El Lago Club opens in Marbella-Benahavís with a beach, navigable lake, sports and dining

The natural area between Marbella and Benahavís has added a new leisure, sports and wellness destination with the opening of El Lago Club, one of the main facilities within the Real de La Quinta residential resort.

The new venue has been designed as a meeting point for residents, combining sports facilities, wellness services, dining and family activities around a large navigable lake.

Its opening marks an important milestone for Real de La Quinta, a low-density development covering almost two million square metres that has already completed approximately half of its planned construction.

A navigable lake covering more than 35,000 square metres

The centrepiece of El Lago Club is a lake measuring more than 35,000 square metres and over 400 metres in length.

The complex includes a sandy beach with a designated swimming area, a jetty and a space for non-motorised water sports. Available activities include kayaking, paddleboarding and water bikes.

A walkway separates the swimming area from the sports zone, allowing the different uses of the lake to operate within the same setting.

The facility brings part of the traditional coastal resort experience into a mountain environment integrated into the landscape near the Sierra de las Nieves.

Golf, tennis, padel and outdoor trails

The sports offering extends beyond water activities. The complex also features tennis and padel courts, as well as a six-hole executive golf course.

This shorter format allows players to complete a round more quickly than on a traditional course and is aimed both at regular golfers and those who want to practise without committing to a full day.

The surrounding area also includes paths for walking, running and cycling, together with children’s play areas for families.

Vegetation and outdoor routes form part of a design intended to blend the facilities into the landscape, reduce the visual impact of the buildings and preserve views across the lake.

Le Max Wellness Club arrives on the Costa del Sol

The wellness area is operated by Le Max Wellness Club, a Madrid-based brand combining personalised training, recovery and health treatments.

Its facilities include a gym, spa, sauna, Turkish bath and a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool overlooking the lake.

The centre offers programmes tailored to each user, with individual assessments and services related to physical activity, nutrition, muscle recovery and body care.

The facilities also include a hydrotherapy circuit, jacuzzi, cold-water pool and several spaces designed for relaxation. Membership of the sports and wellness club is limited to 450 places, according to information published by the resort.

Saltao brings Peruvian-Mediterranean cuisine to Marbella

Dining is another important part of the new venue. Saltao de Mar, created by Azotea Grupo, offers a menu combining Peruvian influences with Mediterranean ingredients, flavours and techniques.

The menu has been designed by Víctor and Paula Gutiérrez, the chefs behind Tayta in Salamanca, recognised as Spain’s only Michelin-starred Peruvian restaurant.

The concept makes use of its waterside location, offering relaxed lunches, cocktails, dinners and social gatherings in a setting integrated into the surrounding landscape.

The restaurant focuses on locally sourced produce and aims to become a new culinary attraction in the Marbella and Benahavís area.

Real de La Quinta reaches 50% completion

The opening of El Lago Club coincides with a new stage in the development of Real de La Quinta.

The resort has reached approximately 50% completion and now has more than 400 homes built. Of these, 223 have already been delivered, while a further 116 are expected to be completed between the end of 2026 and early 2027.

The remaining homes are still under construction as part of a long-term project intended to create a residential community with its own services.

Alongside housing, the development includes sports facilities, natural areas, restaurants and wellness services, moving beyond the model of a purely residential estate.

A low-density residential model

Real de La Quinta has been designed around a low-density development model, with reduced land occupation and a greater presence of natural spaces.

The resort is located on the slopes of the Sierra de las Nieves, within an area recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.

The design of El Lago Club incorporates green roofs, native or climate-adapted plant species and vegetation requiring limited water.

The lake’s maintenance system is also based on biological processes inspired by wetlands and filtration through aquatic plants, with the aim of keeping the water clean while reducing the use of chemical treatments.

The future Angsana hotel will expand the resort

The development will continue to grow over the coming years with additional services and facilities.

One of the most notable projects is the future Angsana Real de La Quinta hotel, being developed through an agreement with Banyan Tree Group.

The hotel will expand the resort’s accommodation offering, strengthen its international profile and attract visitors who do not own property within the complex.

It will complement the lake, sports facilities, wellness centre and dining options, helping position Real de La Quinta as a high-end residential and holiday destination.

A new leisure attraction near Marbella

The opening of El Lago Club expands the range of activities available in an area traditionally associated with golf, luxury homes and international tourism.

The development brings together water sports, fitness, relaxation, dining and family entertainment in a single setting between Marbella’s coastline and the mountain landscape of Benahavís.

In addition to improving the services available to residents, the project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment and increase collaboration with businesses and suppliers across the Costa del Sol.

Full details of the facilities, services and progress of the development are available in the official information published by Real de La Quinta about the opening of El Lago Club.