Meet the People Behind the Costa’s Buzz 🏝️
Because behind every cool spot, there’s someone even cooler.
The Costa del Sol isn’t just full of great places — it’s full of great people who bring those places to life 🌞
Behind every standout restaurant, stylish boutique, wellness brand, or quirky venture is someone with a story, a passion, and a spark.
We’re here to introduce you to faces behind the businesses — the locals, expats, creatives, and go-getters who make the Costa what it is.
Whether you're looking to connect, get inspired, or just love a good origin story, you’re in the right place.
Casa Paraíso Boutique B&B, Torremolinos
Piero Locatelli, partner
🛎️ Zen with a Sea View
Meet Piero Locatelli, co-owner of Casa Paraíso — a boutique B&B that lives up to its name.
This place is zen with a sea view, just a short stroll from the beachfront buzz but tucked away enough to feel like you’ve escaped the planet.
Think: morning dips, palm trees, and no stress.
Guests call it “an oasis of peace and calm”… we call it the kind of spot you never want to leave (and maybe shouldn’t tell too many people about 😅).
👉 Check out Casa Paraíso and meet Piero
📌 36 Calle Sierra de Montanchez, Torremolinos
📞 +34 617 458 313
Restaurant The Geranium, Mijas Costa
Steven Saunders, chef
🥘 Fine dining, friendly vibes
Meet Chef Steven Saunders — former Savoy-trained prodigy, current king of Sunday Lunch.
Trained at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, Steven became Britain’s youngest ever Chef Patron at just 19 — a record that still stands. Now, he’s bringing his culinary magic to the Costa del Sol with The Geranium, a restaurant that blends fine dining with friendly vibes.
Entering its second year, The Geranium is serving up Artistic Tapas Lunches, private events with bespoke menus, and (back by popular demand) Sunday Lunches — complete with a beef carving trolley straight out of London nostalgia à la Simpsons of the Strand. Oh, and did we mention? You can arrive in a Bentley. No big deal.
👉 Come for the food. Stay for the charm. Meet Steven
📌 Av. de Mare Nostrum, 13, La Cala de Mijas
📞 +34 629 27 37 65
Wood Factory, San Pedro de Alcántara
Kristel Schoeman, owner
🪵Dutch Design, Costa Style
Meet Kristel Schoeman, the creative mind behind WoodFactory, where recycled Dutch wood meets Mediterranean chill. A long-time Marbella local, Kristel saw a gap in the market — and filled it with gorgeous, sturdy, and oh-so-trendy furniture perfect for the southern Spanish lifestyle.
What started with sofas, tables, and lounge sets has now grown into a full design vibe. From bars to beach clubs, Kristel’s signature style is all over the Costa — and it all begins at her San Pedro workshop, where Dutch wood gets its sunny transformation.
👉 See the style. Meet Kristel. Visit WoodFactory.
📌 Calle Budapest 16, San Pedro de Alcántara Marbella
📞 +34 620 230 376
Golf lessons/coaching, CDS
Bradley Smith, professional
🏌️Never Miss a Fairway
(Well, Almost Never)
Meet Bradley Smith, the golf whisperer from the UK who's become one of the most respected golf teachers on the Costa del Sol. If he's not perfecting your swing🏌🏼♂️, he's out improving his own, because this man never stops chasing that perfect shot.
Brad’s passion? Golf, golf, and a bit more golf. Unless, of course, Manchester United⚽ is playing (we forgive him for that). Whether it’s on the green, at the range, or analyzing swings in slow-mo while sipping something cold in the sun, Brad lives and breathes the game ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚
He's all about quality of life — which for him means sunshine, great company, and the satisfying sound of a well-hit drive. Every now and then, you might even spot him hopping on a private jet, kindly arranged by a grateful student who just shaved 10 strokes off their handicap.
Ambition: To never stop learning, never stop teaching, and never — ever — miss a fairway (well, at least not twice in a row).
His calendar is packed tighter than his golf bag, but if you're serious about your game and think you can charm your way into a slot, give him a call. He might just fit you in… ⛳️
📧 nevermissafairwaybrad@hotmail.co.uk
📞 Try your luck: +34 677 39 03 81
Magic, Costa del Sol
Renzo Kazàn, magician
🎩 Magic for Every Event
on the Costa del Sol
Looking to add a touch of wow to your event? Meet Renzo Kazàn – the international magician who’s dazzled everyone from the Prince of Monaco to Lionel Richie, now permanently based on the Costa del Sol.
With over 25 years of experience, Renzo brings high-class close-up magic and charisma to weddings, parties, and corporate events – all in English, Spanish, or Dutch.
