Breathe Magazine 6th edition

Welcome to the summer scene

Summer in Marbella is special. It sizzles, it sparks and it keeps you coming back for more – and Breathe does its bit to add spice to a spectacular summer season!

As June flows into July we enter the high season. Marbella buzzes with life, sunny spots fill by day, promenades by night and golfers book morning and late afternoon slots on the fairways. Our focus is on the sea, sun and the chilled vibes of vibrant night entertainment.

Breathe forms part of this scenery, offering daytime venues at Ground and Soul that merge into the evening. At Soul, evening sets in with live DJs and sundowner cocktails as the evening crowd arrives. Breathe fills with atmosphere from terrace to terrace and restaurant in between. And then we’re up at Air, the most panoramically elegant open air nightclub in Marbella, for a night to remember. A night that begins with the setting sun, spectacular views over the city, beautiful stars and fresh air in the coast’s finest open air night club.

You’ll see our latest offering on these pages, along with newly updated and exciting menu changes and additions. We think you’ll approve! This summer edition of the Breathe magazine also features a celebration of the milestone of planting and adding 100.000 trees to our planet – for which we have been congratulated by Green Earth Appeal - as well as articles on fast-moving horses and cars in panoramic settings and the cool world of ceramics – part of our focus on all things stylish and beautiful.

Art and holiday pampering also feature in this sun edition of the magazine, when we hope to welcome you at Breathe and find a perfect spot to relax, read the magazine, enjoy wonderful food, ambience and company, and of course perfect summer memories.

Aguilene Benicio

SOUL

Soul summer vibe

It’s going to be another sizzling summer season in Marbella, so buckle up and get ready for some of that cool hot fun @Soul.

Summer is some ride in Marbella and surroundings. It’s the coolest, hottest vibe in Europe and the place to let your hair down and have fun. Summer in Marbella begins gently, easing into the day with fresh squeezed juice, a strong cup of coffee and a healthy breakfast. Some go one better than that and will already have hit the gym or paddle courts in the early morning hours by the time they sit down to a refreshing light meal at Soul.

The day starts to warm up as people come to the terrace at Soul to meet up or work in the fresh open air. By lunchtime the fresh fruit and yoghurt bowls are replaced by savoury wraps and dishes such as pan-fried salmon. The charcoal grill is fired up and by evening the daytime crowd has largely been replaced by those who come to socialise and relax a bit after work. Live music and cocktails build up the atmosphere as diners fill the restaurant. That’s a day in the life of Soul, and all the while the I/O gym and the paddle tennis club voted ‘best in the world’ provide a backdrop of action that spills over on to the sunny terrace for after-workout refreshments.

Soul in summer is all about chilled vibes during the day, soothing summer tones as the afternoon draws to a close and the lively buzz of socialising and dining as the setting sun makes this a wonderful place to be. The vibe continues into the evening, as Soul is one of the few morning-till-night venues in town, not to mention of the very coolest!

Check out the summer season events @Soul ‘25

26th: Sky Fall

5th: Les Folies de la Marquetterie

12th: Guri & Eider DJ

7th: Guri & Eider DJ 21st: Everlasting Fire

th: Black Swan: Closing Night

Sushi @Breathe

Sushi has taken the world by storm. Why? Because these deliciously fresh and healthy Japanese dishes are artistically made from choice ingredients and make the perfect sophisticated snack.

Sushi is perfect for warm climates and balmy summer evenings, such as the ones that form the backdrop for a classic night at Breathe restaurant and the open air nightclub Air. They’re also popular at our Ground and Soul venues, confirming that sushi and Marbella are made for each other.

As the blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine serves as a strong source of inspiration for all the Breathe restaurants, we know a thing or two about making mouthwatering Maki rolls, Nigiri and also Flambé Maki rolls, not to mention such delicacies as scallop tartare nigiri, wagyu nigiri, wagyu niku rolls and lobster maki rolls, which we call ‘sexy’, and it is, it’s so good.

Signature dish @Air

Sushi is not surprisingly the signature dish at Air, where it goes so well with many beverages but above all with Champagne, enjoyed on a sultry summer night spent socialising and partying under the stars in the open air venue that is Marbella’s most sophisticated nightclub. The mix of panoramic views, Champagne, sushi, live music and entertainment is seductive indeed.

For lovers of speed there is nothing quite like taking to the track. If you have a powerful car and enjoy racing, this is the place to test yourself – either against the clock or in direct competition with others.

