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B R E AT H E

Marbella from the Top

Breathe’s Garden Dining

AIR Above.

BREATHE NO. 9 2026 1

Summer rays Breathe truly comes into its own during the summer season, when the full outdoor potential of our venues comes into play. Breathe’s venues are made for all seasons, but it’s as the summer rays begin to warm the Marbella air that they open up and let the sun in. Terraces come fully back to life at open-air spaces in venues such as Breathe and Air, where it is the garden terrace and the luxurious rooftop dining and nightclub experiences respectively that have made these iconic settings. This makes the onset of summer an exciting moment, and we’ve added extra lustre with an updated menu that celebrates the season with delicious light dishes, along with mixologists that sharpened their skills and added new experiences for a succession of sultry nights at Breathe, Soul and of course Air. Marbella’s most stylish rooftop venue has been given a facelift and looks better than ever – with open air dining, bar, live music and a sophisticated atmosphere making it unique even in this glamorous lifestyle town. Summer of course also belongs to Ground and Soul, where days are spent among friends. We share all this information and more in this edition of the Breathe Magazine, where we also encourage you to discover new aspects of Marbella, from its natural surprises to ways you can escape the ‘rat race’, recharge your batteries and have experiences that will become part of this summer and stay with you forever, culminating in the highlight that is the closing party at Air in October. Let Breathe be the backdrop to your Summer 2026!

Aguilene Benicio

INDEX 6 12 20 26 32 38 52 60 68 76 84 92 96 102

Behind the Scenes New Experiences at Breathe Outdoor Breathe 4x4 Adventures: Explore the Wild Side Hasan Ayashi: Assistant General Manager Dawn of the New Air The Flow at Soul Artisan Bakery Marbella from the Top The Ecosystem on your Doorstep Yachting Culture what I want for Summer: Going Offline Old Money Style Cave Homes in Andalucía

Publisher Breathe S.L. Production Manager Andra Teodorescu Layout and Design Jarno Marten Klopstra Cover Photo Jose Velilla Depósito Legal MA-1800-2023 ISSN 3020-8521

BREATHE

Behind the Scenes We all go to restaurants and enjoy the cuisine, but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to ensure quality food finds diners on time and with a smile? For us as guests, it’s not something we usually think about, but maintaining a well-functioning high-quality restaurant that stands on its reputation for fine food, good service and ambience requires not just passion and dedication but also excellent planning, logistics and teams that function like clockwork. What seems like a gentle flow of dishes elegantly arriving on your table is the result of a great amount of activity and hard work behind the scenes.

Breathe Headchef

Martin Calle

It’s all go!

A peek behind closed doors – well, not entirely, as befits a fine restaurant, the Breathe kitchen is visible from the dining room – reveals a hive of activity when the teams are in full flow at the height of service. It all starts several hours earlier, when the prepping staff arrive to a freshly scrubbed kitchen where everything from the floors to the pots, pans and utensils are not just clean but sparkle. They begin getting together the ingredients, preparing the bases from which a wide range of dishes can be made with expert precision and speed so that you’re served on time. Yes, dining service is not just about consistently producing high quality dishes full of flavour but it’s also about timing, and the interplay between chef, kitchen team and waiting staff follows a perfect choreography in which successive courses and drinks reach your table at just the right intervals. It is a carefully timed rhythm that forms one of the vital ingredients for a great night out, starting with making you feel special and welcomed, and progressing through aperitifs to the main part of the meal and then its gentle transition to dessert and post-dinner drinks – all the while accompanied by live music and a vibrant atmosphere. By the time you hail a taxi the staff will be winding down, scrubbing and preparing the restaurant for the next day’s action in what is a symphony of the senses.

New Experiences at Breathe This summer season, expect consistent quality and all the things you love about Breathe combined with some exciting new experiences. Though Breathe’s acclaimed menu remains largely unchanged (we wouldn’t dare!), this season we have introduced several new sushi dishes, and by all accounts they are set to become new favourites:

Sexy Lobster Deluxe

Pitahaya Veggie Roll

Luxury meets creativity in one of Breathe’s most iconic sushi creations.

Fresh, colourful and full of character—plant-based sushi at its finest.

Breathe Style California Roll A modern interpretation of a classic, crafted with the unmistakable Breathe touch.

