Guest: Rita Jordão, Marketing Director, Sotogrande SA
Launching the second season of Charlie in Sotogrande had to feel special. And there was no better way to begin than by inviting back the person who opened the very first episode: Rita Jordão, Marketing Director of Sotogrande SA.
In 2025, the podcast welcomed 39 guests. This year, we’re taking it on tour, and the first stop is one of the most emblematic places in the resort: La Reserva. A new setting, a new season, and a familiar voice, the perfect combination.
Sotogrande, more desirable than ever
When Rita last joined the podcast, Sotogrande was already experiencing a moment of momentum. But the past year has accelerated that trajectory. Sotogrande SA, the clubs, the schools, the businesses and the wider community have all moved in the same direction, and the result is a destination that feels more aligned, more confident, and more internationally recognised than ever.
And crucially, not because of tax incentives or financial engineering. People are choosing Sotogrande for the most powerful reason of all: quality of life.
People aren’t coming for loopholes. They’re coming for lifestyle. For belonging. For neighbours. For a slower, more intentional way of living. Sotogrande attracts people who value authenticity over spectacle, community over noise, and long‑term wellbeing over short‑term incentives.
A world‑class academy
One of the standout milestones of the year has been the launch of The Alto Club, a project that has reshaped Sotogrande’s golf landscape. The new brand, the new concept and the new academy have been embraced by the local community and by golfers from across Spain and Europe.
The academy is thriving. The par‑3 course opens this spring. And the club has become a gateway for families, beginners, women and children who want to discover golf without intimidation.
Unlike the traditional clubs, many of which are full or highly selective, the Alto Club offers annual playing rights. It’s flexible, accessible, and perfectly suited to families who don’t live here year‑round or who are just starting the game.
Saturday mornings are a joy: children running freely, parents chatting, coaches teaching, a relaxed atmosphere that feels like a return to the origins of the sport.
Rita describes it beautifully: “It’s exactly how I remember my childhood playing golf.”
A market that matures
2025 wasn’t as explosive as 2024, but it was stronger in a different way.
The number of units sold remained almost identical, but at significantly higher price points. Village Verde is nearly sold out. The €7M and €15M homes continue to move. And cranes still rise across La Reserva.
Sotogrande isn’t expanding recklessly. It’s evolving with intention and the market reflects that maturity.
The Seven.
A sale that set a new ceiling for Sotogrande. A plot with a fully licensed ARK Architects project. And a buyer who wasted no time: one week after completion, the crane was already on site.
Because the project was already licensed, construction could begin immediately. No delays. No bureaucracy. A two‑year build instead of three.
It’s a perfect example of Sotogrande’s long‑term planning paying off.
The Fifteen
Below The Seven sits The Fifteen, now almost fully consolidated. Only four plots remain on the market, and interest is strong. Villa Sense has been sold, and construction across the hillside is unmistakably active.
In just twelve months, The Fifteen has moved from “emerging” to “established.”
Village Verde: New facilities and a new phase
Village Verde continues to be one of Sotogrande’s most successful residential projects. Phase 2 is nearly sold out, and the new facilities have elevated the entire development.
Village Verde today is not the Village Verde of Phase 1. It’s bigger, better, and more complete.
The next chapter is The Collection, premium plots with exceptional views and architectural ambition. Villa Retiro is advancing beautifully and will be completed before the end of the year. More plots are available, and more projects are in development.
Some remain confidential for now, but the pipeline is strong.
Sustainability as part of Sotogrande’s DNA
When asked about the future, Rita didn’t begin with land or construction. She began with values, specifically, sustainability.
Sotogrande SA has launched a comprehensive sustainability plan touching ecology, economy and community. The first sustainability conference took place in January. A charity run followed a week later with nearly 400 participants. Oceans Day was celebrated with a beach clean‑up in partnership with Puerto Sotogrande. More initiatives are planned.
This isn’t marketing. It’s a return to Sotogrande’s origins: nature, responsibility, long‑term thinking.
A community built on like‑minded people
Sotogrande attracts a specific type of person, not defined by wealth, but by mindset. Whether someone buys a €500,000 apartment or a €20 million villa, they tend to share the same values: family, community, privacy, nature, and a desire for a slower, more intentional life.
You see it at the paddle club, at the golf clubs, at the school gates. Children mix freely. Parents connect easily. Nationalities blend without friction.
One of the most noticeable shifts is the number of families choosing to live here year‑round. The British market remains strong nearly half of all foreign buyers in the postcode, and new residency pathways are making it easier.
But it’s not just the British. Americans, northern Europeans, Eastern Europeans, they’re all coming for the same reason: a better life.
A life where children grow up outdoors. Where community still matters. Where nature is part of daily life. Where Málaga, Cádiz and Gibraltar are close enough, but not too close.
Mimi Rhodes: Golf, talent and the next generation
Before finishing, Rita shared one of the most inspiring stories of the year: Mimi Rhodes.
An English professional golfer who grew up in Sotogrande.
Learned to play here.
Studied and competed in the US.
Returned to Europe.
Won multiple tournaments on the Ladies European Tour.
Finished second in the season‑long ranking.
Became Rookie of the Year.
And earned her place on the LPGA Tour.
Sotogrande SA now sponsors her. She trains at the Alto Club and practises at La Reserva. She is, quite literally, a product of Sotogrande and a symbol of what this place can nurture.
Rita summed it up beautifully:
“We are more relevant as a product than ever before, and that’s the result of a long‑term vision.”
I couldn’t agree more.
🎙️ This post draws from insights shared in one of our episodes, available on YouTube and Spotify. For more on Sotogrande’s insider tips, tune in and explore other episodes too.
To discuss areas, schools, and commuting options, or to see a short list of homes that fit your brief, reach out to Noll Sotogrande Real Estate, our incredible Sponsor co-owned with Stephanie Noll, without whom none of this would be possible.
Thank you, Charlie.
