SOTOGRANDE
Exuding Luxury
Sotogrande, in the municipality of San Roque in Cadiz, is one of the most exclusive residential areas in Europe. The home and summer resort of the Spanish and international high society, where time seems to stand still among golf courses, marinas, polo pitches, incredible hotels and an atmosphere that exudes luxury, discretion and glamour, inviting you to live every moment to the fullest.
To understand how Sotogrande became what it is today, it is necessary to go back to its origins. It was the audacity of Joseph Rafael McMicking e Ynchausti and his wife Mercedes Zóbel de Ayala y Roxas, the Filipino couple who founded the development in 1964, that made this coastal paradise in Cadiz a reality. Their legacy not only transformed the landscape of San Roque, but also set a milestone in luxury architecture in the Mediterranean.
Born in Manila and educated at Stanford University, Joseph McMicking had a multicultural background that combined American, Filipino and Spanish roots. He worked as an intelligence officer for General Douglas MacArthur during World War II, and after the liberation in 1945, he returned to the Philippines to resume his business career in Manila, becoming managing partner and visionary of the Ayala Corp. group of companies.
A Dream Come True
Looking for a place to realise their dream of creating a luxury resort, McMicking and his cousin Alfredo Melian Zóbel chose the Paniagua estate in San Roque, an enclave with one kilometre of coastline and excellent communications, to which the estates of Los Canos, Valderrama and El Conchudo would later be added.
It was there that Sotogrande was born and gained fame with the construction of its first golf course, designed by the renowned architect Robert Trent Jones. It was soon to be joined by the La Playa Polo Club and the iconic Sotogrande Tennis Hotel, as well as other leisure and entertainment areas such as Trocadero, The Beach (La Reserva Club), the Marina and Puerto Deportivo, framed by luxury yachts.
All of Sotogrande is united by the common denominator of luxury living, but there is one area that stands out for its combination of tradition and history. It is the neighbourhood of Kings and Queens, where the first villas were built. Located in Sotogrande Costa, next to the beach and the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, Kings and Queens has been the hub of the complex since its inception. There is nothing like strolling through the streets named after kings and queens, heading towards the marina, sailing school or tennis and paddle tennis clubs that make up this unique residential complex in Spain.
The Luxury Magnet
Over time, the complex has become a magnet for the national and international jet-set, drawn to luxury with a Mediterranean breeze. Sotogrande is more than just a residential complex. It has become a symbol of glamour, attracting high society from all over the world.
The former Cortijo de Santa María de la Higuera has been transformed into the SO/ Sotogrande Spa And Golf Resort Hotel, where contemporary architecture blends with fashion and art, in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The property simulates a typical Andalusian village, full of cobbled streets, pristine whitewashed houses, lattices and ceramic arches.
One of Sotogrande’s strong points is its strategic location, just 30 minutes from Marbella, Puerto Banús, Gibraltar and Tarifa’s paradisiacal beaches, making it the nerve centre of Spanish high society, the aristocracy and the business world. Luis Alfonso de Borbón and his wife, Margarita Vargas; Inés Sastre, Carmen Lomana, Rafa Medina, Jaime de Marichalar, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, Javier Conde and Estrella Morente meet up here. Other regulars include Prince Harry of England, Beatriz de Orleans, Ana Rosa Quintana, Hubertus de Hohenlohe, Tamara Falcó and Íñigo Onieva.
The fact that Marbella has become increasingly overcrowded in recent times has meant that many celebrities have opted for Sotogrande in an attempt to stay out of the spotlight. This residential complex exudes a quiet luxury and innate elegance for those who wish to enjoy the surroundings and all the possibilities it offers with the utmost discretion, especially in the summer. In this sense, some of the most influential families, such as the Botíns, the Aznar Agags, the Entrecanales and the Alcocers, have chosen this exclusive and privileged area, where the sports facilities are one of its great assets. Here you can play golf in the morning at the Valderrama Golf Course, polo in the afternoon at the Santa María Polo Club, or go sailing at sunset and return to the Real Club Marítimo in time for dinner.
A booming project
Although Sotogrande has been a high-end residential and holiday hotspot for several decades, its legacy is more alive than ever with projects such as La Reserva Club Sotogrande, a long-established community with a magnificent country club, unrivalled golf and leisure facilities and elegant residences. All in a stunning setting with views of the Mediterranean and Africa as a backdrop.
Messi’s new hotel, MIM Sotogrande Club Marítimo, is also the centre of attention. The ambitious renovation of its facilities will make it a benchmark of luxury and excellence in Sotogrande’s emblematic Puerto Deportivo.
The luxury residential complex that Joseph McMicking once dreamed of has become much bigger than he could ever have imagined. Sotogrande is one of the most exclusive and prestigious resorts in Spain. A paradise in a dream setting. Somewhere quite unique.
