Ten minutes from the marina at Puerto Banús, the road climbs into the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves and the atmosphere changes completely. La Quinta sits at this elevation — quiet, green, and oriented around one of the most respected golf courses on the Costa del Sol. It is a community that attracts people who want proximity to everything Marbella offers without being in the middle of it.
This guide covers what life here actually looks like: the golf, the landscape, the amenities on the doorstep, and the reasons people choose La Quinta over areas closer to the coast.
Where It Sits
La Quinta is located in the municipality of Benahavís, tucked into the Golf Valley to the northwest of Nueva Andalucía. The elevated position — in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves — gives the area its defining characteristic: panoramic views over the Mediterranean, the golf courses below, and the mountains behind.
In practical terms, it is about ten minutes by car from Puerto Banús and the coast, 30 minutes from Málaga Airport, and roughly equidistant between San Pedro de Alcántara to the west and central Marbella to the east. It is not a walking-to-the-beach location — a car is essential — but it is a remarkably short drive to everything the Costa del Sol has to offer.
Getting there
From the N-340 coast road east of San Pedro, take the A-375 towards Ronda. After around 2 km, before the AP-7 motorway, there is a turn signposted to La Quinta. Alternatively, exit the AP-7 toll road at San Pedro and follow signs from the roundabout.
The Origins
La Quinta’s development began in the late 1980s when Tomás Pascual — founder of Corporación Pascual — acquired land in the area with the intention of creating a golf course. The vision proved larger than a single project. By 1992, following a collaboration with Inmobiliaria Bilbao, the La Quinta Real Estate Group was established to oversee the development of the wider area. More than 1,000 homes have since been built across over 160 hectares.
The most recent addition is Real de la Quinta — a 200-hectare estate to the north and northeast that introduces a new generation of residential and leisure development to the area, including a private lake, wellness facilities, and an executive golf course currently under construction, also designed by Manuel Piñero.
The Golf
La Quinta Golf & Country Club is the centre of gravity for the whole area, and it earns its reputation. The 27-hole course was designed by Manuel Piñero — three-time World Champion and Ryder Cup winner — and is divided into three nine-hole loops: San Pedro, Ronda and Guadaiza. Each can be combined with another to form a full 18-hole round, giving regular players genuine variety without leaving the club.
The course rewards accuracy over distance — a reflection of Piñero’s own playing style. Fairways are generous enough to be accessible for higher handicappers, but cleverly bunkered and contoured to challenge more experienced players. The greens are consistently well-regarded for their speed and condition.
Unusually for a course of this calibre, La Quinta Golf has hosted European Tour events — including several editions of the Benahavís Senior Masters and the Spanish Ladies Open. The Golf Academy, founded in 1990, is one of the longest-established teaching facilities on the Costa del Sol and is headed by Piñero himself.
Practical note
The course and spa facilities at the Westin La Quinta are open to non-guests and non-members. Tee times should be booked in advance, particularly during the peak spring and autumn golf season. Buggies are available to hire at the club.
Beyond La Quinta Golf, the wider Golf Valley places residents within easy reach of several other notable courses: Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, Aloha, and Los Arqueros are all within a short drive, making La Quinta a natural base for anyone who plays regularly.
The Westin La Quinta Resort & Spa
The five-star Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa sits at the heart of the community and functions as something more than a hotel. With 170 rooms and suites, a full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness centre, two outdoor swimming pools, and a kids’ club, it adds a layer of on-site amenity that most residential areas simply do not have.
The spa
The Heavenly Spa operates a full thermal circuit — hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room — alongside treatment rooms for massages, facials and beauty therapies. It is open to hotel guests and external visitors alike, which means residents can use it as a regular facility rather than a special occasion. The fitness centre, with modern equipment and personal trainers available, operates on the same basis.
Dining at the resort
Two restaurants and three bars serve the resort. The main restaurant offers both indoor and terrace dining with views over the golf course and towards the coast — a setting that makes lunch feel rather better than average. The clubhouse restaurant is the more casual of the two, popular with golfers finishing their round.
The kids’ club
For families, the kids’ club is a significant draw. It operates a structured programme of activities during peak periods and is staffed by qualified childcare professionals. Combined with the pool facilities and the relatively traffic-free, secure character of the residential areas, La Quinta has built a genuine reputation as a family-friendly choice on the Costa del Sol.
Outdoor Life
La Quinta’s location in the foothills gives it access to outdoor pursuits that areas closer to the coast simply cannot offer. The Sierra de las Nieves — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — begins effectively on the doorstep, with marked hiking and mountain biking trails that climb into genuine wilderness within a short distance of the urbanisation.
The Guadalmina River valley offers easier walking routes through Andalusian countryside, and the road up towards Benahavís village passes through some of the most scenic terrain on the Costa del Sol. Horse riding is available nearby.
Real de la Quinta, the newer estate to the north, has added a private lake with kayaking, paddleboarding and water bikes — available to residents of that development, and indicative of the direction the wider area is moving in.
Schools
International schooling is a decisive factor for many families considering La Quinta, and the area is well-served. The British School of Marbella — catering to children aged 2 to 12 with a full British curriculum — is a popular choice for expatriate families. Laude San Pedro International College, around ten minutes away, offers the British curriculum alongside the Spanish system for children aged 3 to 18.
The combination of strong schooling options and a residential character that suits family life has made La Quinta one of the more sought-after areas for relocating families on the Costa del Sol.
Day to Day
Away from the spectacle of the marina, Puerto Banús functions as a genuine year-round community. The permanent population is international — British, German, Scandinavian, Spanish, and Middle Eastern residents all form significant groups — and the area’s infrastructure reflects that. International schools, private medical clinics, multilingual services, and a social scene that does not shut down in October.
The climate helps. Winters are mild — daytime temperatures regularly reach 18–20°C — and the combination of reliable sunshine and a functioning local community means life here looks substantially the same in February as in August, just quieter and considerably more pleasant.
Nueva Andalucía, directly north of the port, is worth mentioning in this context. Separated from Puerto Banús by the A-7 motorway, it offers a more family-oriented character: larger residential plots, championship golf courses (including Los Naranjos and Las Brisas), good international schools, and a pace of life that is noticeably calmer than the marina — while remaining five minutes from it.
Interested in life in La Quinta?
The Sunset Hills team works across Benahavís, La Quinta and the wider Golf Valley. If you’d like an honest conversation about the area — what it’s like to live here, what’s available, and whether it suits what you’re looking for — get in touch.
