WITH its wide sandy beaches, established residential communities, golf courses, beach clubs and some of the most discreet luxury homes on the coast, Marbella East has long held a strong position in the market.
For many buyers, its slightly lower-profile character has been part of the attraction. Marbella East offers privacy and room to breathe, while still being within easy reach of the centre as well as Puerto Banús and Málaga Airport.
What we are seeing now is a new phase in its evolution. A series of major resort and hospitality projects are bringing renewed focus to the area, adding investment, infrastructure and greater international visibility.
New luxury resorts planned in Marbella East
Several major projects will be reshaping the coastline, particularly around resort investment, hospitality and the renewal of important coastal sites.
One of the most recent examples is the planned Las Dunas resort in Las Chapas, on a beachfront plot of more than 160,000 square metres. Representing an investment of more than €350 million, the project is expected to include a five-star hotel, branded residences, a beach club, restaurants and resort-style services.
READ MORE: Relief for Airbnb hosts as Spain’s Supreme Court strikes down national tourist apartment register
Marbella Town Hall approved the licence this month, marking an important step forward for a project that has been under discussion for many years.
Importantly, the approved works also include the regeneration of the stunning dunes at Real de Zaragoza, part of the Dunas de Marbella ecological reserve, along with new public spaces, pedestrian areas, bicycle lanes, road improvements, drainage systems and other infrastructure.
Next to this site is another significant piece of Marbella East’s future: the former Residencia de Tiempo Libre de Marbella. Unused for many years, the large public holiday complex has now been provisionally awarded to Ritusa S.A., a company linked to the Fuerte Group, under a long-term agreement.
The site remains publicly owned by the Junta, but the agreement would allow the company to bring it back into use and invest in it over the coming decades. It is a substantial property, covering almost 197,500 square metres, with more than 23,000 square metres of existing built area. It is also listed in the General Catalogue of Andalucian Historical Heritage, meaning that any future work will need to respect its protected status.
Other projects strengthening Marbella East
Further west, the planned Four Seasons Marbella resort in RÃo Real is one of the clearest signs of Marbella East’s growing international profile.
With an investment of around €700 million, the project is expected to become one of the most significant luxury developments ever planned in Marbella, close to the coastline and town centre.
READ MORE: Conil-based brand draws international designers to Cadiz, boosting year-round local economy
The project is in an advanced planning phase and will combine a Four Seasons hotel with branded residences, landscaped green areas, leisure facilities, restaurants, wellness amenities and major infrastructure improvements. The resort is expected to include approximately 120 hotel keys and up to 166 private residences, with pre-sales currently estimated for 2027 and first deliveries projected from 2029, subject to final planning and licensing.
Follow the link for more information on the Four Seasons resort
The historic Marbella Golf Country Club meanwhile has been acquired by Higuerón Developments and announced as Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort. The wider project is expected to include the Hilton’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Spain. This would be a huge coup.
At the same time, established hospitality landmarks are being renewed. Don Carlos Marbella in Elviria has been part of the local hotel landscape since 1969, and reopened for the 2026 season after a major renovation, with refreshed interiors, dining and wellness facilities, as well as the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre.
Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella has brought new energy to Los Monteros, one of the most established and prestigious residential areas in Marbella East. Following a major renovation, it now operates as a five-star luxury hotel, bringing IHG’s international luxury lifestyle brand to Marbella. The hotel offers renovated rooms and suites, Mediterranean dining, wellness facilities, and access to the iconic La Cabane Beach Club, now operated in collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana.
Incosol Marbella, located in RÃo Real in Marbella East, is also planned to return as a five-star health, wellness and longevity hotel, reviving one of Marbella’s most iconic hospitality names.
With a reported €87.4 million investment, the project includes the reform and expansion of the former hotel into a luxury wellness resort with 168 rooms, reinforcing East Marbella’s growing appeal as a destination for high-end health and wellness tourism.
Building on this renewed wave of investment, Marbella East also continues to represent an excellent opportunity for property buyers when compared with other prime Marbella areas.
According to Idealista’s latest asking-price data, Nagüeles / Golden Mile property sales stand at approximately €6,872/m², while Nueva AndalucÃa / Puerto Banús averages around €5,978/m².
By comparison, Marbella East remains more accessible, with property in RÃo Real / Los Monteros at around €5,294/m², Las Chapas / El Rosario at approximately €5,572/m², and Elviria / Cabopino at around €4,514/m².
This pricing gap highlights the value still available in Marbella East, especially given its beachside locations, golf courses, established residential communities and international appeal.
Taken together with the growing number of luxury hospitality and branded-residence projects planned for the area, these figures point to a broader strengthening of Marbella East’s luxury market.
READ MORE: Tens of thousands take to Madrid’s streets to call for affordable housing including lower rents
While new development will take time, these projects clearly define the direction of travel: Marbella East is entering a new era, rooted in the qualities that have always made it attractive, yet increasingly positioned as one of Marbella’s most compelling areas for long-term property investment.
Christopher Clover is Managing Director of Panorama Properties www.panoramamarbella.com, (+34) 952 822 111
Click here to read more Property News from The Olive Press.
