For decades, Marbella has been the undisputed capital of luxury on Spain’s southern coast. Its Golden Mile, designer boutiques and high-octane nightlife have long attracted an international elite. Yet a quieter chapter is unfolding just a few kilometres west. Estepona, once considered Marbella’s discreet neighbour, is now emerging as a destination in its own right—one defined by wellness, nature, and understated elegance.
Global hotel groups have already recognised this shift. Their recent investments are reshaping Estepona’s profile, anchoring it firmly on the luxury map of the Mediterranean. With over 320 days of sunshine, a revitalised historic centre, and a coastline that stretches for more than 20 kilometres, Estepona is becoming synonymous with quiet luxury.
Explore the hotels
Ikos Andalusia: All-Inclusive Luxury with Michelin Dining and Anne Semonin Spa
Ikos Andalusia was the first international brand to set a new tone for Estepona. Located on the New Golden Mile—technically Estepona, though often mistaken for Marbella—it offers an elevated all-inclusive experience with seven restaurants, several curated by Michelin-starred chefs. Provence by Stéphanie Le Quellec (two Michelin stars), Oliva by Andoni Luis Aduriz (two Michelin stars), and Fresco by Ettore Botrini bring world-class gastronomy into the resort, complemented by the innovative “dine-out” programme linking guests to local restaurants. Suites with private pools and landscaped grounds flowing into the sea reinforce an atmosphere of refined simplicity.
The Ikos Spa by Anne Semonin Paris is another highlight, blending French sophistication with Mediterranean calm. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, thermal suites, hammam, sauna, a full fitness studio, and signature treatments using essential oils and marine minerals. Wellness rituals, facials, and tailored therapies transform the spa into a sanctuary of rejuvenation with serene views of the coast.
METT Hotel & Beach Resort Estepona: Modern Lifestyle Luxury and Spa-Driven Calm
METT Hotel & Beach Resort Estepona brings a different mood to luxury living—sleek, relaxed, deeply attuned to wellbeing. Situated between Estepona and Marbella, it offers 249 suites and rooms dressed with natural textures, many with sea, pool or garden views and some with direct access to the Azure Beach pool. The dining portfolio is rich and varied: Isola serves Italian classics with elegance; Ammos draws on Greek coastal flavours; Azure Beach offers all-day casual pool-and-beach dining; El Bar de Lola provides tapas and leisurely drinks.
Wellness at METT is carried by the MOI Spa, a serene sanctuary with indoor pool, skilled therapists, facials, holistic treatments, all set in landscaped calm. The RAISE Fitness & Wellness gym with Technogym equipment supports a balanced lifestyle. Add private beach access, water sports, and design that blends Andalusian charm with minimalist decor.
Meliá Bahía Estepona: The First Meliá Collection on the Costa del Sol
Meliá Bahía Estepona is the first hotel from The Meliá Collection to open on the Costa del Sol, distinguishing it from the iconic Gran Meliá Don Pepe on Marbella’s Golden Mile. Located directly on El Padrón Beach, it offers 134 rooms and suites framed by serene gardens, a beachfront pool, and uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean.
Wellness and gastronomy define the experience: a refined spa with premium treatments, a fully equipped fitness centre, and three restaurants complemented by a poolside bar and an elegant lobby lounge. Positioned between Marbella and Sotogrande, Meliá Bahía Estepona signals the group’s confidence in Estepona’s rise as a destination for quiet luxury—distinct from Marbella’s established glamour. Opening in 2026, the new Meliá Bahía Estepona will transform the former Kempinski into part of The Meliá Collection. With 134 rooms, expansive gardens, three restaurants and a spa, it will bring Spanish heritage into dialogue with global hospitality. Positioned directly on the beachfront, its arrival underlines Estepona’s growing appeal as a bridge between Marbella and Sotogrande.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace: Gastronomy, Art and Golf Excellence in Estepona
Located in Benahavís, just minutes from both Marbella and Estepona, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace has long anchored the region’s reputation for refined hospitality. Inspired by Italian palazzi, the hotel houses more than 1,200 works of art, creating an atmosphere of refined cultural immersion. Its three championship golf courses—Alferini, Los Flamingos and Tramores—are among the most prestigious in Spain, hosting international tournaments and offering residents and guests a world-class sporting lifestyle.
The Villa Padierna Spa, one of the most acclaimed in the country, combines thermal circuits, healing rituals and beauty treatments in a palatial setting. Gastronomy is equally central: from Japanese fusion to Mediterranean fine dining, its restaurants embody culinary diversity at the highest level.
Kempinski Hotel Bahía: A Mediterranean Landmark in Estepona
The Kempinski Hotel Bahía stands as one of Estepona’s most established five-star resorts. With 145 sea-facing rooms and suites, expansive subtropical gardens, multiple pools and a private beach club, it blends leisure and sophistication on the Mediterranean shoreline. Gastronomy is central with the Spiler Beach Club, while the Kempinski Spa offers a full range of therapies, from aromatherapy to reflexology.
Fairmont La Hacienda: Expanding the Western Arc of Luxury
To the west of Estepona, near Sotogrande, Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol introduces a new scale of integrated resort. Elevated above the coastline, it brings together natural stone architecture, sweeping views of Gibraltar and Africa, and a design philosophy that balances privacy with openness. With two championship golf courses on site, a destination spa and extensive gardens, it reflects the model of resort living where wellness, sport and landscape converge.
Though geographically part of San Roque, Fairmont strengthens the western arc of the Costa del Sol, linking Estepona with Sotogrande and expanding the corridor of international luxury brands along this coastline. Its arrival confirms the confidence of global operators in the region, reinforcing Estepona’s position not as an isolated destination, but as a key part of a broader Mediterranean luxury circuit.
Why Estepona is Emerging as a Quiet Luxury Destination
The presence of Ikos, Mett, Meliá, Fairmont, and Villa Padierna is no coincidence. Together they signal Estepona’s transformation from a coastal town into a fully recognised luxury destination. Where Marbella embodies glamour and Sotogrande is known for sport and exclusivity, Estepona offers balance: a walkable historic centre filled with murals and flowers, a modern promenade stretching over 20 km, and a lifestyle that privileges well-being, culture, and family living.
Connectivity adds weight to this positioning. Málaga Airport is under an hour away, with direct links to Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Gibraltar Airport is even closer, at just 40 minutes. This combination of accessibility and discretion is rare in the Mediterranean.
Estepona is no longer a quiet alternative to Marbella. It is the Costa del Sol’s next great chapter. Anchored by world-class hotels and amplified by visionary real estate developments, the city is establishing itself as a hub where heritage, wellness, and contemporary luxury converge.
Estepona is on the rise. For investors seeking the next frontier of Mediterranean luxury, now is the moment to explore opportunities in this city of quiet transformation.