Fresh-Ly Mixology treats

We have also added to our bar’s repertoire with a selection of new cocktails that can be admired in the visual online drinks menu: Though we always work hard to keep the food and bar offering fresh and exciting, the main focus at Breathe remains aimed at serving fine quality food, cocktails, music and the unique atmosphere that our venues have become associated with. This summer Breathe’s terrace will be one of the coolest places to be!

Breathe Club

The Garden

Outdoor Breathe At Breathe, you can choose your space: the indoor restaurant, the rooftop refinement at Air or enjoy the fresh air experience at Breathe’s celebrated terrace. The Breathe terrace is an outdoor dining space that extends from the main restaurant and also includes a bar and entertainment area. It is from here that our DJs add atmosphere to summer evenings under Marbella’s night sky. Reopened in its full glory for the summer season, the terrace is a private spot that incorporates a vertical garden with over 40,000 plants and continues to be one of Breathe’s most distinctive features. Often described as Marbella’s urban garden, it is a green oasis filled with lush vegetation and mature trees within a natural surrounding in the heart of Puerto Banús.

A special space

This very special space designed to bring nature into the dining experience offers a unique setting for dinner and evening drinks. As the sun sets, the space comes alive with a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for outdoor meals, cocktails and long summer evenings with friends and family. The fresh air and green setting make the terrace feel like a private escape from the bustle of the coast while remaining at the centre of Marbella’s social scene. Not surprisingly, the terrace is very demanded throughout the high season and continues to be one of the favourite destinations for those who wish for a stylish night out in an open-air location – in other words, the best mix for summer.

For those who want to step away from the beaches and glam side of Marbella and experience something new there are the mountains, gateway to an untamed land. Marbella is known for its glamorous way of life but just inland lies something completely different; a rugged landscape of mountain trails, hidden valleys and protected natural parks that are little known and seldom explored by the majority of visitors to this sunny coast. What you don’t see from the beaches and promenades of Marbella is an expanse of pine forests, ancient cork oak woodlands, plunging waterfalls and cold mountain streams coursing through a wild world that is surprisingly close to where you’re sipping your wine or cocktail. Head into the Sierra de las Nieves, for instance, and a maze of hiking and mountain biking paths opens up that offers everything from a gentle excursion to an adrenaline-filled off-road exploration designed for those with the required skill and experience. Speaking of which, there are also guided 4x4 tours that take visitors far beyond the usual tourist sites into the deep heart of the natural wonderland just beyond the golf courses and leafy suburbs of Marbella.

An experience to remember Whether you choose to head out in a guided jeep convoy that takes you off the beaten track and up towards the panoramic peaks of local mountain ranges or try a ‘Mad Max’ adventure in dune buggies that hug dry riverbeds or other dusty tracks, it will be an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. You’ll see Marbella and this coastal region from a very different perspective, quite literally, as you set off from one of the pretty white mountain villages spread across the Costa del Sol and head inland, rising up to vantage points that offer simply spectacular views back down to the coastline and sea. You can let loose your inner child and scramble away in dune buggies or make it a stylish 4x4 affair complete with mountain peak picnic and Champagne to accompany one of the most stunning sunset vistas you’ve ever experienced – the choice is yours.

Hasan Ayashi Assistant General Manager

When you have a passion for something it shows – in the spring in your step, the sparkle in your eye and the smile you carry with you. There is a ritual that Hasan repeats every morning as he arrives at work, and that is going around to greet every staff member in person. “It’s a great way to do the rounds first thing, check that everything is in order and also see if the team is in good form,” says the affable Assistant General Manager of the Breathe Group. “When you work so closely together in hospitality one part of the operation depends on the other, so it’s important that we form a cohesive, well-oiled outfit. This creates a tight-knit family where it’s important for me as a manager to ensure everyone is feeling well and ready to make a good day of it.” Hasan’s love for what he does is obvious. His smile and the twinkle in his eye give it away, as does the friendly way in which he approaches client and colleague alike. “One of the great things about the Breathe Group is that we feel like a community, and this blurs the most traditional lines between clients, staff, ranks and other forms of distance. We offer courteous, efficient service but within a friendly, welcoming ambience and I think this sense of feeling at home is what makes us so popular among our guests. In our various venues we serve people the whole day, from breakfast to dinner, so we cover a wide spectrum of needs, from the quick morning snack and light lunch to elegant dinners, lively evenings and also people who come to work, meet and grab a bite after exercise. For all those occasions, Breathe is a place that always fits like a glove.”

