Along the Costa del Sol coastline, with La Concha mountain as a scenic backdrop, are the glamorous resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banús. The two adjoining coastal towns are in an area known as the ‘Golden Mile’ due to the high volume of luxury hotels, residential villas, exclusive shops and restaurants. The area also has some of the most beautiful promenade walks and beaches of the entire region.

Puerto Banús, by contrast is the Saint Tropez of Andalusia, set around a bustling marina brimming with multi-million euro superyachts, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. On the waterfront, well-dressed windows of global fashion behemoths beckon you to step inside with your credit card. 

Along Calle Ribera, tucked between international restaurants and trendy cocktail bars, you’ll discover the likes of Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Valentino, Loewe and the designer luggage and handbag emporium of Louis Vuitton. As you continue walking towards the stone tower at the harbour’s entrance, glittering windows of Bulgari showcase expensive jewellery and timepieces.

The retail extravaganza doesn’t end here, make a loop onto the street directly behind the marina where Dior, Hermes, YSL, Bottega Veneta, Versace and Fendi reside, and you will truly be in designer heaven.

After a morning of designer shopping, what better way to spend a leisurely afternoon than on a Marbella luxury boat charter? Sail seamlessly along the coastline, admiring the scenery, cutting through waves while sipping champagne and nibbling on canapes.

Several companies in Puerto Banús offer speed boat trips and high performance luxury yachts to rent by the hour, half-day, full day or longer. Many of the boat charters can accommodate up to 12 people during the daytime and come with abundant water sports activities to enjoy. Tailor your own itinerary, soak up the sun on the top deck terrace, learn to paddle board, seabob or get your adrenaline flowing on a jet ski excursion.

Gourmet picnics, tapas and food baskets can be curated by specialist chefs catering to all dietary requirements. All you have to do is sit back and relax as you drift past whitewashed houses along the beachfront and view dramatic mountain vistas in this beautiful corner of Spain.

There are several cafes and restaurants along the harbour-front where you can take a break and assess your purchases over café con leche or a delicious tapas lunch.

One of the finest is La Habana Lounge, perfectly situated to take in the views of the fabulous yachts bobbing alongside the harbour-front as you savour one of their delciious seafood dishes. Another venue not to be missed is Taberna CasaBlanca set a bit further back from the harbour and where you will find the freshest tapas in Puerto Banús. 

The five-star Nobu Hotel Marbella is equidistant to Marbella and Puerto Banús, sandwiched between two golden sandy beaches - Playa Nagüeles and Playa Casablanca. Promising a luxury lifestyle experience on the Golden Mile, the hotel doubles-down on design, with luxe guest rooms decorated in elegant, crisp, neutral tones and open-plan terraces overlooking La Plaza.

By the crystalline swimming pool, servers will bring you electrolyte enhanced mocktails to help you rehydrate as you soak up the sun’s rays, and in the restaurant, delicious cuisine is curated by Nobu’s very first female chef. Dishes are typically Japanese in flavour, with a South American and Andalusian fusion twist. Expect to find tantalising delights such as black cod miso and squid pasta with light garlic sauce on the menu.

The hotel is also home to a tranquil Six Senses Spa, hidden away inside lush, palm-fringed gardens - an oasis of calm.