This announcement follows the publication of figures by the Spanish Ministry of Housing showing that property prices went up an average of 12.8 per cent across all of Spain in 2005, revealing that despite warnings of a price slowdown there is still more than enough interest in Spanish property to continue to drive up values.

The 12.8 per cent increase puts the average cost of residential property in Spain to 1,824 Euros per square metre, up from 1,618 Euros per square metre at the end of 2004, according to Spanish Property Insight.

Riding on the back of these property price upsurges, property developers in the Costa del Sol have been hard at work to bring a little more glamour to the area. Polo fans, or just those looking to hob-nob with the rich and famous, might be interested The Polo Gardens in Sotogrande, Spain. Situated adjacent to the world famous Rio grounds, dubbed the 'Wimbledon of polo pitches', The Polo Gardens offers 36 specified apartments and ten luxury villas, starting from approximately £390,000.  

Sotogrande is a major year-round polo destination for the international jet set and home to the famous Sotogrande Gold Cup, but The Polo Gardens complex also has a golf pedigree as it is located near both the Valderrama and Sotogrande Royal Golf Clubs with six other golf clubs within an hour's drive away. 

If you're looking for a piece of the good life for less, you'll have to look slightly further afield from the glitz-encrusted soirees of Sotogrande at the lesser known rising star of the Cost del Sol: Albunol.

Property developers Eden Villas have two new developments planned for 2006, and company spokesperson Craig Stocks has spoken eagerly of the area's potential. "I am really excited about this particular part of undeveloped Spain. I have great expectations", Stocks said.

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For further information:
The Polo Gardens

Read other articles about Spain:
Spain goes eco-friendly
Discovering property in inland Spain
Property bargains in the Spanish Costas

Article first published on 26 June 2006.