Dubai and Marbella, via Aleppo and Djibouti Hasan’s homeland may now be tainted by civil war but he remembers the friendly people that mark Syria’s rich culture. “Syria is a diverse country with different population groups but we’ve always been a friendly, hospitable people who love to chat, socialise and invite people for dinner – whether it’s at home or out. In many ways, it’s quite similar to the Spanish culture and there are even culinary similarities as our cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean and Eastern elements.” With this background and his own people-loving personality, Hasan was made for the hospitality industry and moved from Edlib to enrol at the Hospitality Institute in Aleppo. “The tourism sector is synonymous with travel and adventure, so I set off for Dubai the minute I graduated,” says the young man who arrived in the bustling, highly competitive environment of the Emirates’ largest city, where he started at the bottom with the Kempinski group and worked his way up to a management position. “I loved every minute and was even sent to Djibouti to help arrange important events hosted at the Kempinski Hotel there. It was an amazing experience and I also got the chance to experience the local culture, with its fresh out of the sea fish dishes and super friendly people.”

“Breathe is a family to me” 34

Finding his calling Hasan returned to Dubai but not much later was drawn to new opportunities that led to Marbella. “I knew when I arrived that this was where I wanted to stay and was lucky enough to be part of the beginning at Breathe, with Aguilene and the team that has since become family to me.” After several years, Hasan felt the urge to try new ground and moved to the Marbella Club, followed by an appointment as Director of F&B at the Relais & Chateaux La Fonda. “It was great to be exposed to new experiences but after a few years it was time to return to the fold, and I rejoined the Breathe family in January 2025, working closely with Aguilene, General Manager Fran and the rest of a team that has become very special to me. Breathe is more than just a collection of wonderful venues; to me it embodies my passion for hospitality.”

PLANT YOUR TREE

www.breathegifttrees.com

AIR

Dawn of the New Air Saturday 16th May marked the opening of Air for another sultry summer season, and with it the dawn of a new-look open air dining and nightlife venue. The sun was just setting as the stylish guests began arriving for the glamorous opening party of Air, taking the lift up to the open-air venue that has become a favourite for summer evenings out. After a series of unforgettable seasons, the rooftop space has been updated and prepared not just for a new summer but also given a new look and feel as part of an overall rejuvenation. One of the most popular rooftop settings in Marbella that blends bar, lounge, dining and nightclub areas under the open skies, Air is keeping all that’s made it so beloved but adding an expanded dinner under the stars experience with a broader menu and more table space. We’re making it even more stylish, more refined as you step out of the lift and enter a space that is unique in Marbella – a classy restaurant and bar with live music and entertainment, whose lounge and dance floor turn into a sophisticated open-air nightclub as the night wears on.

Take possession of the night at Air

Guests stepped into this ambience on May 16th as they beheld the new-look Air and let themselves be embraced by its atmosphere against the stunning backdrop of night time views over Puerto Banús and Marbella. As the evening progressed and the rooftop venue filled with stylish guests, the drinks and snacks flowed to the rhythm of a live DJ, dancers and acrobatic fire displays. Fireworks lit the night sky at midnight to mark the official opening of a sensational new summer season at the new-look, new-feel Air.

Above.

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The Art of Biohacking

More and more people are getting strategic about their lifestyles, planning everything from diet, physical exercise, stress-busting habits to their work and living environment in order to improve physical, mental and emotion wellbeing. It’s called biohacking. Drawing on insights from biology, neuroscience, nutrition and technology, those who practise biohacking seek to understand how body and mind function in order to enhance their performance and also ensure physical health, longevity, mental capacity and emotional wellbeing. They choose the right nutrient-rich diet and exercise regime, seek to improve sleep quality and above all to manage stress, realising that each of these things forms part of a chain that affects us on many individual levels as well as generally. When taken too far, they tend to over-monitor their health, fitness routines and diets that are in large part made up of vitamins and supplements, but when done in proper harmony it is of course a very sophisticated way of staying healthy, strong, energetic, mentally agile and setting the conditions for a well-balanced and happy life.

