THE FLAG Costa del Sol Marbella, Estepona – Contemporary Wellness On The Shores Of The Mediterranean

With is sparkling new spa, generously equipped gym, and expansive pool, The Flag Costa del Sol offers contemporary well-being facilities on Andalucia’s most popular shoreline. Yet it’s also the spacious accommodation of this hospitality brand new to the coast, that sets it apart. Studio suites and penthouses, with kitchens, make for an elegant and light-filled home away from home for short and long stays, while dining at Seven M Estepona, led by Chef David Aguado, is a culinary highlight.

Set a little back from the charming Costalita coast, west of Marbella, in the municipality of Estepona, the Flag Costa del Sol, is a striking piece of contemporary architecture. Towering over the adjacent palm-height buildings, the hotel, which opened on Andalucia’s Mediterranean coast last year, offers guests captivating sea views from its light-filled studio apartments, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).§

From its original target of long stays, the hotel in the last year has pivoted towards the wellbeing market, for which is it ideally positioned, with its contemporary spa, gym, and exercise spaces.

The Flag is a German family business (the parents and their 5 children remain shareholders – inspiring the name of the hotel’s restaurant, 7 M) that has arrived in Spain and found its niche, as a contemporary, tranquil well-being retreat. 

Wellness Programmes

The company has decades of experience collaborating with seniors and has developed wellbeing and longevity programmes that it now incorporates into its Costa del Sol wellness programmes for all ages.

The approach is based upon initial diagnostics and analysis allowing a tailored programme to be designed for each guest, incorporating nutrition, exercise, regenerative sleep, and a focus on mental health too.

To help you navigate the options, the programmes have been divide into three strategic approaches:

• Stay Pure – a personalised detox programme

• Stay Balanced – a personalised weight-loss programme

• Stay Strong – a personalised fitness programme

Guests can immerse themselves into these programmes for a long stay, or simply choose a short hotel stay and dip into the personal training at the gym, pampering treatments of the spa, including signature anti-stress treatments, facials, and foot and neck massages as well as non-invasive eye and face lifting rituals.

I found the property to be perfect for a short break, even if you chose not to embrace the compelling well-being programmes, activities, and treatments.

Studio Accommodation

I particularly like the accommodation, which goes well beyond a standard hotel room and is actually studio apartments, available for anything for a night or extended stays of weeks – you choose. Views are out over the palm trees and gardens towards the sea.

My Grand Suite was a spectacular 100-120 sqm space, the perfect pad with a spacious living room with kitchen (including dishwasher), a separate bedroom with king bed, and writing desk, and a bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. There was even a separate guest W.C. The private balcony ran along the entire apartment, furnished with a sofa, chairs and dining table. There was a separate sunbathing terrace overlooking the pool. 

Gastronomy

Chef David Aguado designs the dining at Seven M Estepona. We began our culinary experience with a leisurely lunch, devoured slowly, in the dappled sunlight of an Andalusian late spring day. The hotel’s Seven M Restaurant is open to the public and although set within the property, sharing the sun-soaked pool terrace, it feels apart, with it indulgent Andalucian dishes.

David Aguado has created a menu that’s a tempting mix of Spanish flavours, from classics including  Ibérico ham, sautéed clams, and prawn pil-pil to start and hearty main dishes like Malaga ‘chivo’ baby goat, meats from the grill, as well as lighter summer favourites like Malaga tomato salad, or prawns with Andalucian avocado and mango. 

Our meal started with a little pre-starter of anchovy with cheese, a delicious gesture that set the tone. We ordered one of the market specials, the confit artichokes with Cecina cured beef – a mouthwatering twist on my favourite artichoke with ham. Then, since the restaurant is becoming known for its rice dishes, we opted for the seafood rice with squid, which was well-presented and richly satisfying. 

I always have room for pudding – and the cheesecake and ‘Andalucian’ style tiramisu seemed the essential choices. 

Estepona’s Mediterranean Coast

The Flag Costa del Sol is on one of my favourite stretches of coast, perfect for a beachside walk, and a place to connect with nature, the perfect complement to the wellness programmes and healthy dining – leaving you, nurtured, refreshed, and rejuvenated mentally and physically.

This property is included in our guide to the best hotels in Estepona