Racing on the roads is not really an option, much less recommendable. For one thing, it is dangerous, there is too much traffic for speeding and if the police catch you trying it they will tow your car away, give you a fine to bring tears to your eyes and confiscate your driving licence for longer than is comfortable. So, if it’s speed you’re after the track is the place, but here too rules apply. A good racing circuit is so much safer than the road because it will have a seamless transition from the track to the perfectly maintained verge, and if you come off the road the specially designed crash barriers will absorb most of the impact.

That said, you will be banned from returning if you don’t abide by the rules, and these include no racing unless you’ve reached a certain level of skill. You can go on to the track with a normal licence, using either your own car or bike, or one provided by the circuit club, but until you’re skilled enough to enter an actual race you’ll be getting the unique feel of racing on a circuit by perfecting your drive and following the instructions on how to tackle those chicanes and long, winding curves. Get it wrong and you slide off the track, so it’s important to enter bends in a way that avoids understeer or oversteer, and keeps you glued to the road.

Improving your lap times is all about not slowing down or accelerating too much, maintaining a constant high speed, getting around bends in one piece and daring to brake as late as possible at the end of the long straight, where you pick up a lot of speed. This is where confidence in the car, yourself and a strong dose of guts come into play, and of course experience is vital, as once you become familiar with the circuit you begin to anticipate what it throws at you. This is a good thing, especially in a real track racing car such as a Radical, as they’re so low and close to the ground that you don’t really see much, and what you see tends to be blurred from the violent shaking.

Yes, tearing around a racing track gives you a renewed sense of respect for racing drivers, as you begin to fathom just how tough the sport really is. Imagine spending several hours cooped up in a bath tub position undergoing high temperatures, tremendous G-forces and having to concentrate non-stop. Let your mind drift and you hit the wall rather than leaving a few centimetres between you and the concrete. In the comfort of our modern cars or living rooms it’s tempting to think we’re great warriors of the roads, or that racing isn’t that complicated, but it is. Just try being a passenger in one of the converted two-seater F1 cars and you’ll come stumbling out of it after a few laps.

Yes, this is a sport that demands respect, and caution, so unless you’re at least a little experienced it might be a good idea to start with go karts and work your way up. There’s no shame in it, it’s how all the racing champions started, so that by the time they were old enough to get a licence they were also ready to join the elite ranks of motor racing. Max Verstappen was on the F1 track before he was of age to drive a normal car, so try out the safe fun at a karting centre such as the ones in Mijas or Estepona if you want to get a taste.

Race Resort Ascari in the hills near Ronda used to offer a spectacular track day experience of members and invited guests, but unfortunately it has since become a private circuit, leaving less glamorous but equally fun tracks such as the one in Guadix, just east of Granada for those who love the camaraderie, pit atmosphere and speed exhilaration of a true track day.

Design Duplex Penthouse in a Natural Setting 5 minutes from the Golden Mile

Modern 3-bedroom penthouse duplex in the exclusive Almazara Hills development offers breathtaking sea and mountain views, nestled in pristine nature just 5 minutes from Marbella’s Golden Mile.

Designed by Marta del Ganso, interior designer of Breathe, the home blends refined contemporary living with a warm, organic aesthetic that complements its natural surroundings.

Experience the best of all worlds — elegant design in a serene setting, with the vibrant energy of the coast within easy reach.

Asking price: 945.000€

GROUND

The Breakfast Club @ Ground

Ground is one of Marbella’s favourite breakfast spots, so much so that there’s lots of demand for our early morning menu. For this reason, we now serve all day breakfast on Sundays – meaning that you can enjoy your favourite egg, yoghurt, muesli pancake dishes and so much more all Sunday long – including a delicious selection of our beloved pizzas!

It’s a great match, as Sunday is that wonderfully lazy day when the morning seems longer. You tend to sleep in, flow into the day slowly and gradually, and pretty much take your time. Sunday is a much-needed ‘me’ day when you shouldn’t ‘have to’ do anything, and that includes not having to rush to make it in time for breakfast!

All day Sunday breakfast

The Breakfast Club, dedicated to lovers of morning menus, opens at 8:30 on Sundays and runs the whole way through to 16:00. There will of course be a lunch menu available too, but Sunday is a day when we really honour the whole morning concept as well as the idea that some days are just made for taking it slow and easy, and stretching that early day groove out. See you for breakfast Sunday…afternoon – just don’t come in your pyjamas.

Rainbow Lattes –

colourful, healthy and so pretty

They’re pretty, artistic, bright and also healthy – taking Instagram by storm, and now we have them too!

