Charlie in Sotogrande

What does it really take to succeed in professional golf — and why has Sotogrande become such an important destination for elite players and coaches? We explore DP World Tour golf, golf coaching, the mental side of the game, TrackMan technology and the realities of building a career in professional golf. Charlie sits down with former DP World Tour player and now golf coach Jordi García del Moral,...

How is Sotogrande changing, and what role will local media, digital content and AI play in its future? This episode explores Sotogrande news, community life, Grupo HCP, El Periódico de Sotogrande, digitalisation and the changing way residents and businesses communicate. Charlie sits down with Curro Espinar, the new owner of Grupo HCP Sotogrande, to discuss the acquisition of one of the area’s best...

What does it really take to cook for Sotogrande’s private villas, yachts and polo families? Charlie sits down with Alex Manastirean, founder and head chef of Privilege Chefs, to explore the world of private dining in Sotogrande. Alex shares his journey from cooking with his grandmother and taking his first kitchen job at 16 to training in Gibraltar and London before returning to the Costa del Sol....

¿Cuánta agua y energía debería consumir realmente una piscina en Sotogrande? En este episodio hablamos de piscinas eficientes, mantenimiento, filtración, cloración salina, climatización y de cómo reducir el consumo sin renunciar a una piscina de máxima calidad. Charlie conversa con Jorge, de Tecniclore, especialista en instalaciones y tratamiento de agua, sobre los problemas que encuentra en pisci...

La Oficina Sotogrande: The Bar Bringing the Community TogetherWhere do you actually meet people when you move to Sotogrande? This episode explores La Oficina Sotogrande, Plaza Blanca, the local social scene and how newcomers become part of the Sotogrande community. I speak with La Oficina manager Francesco Nardini about leaving corporate communications behind, discovering Sotogrande and eventually...

Discover one of the most unique things to do in Sotogrande: exploring the Sotogrande Marina and canals by boat. This episode also looks at family activities in Sotogrande, corporate events, tourism, seasonality and how the community is changing. Charlie speaks with Rafael Calvo of Ikebana Eventos and Jugarnia Nautic about how his family first discovered Sotogrande through an events project in 2015...

What does it really take to go from being an introvert to becoming a confident communicator and leader — and how can the people, places and experiences around us shape that journey? In this episode of Charlie in Sotogrande, Charles Gubbins sits down with Silvina Hood, communication, persuasion and leadership mentor, to discuss finding your voice, overcoming personal blocks and learning to communic...

Vivir en Sotogrande todo el año ya no es una excepción. En este episodio hablamos de cómo ha cambiado la vida en Sotogrande, por qué cada vez más familias se instalan de forma permanente y qué diferencia hoy a la comunidad frente a destinos como Marbella. Charles Gubbins conversa con Manu Gil, periodista y cofundador de LIVE! SOTO, sobre la evolución de Sotogrande desde una urbanización muy estaci...

What do today’s Sotogrande homeowners really want from their interiors? In this episode, we explore interior design, changing property trends, villa renovations, turnkey homes and the return of warmth, character and traditional Spanish influences in contemporary Sotogrande properties. Today I am joined by Camilla Seymour Cole and Lizzie from CSC Interiors, an interior design studio based in Puerto...

What is it really like to grow up inside the world of Sotogrande polo; and how does that lifestyle shape a world champion? This episode explores polo in Sotogrande, horse breeding, professional sport and the year-round community behind one of Spain’s most distinctive destinations. Today we speak with Spanish polo player Pelayo Berazadi about growing up in Sotogrande, leaving banking to build a pro...

Why does Sotogrande produce so many world-class golfers? In this episode of Charlie in Sotogrande, we explore the journey from local junior golf to the Ladies European Tour, while discovering why Sotogrande has become one of Europe's premier golf destinations. I am joined by Maria Parra, a professional golfer from Guadiaro who has competed on both the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour. We...

Thinking about moving to Sotogrande? Discover why more entrepreneurs, international families, and business owners are choosing Sotogrande as their permanent home while running global businesses. In this episode of Charlie in Sotogrande, we explore remote work, international business, family life, golf, education, and what makes this unique community so different from anywhere else on the Costa del...