Steps taken While strapping too many devices to your body that return an avalanche of mostly marginally interesting data can turn a sporty person into a hypochondriac, selective information is useful to ascertain exactly what works for your body. Using it allows you to finetune your health regime and personalise it to your needs. In other words, create a wellness strategy that will affect what you eat, how and when you exercise, the sports and activities that are beneficial or not made for you, how to recognise and reduce or avoid stress points, and what makes you happy in life. Armed with this, a biohacker has a big lead in the race towards creating a healthy, contented and fulfilling lifestyle. Many also attempt to use their mind and body to optimise output in terms of work, study, sport,

creativity or even interpersonal interaction. It is a growing trend driven both by a desire to excel and to get the most out of life, and to ensure body and mind are properly cared for. Reducing stress is a key factor, so nature, spa treatments and getaway retreats are as much a feature as is reducing blue light time in front of screens. Taken together with early testing for congenital conditions, biohacking is producing results for athletes, entrepreneurs and other high performers, allowing them to take greater control of their bodies and lives and refocusing life away from competition and consumption towards the search for greater meaning and fulfilment.

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SOUL

The flow at Soul Soul is a much-loved venue that follows the day from its inception at breakfast to closing time when the song of crickets heralds in the night. Throughout the day, it is many things to many people, but above all the place to be at any time of your choosing. A day in the life of Soul starts with the first chirping of the birds, when the team arrives to begin preparing the kitchen for service. By the time the first guests are sipping a coffee, smoothie or energy shot, the restaurant is ready for another day under the Marbella sun. Dishes have been prepared by the kitchen staff, presented by the waiters and from the bar flows a steady stream of beverages to those waiting in the sunny and shaded sections of the terrace. Those who come for a refreshing snack after gym or paddle like the open air, those who come here to work in a calm, engaging environment prefer the cool indoors and the people who meet and socialise at Soul seek out the terrace and bar area. By lunchtime larger groups join them, usually in the semi-enclosed part to the right of the terrace, designed to accommodate jovial diners without disturbing the other guests.

Fresh pineapple

Power

Raspberry

Brazillian

Blueberry

Evolving with the day

From the beautifully bright and cheerful breakfast dishes to the equally healthy but heartier lunchtime offering, Soul follows the flow of the day with an ebb and flow of people. Paddle players, gym fans, digital workers, entrepreneurs, socialisers and those who come to watch sport share this welcoming space in total harmony, each forming part of the Soul community that carries this special venue in its heart. Come the early evening they are joined by those who like to meet up here after work, a group that grows in number and vibrancy as the week progresses towards the weekend. For them, the focus shifts to the bar area, just as the first diners begin to seek out their favourite spot inside or on the terrace. The evening choice falls to the larger dishes, often accompanied by refreshing white wines and typically accompanied by the happy summer vibe created by Soul’s resident DJ. By the time the restaurant begins to wind down, the kitchen is scrubbed down and the cleaning teams arrive, Soul sees another good day come to a satisfying end and looks forward to once again being the favoured spot for a wide variety of guests that have made this such a beloved venue in Marbella.

SOUL SESSIONS

Live DJ from 7pm - 9pm Every Thursday

GROUND

Artisan Bakery Ground is a popular coffee shop and lunchtime meeting point but it’s also home to an artisanal bakery that makes some of the finest fresh and healthy bread on this coast. In fact, it’s where those delicious gluten and sugar-free pastries come from. At Breathe, we believe that great food begins with great ingredients, and that also applies to bread, so we use the finest natural raw materials in our bakery. Our artisan breads are made using the following carefully selected flours, natural sourdough fermentation, and traditional baking methods that enhance both flavour and texture.

Rye Flour

Rye flour is known for its rich, earthy flavour and naturally high fibre content that creates a denser loaf full of character. The rye flour used in our Rye Bread (some with chia and pumpkin seeds) is specially sourced for its nutritional and taste qualities. Aurora What Flour

Featured in several of our breads, including our Tomato Bread, aurora wheat is prized for its baking quality and balanced flavour. It helps create a light crust while maintaining structure and depth of taste. Semolina Wheat

Made from durum wheat, semolina contributes a slightly golden colour, gentle sweetness and pleasant texture. It is commonly used in Mediterranean baking and adds both flavour and consistency to our rye-based loaves. Spelt Flour

Traditionally used in northern Spain, spelt flour is an ancient wheat with good taste and excellent health-promoting qualities. Sourdough Fermentation

A key element across our breads is our own sourdough culture. Natural fermentation develops flavour, improves texture and reflects our commitment to traditional artisan bakery using fine quality flour. Alongside our bread selection, guests can also enjoy our Homemade Protein Bar, made up with dried blueberries, dark chocolate, peanut butter, dates, pistachios, walnuts, cashew nuts, coconut oil and maple syrup – a nourishing option for those looking for a wholesome snack throughout the day. Whether enjoyed at breakfast, lunch or alongside dinner, our breads are crafted to complement the fresh, healthy dining experience that defines Breathe.

