If you are planning to spend your Marbella holiday in the ultimate of luxury, then you would surely struggle to beat the fantastic Villa El Cid. This 8-bedroom property, with its sleek lines and contemporary styling, would not look out of place amongst the best houses in Beverley Hills.
Because of its good looks, the property has already been used as the location for several films and TV programmes. Previous guests at El Cid have included celebrities, top sports executives and even a presidential party, all of them attracted by the impressive facilities, such as outdoor swimming pool; private putting green and tennis court; and gym with sauna and jacuzzi. El Cid also boasts an indoor pool, cinema room, and an incredible 12 bathrooms.

The villa is situated within the golf resort of Los Flamingos, just a few miles from Marbella and the exclusive marina of Puerto Banus. As one of the top resorts in Spain, Los Flamingos boasts three 18-hole golf courses (soon to become four); amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar and the coast of Africa in the distance; and a luxurious spa within the 5-star Hotel Villa Padierna. To ensure the safety and privacy of guests, there are 24-hour-a-day patrols throughout this gated complex. The villa itself also benefits from a state-of-the-art security system. If your holiday at El Cid is not long enough for you, this oasis of luxury is also available to buy as well as rent.

The centrepiece of Villa El Cid is the lovely indoor pool area, which also contains the gymnasium with its sauna and jacuzzi. There is a further jacuzzi on the large roof-top sun terrace. Some striking hand-painted murals, created by a local artist, adorn the walls of the pool area and provide an interesting topic of conversation. Villa El Cid has eight bedrooms, all of them fully equipped with air conditioning and the latest plasma TVs. The generously-sized rooms are individually decorated, using specially sourced materials from around the world. Each bedroom has its own unique style and characteristics. If you want to do some entertaining during your stay, the villa has a large kitchen and an extended barbecue area which can accommodate between 100 and 200 guests. The property also comes with a private cinema room.
Villa El Cid has an outdoor pool and terrace that’s furnished with sunloungers and parasols. This is a lovely area in which to relax in the sun as it’s surrounded by the beautiful gardens with their tropical palms and beautifully-manicured lawns. If you are feeling a little more energetic, there’s also a tennis court within the 5,000 square-metre grounds, while golfers will love the professional putting area.

This oasis of luxury is constructed on a commanding position within the Los Flamingos complex. Because the villa is not overlooked by any other properties, there are unobstructed views of the sea and mountains. This also means that guests are assured of their privacy. For extra peace of mind, Villa El Cid is equipped with a modern, personal protection system. The house is wheelchair-friendly throughout, and there are lifts to the upper levels.
To make your stay run as smoothly as possible, additional services can be arranged. This can include baby-sitting, private chef, housekeeping, limo service and entertainment.

Los Flamingos Golf Resort Villa El Cid is situated within the Los Flamingos Golf Resort between Marbella and Estepona. This is one of the most glamorous private urbanisations in Spain, with three top-quality 18-hole golf courses (a fourth is due to open within a year), a driving range and golf academy. The complex is also home to the luxurious 5-star Villa Padierna Hotel.

Designed by former Ryder Cup player Antonio Garcia Garrido, the par-71 Flamingos Golf Club was the first of the courses to open at the resort. With its challenging mix of short and long holes, Flamingos Golf has received plenty of rave reviews, and it was no surprise when the course was selected to host the European Seniors’ Final in 2003, just a couple of years after it opened. Flamingos Golf is notable for the variety of trees, including pines, jacarandas, pines and chestnuts, as well as the stream which flows through the course. A couple of lakes create hazards on several of the holes. Next to the driving range and golf academy is the par-65 Flamingos Executive Club, which began life as a 9-hole course but was later extended to 18 holes. The Gran Flamingo Golf Club, inaugurated in October 2007, measures around 6,600 metres making this one of the longest courses on the Costa del Sol.

When it opens in 2008/9, the Flamingo Norte will complete the quartet of courses at the resort. When you have finished your round, there is no better way to relax than with a drink on the terrace of La Cantina, from where you can take in the views of your fantastic surroundings. Just 300 metres from El Cid is the Villa Padierna Hotel, managed by the acclaimed Ritz Carlton Group. Designed to resemble a Tuscan country house, complete with fountains and marble columns, Villa Padierna contains one of the most luxurious spas in Europe. The hotel also has three fine restaurants.

Holidays in Marbella Just a few minutes drive from Villa El Cid is the holiday resort of Marbella. Literally meaning ‘beautiful sea’, Marbella first gained a reputation as a destination for the ‘jet set’ during the 1950’s and 60’s when the likes of Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Frank Sinatra stayed here. The resort is much more than beaches and celebrities though; at the centre of Marbella is the picturesque old town (Casco Antiguo), known for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, flower-filled balconies, pleasant little squares and pretty fountains. The Casco Antiguo is also home to numerous boutique-style shops. Larger stores can be found on Avenida Ramon y Cajal, the main road running through the resort.

Between Marbella and Villa El Cid is the exclusive marina of Puerto Banus, synonymous with expensive yachts, fast cars and celebrities. The marina really comes to life at night time, when the clubs and bars become a magnet for those who want to ‘be seen’. Puerto Banus is also where you can buy the top designer labels, such as Prada, Versace, Christian Dior, Armani and Ralph Lauren. Right on the doorstep of the Los Flamingos resort is the newly-opened Laguna Village, whose architecture is inspired by Arabic culture. The complex has yet more designer clothes shops plus several smart restaurants and eateries. Laguna Village is also home to the exclusive Puro Beach Club with its ‘chill-out’ tents and beds.

The 5-star beachfront hotels of Las Dunas and the Kempinski are situated nearby. Villa El Cid is within easy reach of the international airports at Malaga (45 minutes) and Gibraltar (40 minutes).