01 – Frequent Questions About Sotogrande

01: Some of the most asked questions about the Luxurious Resort of Sotogrande, considered as the residential area of Marbella, Spain.

1. Is Sotogrande a town?
2. How old is Sotogrande?
3. Where is Sotogrande?
4. Who owns Sotogrande?
5. What are the different areas in Sotogrande?
6. What kind of views do you have in Sotogrande?
7. What style of homes can you find in Sotogrande?
8. Plot prices in Sotogrande?
9. Community charges in Sotogrande?
10. Is Sotogrande a popular place to live?
11. What School is there in Sotogrande?
12. How close is Sotogrande to Marbella and its amenities?
13. Is Sotogrande safe?

1. Is Sotogrande a town?

Sotogrande is a private residential estate extending to 2000 hectares of land with approx.. 2300 Villas, approx. 2500 apartments and townhouses, and approx. 200 unbuilt plots. The urbanization provides privacy, security, tranquility, an active community, leisure and top quality sports amenities, such as Golf, Polo, Sailing…, three hotels, one of the top International Schools in Spain ( SIS with over 1,100 pupils ), good infrastructure with medical services, shopping facilities.. and last but not least properties at almost all levels. Connections on excellent highways to international airports are Gibraltar, Malaga, Jerez, and Seville. The combination of all translates to a sophisticated and healthy lifestyle.

2. How old is Sotogrande?

It all started in 1962 when Joseph McMicking chose to buy the property called Finca Paniagua in San Roque, close to Gibraltar. The Spanish authorities approved the development, which would be called Sotogrande. The property had an area of 2000 hectares.

The first thing that McMicking did was in 1964 to hire Robert Trent Jones to design the first golf course in Sotogrande. At that time Robert Trent Jones was the world’s foremost golf course designer in the world. The finished golf course was named Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. In 1965 the polo club was built and named La Playa. Soon after that there were many major polo tournaments played in the club. Today the Santa Maria and Ayala Polo Clubs are hosting every year important International tournaments such as the Gold Cup and the Silver Cup. About 45,000 persons attend the tournaments every year.

Little by little the development grew with construction of villas, hotels, apartments in the Marina, and the constant improvements of infrastructure, amenities and services that Sotogrande offers.

3. Where is Sotogrande and why is it considered a district of Marbella?

Sotogrande is located in the municipality of San Roque, just 20 Minutes from Gibraltar, 1 hour drive from Jerez, as well as one hour drive from Malaga.

Neighboring towns are San Roque, Algeciras and Estepona.

If you would like to see how you can get to Sotogrande, check out our Google Maps Link.

4. Who owns the resort of Sotogrande?

Sotogrande was developed by the founders, and some remaining unbuilt plots are still in ownership of the Developer. The community of all individual villa owners have an administration office, which runs all maintenance and infrastractural demands in Sotogrande. The various apartment developments as well as townhouse developments in Sotogrande have their own micro community rules, and are governed by an administration office, in which each community votes for its President and staff.

5. What are the different areas in Sotogrande?

Looking on a Sotogrande map we subdivide the urbanization in 4 main locations:

Marina, Port and Beach  – only apartments and townhouses – views to sea, and Marina
Sotogrande Costa  – mainly high end villas – views mainly to landscaped gardens, very few villas with sea views
Sotogrande Alto – mainly villas, but also townhouses and apartments – views to sea, mountains, golf courses and far sited views over the Andalusian scenery
La Reserva – mainly high end villas, but also apartments and townhouses – views to sea, mountains, golf courses and far sited views over the Andalusian scenery

Map of Sotogrande with sectors and main points of interest

 

6. What kind of views do you have in Sotogrande?

Sotogrande borders the sea and goes up the hill all the way to the SO/ Hotel, which is approx. a 10 km drive. As the lower part of Sotogrande is almost at sea level, it is the flat part of Sotogrande, with very little views, other than to the beautifully landscaped gardens of each villa, and communal areas. The more we go uphill the more chance we have of sea views, or far sited views into the Andalusian scenery. Views from the upper part of Sotogrande at La Reserva and Sotogrande Alto sweep across the idyllic Andalusian mountain landscape, green carpets of golf courses such as La Reserva, Valderrama, Almenara, or San Roque Old and New Course, and the Mediterranean sea shimmering in the sun.

7. What style of homes can you find in Sotogrande?

Homes in Sotogrande reflect a variety of styles, from traditional to super contemporary architecture. As long as the owners of these beautiful homes respect the Sotogrande guidelines of how high you may build, volume, plot occupation…  everyone can fulfill his dream house. All homes are original unique designs.

To buy an existing house for sale prices range from € 600,000 up to currently € 21,000,000, depending on location, size, quality, views, plot size, amenities, style.

8. Plot prices in Sotogrande?

The land prices start 160€/m2, all depends on the size, location and views. The most valuable remaining plots in Sotogrande cost over € 1,500/m2. Best is to consult with the Sotogrande experts about location, and value of land.

9. Community charges in Sotogrande?

The community charges for villa owners in Sotogrande are usually at approx. € 0.75 /m2 land/ year. Community charges for apartments and townhouses vary, as per the amenities and services provided to each community owner.

10. Is Sotogrande a popular place to live?

If you are interested in Sotogrande, then one prerequisite is already in place: you are looking for the mild Mediterranean climate. Add to that the healthy delicious food, Spanish wine, sociability, Spanish culture and the uniquely beautiful Andalusian landscape. Of course, you can enjoy all this and much more when you live in Sotogrande. Sotogrande offers you a complete infrastructure with medical care, with an excellent International School ( SIS ) , 3 hotels, restaurants, shopping facilities, the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol ( if not Europe ), the best polo facilities on international level with riding club – and polo clubs, a marina with over 1000 boat moorings, 3 tennis clubs, several beach clubs. Sotogrande is also an excellent place for hiking and cycling, fishing, or simply to relax at the beach or your private swimming pool.

Sotogrande is a family orientated safe place for a healthy and active lifestyle.

11. What School is there in Sotogrande?

At the entrance to La Reserva lies the Sotogrande International School, called SIS.

Founded in 1978, the school currently has 50 different nationalities in its student body and has an international teaching staff. The school has three campuses: the main campus, a kindergarten (0-3 years) and a boarding school that can accommodate over 160 students.

SIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Day and Boarding School with over 50 nationalities offering the Primary Years Programme (3-11), Middle Years Programme (12-16) and Diploma Programme (16-18). In addition, it offers the American High School Diploma and an International A-Level Programme for high school students who wish to play Division I or Division II sports at college.

12. How close is Sotogrande to Marbella and its amenities?

Many people don’t realise how close Sotogrande is to everything since it is connected through excellent highways. It’s only 30 minutes away from Marbella and Puerto Banus.

13. Is Sotogrande safe?

Security is about feeling safe, which means that you can leave your villa for a long period and forget the worries a homeowner usually might have. Feeling safe also means, that children can be children riding bicycle in the streets, without their parents to worry about them. Sotogrande provides 24hrs professional security services, which is as discrete as it is efficient.

Let us help you find your home in Sotogrande!

We are always available to guide you and we can provide advice in your own language if you prefer.

Email: charles.gubbins@noll-sotogrande.com
Mobile: +34 607 911 661

Stephanie Noll
Email: stephanie@noll-sotogrande.com
Mobile: 34 607 465 383

© Noll Sotogrande Real Estate – Spain 

Disclaimer: Please note the material contained in this guide is for informational purposes only. This information is general in nature and has not taken into consideration your specific personal circumstances.