Rainbow lattes are quite the thing right now. They’re so visually pleasing and open to artistic inspiration that it’s easily understandable how they could be causing a sensation on photo-based social media platforms such as Instagram. People love the fresh, colourful look and pretty designs, so they share and take photos, including selfies with a colourful morning latte and of course also video short reels against countless backdrops.

But what exactly are rainbow lattes and are they just a funky visual ‘designer’ trend or do they also taste good? In other words, is this a real coffee or just a gimmick?

How they’re both pretty and healthy Rainbow lattes are actually not just good to look at, they’re also delish and even healthy to boot – so they have all the right ingredients to make it on to the Breathe menu. Speaking of ingredients, you could also call them healthy lattes as these bright and colourful drinks are created with the milks of varied kinds of plants. Combining milks with distinctly different densities and plants and fruits with varying flavours and colours creates an artistic palette to be turned into something stylish with a steady hand and an artistic eye.

The milks generally used include the coconut, almond, rice and oat varieties, used together as layers in sweetened and unsweetened form, though some people spice it up further with sweetener and herbs. The reds and pinks come from the likes of beet, elderberry and hibiscus, the oranges and yellows from turmeric, mango, chamomile, banana and carrot, the greens and blues from spirulina, algae and green tea, and the sexy purple from blueberries, black tea and acai – so you can see that rainbow lattes are not only visually inspiring, pretty creations that add a touch of joy to the coffee experience, but they are also varied, tasty and – as they’re made from very healthy ingredients – very good for you!

HORSE RACING,

ON THE BEACH

Yes, in Spain there is horse racing even at the height of summer. What’s more, you won’t even have to leave the beach.

You will have to find your way to Sanlúcar de Barrameda though, a charming seaside town just past Cádiz, about an hour and a half from Marbella. Set where Atlantic waves meet the waters of the Bay of Cádiz, it is famous for three things: its seafood cuisine, Manzanilla pale sherry and an internationally famous horse race.

You might be wondering what’s so special about a horse race in picturesque Sanlúcar de Barrameda that warrants international fame. This is, after all, not Ascot, the Kentucky Derby or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, yet Sanlúcar de Barrameda’s annual race has something pretty unique – sand. Or more specifically, it is held on the beach in classic style, creating what is by now a time-honoured tradition that has become renowned the world over.

The event has been organised by the Sociedad de Carreras de Caballos de Sanlúcar de Barrameda since 1845 – making it one of the oldest British-style equestrian events in Spain, and the 2025 edition the 180th time that battle was done for the title of this singular seaside competition. Picture this: a long sandy beach, boats bobbing in the water and crowds lined up to watch the thunder of hooves stampeding where the waves glide gently onto the sand.

It looks and feels like a horse race, and it is a serious and hotly contested one, but the very setting makes this a unique event with a fun atmosphere all of its own. It’s also a fantastic excuse to head up past Gibraltar to Cádiz, skirt the bay near the vineyards of Jerez de la Frontera and arrive at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, ready for a unique day of racing followed by some of that famous seafood washed down with manzanilla.

At Kossa Studio, we believe branding is more than just visuals — it’s a reflection of who you are and the story you’re here to tell.

We’re a creative agency based in the south of Spain, working with clients around the world to build brands that feel human, intentional, and distinct. Our process blends strategy with soul: we take the time to understand your vision, then craft visual identities, websites, and communication systems that align with it — and elevate it.

Whether you’re launching something new or ready to reimagine your brand, we’re here to help you tell your story — with clarity, beauty, and heart.

Kindly,

Alba Harden. Founder of Kossa Studio

kossa studio

BREATHE

Breathe al fresco

If you want a special night out and to spoil yourself with delicious food, a first-class bar and a lively atmosphere with fun entertainment and a world of possibilities, Breathe is the place to be. But while the stylish restaurant is well-known for its elegant dining room, there’s no reason to stay indoors if you prefer the al fresco experience.

When you arrive at Breathe, it’s the style and ambience of the interior decor that impresses first, long before you’ve had a chance to sample the food, service and atmosphere. Even so, there are more choices available, especially in summer, when the large terrace backing on to a private garden offers a cool setting in every sense of the word. On warm nights this is a particularly popular spot within the restaurant, but you can also opt for an even more panoramic evening on the balcony that leads out from the main dining room to offer cool evening breezes and unequalled views across Marbella and Puerto Banús to the Mediterranean Sea glistening under silver moonlight.

There can be few settings that are more spectacular and romantic, with this kind of panorama as a backdrop to your meal. The balcony is a little more peaceful, more intimate and private, though a lively atmosphere drifts through from the main restaurant to fill the air with music and laughter. Breathe therefore offers a choice of al fresco dining options in the finest Mediterranean tradition – with what is one of the most inspiring views in all of the Costa del Sol.

