The "Laguna Village" is unique. How did they get planning permission ? That's not to say I don't like it....I do. But here we have a collection of interwoven giant thatched cabannahs occupied by an up-market selection of trendy shops, bars, and restaurants surrounded by swimming pools, lagoons, waterfalls, and tropical gardens....ALL RIGHT ON THE BEACH !
The opening night was a big one ! Invitation only, free bars, free food, the very prettiest people from Marbella and Puerto Banus, the briefest of dresses, a greatest selection of cars parked around, camels on the beach....and me ! No, of-course I wasn't invited....just sneeked in.
If the weather's good, you feel the need for a pampering coming on, you've got a reasonably full wallet and a free day, you could spend it all here.
Arrive early for a leisurely breakfast in the "Spanish Star Cafe", before strolling through the galleries of exclusive shops selling mostly chic clothing & accessories, ( some for kid too ) but with a sprinkling of purveyors of home-interior knick-knacks, a collectors' emporium, a hardresser, an "Art Galeria", a "Bang & Olufsen" shop, and of-course an Estate Agent.
By then it'll be time to settle on a cosy sun-bed in a private nomad tent around a lagoon in "Puro Beach Club". Lie back on the sumptuously comfortable mattress, soak up the relaxing ambience, imbibe your first cocktail of the day, whilst admiring the spectacular view across the sand & Sea to the Atlas Mountains, the coast of Africa, & Gibraltar.
Followed by a light lunch at "Trader Vic's".
(I've always like "Trader Vic's". The staff have all seemed genuinly friendly. The last time I was in they were all dressed up as witches & vampires and Bloody Mary's were on special offer..bet you can't tell what night that was )
"Tidbits" look good on their menu, a mouth-watering selection of tapas-sized morsels just enough to keep hunger at bay throughout a hard afternoon of casual conversation, a game of backgammon, a stroll along the beach, an ear open to the siesta-inducing tropical music, a read of your book, a relaxing massage, an invigorating dip in the swimming pool..............welcome to the Puro experience.
A Mai-Tai cocktail aperitif will go down well before your choice of intimate dinners in one of the stylish restaurants, or you may wish to avail yourself of one of the special themed performance evenings held throughout the season in the Puro Restaurant.
Sounds good ? It is ! But it can be very quiet out of peak season, and we've seen the demise of a few businesses.... the Shushi Bar struggled through two off-seasons and then shut it's doors, and the big front bar on the left never really seemed to open theirs ! And why did I see 50% discount off genuine top-designer-labelled clothing last October if all is well ?
It is a sensational place, but is it in the right place ? Time will tell.
To much more information about Laguna Village, please visit :-
www.laguna-village.com
For holiday rental opportunities at the nearby Mar Azul Resort Azul visit :-
www.marazul-resort.com