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Our Story

Mar Delux is a real estate company founded by Marla Marquez and Juan Ruiz in 2001. Marla hails from Florida and lived and worked for many years in Asia. Juan is from Granada, and he lived and worked in Mallorca. Inspired by their backgrounds, travels and the beauty of Spain´s Costa Tropical of Granada, the two combined their love for real estate, design and innovation and Juan´s talent for creating things and began developing, unique and luxurious villas in Almuñecar and Salobreña, two delightful towns on the Costa Tropical.

After developing several villas, they decided to keep some to offer as luxurious, holiday rental villas. The couple once again differentiated themselves by offering amenities that weren't customary at the time, combined with unrivalled customer service. This was the beginning of their foray into the vacation rental market.

Then in 2007, they launched a real estate agency specialising in the sale of luxury properties, and for 15 years they ran the most successful real estate agency on Spain's Costa Tropical, which was renown not only for its sales volume, but for its professionalism.

All along, they continued to develop extraordinary villas with magnificent sea views. In July 2021, they decided to focus exclusively on their real passion of development so that they could dedicate all of their energy into the boutique urbanisation of designer, modern villas they are currently building in La Herradura, Spain, called Urb. Valdemar, which is raising the bar for contemporary design in the area. They have exciting plans to continue developing modern style properties on the Costa Tropical of Spain to be able to offer more clients their ideal of "Luxury Living by the Sea."

Our Mission

Our Mission

To create quality homes with stunning designs which are luxurious, functional and environmentally friendly,

to delight our clients and exceed their expectations with our one-of-a-kind villas,

to deliver unrivalled service, with efficiency, quality and integrity, and last but not least,

to offer our clients "Luxury Living by the Sea."

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Years Experience

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Developments

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Properties Sold

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Happy Clients

What Our Client's Say

We had a first house built 4 years ago then we bought a second turnkey house 2 years ago and now in 2023 land. Why are we loyal to Mar Delux represented by Marla and Juan? We found in them all the qualities of a good partner such as: the quality of construction, an experienced team, professionalism, fast response time, seriousness, listening, advice and legal support and overall great service. For all these qualities we recommend Mar Delux and Marla and Juan for all of your projects. When you’re not on site, they take care of everything and the job is done well. What a delight!

Christelle and Michel – France
April 2023

We took possession of our house in Urbanisation Valdemar July 1st, 2025. We had previously owned an apartment on Costa del sol. And what a difference! In buying from Marla and Juan we didn’t only get a beautiful, high quality home with great views in the charming La Herradura. We also got nonstop help and service from them and from their whole team of pleasant and competent colleagues, We and our children are confidently looking forward to enjoying this wonderful place for many years. Thanks to Marla and Juan. Nellie and Jes, Denmark

Nellie & Jes – Denmark
September 2025

In 2017, I bought two houses through Mar Delux. For the first property, they acted as developer/constructor/vendor and for the second as real estate agents. Not only were their offers exactly what I was looking for, but they were extremely helpful throughout the whole acquisition process, which was a bit more complicated as usual, as I was buying for my 4 children. I did not go for the assistance of other consultants (e.g. lawyer) and did not regret it in any way. The whole team is excellent and pleasant to deal with and they got me into contact with other valuable people for the management of rentals, garden, pool etc. I have recommended them to my friends and would not hesitate to do so to anybody else.

Reinhard van der Does – Germany
December 2017

We first met Juan Ruiz and Marla Marquez in 2012 when we bought a villa in Almunecar via their then agency Cumbre Villas. We were impressed by their professionalism and the ease with which they made buying a property in a foreign country.

In 2017 we decided to move to La Herradura and again Juan and Marla helped to make our dream villa come true when we purchased the amazing Sundara, it’s just the style we were looking for. As much as we loved the villa, when the garden became too much to manage we turned to Juan and Marla to find a new home with minimal maintenance. It was now the summer of 2021 and the new development of Valdemar was in its early stages with 5 houses under construction. This was the perfect solution. A brand new villa with amazing views and no garden! At this stage it was possible to add our own choice of kitchen and paint colours etc.

Since we moved in just before Christmas in December 2021 we have thoroughly enjoyed the comforts of the villa and the wonderful views and sunsets. The quality of the workmanship and materials are excellent and the house is very energy efficient.

Before and after sales service is exemplary, nothing is too much trouble. With over 10 years experience with Juan and Marla we have no hesitation in recommending Mar Delux properties. You will not be disappointed.

Kate Millington – UK
April 2023

Bought our dream home from Juan and Marla 5 years ago (in 2018)! Everything went very professionally and correctly. The assistance in buying a property in Spain for us as foreigners was very serious.

Markus & Ulla – Austria
March 2023

I met Juan for the first time at the end of February 2024, he showed me a house ready to move in. The place, the house, the view are amazing. At the end of March Juan and Marla gave us the keys to our Spanish house. Marla helped us buy the necessary equipment for our new house and Juan still supports us with the technical aspects of the house. We were lucky to meet Marla and Juan, they build beautiful houses and they are good, true partners, who help us feel good and safe in a new home, new country.

Teresa and Wojtek – Poland
July 2024