Make sure you book in time, though, as al fresco dining at Breathe is considered to be a prime experience on a sultry summer’s night.

Wyecliffe Galleries –the Art Architects

Benjamin Fry and Katia Hickmer Dacey run an art consultancy that is so much more than a gallery alone. From representing and promoting new and established artists to sourcing and commissioning artwork and advising on collections, art investment, design and decoration projects, they are like the architects of the art world – providing a full service from concept to delivery.

Wyecliffe Gallery in Weybridge, Surrey, is unlike the typical idea one might have of an art gallery. You know, the stuffy minimalist place we’ve seen in movies, where you could hear a pin drop and tend to feel a tad intimidated. Not so at this establishment, where drinks and snacks are freely available, the music is toned down a bit as you enter but the happy, friendly vibe remains undiminished. “Art is about beauty and beauty is about pleasure, so why not make it a joyous experience,” says Benjamin, who has built up a highly successful business from a dynamic, client-friendly approach.

“We do serious work but we enjoy it, so we approach it with a happy energy,” adds Katia. Together with their handpicked team of experts they represent both upcoming new and well established artists in a variety of genres, selecting their associations on the basis of in-depth market knowledge. “We know the dynamics of the market across different segments, so we recognise what will achieve commercial and critical success because we also stay up to date with newly evolving trends.”

This expertise and ability to produce results for artist and collector alike is at the basis of what makes Wyecliffe Gallery so successfull and so impactful in their field. It is also thanks to a very client-tailored approach that sets the business apart, as Benjamin realised soon after opening the gallery that life is complicated selling one-off pieces. “We like to engage with our clients, and help them to find their art and enjoy it, regardless of whether they are knowledgable art lovers, novices, investors or for that matter corporate clients looking to dress hotels, restaurants, offices or clinics with artwork,” says Benjamin.

A global market

This approach has helped the business mushroom outwards from its physical presence in Weybridge, as Benjamin and Katia’s client base has become increasingly global. “People come to the gallery or on to our website to buy one-off pieces, but the interaction with ourselves leads many to come back and start collecting, and that’s the beginning of a fun collaborative process that leads us to source specific art pieces or styles, commission unique one-off pieces for clients, advise them on investments – although we always suggest to buy art first and foremost for enjoyment – and also help to decorate homes and commercial premises,” says Katia.

“Many a client has bought from us for their home in the UK and then asked us to provide the art for their home abroad as well, and this in turn has opened up international markets to the point where much of our work is now for people from across Europe, Asia and North America.” In addition to sourcing and commissioning unique pieces for clients, Wyecliffe Galleries also has a specialist team that flies around the world installing the artwork. “We’re a start to finish business when it comes to art and we cover the whole range from ₤100 prints to collaborating with auction houses such as Bonhams on collector pieces worth millions and also entire art decoration projects.”

Andalucía

The team has a particular connection with Andalucía, which Benjamin fell in love with after providing the artwork for a UK client’s Marbella home. “I love it here and we’re lucky enough to have an ongoing flow of clients and projects in the region. This, together with the stunning setting, makes Marbella a favoured place for exhibitions and presentations of artists such as Becky Smith, who we recently showcased for collectors and art lovers at Soul.” Also featured was a one-off Ford GT featuring artwork that has been taken by influencer Shmee150 across the roads of Europe to create awareness for CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably –which aids people with suicidal tendencies.

“Our work is exciting, varied and takes us around the wold to meet fascinating people and experience fantastic places,” says Benjamin. “We feel privileged and in the process are surrounded by beauty in an exciting, creative environment. What more could you wish for? Well, maybe to spend more time working from Andalucía.”

Managing good times

David Chicheportiche is the ideal person to head up a venue such as Air. The Operations Manager of Breathe is a fun-loving professional who has a natural way with people. Not surprisingly, he helps to make it a success.

Born in France, David moved to Marbella when he was seven. By the time he left school he was not just fluent in Spanish but also fully integrated. “I feel about as Spanish as I feel French,” says the life-loving hospitality professional with a penchant for travel. “The hospitality sector has always drawn me, so I started with part-time and holiday jobs from the age of 16 and by the time I was 18 I’d set up Doggoes, a hotdog snackbar.” It was great experience for someone so young, but then the travel bug bit and David decided on a move to London to perfect his English and learn the trade at a top restaurant there.

