Villa Cúpula de Casasola

Have you ever walked into a house and found yourself looking up? That's what happens at Villa Cúpula de Casasola, a luxury villa in Guadalmina Baja, Marbella. A glass dome crowns the hall and the light falls from above. And the sea is just 50 metres away.

In the morning you walk down to the beach before anyone else is up. You come back, take a dip in the pool and have breakfast on the terrace, listening to the palm trees rustle in the breeze.

The house was built in 2007 by a renowned architect for a member of royalty. And you can tell. It blends a refined classic style with Arabic, Moroccan and African influences. Ceilings up to 4 metres high, murals with nature motifs, natural marble on the main floor and wood in the bedrooms.

And the grounds? It's a very large estate, surrounded by a thick hedge that shields it from any prying eyes. Inside there are 50 palm trees, a beautifully kept landscaped garden and wide lawns. Nobody sees you, and all you see is green.

On arrival, cars pull into a large oval courtyard where turning is effortless. In the main courtyard there's an oriental fountain. And at night the whole estate lights up while the irrigation runs on its own.

The pool measures 16 by 8 metres, with saltwater and lighting. It's big enough for serious lengths. And saltwater is gentler on skin and eyes.

Inside, the house is on two floors. There's a spectacular hall, a large dining room and a kitchen fully equipped for a professional chef. If you love entertaining, here you can cook for many without stress.

It has five bedrooms, all en suite with a full bathroom and shower, plus a guest toilet. Everyone has their privacy. And there's a children's playroom that can also be your study.

Upstairs there are five terraces with panoramic views. One belongs to the master suite and faces the sea. You sit there reading at sunset, with the Mediterranean in front of you.

Do you often have people over? Outside you have terraces for dining, a lounge area and a sun deck. There's a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a barbecue and a covered area to rest in the shade. Summer lunches simply happen.

To look after yourself you have a professional gym with Technogym equipment and a spa with a Canadian cedar sauna. What's more, there's a billiards room with a professional 11-foot table. And wine fridges holding 300 bottles, so the good ones are always at hand.

Staff have their own independent apartment with private access. And there's a separate entrance for staff and suppliers. So the running of the house never crosses paths with your life.

For everyday living it lacks nothing. Underfloor heating, central heating, a fireplace and air conditioning. Double glazing, fitted wardrobes and a laundry room with Miele appliances. Two large garages, technical rooms and storage space.

Behind the scenes it's well thought out too. It has 20 kW of electrical power and 1 Gb internet, to work from home without interruptions. Hot water comes from solar panels, with a diesel boiler and backup system. And there's water treatment with a reserve tank, in case the supply ever fails.

Casasola is an estate with 24-hour guards, video surveillance and security patrols. And the house also has a Securitas Direct alarm. You sleep peacefully, and when you travel the house is well protected.

And do you know the best part? It's sold with an extraordinary collection of antique furniture and works of art, with Arabic, Japanese and Asian pieces. And you're 8 minutes from Puerto Banús and 13 from Marbella and Estepona.

I have more photos and the full floor plans. I'll send them as soon as you write to me.

And before you look at another luxury villa on this website, I'd like you to know one thing. I'm one of the few agents who work only on selling luxury villas in Marbella priced above 3 million.

I know that with an estate like this, with so much history and so much land, people worry something odd might turn up in the paperwork. A charge on the property, or a difference between the land registry and what's actually there. In more than twelve years as an agent I've learnt to check that first. So I request the land registry extract and the cadastral records from the start, and we review them with your lawyer. That way you know exactly what you're buying.

When you work with me, you always talk to me. From the first call to the day I hand you the keys. Can you see yourself walking down to the beach in the morning and coming back for breakfast under the palm trees? Then write to me. If Villa Cúpula de Casasola is your home, I'll tell you. And if it isn't, we'll find the one that is together.

Estates like this, 50 metres from the sea in Casasola, can be counted on one hand. If you're interested, don't let it pass.

Manuela Pérez