Mayfair-on-Sea: Why London’s dining set is decamping to Marbella

Mayfair has always travelled well. But while the traditional summer pilgrimage once meant decamping to the South of France, London’s social set is increasingly looking to Marbella, where the martinis are cold, the black cod is miso-glazed and securing a dinner reservation can be every bit as competitive as it is in W1.

Of course, the Costa del Sol has been courting the great and the good for decades. When Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe opened the Marbella Club in 1954, his modest Mediterranean retreat became a magnet for royalty, aristocrats and Hollywood royalty alike, helping transform the Golden Mile into one of Europe's most coveted playgrounds. Now, a new generation is giving the coast a rather livelier lease of life, with Nobu Hotel Marbella at the centre of the action.

At Nobu, the familiar rituals of Mayfair dining come with a Mediterranean glow. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese-Peruvian signatures - black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and rock shrimp tempura – remain the main event.

There is more to the business of being seen than dinner, naturally. Nobu Beachside serves sushi and cocktails with the sea as its backdrop; Nobu Bar offers botanical cocktails for those who prefer their evenings to begin with a little ceremony. Then there is La Plaza, the resort’s social hub, where the night gathers pace. At the adults-only Nobu Pool, DJs, poolside dining and lounging provide an alternative to the usual Mayfair circuit.

Nor is Nobu the only familiar name to have acquired a Spanish address. Within Puente Romano, COYA brings its Peruvian flavours and after-dark theatrics, Cipriani supplies its Italian classics, and Sea Grill makes a persuasive case for Mediterranean seafood. Between them, they have imported much of London’s restaurant pecking order to the Costa del Sol.

And for those who like their social circuit with an international extension, Marrakech is within reach - a mere two hour flight. At Nobu Marrakech, signature sashimi, black cod and inventive cocktails are served against a rooftop panorama of the Red City and the Atlas Mountains. What more could you want?