A GASTRONOMIC BEACH CLUB OASIS IN THE DUNES OF MARBELLA

from Home & Lifestyle Magazine ED88 (September / October 2023)

RIVERSIDE DINING EXPERIENCE ON THE EDGE OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

Situated on arguably the Costa del Sol’s most paradisaical stretch of coastline, Dune Beach opened its doors this year to those who seek a more exclusive and tranquil beach experience. Nestled amongst the protected dunes of El Rosario, this stunning beach club – created by the owners of the highly-acclaimed Ocean Club – has all the resounding traits of its sister company in terms of attention to detail, impeccable design and service, but with a different spin.

With so many new beach clubs popping up along the coast, especially to the east of Marbella, it is fair to ask, what makes Dune so special? The simple answer is, the whole package. As you enter you are immediately struck by the organic natural feel of the décor, which has been cleverly curated to blend seamlessly with its surrounding environment. The ubiquitous use of pale wood throughout provides an overwhelming and welcoming sense of tranquillity. Contemporary interior design has morphed away from sharp pointy edges and in recent years gravitated towards smooth lines and shapes, and this is certainly the case with the design of Dune. The venue itself is circular and this theme can be observed in every aspect of the design. There is an impressive 360-degree interior bar, which is illuminated from above by natural sunlight pouring in from a large round skylight looming above. The lampshades that encircle the bar are wabi-sabi style, also offering a soft organic aesthetic. All of the dining tables are circular, which not only saves space, allowing people to walk more freely around the venue, but also makes for better social interaction when dining. And the curved theme doesn’t stop there, as the arcuated lounge area protected by elegant shade sails stretches around the periphery of the restaurant, and even the sunbeds on the beach have circular headrests.

The menu screams of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, expertly put together to create delicious, colourful and beautifully presented dishes. Our service was faultless, with a wonderfully attentive waiter who needed no encouragement to suggest dishes that he felt we would enjoy. We embarked on trying their halloumi and watermelon salad, roast eggplant salad, barbecue corn ribs, souvlaki-style barbecue bluefin tuna and Middle Eastern lavash bread, topped off with their baked yoghurt dessert with an almond and cardamom crunch and fresh berries.

All dishes were fresh and vibrant and full of original flavours that we hadn’t come across in other venues along the coast. For a restaurant of this calibre, the menu is very fairly priced as the portion sizes are generous, the ingredients are of a high quality and the dishes are superbly cooked and originally presented.

When it comes to drinks there is a wide range of wines to choose from, mainly from France, Spain and Italy, as well as an impressive array of Champagnes. Their cocktail list is definitely worth checking out, with a range of innovative signature cocktails to choose from plus all the classics we know and love. In summary, Dune has set out to be “the perfect combination of a beach club and an exclusive gastronomic experience” and it has certainly achieved its goal. It has managed to master the art of offering luxury in a relaxed and stylish ambience on a beach that has powder-like sand, away from the hustle and bustle of Marbella town. You cannot fail to be impressed by the décor, service and gastronomy, so it is well worth paying them a visit to experience a magical day in the dunes for yourself.