Marbella from the Top

When in Marbellla, we tend to look towards the sea but cast your eye inland and there’s a whole world to explore and discover. With its climate and setting Marbella is a paradise for the active person. Many enjoy walking along the shores of the Mediterranean, strolling along one of the many beautiful golf courses and covering kilometres inside one of the malls or department stores, but there’s another way to fire up your exercise regime – head into the mighty sierra mountain ranges that line the Costa del Sol. There’s a walk for every interest and fitness level, from gentle shaded pathways following the aqueduct course around Benahavis to peaks seemingly designed for serious mountaineering. The most iconic is of course La Concha, the majestic mountain towering 1215 metres above Marbella that is the official landmark of this region. The popular route to its peak usually starts within the wooded environs of the Refugio de Juanar past La Cañada shopping centre on the way to the little town of Ojén. It will take you through pine forests and along rocky ridges and mountain paths to the rather spectacular summit, from where Marbella spreads out before you and it’s possible to trace the coastline to Gibraltar and the seemingly nearby shores of North Africa. Not for beginners, it usually takes four to six hours there and back. An equally attractive alternative is Cruz de Juanar, which provides a shorter route also packed with scenery that takes you through olive groves and pine forests to a large cross that overlooks Marbella, Ojén and the Mediterranean Sea. These spots form the peaks of the sierra mountain ranges that span the length of the coast, including the many trails of the Sierra Blanca and Sierra de las Nieves National Park. The many different paths range in difficulty and take in wooded groves, limestone landscapes, dramatic valleys, waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints across the region. You might even see mountain goats on the ridges, a herd of their domesticated brethren munching on the hard grass, eagles hovering overhead and brightly coloured birds darting between the trees.

Best time to go While the morning is the best time to hit the hiking paths, early evening will reward you with dramatic sunsets when you reach the viewing points, but make sure you don’t have a long descent in the dark. Spring and autumn are the best times of year but it’s always wise to take a rucksack with sufficient water, some snacks and sun protection, not to mention good hiking shoes and a fully charged mobile phone. Have fun in the great Marbella outdoors!

Nº1 Lifestyle Magazine on the Costa del Sol

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The Ecosystem on your Doorstep

From your present vantage point, you might not think so but a short distance away wildlife abounds. Head out into the residential streets of Marbella’s country clubs at night and you might just catch a family of wild boar in your headlights or see them rummaging around waste bins. These impressive wild animals are a sight to behold but also a thorn in the side of homeowners as they can wake up to dug up gardens, and these animals are definitely not to be messed with when they have piglets in tow. From the sunbed on your terrace, you may also have seen birds criss-crossing the blue skies but take note, they’re not all seagulls and swallows. Take some time to zoom in, grab a pair of binoculars if you have them handy, and you’ll notice that there’s a lot more up there than the run of the mill varieties you’re used to in other cities. The further inland you go the more variety is visible – up to 250 bird species have been spotted here – including eagle owls, griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, Bonelli’s eagles and a multitude of migratory birds that pass through the region each year on their way to and from Africa. Many are visible from that terrace of yours, including eagles circling for prey overhead, ducks flying rapidly in pairs and swifts or even bats darting about the air. The natural vegetation of pine and cork oak forests also supports roe deer, Spanish Ibex, foxes, otters, genets, stone marten, Egyptian mongoose and even small numbers of the elusive Iberian Lynx.

From eagles to dolphins…

The area is also home to numerous lizards, geckos, brightly coloured salamanders, toads and snakes, while the Mediterranean scrubland between Casares and the coast is home to the only population of scorpions in Europe. However, it doesn’t end on land, as the Mar Alboran – the section of the Mediterranean Sea that extends from the Costa del Sol towards Morocco – is equally considered to be an ecosystem of great importance and variety. Sailors and divers in the area commonly spot regular and bottlenose dolphins, pilot, sperm and fin whales, striped dolphins, sea turtles and occasionally even sharks and orcas. Around the island of Alborán alone, over 1600 species have been recorded, including of course various seabirds and many of the varieties that have been caught here by fishermen since ancient times. Though we don’t often think of it that way, the land, sky and waters of the Costa del Sol form part of a lively ecosystem that exists just a short distance from our homes.