“I was 20 and working at Langan’s Brasserie, next to the Ritz. It was the first restaurant of an English chef to [later] receive a Michelin star and the kind of place where famous people drew up surrounded by paparazzi.” He recalls seeing royals and celebrities like Paris Hilton there and personally attended to Justin Bieber’s table who passed his signed baseball cap on to one of the kitchen staff members - a big fan. “I learned a lot there and felt ready to return to Marbella, where I spent the next six years working at a beach club before being part of the team setting up a trendy restaurant and bar venue in the UK.”

This was followed by travels through Australia, where he worked at a top restaurant in Sydney and another in Byron Bar, which he remembers having a real hippie vibe. Having seen a lot of Australia and traveled the length and breadth of New Zealand, he was ready for another adventure, covering 6500 kilometres in three weeks as he toured Vietnam en route to a beach club job in Cambodia. “In all, I spent eight months visiting and working in South East Asia, and it showed me a lot about service, Asian cuisine and the exciting fast but delicious street food culture over there.”

Breathe

David finally found solid ground under his feet again when he joined the team at the newly opened restaurant. “At that point only the Breathe restaurant itself was operating, as Ground and Air were added later. I’ve been here since the beginning and feel like I’ve grown and evolved with the company. I now head up an operations team that dedicates itself to making sure our customers enjoy quality, style and a special experience with us. In winter I also help out with operations but I do keep some months to myself to recharge by resuming my travels, after which I come back rested and full of ideas.”

He describes the Breathe experience as one big happy family where people value each other and get on well. “We work as a team, have fun and enjoy what we do and want to do it at the top of our abilities, which is the only way to work hard and achieve the best.” A dropshipping business aside, he dedicates himself fully to this task and has both the experience and a natural manner about him that is perfect for the role of making Breathe a happy, well-functioning and stylishly fun place to be.

AIR

Air Sky Party 2025

Summer in Marbella is synonymous with outdoor dining, beach fun and open air parties. Air, with its fantastic views over the city, is the ultimate venue for partying in style.

It’s the perfect place for a special night out, mixing old-school Marbella sophistication with modern style and live entertainment. The sense of arrival builds up expectations as you ride the glass lift and step past a rainfall curtain to the lounge, bar and dance areas that make this open air venue so unique – along with the spectacular night time views of the city and the Bay of Marbella.

Air is a refined nightclub that offers top-end cocktails, a delicious, fresh and light menu, the best wines, Champagnes and spirits as well as live DJs and exciting entertainment. If it’s already one of the most stylish and lively venues in Marbella on normal nights the atmosphere is further turned up during the themed evenings that create a special vibe against a specially deocrated backdrop with accompanying entertainment.

Skyfall – 26 July

Step into a seductively cinematic world in an enigmatic rooftop setting. Fresh sushi flavours, bold cocktails and beats that will make you want to join the cast of this very special script.

Guri & Eider – 7 August & 12 September

Guri & Eider bring their unmistakable sound to Marbella’s finest rooftop venue for sultry grooves at sunset all the way to deep rhythms long into the night.

Everlasting Fire – 21 August

Enjoy a touch of the enigmatic Burning Man spirit as the Californian desert comes to Air along with tribal beats, flowing cocktails and a latesummer burst of energy that won’t burn out.

Les Folies de la Marquetterie – 5 September

oins us for a French Extravaganza – let the Champagne flow in a stylishly decadent setting with live DJ and entertainment. Celebrate life like it’s Champagne!

Air Closing Party – 11 October

One of the highlights of Marbella’s social calendar, closing night at Air is a grand finale party to mark in your diary – one last rooftop celebration of high style, entrancing beats and unforgettable moments.

Reserve your table now for a summer to remember!

Plan your event with us

You may not know this, but the Breathe group has the venues, dedicated services, and personalized flexibility to create exceptional events tailored exactly to your needs – whether it’s a private, corporate, or group experience designed to be remembered. We’ll make it happen together!

Breathe

Breathe is a versatile gastronomic venue that adapts to a variety of ambiances and moments. It features a stylish and atmospheric main restaurant, a popular bar and a spacious garden terrace that’s perfect for hosting events of all kinds.

Throughout the year, we organize our own events with live DJs, dancers, and festivities, and we can create the same experience just for you. From a cozy winter vibe to a fresh, cool summer setting, the venue offers the perfect atmosphere. We offer a selection of different 3-course set menus designed for large groups, as well as a variety of drink packages that can be combined with dinner.

Naturally, we cater to all special dietary requirements, and our talented bartenders will craft an unforgettable experience. With a live DJ setting the perfect vibe, whether your event is corporate and professional, dynamic and inspiring, or simply a great party, we’ll bring your vision to life. The choice is yours, and we’ll make it happen.

