No longer viewed merely as a second home option, the idea of living in a resort in Spain is increasingly resonating with international buyers seeking distance from big city centres without compromising on convenience. Across Spain, resorts that integrate private residences with hotel-level services and an established international community have evolved into a distinct property segment. They offer security, professional management, integrated leisure facilities and, above all, unparalleled quality of life.
Today we explore why this formula appeals so strongly to international residents, the latest developments shaping the sector, and how a growing number of coastal projects are creating a diverse map of opportunities across Spain.
Why Choose a Resort?
Living within a resort means reducing everyday management by utilising centralised professional services, ranging from property maintenance and security to guest assistance, dining, and access to sporting and cultural activities. For international residents, this translates into fewer operational concerns and more time to enjoy the lifestyle they sought when searching for property. Beyond its practical benefits, there is also an aspirational dimension: the ability to combine privacy and exclusivity with the amenities and social vitality of a high-end hotel environment.
On a practical level, resorts present three strong advantages for international buyers. First, connectivity: many are strategically located within easy reach of airports offering direct European routes. Second, community: the coexistence of residents from multiple nationalities fosters integration and facilitates valuable social and professional networking. Third, asset diversification: a resort property can function as a primary residence, a second home, or as a regulated, income-generating investment, often managed directly through the resort’s own team.
Equally relevant is the flexibility of use. Some developments offer fully managed rental programmes that enable owners to generate returns when the property is not in use, while others maintain stricter policies regarding short-term rentals. The optimal choice depends on the buyer’s priorities, whether the property is for personal enjoyment, investment income or a hybrid.
Resorts for Every Buyer
Abama Resort, which lies on the southwest coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, is one of the most prominent examples. Widely regarded as Spain’s premier luxury resort for residential living, it offers a range of plots, villas and high-end apartments. The enclave combines a championship golf course, world-class sport facilities, a leading spa, fine dining and a secluded beach, and all within a discreet, well-serviced community just minutes from vibrant coastal towns. To live at Abama is to access a five-star lifestyle defined by exceptional design, gastronomy and wellbeing.
Abama’s appeal extends beyond its amenities. Its temperate climate, averaging 24°C year-round, and its location within a Special Economic Zone (ZEC) offering interesting tax incentives have attracted both talent and capital from across Europe.
Spain’s long-standing expertise in this type of residential model has fostered a mature and sophisticated market. Beyond exclusive enclaves such as Abama, other destinations combine luxury living with scale and accessibility.
A classic example is La Manga Club, a landmark resort situated between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, with over four decades of history and a vibrant community of owners. Its extensive facilities, including a luxury spa, three championship golf courses and professional-standard football, tennis and padel complexes, support both a thriving holiday market and a stable permanent population that gives the resort a lived-in authenticity. Through its official sales office, La Manga Club Properties, the resort offers a wide range of residential options from villas to apartments and plots, all within a mature ecosystem designed for both permanent living and flexible stays.
In parallel, Spain’s resort property market continues to expand. In Catalonia, the Bonmont Branded Residences project, managed by Arum Group, is emerging as a compelling proposal for those seeking resort living in the region. Centred around a renowned golf course and set between mountains and the sea, Bonmont’s branded residences combine residential exclusivity with hotel-level services, positioning it as a distinctive premium product within the Spanish market.
Thanks to our extensive expertise in the design and management of residential and resort developments, at Arum Group we recognise that living in a resort in Spain is a structural trend rather than a passing preference. The Spanish coastline is now home to a diverse portfolio of communities which, though varying in scale and positioning, each represent a compelling lifestyle and investment proposition. This diversity is exemplified in projects such as El Dorado Playa and Les Palmeres d’Aigüesverds in Catalonia, Playa Macenas in Mojácar (Almería, Andalusia), and Fuentes de Almuñécar in Granada. Together, they reflect the evolving nature of demand: not all buyers seek the same level of service or engagement. Some prioritise the serenity of a well-managed residential community, others value the convenience of branded residences with full hotel amenities, while many are drawn to sport-oriented resorts that have a strong sense of community and wellbeing.