Yachting Culture With yacht harbours extending from Málaga in the east to Sotogrande and Gibraltar in the west, the Costa del Sol’s famous coastline is a playground for boat lovers. There are more than ten yacht harbours spanning the almost 150 kilometres of shoreline between Gibraltar and Málaga, each home to hundreds of vessels of all sizes and descriptions. Together, they form the basis for a Mediterranean sailing culture that dates back thousands of years and a jet-set yachting scene that blossomed with the birth of the region’s resort towns in the 1950s. Over the years, the yachts have become bigger, bolder and more imposing but the sea they traverse has remained much the same, offering a unique view of the ever-changing urban landscapes of the Costa del Sol and a way of life that is steeped in privilege and glamour. The different yacht marinas suit a broad variety of needs and also diverse experiences, ranging from the big city ambience of Málaga and the famous glamour of Puerto Banús to the old money refinement of Sotogrande and the quaint charm of Cabopino. The ports of Estepona, Duquesa, Alcaidesa, Marbella, Fuengirola and Benalmádena are more conventional and focus on smaller boats yet retain that special marina feel. Each also forms the hub for its own collection of restaurants, bars, boutiques and tourist experiences – as well as forming the gateway for excursions in this western end of the Mediterranean Sea.

On the water… Visitors often hop on regular catamaran excursions that ferry them between points or head out to sea for some whale and dolphin spotting, while more adventurous groups charter boats of their own for a taste of the good life. This can include skirting the shoreline, dropping anchor in a cove for some lunch followed by a dive in the sea and perhaps even Champagne sundowners and a party. Just the sort of thing that probably goes on in those superyachts lining the quay in Puerto Banús as they set off for local destinations such as Gibraltar, Ceuta, Morocco and the Balearic Islands. Others set sail for more distant itineraries further east into the Mediterranean or out into the Atlantic, eventually returning to a glamorous home base on these shores.

What do we want from our cherished summers and vacations? Sun, sea, cocktails, parties, beaches, idyllic landscapes, the excitement of discovering somewhere or someone new? Yes, but now there’s another item on the wish list: going offline. We all know the picture of the perfect summer holiday. It’s been played out in travel ads since time immemorial: sparkling azure pools under a clear blue sky, sandy beaches in an aquamarine cove, fun times without a care and surrounded by a bevy of beautiful people. Usually it’s depicted as the aforementioned beautiful people diving off a yacht into the sea, dining on a tropical beach, partying in Ibiza or exploring exotic new lands, but while all the above continues to entice for many there is a new thing they look forward to these summers, and that’s to disconnect for a little while.

Unplug it

In the modern world we are caught in a web between convenience, need and entrapment. The very same gadgets and endless stream of information that drives our work and social lives also enslaves us at times and has the power to turn us into mindless zombies for hours on end. You know what I’m talking about, or haven’t you wasted whole days scrolling uncontrollably, answering unnecessary messages and wishing you could – just for once – be free of that endless cord that attaches you to an overhyped world that appears to race around in no particular direction? Increasingly, unplugging and disconnecting from it all is considered to be a luxury in the face of the onslaught of information and the demands made by friends, colleagues and bosses. Not surprisingly, those who can are now choosing to opt out of this – at least for the duration of a well-earned vacation, and more and more luxury getaway experiences are just that, getting away from it all. Among affluent

travellers the focus is therefore moving from constant connectivity to meaningful presence. Part of this is a growing tendency not to post one’s experiences around the ether in real time but instead to enjoy discretion, privacy and ‘down time’. Successful people in high-powered positions tend to spend much of their lives connected and they are now opting for meaningful breaks that offer uninterrupted peace and the chance to spend quality time with friends and family, immerse themselves in nature, enjoy activities and soothing wellness treatments without a distraction that diminishes every other experience. This summer, the ultimate status symbol is therefore not being seen online; it is being entirely offline as authentic experiences not ostentation now define luxury in the modern world.

The Rise of old Money Style In an age dominated by fast fashion fads, social media trends and conspicuous displays of wealth, a quieter and more sophisticated aesthetic has emerged as one of the defining style movements of recent years: the ‘Old Money’ look. When one trend reaches a point of excess and saturation it tends to herald in the birth of a new movement, often in reaction to it. This is very true of the recent move away from years of previously dominant bling styles and loud ostentation that is slowly giving way to an aesthetic where elegance is preferred over showcasing, where quality is prioritised over brand logos, craftsmanship over trends and the appeal lies not in showing off status but in embodying a lifestyle of confidence, culture and refinement.

