The most desirable homes have always reflected the way people aspire to live. Today, that increasingly means more natural light, a closer relationship with nature, quiet calm interiors and spaces that make it easier to exercise, relax and spend time outdoors. Wellness is no longer limited to a spa treatment, fitness class or a retreat. It has become part of everyday life, influencing the food we eat, the places we visit and the homes we choose. Architecture is responding accordingly.
The Global Wellness Institute estimates that the global wellness economy reached $6.8 trillion in 2024, twice its value in 2013. It is forecast to grow to almost $9.8 trillion by 2029. Within that wider market, wellness real estate was valued at approximately $548 billion in 2024 and was one of the fastest-growing wellness sectors, expanding at an average annual rate of 19.5% between 2019 and 2024.
Behind these figures is a simple change in priorities. Buyers are no longer judging a property solely by its size, location and finishes. They are also thinking about how it will feel to live there: how well they will sleep, how much daylight they will receive, whether they can enjoy the outdoors easily and whether the home will remain comfortable throughout the year.
From &LIVING’s base on Marbella’s Golden Mile, we can see this evolution across the region’s luxury property market. Marbella remains an important centre for contemporary design, yet the same ideas are shaping new developments across the Costa del Sol, including Benahavís, Los Flamingos, Estepona and the New Golden Mile.
Wellness begins with the architecture
A home does not need a private spa to improve wellbeing. Its design already plays an important role. Orientation, windows, shading, insulation and materials all affect natural light, airflow, temperature, noise and air quality. Natural light also helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. Gentle morning light in bedrooms, bright daytime living areas and warmer lighting in the evening can help a home respond more naturally to daily routines.
As RIBA Chartered Architect and Happy by Design author Ben Channon explains, architects can “add value, not just financial, but also to your quality of life”. The best wellness-led architecture therefore does more than look impressive: it responds to the climate, landscape and people who live there.
Biophilic design has become closely associated with wellness, but it is often misunderstood. It does not simply mean filling a room with greenery. The idea is much broader: it is about creating meaningful connections with nature through daylight, water, ventilation, natural textures, views, planting and a building’s relationship with its surroundings. This connection might be felt in the coolness of stone underfoot, the warmth of natural wood, the sound of gently moving water or the changing pattern of sunlight across a wall.
Writing in the RIBA Journal, environmental psychologist Marta Saniewska of Foster + Partners explains that natural materials, light and sensory experiences can all influence how a space is perceived. However, their use must be carefully considered rather than applied as decoration.
As she puts it: “How nature is represented matters just as much as whether it is present at all.”
Saniewska argues that research from environmental psychology and neuroscience can help architects make better-informed decisions about form, material, proportion and spatial flow. The objective is not to design buildings that look like wellness centres or clinics, but to create calm, comfortable and intuitive spaces. The principle is particularly relevant to luxury homes on the Costa del Sol, where the natural setting is one of the main drivers. A view of the Mediterranean or La Concha should not simply be visible from one carefully positioned window. Ideally, the orientation, terraces and layout should allow the landscape to become part of daily life.
The Costa del Sol and indoor-outdoor living
Indoor-outdoor living is a defining feature of luxury homes in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol. Covered terraces, pergolas, sliding glass doors and planted courtyards create shade, bring in natural light and connect living spaces with gardens, pools and terraces. These principles are rooted in traditional Mediterranean and Moorish architecture, which has long used courtyards, shutters, thick walls and natural ventilation to respond to the climate. Today, architects combine them with advanced glazing, automated shading, aerothermal systems and solar energy.
What the WELL Building Standard tells us
This broader approach to wellness is also reflected in international building standards, which consider how the design of a space affects the people who live in it. One of the best known is the WELL Building Standard, a global framework for creating healthier buildings.
It focuses on ten areas:
- Air
- Water
- Nourishment
- Light
- Movement
- Thermal comfort
- Sound
- Materials
- Mind
- Community
Together, these areas show that wellbeing depends on the whole building, rather than on one feature alone.
Wellness and sustainability belong together
Wellness and sustainability often work together in residential design. Features such as insulation, natural ventilation, external shading and efficient climate systems can reduce energy use while creating a more comfortable home throughout the year. The best sustainable new developments on the Costa del Sol integrate these systems discreetly, while keeping the focus on space, natural light, comfort and design.
Five Costa del Sol developments designed with wellness in mind
We selected these developments for the way they bring together key elements of modern wellness living, including natural light, indoor-outdoor spaces, private fitness or spa facilities, landscaped surroundings and energy-efficient systems.
1. Zen Collection villa in Los Flamingos
Set in Los Flamingos, this contemporary villa has been positioned to make the most of sunlight, privacy and panoramic views. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas extend onto covered terraces and an infinity pool, allowing the principal spaces to feel connected to the landscape. A pergola provides a sheltered setting for outdoor dining and entertaining, making the exterior an integral part of the home rather than a separate seasonal space.