Air

Our rooftop bar adds sparkle to any event, whether it’s a private gathering, wedding reception, or business celebration. The arrival experience, stepping out past a water curtain into a panoramic setting overlooking Marbella, is hard to match. If you add sundowners to the occasion, your guests will be treated to a stunning sunset view.

Specialising in cocktail-style events with a wide selection of canapés and open bar packages, Air provides the perfect setting for a relaxed yet sophisticated experience. With live DJ sessions every night, we ensure your event will be truly memorable.

Our experienced events team can also assist with specialised décor, transportation, and entertainment, including musicians, acrobatics, fire shows and much more. Breathe is at your service to create the most amazing event experiences in Marbella!

Château Taittinger

and ‘La Folie de la Marqueterie’

If you know Taittinger as one of the premium Champagne brands in the world you will most likely also suspect that it has a long and proud history –not to mention a colourful tradition.

In almost 300 years, Taittinger has tickled the palate and added sparkle to unforgettable occasions from Paris to New York and Sydney to Tokyo. It is one of the choice Champagnes and this shows in a rather noble lineage best reflected by its ‘home’, the beautifully elegant Château de la Marquetterie. Surrounding it is a grand estate of almost 300 hectares of vineyards that cover the rolling hills of Northern France.

FOLIES DE LA MARQUETTERIE

CHAMPAGNE CELEBRATION

A colourful concept

Some of the finest Champagnes in the world are produced here, including one inspired by the very château and the endless vineyards that extend outwards from it. La Folie de la Marquetterie is a very special single-vineyard Champagne, a cuvée made from grapes grown in the ‘Folies’ within the estate.

In keeping with the famously colourful tones of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from which this delightful nectar of the Gods is made, the tones of this particular offering are copper-rose to reflect the autumnal shades of the harvesting and production season.

Named after and inspired by its home, this bright, sparkly and richly rewarding Champagne is a folly indeed, a wine that like the famous brand itself has a long tradition of creating a euphoria of happiness and unforgettable moments of raucousness that bubble up irressistibly. Folie is also a word used for historic 18th century summer residences such as the Taittinger château, so it has worked hard to create a cuvée that flows with colour and…folly.

Folies de la Marquetterie

Breathe has worked closely with this worldfamous Champagne brand for years and we wish to bring the very special flavour, spirit and joy of Taittinger and its wonderful Folies de la Marquetterie to Air, through an evening dedicated to the fun abandon and stylish celebration of life that are the hallmark of the Champagne culture and lifestyle.

Join us on Friday 5th of September for La Folie de la Marquetterie, when the burlesque atmosphere of Paris comes to the starry evening sky of Marbella. We invite you to party the night away in the very best and most amazing style!

A world of ceramics

Ceramics are tiles, cups, dishes, jars, bath tubs and wash basins, no? Yes, but much more as well. In fact, you’d be amazed. Images: Courtesy of CERSAIE

In the world of ceramics, you will find all the conventional products mentioned above in an endless variety of form, colour combinations, sizes and textural finishes. Ceramics have been with us for thousands of years – they are among the oldest surviving artefacts that have been in production for millennia and continue to be made and used today. However, in spite of this you’d be very wrong to think that this is an industry that is stuck in old ways. Not only have ceramic products evolved with the times in terms of design, functionality and durability, but they’re also using the latest technology to forge into new realms that allow the industry to provide practical, affordable and more sustainable solutions for a new age.

You may know that high-tech ceramics are used in industry, electronics, aboard spacecraft, in military applications and in scientific research, but it is also in design-led applications that this field has in recent years surged ahead to offer a whole range of exciting new products. In this we come back to one of the oldest ceramic uses: tiles. Until recently, there was marble, stone, wood, materials such as jade or flint, and then, way over on the other side of the spectrum, porcelain and ceramics. Thanks to modern technology it is now possible to begin to merge these worlds, which is to say that years of research and perfecting have made it possible to create surfaces made from stone, wood, marble and even jade that are actually not made from any of those rare and often expensive materials.

The ceramics industry can now provide substitutes that are so convincing that they look, feel and function like the original, with the advantage that they are cheaper, more readily available and more practical – easier to clean and maintain. What’s more, you can create almost every finish, detail, texture, colour tone and effect imaginable, not only replicating all the natural materials out there, but actually expanding greatly on the range of possibilities. Wooden floors, stone façades, marble bathrooms and backlit detailing can now all be made from ceramics to the point where you can’t see or feel the difference. While this may not sit well with some traditionalists, there is of course no rule that says you can’t opt for the original item, but you would be spending a lot more money and depleting the reserves of the rarer types of marble, jade and wood.

