GUEST POST: Living the high life

POST BY GUEST BLOGGER EMMA SPENCER Being a Cheshire girl, it is naturally assumed that I love a bit of glitz and glamour, so when presented with the opportunity to go to the celebrated Nikki Beach Club to watch the Marbella’s Hottest Bartenders Competition, I obliged straight away. Wearing the standard ‘Nikki’ dress code of White-with-Big-Sunglasses, I set off to see what all the fuss is about. This was actually the first beach club I have ever visited, so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Judging by the website I was in for a treat, although the reality is seldom as good as the photos, so I didn’t get my hopes up. In actual fact, Nikki Beach is just like its website. Everything, from the sand to the uniforms, is white, and there are real beds on the beach, something which I don’t think will ever catch on in England. The staff are all beautiful, as well as being nice and friendly, and the atmosphere is calm, complimented by funky yet chilled music. Walking into Nikki Beach it feels like you are entering what heaven should be like, just a lot more exclusive and expensive.

The bartenders’ competition itself was actually quite impressive. The whole idea of bartenders’ competitions brings to mind Magaluf or Aiya Napa with their grotty bars packed with sweaty people, but Nikki Beach takes the whole concept to a different level. We were able to watch the competition from the comfort of a table in the shade, while sipping a mojito which would normally cost a cool 10 euros. The tenders were actually great entertainment and clearly very skilled. One had made glasses of ice while the other was juggling about three things at once. Amazing! What surprised me the most about Nikki Beach Club was the variety of people there. Although the place feels pretty exclusive, there is a wide range of club-goers, from families to teenagers to older men eating at the restaurant. The club offers something for everyone: a beach, a bar with a brilliant cocktail menu, and a good restaurant, as well as the nightclub. The main factor which would exclude people is the prices. It all comes down to whether you want to pay more to rub shoulders with the glamorous crowd. I am, sadly, a student, however the beach is free if you don’t mind lying on the sand you can still feel included in the club. For the moment, I will just pack my own sandwiches and drinks, until I can afford the restaurant - but apart from that slight setback, I love Nikki Beach! Emma Spencer studies BA Hispanic Studies at the University of Nottingham and is currently living in Estepona as part of her third year abroad. All photos ©Gary Edwards