El Lago Club: A Lake in the Hills Above Marbella

A beach in the mountains, a morning on the water, lunch by the lake and an afternoon in the spa — this is a very different side of Marbella.

High in the hills above Marbella, within Real de La Quinta, a new lifestyle destination has taken shape around a 35,000 m² navigable lake.

Surrounded by nature, the lake has its own sandy beach, swimming areas and water activities including paddleboarding, kayaking and water bikes. It feels surprisingly removed from the coast, although Marbella is only a short drive away.

A day built around the outdoors

The experience goes far beyond the lake.

A six-hole executive golf course, padel and tennis courts, a fully equipped gym and walking and cycling routes make it easy to build an entire day around sport and the outdoors.

The architecture follows the natural contours of the mountains, with local stone, planted roofs and understated materials that allow the landscape to remain the main focus.

Wellness with a view

For a slower afternoon, the wellness area includes a 25-metre heated indoor pool overlooking the lake, sauna, hammam, hydrotherapy, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and spa treatments.

It is equally suited to recovery after training or simply spending a few quiet hours away from Marbella’s busier coastline.

Stay for lunch

Dining is an important part of the experience too.

The lakeside restaurant combines contemporary Peruvian flavours with Mediterranean ingredients, with ceviches, tiraditos, grilled fish and dishes designed for sharing.

Add a terrace overlooking the water and a good cocktail, and there is little reason to rush back down to the coast.

A different side of Marbella

What makes this place interesting is not simply the list of facilities.

It represents a broader shift in the Costa del Sol lifestyle — away from the idea that the best locations must always sit directly beside the sea.

Here, the attraction is nature, space, wellness, sport and good food, all within one setting.

Come for a morning workout or a paddle on the lake and it is very easy to find yourself still there at sunset.