So ceramics has very much come into the modern age, and in doing so it is crossing over from its traditional sphere into a wider world of building and decorative materials, helping not only to reduce costs but also offering alternatives to raw materials that may become increasingly hard to source. For those now working with this amazingly versatile material, the limit is literally their imagination.

All photos: Courtesy of CERSAIE

Marbella Banus Suites

Every sector is divided into segments and the upper ones tend to be operated by people with the expertise and passion to take things to the next level.

“When you’ve lived in Asia, you know what service is,” says Gabriel Farias Iribarren, co-founder of Marbella Banus Suites. He and his wife Mariana Flocco Rodriguez originally come from Buenos Aires in Argentina but spent many years living in China and traveling through different parts of the Asian continent. “We always wanted to settle in Spain, and Marbella seemed the ideal place. The original idea was to open a B&B in the countryside near the coast but we founded the holiday rental company first and now operate over 60 apartments concentrated in the Puerto Banús and adjacent areas.”

Keen to give people the kind of holiday experience they like to enjoy themselves, Gabriel and Mariana have introduced an Asian level of service combined with modern marketing and management tools to the business. “We concentrate our efforts on a smaller area that we can service well and are selective of the properties we take on as they need to meet certain requirements in terms of location, decor, equipment, amenities and overall charm,” says Mariana. “To this we add advice and also provide furniture packages specially designed for rental properties or can oversee the updating, decoration and preparing of a property for the market.”

This also includes making sure all the legal documentation and regulations are met, ensuring no more than the basic required taxes are paid and working to achieve optimal rental income for their clients. “Our clients are of course twofold, including in the first instance the homeowners for whom we provide rental management services, and then also offering the guests staying in their holiday properties not just a professionally efficient service but actually the kind of friendly, helpful and above all personal support that helps to make their stay memorable. For this reason a lot of guests return and book with us on a regular basis.”

Modern and Personal

In today’s business environment combining the modern technology available to us with a human touch is the ideal mix. “We use the latest tools for effective marketing, real time price adjustments, bookings, payment systems, operational management and also to provide a fully transparent platform through which homeowners can track the reservations calendar, accounts, maintenance reports and income versus expenses any time they want,” says Gabriel. “For the rest it is very important to provide a face to face service and a personal reference point when people need anything during their stay. Problemsolving of small issues, providing advice on the best chiringuitos, restaurants or excursions, and also being there in person when they arrive are all further details that help to make a difference, along with a great cleaning and maintenance team and using technology to store guests’ personal preferences for when they visit again.”

Where many a holiday rental firm will have you following directions on your phone to a locker located in some hallway that holds the key – quite literally – to your holiday apartment, Marbella Banus Suites will have someone to meet you in person, open the door for you, show you around and be available should you need anything, even if you arrive at 1am in the morning. “These are the kind of details people really appreciate, along with branded towels, toiletries and a level of furnishing and equipment that makes the private apartments offered by the company feel like stylish hotel suites. “In effect, we offer a concierge service without charging a premium for it,” says Mariana.

The team she and Gabriel head up is the heart and soul of the business. “Hospitality is a people business and it’s important to invest in human capital, so we’re a hardworking, close-knit team that functions well, and this translates to our clients and guests not only as efficiency but also in terms of a friendly, personal experience whenever they book with us.”

This approach has been so successful that a large number of guests represent repeat business, and Marbella Banus Suites can also boast of being the only holiday rental management firm in Spain that has ISO9001 certification for management

processes and ISO14001 for sustainable operation. This comes alongside a super host rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Airbnb. “We’re super pleased that our way of doing things works,” says Mariana. “I think we’ve hit the right balance and now we’re expanding the concept to the little boutique hotel we will soon be launching in the countryside near Ronda. It’s a different format but the philosphy of service and creating a happy environment for guest stays remains the same.”

www.marbellabanussuites.com

Spotless with Isa

Isabel Méndez Martín takes care of a vitally important role at Breathe – ensuring it is spotless at all times. Her team of five are the ‘invisible angels’ that help keep things running like clockwork.

Originally from Ceuta, the Spanish enclave just across the Mediterranean, Isa heads up a team of five who keep Breathe spotless from top to toe. It’s a daily operation that runs across two shifts, starting at 7:30 in the morning—just before Ground opens— and continuing until 2:00 a.m. Over the course of this more-than-12-hour window, Isa oversees the cleaning of Breathe, Ground, and Air, as well as the preparation for a new day (and night) of activity at one of Marbella’s most popular venues for dining, socialising, and nightlife. “Our cleaning team is made up of five dedicated members: Isabel, Delmi, Vilma, Viki, and myself. We’re very close—like a family—and we’ve built a wonderful team that always supports one another,” says Isa.