The lower level includes a gym or games room and a private wellness suite with a sauna, double shower and changing area. These amenities add obvious appeal, but the wider architectural qualities are equally important: natural light, generous circulation, views, privacy and a strong connection between the interior, terraces and pool.
2. Contemporary villa in Benahavís
This new villa in Benahavís also places its relationship with the landscape at the centre of the design. Its open-plan living area flows onto a covered terrace and elongated infinity pool. A 40-square-metre pergola is intended for an outdoor kitchen and dining area, creating a practical space that can be used throughout the year.
Features include a wellness area with a sauna, double shower and changing room, together with a flexible space that can become a private gym or games room. The orientation has been planned around sunlight, privacy and panoramic views, demonstrating that wellness is being considered through the architecture as well as through the amenities. Recognised as the Best Luxury Villa Development on the Costa del Sol, Spain, the project combines sophistication, comfort and thoughtful design.
Located in Marbella West, within an up-and-coming area of San Pedro de Alcántara, this contemporary development offers a refined Mediterranean lifestyle close to beaches, golf courses, international schools, healthcare centres and the seafront promenade.
Wellbeing is at the heart of the project, with a rooftop yoga area, exclusive skypool and lounge, a complete spa, heated indoor pool, outdoor swimming pool and fully equipped gym. Beautifully landscaped gardens provide peaceful spaces to relax and unwind.
The residences feature spacious, light-filled interiors with large windows and a natural Mediterranean palette of stone, wood and soft tones. Interior design by Gianfranco Ferré adds an elegant and sophisticated character, creating a calm environment focused on comfort and everyday wellbeing.
4. Resort Living in Estepona
Wellness-led living is not limited to large private villas. This new residential development in Estepona applies many of the same principles to its apartments and penthouses. The homes include terraces, gardens, rooftop solariums and, in selected properties, private pools. Bright interiors and an energy-efficient climate system are complemented by landscaped communal gardens.
Residents will also have access to a gym, spa, sauna and communal swimming pool. A social club, lounge and coworking area introduce another aspect of wellbeing: the opportunity to connect with neighbours or work close to home without turning a private living room into a permanent office. Electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and two parking spaces per property add practical sustainable features to the development.
5. Boutique villas with panoramic views
An exclusive collection of 32 boutique villas in Buenavista, Mijas, combining contemporary design with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding mountains. Set within a secure gated community, each villa is designed around relaxed Mediterranean living, with spacious south and south-west facing terraces and a private rooftop solarium with jacuzzi – an ideal space to unwind while enjoying the views.
Premium finishes, water-based underfloor heating throughout, room-by-room climate control and ducted air conditioning provide year-round comfort, while the peaceful setting offers privacy and tranquillity within easy reach of beaches, golf courses, restaurants and everyday amenities.
A more thoughtful definition of luxury
For Thomas Dahlsgaard, Founder and CEO of &LIVING, wellness reflects a more considered approach to luxury property:
“True luxury is not only about what a home contains, but how naturally it fits into your lifestyle. The best homes offer light, privacy, comfort and a connection with the outdoors, while making everyday living feel easier. Buyers still value exceptional architecture and a beautiful location, but they increasingly expect a home to improve daily life.
Here on the Costa del Sol, the strongest developments use the climate, landscape, technology and sustainable design to create homes that feel comfortable, calm and enjoyable throughout the year, rather than simply offering a long list of amenities.”
Based on Marbella’s Golden Mile, &LIVING offers a carefully selected portfolio of luxury property in Marbella and new developments across the Costa del Sol. Contact our team to discover contemporary homes designed around wellness, sustainability and the Mediterranean way of life.
FAQs
Do wellness features add value to luxury property on the Costa del Sol?
Well-designed wellness features can increase the appeal of real estate on the Costa del Sol, particularly when they improve comfort and everyday living. Natural light, energy efficiency, outdoor space, privacy and high-quality communal facilities may all help a home stand out in the luxury property market.
What should I look for when buying a wellness property on the Costa del Sol?
In addition to wellness facilities like a spa, gym, sauna etc, consider how the property itself contributes to everyday wellbeing. Orientation, natural light, shade, ventilation, insulation, outdoor space and proximity to nature can all affect comfort. An experienced real estate agent can help you compare new developments on the Costa del Sol, assess their facilities and services, and choose the property that best suits your lifestyle and investment priorities.
Are new-build luxury properties on the Costa del Sol more energy efficient?
New-build homes in Spain must meet the energy-efficiency requirements of the national Technical Building Code, which covers areas such as energy consumption, thermal insulation, renewable energy and protection from overheating. To ensure your new home is energy efficient, buyers should enlist the help of an experienced real estate agent, like Marbella based &LIVING, to check the official energy performance certificate, glazing, insulation, shading, climate-control system and use of renewable energy.
