In the hills above Marbella's Golden Mile, a residential development is taking shape that connects the Marbella Club's heritage with contemporary design. We sat down with Nabil Sawabini, CEO of Marbella Club Hills, to discuss how this ambitious project came to be and what the future holds for this exceptional community.
Phase I, the Rock of Gibraltar and the coast of Morocco
Origins
What inspired the vision for Marbella Club Hills?
The story of Marbella Club Hills began, as many great ventures do, with a moment of inspiration. "I was invited to a wedding at Puerto Banús," recalls Nabil. "At the time, I was staying at the Marbella Club. Visiting both resorts, I was struck by the attractive landscape, vegetation, and architecture. I thought to myself - wouldn't it be wonderful if this could be recreated not on the seafront, but in the hills overlooking the area?"
Phase I from the bird-eye view
This vision resonated particularly with his background in Lebanon, where the interplay of mountains and sea creates a distinctive landscape. During a drive with Daniel Shamoon, co-owner of the resorts, to view the golf resort, the potential of the hillside location became clear. However, the path to acquisition wasn't straightforward.
"The land wasn't for sale initially," he explains. "They were concerned about preserving the area's character. It was only after they visited our developments in Beirut that they became convinced we could create something that would honour the spirit of the Marbella Club." The resulting partnership, with the Marbella Club taking one-third ownership, ensures local involvement and maintains the development's connection to its prestigious heritage.
📍 Marbella Club Golf Resort
Development
What has already been completed at Marbella Club Hills, and what can potential buyers see when they visit this year?
Today, Marbella Club Hills is coming alive in phases, each carefully planned to maintain the development's coherence while offering distinct living options. The first phase, comprising 50 villa apartments arranged in 10 blocks, is already sold out and home to a thriving international community.
Launch event of Phase II
"We have 18 nationalities just in phase 1," Nabil shares with evident pride. "The majority are from Northern Europe, and increasingly, we're seeing interest from the US and Canada. What's particularly gratifying is how the community has come together. Last New Year's Eve, we had 50 people celebrating together – it's become a truly warm, engaging place to live."
The development's amenities reflect this community-focused approach. A central clubhouse offers a sauna and hammam, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a social area. In Phase 2 we'll have an indoor swimming pool, 2 tennis and 2 padel courts, a pickleball court, a kids’ playground and co-working spaces.
The next phases of development will further enhance the community's offerings. Phase 3 will introduce standalone villas of over 600 square meters and semi-detached villas of 500-550 square meters, each with generous gardens and private pools. Phase 4 will add six more blocks of villa apartments, positioned to take advantage of the golf course and mountain views.
Living room in a standalone villa
Marbella Club Hills is particularly special because it is the first gated community in Benahavís. "The municipality has recognised our role in bringing the area to the forefront through our architecture and quality standards," notes Nabil. "We're creating something that will become a real attraction for the whole region."
Lifestyle
What makes the social and recreational offerings here distinct from other luxury developments?
What becomes clear throughout our conversation is that Marbella Club Hills is about more than just luxury homes. It's about creating a living environment that responds to how people want to live today. With 20-25% of residents living there full-time and another quarter visiting frequently, it's evident that the development is meeting the post-pandemic desire for spaces that can serve as both retreat and primary residence.
Phase I at sunset
The development's low density – buildings occupy only 10% of the 160,000 square metre property – ensures that residents can enjoy the natural setting that first inspired the project. Every residence offers views of the mountains, the sea, or both, while membership in the adjacent golf club and access to equestrian facilities provide the sporting amenities many international buyers seek.
The integration with Marbella Club Golf Resort adds another layer of exclusivity, with residents enjoying privileged access to one of Spain's most prestigious golf facilities. The adjacent equestrian centre further enhances the sporting lifestyle, offering world-class equestrian facilities just moments from home.
Nabil himself has purchased a residence in the first phase. "I always consider whether I would want to live in the developments we create," he explains. "In this case, the intention was always there. The combination of views, amenities, and most importantly, the community forming here, makes it a very special place."
📍 Marbella Club Golf
Marbella Club Hills represents something unique in the luxury residential market – a development honouring its heritage while looking firmly to the future. By combining the prestige of the Marbella Club brand with its golf and equestrian facilities, it creates a community where luxury isn't just about amenities and finishes, but about offering a complete lifestyle in one of the Costa dek Sol's most desirable locations.
Our development is located within the prestigious Marbella Club Golf Resort, and it showcases the market's versatility, from elegant penthouses with sweeping course views to spacious villas designed for family living.
- Phase 1: Already completed and delivered
- Phase 2: Currently under construction:
- penthouses (3-4 bedroom),
- first-floor apartments (2-3 bedrooms), and
- duplex garden apartments (3-4 bedrooms)
- Phases 3 and 4: In the pipeline:
- 4 standalone villas (5 bedrooms), and
- 6 semi-detached villas (5 bedrooms).
Find out more about the real estate market on the coast in our previous publications:
- Market Insights: Understanding the golf property investment advantage
- Market Insights: "Marbella Property Market 2024" report by Panorama – Key takeaways
- Market Insights: Off-plan as an investment strategy at Marbella Club Hills