The role incorporates not only making all the large surfaces of floors, walls, tables, windows, chairs and also worktops and bathrooms spotless, but also ensuring a steady supply of clean uniforms in all the required sizes and for all the different kitchen, bar, waiting, maintenance and administrative staff members. Moreover, her team also preps the restaurant for the coming morning and evening, making sure there is sufficient freshly cleaned cutlery, crockery, glassware and all forms of linenware available for the kitchen, bar and waiter teams alike. “We prepare it for them in advance and are also there to provide what they need within minutes of asking. There is a certain amount of logistics, planning and time management involved in all of this,” says Isa, as she is affectionately known by her colleagues.

Fit work

Isa brings with her many years of experience in administration, which helps greatly in creating and managing an efficient operation. “I also owned a magazine distribution company for many years, and I guess that’s where I began to leave the sedentary work environment of an office and started to fall in love with a more physical way of working.” Now the keen athlete spends her days working hard, covering up to 17000 steps a day, including countless flights of stairs, in what is an undeniably tough physical job. “I love it, and Breathe is the ideal place as it has a lot of open air spaces and even a garden to work in, so it’s like being in the great outdoors every day.”

She used to run half-marathons but has since become a fan of Crossfit, which complements her work in maintaining a high level of fitness. “I participate in competitions, so between that and work I get more than enough exercise. It’s hard work but I’ve found my metier in something I would never have imagined before, yet I think that Breathe itself, the management and my colleagues play a very large part in making this a fun place to come to every day. We work hard, play our role in ensuring that the people who come to Breathe’s various venues can have a truly special experience, and we have fun and a lot of camaraderie while doing it – and that’s what it’s all about.”

100.000 TREES

Breathe GiftTrees is a grassroots initiative created by our team to inspire and drive the replanting of vitally important tropical forests in the Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania. We’re proud to report that we’ve now reached the 100.000 mark!

Breathe GiftTrees is a cause close to our hearts and central to the environmental and communitybased philosophy that also led to the creation of the restaurant group. It was founded some three years ago to promote the planting of trees as part of a grassroots project in the Usambara Mountains of northern Tanzania. Here we use donations from Breathe and its customers to fund a project consisting of nurseries that produce the saplings that are in turn planted to create new forests and reinvigorate the natural environment and ecosystem, not to mention the local communities.

Why plant trees?

Trees are vital to the earth’s health. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce fresh, clean oxygen while also reducing soil erosion as their roots hold together the soil. Forests also provide a habitat for animal and plant life, reinvigorate ecosystems and draw in humidity and rain. Large tracts of the world have been deforested, converted into grassland pastures and farmland, but due to poor practices or overproduction are now becoming dry steppe or even deserts. Reforestation can reverse this process if done in time, and by helping to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the air and replace them with fresh oxygen, forests also help to slow down global warming.

Why Tanzania?

Forestation is needed around the world and there are projects in many countries and regions, but we chose the Usambara Mountains in NE Tanzania because of their ecological importance. Tanzania is mostly a dry country made up of dusty savanna, so its few subtropical forests are vitally important. Usambara is an ancient rainforest that has been partly destroyed by deforestation, a process that we are now working with local communities to reverse through the replanting of a growing section of forest in the hills. We would love to also launch a project of this kind nearer to home but the costs per tree are much higher than in a country such as Tanzania, where the same donations can make the planting of so many more trees possible.

What it means

In addition to the environmental benefits mentioned above, the Breathe GiftTrees project is also providing an important impulse for local communities, starting with employment created in the nurseries and planting projects, as well as the harvests produced by the mango, papaya and moringa trees that provide a valuable economic base for local people. This will expand as the forests grow and the organically farmed crop sizes with them.

How we do it

All the above is made possible by donations from our customers, which start at as little as €1,49 per tree, plus we ourselves as a company also donate one tree for every customer that dines at one of the Breathe restaurants. Together, we’ve achieved a lot in three years – planting 100.000 trees, supporting local communities with sustainable agriculture, and reinvigorating the natural environment and ecosystem while also increasing rainfall and reducing the accumulation of the greenhouse gasses that are a key contributor to global warming.

Help us do even more by being part of Breathe GiftTrees, donating trees in your own name from as little as €1,49 per tree and follow the progress online.

www.breathegifttrees.com

www.breathegifttrees.com