Casa Manuela

Curving Cachet

An architect-designed series of generously curving, interconnected living spaces, this monochromatic modern villa is sinuous and subtle, an all-natural, architectural oasis of local stone, wood, lime and mortar signed Juan Bengoa, in collaboration with Daniella Van Twee.

Art is fully integrated into the design in a tactile display of nature-inspired furnishings and sculptural accents. An open-plan kitchen sits at the home’s heart, a zone of planned culinary experiences free of refined products and always locally-sourced, little surprise given the homeowner’s thriving career as a food and fitness guru and published cookbook and wellness author.

Chromatic and structural continuity finds waving walls and beds that seem to grow out of the rooms themselves. A roof terrace, outdoor gym, and Mediterranean garden immerse residents in the invigorating Andalusian landscape.

Experiences

The home offers a rotating program of immersive experiences in gastronomy, art, leisure, and wellness, also serving as a seasonal artists’ residence and showroom, where many of the locally-crafted decorative accents are for sale. Choose from golf, wine tasting, sunset picnics, catered boat trips, water sports, treks and bike tours, hiking (guided routes), showcooking with prestigious chefs, private yoga sessions, gym and personal training, massages and beauty rituals, and live traditional music, among other experiences.

Around

With some 27 kilometers of sandy beaches, Marbella is home to dozens of celebrities and famed for its glittering night clubs, upscale restaurants and its see-and-be-seen ambiance. A land of exclusive beach clubs and members-only cocktail bars, Marbella also offers simpler pleasures along its waterfront, from sailing and dolphin watching, to guided buggy rides and lazing in the near-constant sunshine of the aptly named Costa del Sol. 

Beyond Marbella’s glinting coastline and its buzzy nightlife, the city’s whitewashed Old Town is worth exploring. The town brims with bars and seafood restaurants, and is a playground for well-heeled Spaniards who also come to enjoy greater Andalusia’s offerings. Narrow cobbled streets are overhung with vivid bougainvillea and the Patio de los Naranjos is a great spot for taking in the scene. An easy day trip into the Sierra Blanca mountain range offers a different view of the sea beyond Marbella. One top hike involves cresting La Concha peak, a 1200+ meter rocky summit with dazzling Mediterranean views, only about 20 minutes from town.

Location

Marbella, Spain. Nearest airport: Malaga (30 minutes)

Best time to visit

May to September