that determines mortgage costs, has decided to do some fancy footwork, causing prices to skyrocket and sales contracts to dwindle like a soggy biscuit. If we peek behind the curtain of statistics, we discover that the first quarter of 2023 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Sales have taken a nosedive, plummeting faster than a bumbling bird with no wings. For three consecutive months, the numbers have been in freefall, accompanied by a chorus of mortgage applications whispering their sad goodbyes. The experts are pointing fingers at the mischievous Euribor and the sly rise in house prices for this topsy-turvy market. January, February, and March witnessed a gloomy decline in property transfers and mortgage loans. It's...

In the fascinating world of Spanish geography and wealth distribution, we discover that Madrid, the bustling capital, proudly boasts the title of hosting the six swankiest neighbourhoods in the entire country. These highfalutin enclaves are teeming with opulence and prosperity, where money flows like a never-ending stream of fine Rioja wine. Fancy a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous? Look no further than El Viso, the crème de la crème of Madrid, where residents bask in an average income of a jaw-dropping 40,815 euros. It's a place where champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true. However, on the flip side of the economic coin lies Andalucía, a region of raw beauty and cultural splendour. It seems that fate has played a peculiar hand, for Andalucía is home to three out of the four most destitute neighbourhood's in Spain. In these humble abodes, financial struggles abound, and the sound of coins clinking together is a rare melody indeed. Leading the pack of penury i...

 Ángela Fuengirola Hotel Unveils its Glamorous Rebirth After a Whopping 8.2 Million Euro Glow-Up Prepare for a feast of fabulousness, as the Ángela hotel in the enchanting Fuengirola reopens its doors, sparkling brighter than ever before! After five months of tireless renovation and expansion work, this beloved holiday haven has emerged as a true gem, ready to dazzle vacationers from around the world—especially our cheeky British friends! With an investment of 8.2 million euros, courtesy of the ML Hoteles group, the Ángela has undergone a total transformation, leaving no stone unturned. But that's not all, my dear adventurers! The excitement continues as 36 spanking new junior suites are being crafted in a neighboring building, adding a touch of luxe to this already iconic beachfront gem on the Costa del Sol. José Carlos Escribano, the visionary CEO of ML Hotels, spilled the beans on the hotel's grand makeover. He revealed that the Ángela, previously boasting 261 standard rooms...