Puerto Duquesa

services
* Championship 18 hole golf course
* The natural marvels of Andalusia
* Shopping and bustling nightlife minutes away
* Easy airport access and excellent transport

La Duquesa enjoys an advantageous location to the west of Marbella ­ sometimes called "the Other Costa del Sol". The essence in this distinction is that the area retains a vast amount of unspoiled natural scenery and authentic local character - while sharing the fantastic climate and all the excellent services and infrastructure of the rest of the Costa del Sol. The result: an ideal balance of relaxed living with easy access to every imaginable amenity. In other words, quality of life. The beautiful port of La Duquesa offers full marina services for boating enthusiasts as well as a myriad of attractions for those with no aspirations to take to the water. The attractive promenades encircling the port offer a variety of restaurants, intimate bars and cafes in which to while away the days. The vast choice of eating and drinking options include French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and, of course, Spanish with its fresh, local fish. Numerous services and grocers are also on hand. Two nights a week the port hosts a unique Crafts Market, popular with the local residents as well as visitors. The summer open air markets in Puerto de la Duquesa. © Michelle Chaplow
The summer open air markets in Puerto de la Duquesa. La Duquesa Golf and Country Club boasts an 18 hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., a technical masterpiece with wonderful sea and mountain views. In addition to golf, the club offers many facilities including tennis, squash, and a fully equipped gym with a qualified resident trainer. Further golfing challenges are close at hand: Alcaidesa, a Links course overlooking the Rock of Gibraltar; Valderrama, host of the Ryder Cup and World Championship, only ten minutes from La Duquesa; Sotogrande, a parkland course; and La Cañada, a wonderful golf challenge where the fairways are as thick and lush as carpet. San Roque, host to the qualifying schools, is also only a few minutes away. As if this is not enough, there are another 40-odd courses within an hour's drive. Beaches and Mountains. Whether it's miles of pristine beaches (many earning the European Blue Flag for cleanliness) or rugged mountains with their wildlife, the La Duquesa area offers every type of terrain. Rising virtually from the beaches, the mountains hide their medieval towns like little jewels ­ the famed White Villages. Every type of nature recreation is at hand including even winter and spring skiing only two hours away in Granada. Cosmopolitan Life can be found only twenty minutes away in the "jet-set" city of Marbella with its hustle and bustle. Shopping experiences of every kind are available ranging from the upscale El Corte Inglés, Spain's premier department store, to the sprawling La Cañada mall just outside Marbella, to the infinite variety of small shops and boutiques lining the cobble-stoned streets of Old Marbella. Just before Marbella, approaching from La Duquesa, is the international resort of Puerto Banus with its millionaire playground of floating palaces and luxury cars. In addition to the yachts, the port is chock full of all the appropriate designer names such as Versace, Armani, and Donna Karen ­ for the most discerning shoppers.