The rise of old money style

This movement has been given extra impetus by the glamorous ambience, sophisticated manners and impeccable styling seen in series such as Suits and Mad Men. The largely logo-free, personally tailored outfits and discreet, understated refinement seen in watches, jewellery, cars and other vestiges of luxury have impressed audiences, as have the cultured sophistication of the characters portrayed. The men seem calmer and more confident, while women wear their strength with elegance and grace – see Blake Lively in The Age of Adeline. One way or another the Old Money trend has ushered in a rediscovered appreciation of retro styles that include Oxford shorts, linen trousers, blazers and neutral colour palettes. Rather than seeking attention through flashy branding, the focus has shifted towards clothes that exude taste, education and enduring quality. The message conveyed is one of feeling good enough in one’s skin not to have to prove anything, and with it comes a more distinguished bearing and form of behaviour.

designmust Inc @Unsplash

Sam Pearce Warrilow @Unsplash

The meaning of the trend The Old Money aesthetic extends beyond clothing into architecture, interior design, travel and lifestyle. Traditional craftsmanship, natural materials, curated art collections and heritage properties have become highly desirable. In luxury real estate markets such as Marbella, buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that convey timeless elegance through a modern interpretation of traditional Andalusian design, mature landscaping and understated exclusivity. At its core, the rise of Old Money style reflects a broader cultural shift. In a world saturated with instant gratification and constant visibility, many people are gravitating toward values associated with permanence, discretion, and authenticity. It is not merely a fashion trend but a celebration of enduring refinement—a reminder that true luxury is often the luxury that speaks softly.

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Rosa Rafael @Unsplash

Villa Strato La Zagaleta

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Cave Homes in Andalucía Yes, you don’t have to go to Bedrock or Petra to see the troglodytes, there are cave homes right here in Andalucía. You might not bump into the Flintstones or the Nabataeans but the town of Guadix is fascinating all the same – and you can even stay in one of its cave hotels! Drive two and a half hours from Marbella, just east of Granada, and you arrive in a different world, entering into a landscape of sandstone plains dotted with groves of tall poplar trees. At first, all you see is a gentle spread of farmsteads and the town of Guadix sprawling around its ancient castle, surrounded by those dry, sand-coloured mountains and the deep blue sky. But then you spot one, and once you do they’re everywhere: little whitewashed houses carved into the soft rock, sometimes several stories high. It seems like an optical illusion at first, but travel around Guadix and even in the town itself, and you’ll see that a significant percentage of the real estate here is made up of cave homes. In fact, Guadix is famous for them, offering one of the largest concentrations of troglodyte living in Europe. Yes, most of these homes are still lived in and have been for centuries. It is said that the tradition goes back over five centuries, when the poor and those displaced by the wars of the Spanish reconquest created free housing by excavating them from the soft stone of the region.

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The uniqueness of Guadix’s troglodyte houses has made it a popular Andalusian destination

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Living underground The result is a charming spectacle of undulating hills dotted with the white-plastered façades and chimneys of countless little homes. These properties may originally have been pretty basic but they were later equipped with modern kitchens and bathrooms, and are now also available as comfortable Airbnb’s. There are even attractive cave hotels whose rooms and suites benefit from remarkably pleasant temperatures in spaces that naturally range between 18-20 degrees throughout the year – without the need for heating or cooling. Indeed, it’s the ultimate form of sustainable living, and Guadix’s Barrio de las Cuevas is the closest thing to the Flintstones that you will experience this side of Bedrock. But it’s no theme park; this is an authentic part of the Andalusian heritage that remains alive and well today. Just one of many things that mark this region out as one of the most fascinating and exotic parts of Europe.

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E X C L U S I V E D E S I G N

INTERIOR DESIGN

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BESPOKE CARPENTRY

FURNITURE COLLECTION

SHOWROOM MARBELLA A V D A . B LV. P R Í N C I P E A L F O N S O D E H O H E N L O H E . U R B . C A R O L I N A P A R K Opening hours Mon-Thu: 8AM - 17PM Fri: 8AM - 14PM Sat: upon appointment w w w. a a l t o e x c l u s i v e d e s i g n . c o m