Is Sotogrande becoming the smarter alternative to Marbella for luxury property buyers on the Costa del Sol? In this episode, Charlie speaks with Pippa Jones about Marbella vs Sotogrande, the changing property market, buyer behaviour, personal branding, real estate trust and what people moving to Spain should understand before choosing an agent. Pippa Jones, founder of Jones in Marbella, has worked...

What does a true smart home in Sotogrande actually look like today? In this episode, Charlie explores luxury villa technology, home automation, lighting design, security, energy efficiency and the rise of “quiet luxury” in high-end homes. Today I am joined by Victor from Illusion, a specialist in smart home integration, lighting, audio visual systems, security, home automation and luxury villa tec...

What does the new Gibraltar treaty mean for Sotogrande, La Línea, cross-border workers, property buyers, and Gibraltar residents? In this episode of Charlie in Sotogrande, we explore how the Gibraltar-Spain border agreement could change daily life, travel, investment, residency, and the wider Sotogrande community. I am joined by cross-border lawyer Cayetano Caparros, known as “The Lawyer of the Ro...

Discover horse riding and dressage in Sotogrande, from beginner riding lessons and children’s classes to advanced horse training and international competition. This episode explores how to start riding, what dressage involves and why Sotogrande has become an important destination for equestrian sport in southern Spain. Charlie visits Sotogrande Dress in San Enrique and speaks with founder and trai...

Cycling in Sotogrande is one of the best ways to explore the area, from the marina and beaches to e-bike routes, family bike experiences, and nearby nature trails. In this episode, Charlie speaks with Pino and David about e-bike rentals in Sotogrande, cycling experiences in La Almoraima, and why bikes are becoming part of the outdoor lifestyle on the Costa del Sol. Pino and David are behind Serend...

Jorge Espada has worked in the Sotogrande and Gibraltar area for more than 20 years, helping patients recover from injuries, surgery, joint problems, and sports-related conditions. In this conversation, Jorge explains how physiotherapy has changed, why recovery depends on the patient as much as the treatment, what modern technology such as ultrasound scanning and AI-assisted imaging can do, and wh...

Peter and Andrea, the team behind Nonna Monda, to hear how a holiday home in Sotogrande turned into a new hospitality venture. We discuss the story behind the deli, Andrea’s Italian food background, Peter’s long connection with Sotogrande, the private dining table concept, sourcing authentic Italian products, the challenges of opening a business in Spain, and why Plaza Blanca has become such an im...

Today I sit down and speak with Nick Feeney, a coach, mentor and strategist who works with high-performing individuals on longevity, peak span, health, resilience and sustainable performance. The conversation covers Nick’s personal journey, why he moved to Sotogrande, the difference between coaching, mentoring and strategy, the health blind spots many successful people face, and how Sotogrande’s l...

Today I sit down with Gus from PLU Financial to talk about what people should consider before moving to Sotogrande or the Costa del Sol. The conversation covers why financial planning should happen before you arrive in Spain, what happens to UK ISAs when you become Spanish tax resident, how pension planning can change after Brexit, why timing matters for Beckham Law, and why succession planning is...

Thinking of moving to Sotogrande? Today I speak with Tom Petersen, about family life in Sotogrande, Sotogrande International School, building a home, the marina lifestyle, and why this quiet luxury community attracts international families. We breakdown his journey from Denmark through Asia, Dubai and beyond before settling in Sotogrande with his family. The conversation covers choosing Sotogrande...

If you’re searching for luxury villas in Sotogrande insight into the future of Sotogrande real estate, this episode breaks down what is changing at the top end of the market. We explore why fully finished, design-led, turnkey homes are attracting buyers who want privacy, family lifestyle, quality, and long-term value. Today I speak with the developer behind a new wave of high-end homes in La Reser...

Today I sit down with Chris Dyson, founder of The NLS, to talk about how the real estate industry works in Spain compared with the US, why inaccurate property portals create friction for buyers and sellers, and what a more regulated, verified listing model could look like. We discuss luxury real estate, MLS-style systems, agent accountability, AI in real estate, open houses, lead qualification, an...

What is Messi’s restaurant in Sotogrande really like? Today I sit down with chef Pau Eche, the head chef behind Hincha and Tribuna at MiM Sotogrande, to explore the food, luxury hospitality, Mediterranean cuisine, and guest experience inside one of Sotogrande’s most talked-about hotel restaurants. Pau shares his journey from Barcelona to top kitchens across Spain, Singapore, and Four Seasons Madri...