Resort Information
The Location
Driving Distances:
| Marbella Club Golf Resort | 5 minutes |
| Villa Padierna/Los Flamingos Golf | 10 minutes |
| A7 Highway & Coastal Amenities | 15 minutes |
| Puerto Banus | 20 minutes |
| San Pedro de Alcantara | 20 minutes |
| Estepona | 20 minutes |
| Benahavis | 20 minutes |
| Marbella | 30 minutes |
History
Montemayor Castle, built prior to the Construction of Benahavis, played a very important role in the battles between the various Arabs kings in Andalucia, because of its strategic position. It was disputed for many years by the military factions of the era. Its prominent location overlooking up to a hundred kilometres of seaboard, and even the African coast, was extremely useful at a time when piracy and invasion were commonplace.
The town takes its name from Havis, who reigned in Montemayor Castle. To be precise, Benahavis is basically Arabic (Ben al Havis) and means “son of Havis”.
The castle’s strategic location drew the attention of the Catholic Monarchs, intent on conquering the last Moorish kingdoms in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Isabel and Ferdinand’s forces had already laid siege to the Nazarite kingdom of Granada, but they decided first to occupy the nearby province of Malaga.
On the 11th of June, 1485, Benahavis, together with the localities of Daidin, Montemayor Castle, Cortes Fortress, Oxen, Arboto, Almachor, Tramores and Calalui Fort (the Castle of Light), in the Bermeja Mountains, all within the district of Marbella, were handed over to King Ferdinand the Catholic, by Mohammed Abuneza after the signing of the capitulation.
The Catholic King entrusted their custody to Don Pedro Villandrado, Count of Ribadeo, the first christian mayor of Benahavis. From that moment on, a dispute arose between Benahavís and Marbella which lasted three and a half centuries, until Benahavís achieved the status of a completely independent community.
As for Montemayor Castle, it is worth noting that as well as its impressive location, it was supposed to have an underground passageway connecting it with the coast, through which the Arabs were able to transport soldiers.
Golf
Monte Mayor Resort was home to its very own golf course from 1989 until its closure in 2011. The course, designed by José Gancedo, was considered to be one of the most spectacular in Europe, clinging to the slopes of Monte Mayor, under the ancient gaze of the castle itself.
In 2014, the course was purchased by Russian investors, but there has since been no news of a re-opening date. In the meantime, the golf course has fully grown out and the resort is now home to verdant green valleys and hillsides. Perhaps one day the golfers will return?
In the meantime, the surrounding golf courses of Benahavis are in close proximity, including the neighbouring golf resorts of Marbella Club and Villa Padierna, home to the courses of Alferini and Los Flamingos.
Amenities
Residents of Monte Mayor are protected by 24 hour security, a number-plate recognition system and entrance gates to the resort which are locked to non-residents during hours of darkness.
There is an active community of owners which ensures that communal areas such as streets and landscaping are continually maintained.
In 2024, a new café, bar and convenience store were opened to the public, providing a very useful resource for residents and neighbours of Monte Mayor, as well as an attractive social hub for the community. A new property sales office, run by Cloud Nine Spain, is also situated at the entrance to the resort.