Whether mingling with guests or performing a full stage show, Renzo’s magic and personality guarantee your event will be one to remember.
✨ Unforgettable. Elegant. Magical.
📞 +34 685 13 20 15
Music Cafe, Elviria, Marbella
Linzi Palmer, owner
🎪 Circus Circus – Where the Music Never Sleeps
Say hello to Circus Circus, the wild new music den in Elviria, brought to life by UK’s very own Linzi Palmer. Think live bands, jam sessions, DJs, tributes, and no noise complaints allowed – all served up in a buzzing, anything-goes atmosphere.
🎶 Free entry. Every night. Open until 4AM.
And because legends deserve proper fuel… yes, you can get traditional Pie, Mash & Liquor while the beat drops.
Unforgettable nights. Zero dull moments. 100% Circus.
📍 Elviria, Marbella
📞 WhatsApp: 659 51 48 65
🌐 circuscircus.es
Cohen Cars
Younes Cohen, owner
🧠 Brains, Banús, and a Lot of Horsepower 🏎️💨
If he’s not in his garage in Puerto Banús, you might spot him tearing up a circuit or lounging on a yacht. Younes Cohen—Managing Partner at Cohen & Cars—is the man behind the machines. He studied Computer Science & Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology and Anthropology and French at the Sorbonne… which has almost nothing to do with selling luxury cars.
But with so many top-tier rides, it’s no surprise he’s become a bit of a local legend on the Costa del Sol 𓆩♕𓆪
Cohen Cars: where your dream car isn’t just found—it’s perfectly matched.
📌 Av Naciones Unidas 36, 29660 Puerto Banus
📞 WhatsApp +34 669 067 949
MN Comunicación
Marie-Noëlle Erize Tisseau
At the helm of MN Comunicación: Marie-Noëlle Erize Tisseau 👑
She’s not just a general manager—she’s a legend.
With more than 35 years of experience, Marie-Noëlle has done it all: worked for multinational giants, met the late Pope (yes, that Pope), and organized events so flawlessly that even the wine glasses clapped. 👏
Born in Argentina, raised on three continents, and fluent in the international language of "getting things done," Marie-Noëlle is the kind of woman whose calendar needs its own assistant. Since founding MN Comunicación in 2010, she’s built a powerhouse team of creatives, strategists, and miracle workers who handle everything from press management to making your brand look 110% better than it did yesterday
Carniceria Holandesa
Willem van Beek, owner
🥩 Guillermo – The Dutch Butcher of Benahavís
Slaughtered with love. Served with a smile. 🔪💁
Meet Guillermo (Willem van Beek if you're Dutch), a third-generation butcher who swapped Holland for ham in the hills
of Andalucía.
Since 2000, he and his wife Dominique have been running Guillermo Carniceria Holandesa – the go-to spot for meat lovers with standards.
Expect dry-aged Galician beef, juicy free-range chicken, secret-recipe Dutch sausages (yes, they're addictive), and a whole lot of homemade goodness – from sauces to soups to wine that pairs perfectly with steak.
🧀 Quality? Next level.
🗣️ Service? Warm, like the oven you’ll use to cook this stuff.
📍Location? La Heredia, Benahavís.
🕓 Open Wed–Sat. (Because legends need rest too.)
Serious meat. No nonsense. Lots of flavour.
Go hungry. Leave happy.
📌 Carretera Ronda, 43, Benahavís
📞 952 92 74 78
Racing Driver /Business man
Álvaro Fontes
Álvaro Fontes – Fast Lanes & Full Throttle from Málaga 🏎️
With over two decades of high-octane competition under his belt, Málaga-born Álvaro Fontes is one of Spain’s most seasoned and versatile racing drivers. A three-time Spanish Touring Car Champion (2012, 2015, 2021) and winner of the 24 Hours of Barcelona in 2011 alongside MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo, Fontes has left tire marks on Europe’s top circuits.
From the Le Mans Series to the Radical Masters and the Nürburgring 24H, Álvaro has taken on almost every championship imaginable—clocking in 327 races, 106 podiums, and 42 victories. Today, he continues to chase the podium in the Spanish Resistance Championship, piloting a Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo for Escudería Faraón.
Off-track, Álvaro is a successful businessman with a leadership role at Repsol and owner of several Repsol fuel stations. Known for his warm personality and community spirit, he even co-hosted a wildly successful event with Sun, Fun & WTF at the iconic Ascari Circuit.
Álvaro Fontes: fast, friendly, and always full throttle.
Apply Today!
Call us for a +/- serious Business Profile on Sun, Fun & WTF -
(soon😉) the Costa de Sol´s most spoke about video platform!
📞 + 34 604 224 617