La Zagaleta – For the privileged few

Whilst some Costa del Sol residents like to display how well-off they are by driving their Bentley GTC in laps around Puerto Banús or draping themselves on the Sunseeker in Sotogrande, champagne in hand, others prefer to hide themselves and their wealth away in the anonymity and privacy of a gated country estate – and where better than the finest address in Spain, La Zagaleta.

The former private estate of Saudi entrepreneur, and one-time richest man in the world, Adnan Khashoggi, La Zagaleta is a highly elite community covering almost 900 hectares and is one of the last remaining private natural reserves in the whole of the region. Set in the Benahavís Hills at 450 metres above sea level, the views of the Rock of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa are priceless, the property on the other hand isn’t, but you get what you pay for.

La Zagaleta owners and their guests are able to indulge in the definitive Country Club lifestyle. Maybe a spot of fishing for trout and carp in one of the three private lakes, a game of tennis on the hard or clay courts or whiling away a few hours in the Clubhouse, Khashoggi’s former private home which now proffers a member’s only restaurant, bowling alley, clay pigeon range, swimming pool and billiard room. There is also a private Riding Club boasting pure Arab and Spanish horses, four arenas, livery for the Club’s horses as well as stabling for privately owned horses.

One of the major attractions at La Zagaleta is the original private 18-hole, par 72 golf course designed by Bradford Benz, which has recently been joined by a second 18-hole private course on the south side of the development, at a cost of 20 million euros. Naturally, an invitation from a Zagaleta resident is a necessity to get within putting distance of either course. A well kept driving range is available for all members to practice with or without their golf professionals.

To complete the picture La Zagaleta has twin gated, guarded entrances, on-site administration offices, catering and banking services plus an operational heliport for the chopper.

If La Zagaleta sounds like the epitome of heaven, and your pockets are deep, here’s a taster of what’s on the market…

H31 - La Zagaleta
This recently completed property is built on a magnificent elevated plot of 3,357 m² and boasts a south-westerly orientation towards the Mediterranean, Gibraltar as well as wonderful views of the golf course. Although built with four bedrooms (ground floor master bedroom suite with walk-in dressing room, the remaining three en-suite bedrooms are arranged on the first floor), an open 153m² basement is suitable for a two bedroom two bathroom guest house to join the existing games area and laundry room. The property has a fully fitted designer kitchen, marble floors, under-floor heating, pre-installed sound system, security system, air conditioning, tropical gardens with heated swimming pool and automatic irrigation, plus provision for a three car garage.
Price 5.9 million euros.

C1-10 – La Zagaleta
Beautiful 1,100m² Villarroel designed property set on a large 11,000m² plot with a southerly orientation and open sea views. Comprising three main bedrooms and two guest bedrooms, this property has plenty of attractive features including a snooker room, library, utility room and garaging for three or four cars. With a blend of marble and wooden flooring and under-floor heating, the property also has “intelligent” domestic electrics, a surround sound system and alarm system complete with security cameras at the imposing entrance gates. Stunning landscaping with rose garden, ornate walkways and gazebo as well as a large freeform swimming pool.
Price 8.5 million euros.

If you like your homes ‘bespoke’ rather than ‘off the peg’, individual plots are available at La Zagaleta and prices start from 750,000 euros for a 4,000m² plot.

For more information, visit carrington-estates.com.