LOCAL BUSINESSES SHINE AT THE ESSENTIAL MARBELLA AWARDS

Last Saturday (21st of November), the fourth edition of the essential Marbella Awards was a huge success, attracting over 200 people from high profile companies on the Coast to a spectacular gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Puente Romano Hotel. The event, dreamed up by essential Marbella Magazine’s Creative Director, Andrea Böjti, was created to reward those businesses that enhance our lives on the Costa del Sol. Companies competed in 16 different lifestyle-related categories, including leisure, gastronomy and wellness. Voted by thousands of people online during the previous months, the winners were revealed Oscar-style on the night, each receiving a specially commissioned trophy representing the choice of the general public.
This year, the awards were presented in association with Talk Radio Europe, with Maurice Boland acting as Master of Ceremonies and bringing plenty of humour and pizzazz to the affair. Thousands of euros were raised through the dinner and raffle draw to aid local three-year-old boy, Fletcher Falvey, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and needed vital and expensive treatment in the United States. Entertainment was provided by talented tenor, Stephen Lloyd-Morgan and ABBAMAX, an ABBA tribute band, who flew in from the UK for the evening. The essential team is already excited about next year’s awards, with lots of new ideas in mind for the most awaited event of the 2010 calendar.

international restaurant
EL LAGO RESTAURANT

italian restaurant
DA BRUNO RESTAURANT

oriental restaurant
THAI GALLERY

innovative dining
TERRA SANA

beach dining
THE BEACH HOUSE

tennis club
MANOLO SANTANA RAQUETS CLUB

golf club
FINCA CORTESIN GOLF

beach club
NIKKI BEACH

gym / leisure
O2 WELLNESS CENTRE

hotel
HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

specialist clinic
MILLS & MILLS

spa
VILLA PADIERNA SPA

hair / beauty
REFLECTIONS

nightlife
SUITE / SUITE DEL MAR

shopping
LA CAÑADA

school
ALOHA COLLEGE

special essential magazine award
SUSHI DES ARTISTES

What are the essential Marbella Awards? Why should I vote?
Why are the essential Marbella Awards so HOT?
What are the requirements?
And the Winners are...?

WATCH THE 2008 AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY of 2008

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL MARBELLA AWARDS?

For many of us, what makes Marbella truly special is the unique, luxurious lifestyle afforded by our environment and the diverse range of businesses offering services focused on our entertainment, well-being and leisure.
The high level sports facilities, restaurants, spas, hotels, relaxing beach clubs, exclusive shopping and the wide range of professional services that support us, all combine to make our lifestyle second to non.
Now, we offer you the chance to return the favour to the many establishments that have made Marbella what it is today, garnering them global recognition for top quality service.

WHY ARE THE ESSENTIAL MARBELLA AWARDS SO HOT?

Imagine wearing the opinion of thousands of essential readers and marbella residents on your logo.
This is, in effect, what winning an essential Marbella Award will confer: the awareness that our readers, high profile residents and visitors to Marbella proclaim that your company offers the best service in your category. Their voting will be determined by how you make the client feel, how good the service you provide is and how much you have enhanced their lifestyle.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Until around the month of October, we are receiving nominations of businesses in 23 categories. You are able to nominate your favourite business by emailing, faxing or simply phoning us anonymously.
The top five nominations in each category will be published in a poll in our November and December editions, as well as on our website and in selected establishments.
Our readers and the people of Marbella are able to vote for the top business in each category, sending us their answers by Internet, fax or mail, before the closing deadline.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...?

The winners receive a special seal of recognition announcing they have won their category, which they can use on all their publicity, stationery and materials. This seal reveals a simple yet highly prestigious message: that long-term residents and frequent visitors to Marbella appreciate your service and feel it has given their life more quality. This is ‘word of mouth’ referral at its finest.