In the years I have lived abroad, I am disappointed to say that I have seen many examples of, to say the least, dubious business practices and so I was delighted to be invited to visit aBNI meeting. Their branches in Spain cover the western Costa del Sol and the idea is that professional and legal businesses should promote each other in an ethical manner. I know BNI well from the UK and I have to say that my experiences of dealing with several of their members in Spain have been extremely positive. I am happy to endorse them. New members are always welcomed and you will find full details on BNI

Some of their members and other local businesses that I can personally recommend include:

Eurosur Rent-A-Car where the owner kindly helped me when I managed to lock myself out of house, office ……..and my own car. As she did not have a car available at 30 seconds’ notice and as she saw the gravity of the situation, she loaned me her own car! That’s what I call service! The next step was to get in and I cannot speak highly enough of Titan Security who quoted me a very fair price, came out immediately and replaced the lock professionally and in a tidy manner. I hope you never have need to use Titan (!) but if you do I am sure you will be impressed!

Whether you are coming here to work or just to live, you WILL NEED a solicitor at some stage. Whether it’s for the purchase of a property or business or a civil or criminal dispute, you WILL NEED the services of a professional law service. I would most highly recommend PARODILAWYERS who can help you through the papeleo of the Spanish legal system. (If you don’t know the word “papeleo” you most definitely need them!) As always, I suggest you make contact and introduce yourself BEFORE you have a requirement for their services and to facilitate this their first consultation is free. They speak English and their principal has even worked in the law in the UK.

I have also had excellent advice and service from Cabopino Lighting who showed me how to light a very dark corner of my house. I am sure they can assist you for all your lighting requirements at a fair price.

One thing that constantly amazes me is how people leave the maintenance and security of their homes in Spain to complete strangers. They entrust their home to people who they may have never met, know nothing about and who often do not even speak Spanish. Then they wonder why they have a problem. Well, if you live in Marbella, Fuengirola or the western Costa del Sol you have no excuse as ACPS “Holding the Key to Security and Trust” are on hand to offer total property management services. The directors are personally known to me for many years and I would give them the highest possible recommendation. Their fully-bilingual office staff are on hand to ensure your peace of mind and their field staff cover everything from lettings to pool services, from security to gardening and all work with I.S.O. documentation.

I have to say that I am not a food-freak, gourmet or anything similar but I think I know a good restaurant when I see one and Vista del Mar is most definitely a genuine pearl on this coast. It’s in Mijas Costa about 10 kms from Fuengirola centre …..and a million miles away! When I first went I was struck by the tranquil setting with its tremendous views over the Med. It is, to use their words, a special place for special people. Enjoy!

Mention must also go to Andy and Pauline at the Hotel Molino del Santo near Ronda. This is without doubt my favourite hotel in the Málaga province and one of my favourite 2/3 in Spain. See also The Auditorium in Madrid. The Molino del Santo is indeed a “hidden gem” that most definitely merits seeking out. The food is divine, the location superb, the service exceptional, the professionalism 100% and the rooms of the absolute highest standard. However, what sets El Molino apart from 99% of all the other hotels I have stayed in is their attention to detail. Incidentally, the taxi driver who took me back to the coast commented that ALL the guests always praise the Molino and although he can’t speak English he says that for the past 16 years it has always been a pleasure to pick guests up from there. Even if the passenger speaks no Spanish and he can only say “Good Day” and “Thank You” in English, he is sure that all the guests are delighted. Enjoy!

Other businesses in the Fuengirola area that I recommend include:

Hotel Hostal Marbella

an excellent Hostal near the town centre. I have stayed there myself many times and have always been totally satisfied. It is spotlessly clean, all staff speak English and there is free wifi throughout the hotel. Do NOT be confused by the word “hostal”. It is a Spanish term and I can assure you there are no bunk-beds or curfews! Highly recommended.

Antonio García Rasero

Personable English-speaking abogado (lawyer)

Learn Spanish

Eurolingua

Drain & Leak Solutions

for all plumbing and draining issues

Drain & Leak

IT Solutions

Incio-Plus call themselves “Expertos en informática” and I have to say that my experience has been positive. I would call myself an advanced computer user but the last time I used them they quickly and competently resolved a software issue that had been puzzling me. Impressed and pleased with the cost!

Telecom Solutions

Telitec Great value, low-cost mobile and land-line solutions with English-speaking support available.

Storage and Removals Sometimes, just sometimes one experiences a level of service so far above what is either expected or reasonable that one has to make a special recommendation. I can only give City Self-Storage S.L. . at Mijas Costa that approbation. If you are on the Costa del Sol and have any goods that you want storing or moving, then I would recommend that you made contact with them.

City Self-Storage S.L.

Expat Insurancee

Specialist Expat Insurance services with all documentation in English BUT supplied by one of Spain’s largest insurance companies. A real win-win. Ask John McKenzie for a free, no-obligation quotation.

Cosmetic and Aesthetic Medicine

The Beauty Service

Computer and Internet Services

Renovated Laptops

Matthew Gomis founded his IT Consulting Company over 10 years ago to cater for every ex-pat Computer and Internet requirement …………. in English. Today, still a successful and growing business with a vast portfolio of loyal clients, they continue to offer all the services they did on day one but with the addition of a new hugely-popular line of products – reconditioned laptops at bargain prices. These are imported directly from the UK’s largest manufacturers such as DELL, Toshiba, IBM and Compaq. All are completely overhauled, tried/tested and brought up to an ‘as new’ standard before they are ever shipped to a customer.

You can rest assured you will be receiving the highest quality and reliability but at a fraction of the new price and all in English! They offer an excellent post-sale support package should you require upgrades, service or support of any kind.

When I caught up with Matthew recently he told me that the reason they are still around is because they “do return calls, they do reply to e-mails, they do turn up on time, they do listen and they do fix it the first time ‘¦ because their priority above all else is their clients’ satisfaction!” Give them a call today on 606 16 83 82 or visit Renovated Laptops I reckon to know “about all things IT” but I am impressed with this company and am happy to recommend them.

Envirocare SL was established in 1996, offering a first class installation and maintenance service for the installation of Air Conditioning, Pool Heat Pumps, Solar Systems, Gas Fires and Central Heating in Spain.

We are the number one heating and cooling company on the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, with over 25 years of installation expertise, covering the following areas throughout Andalucia, and along the Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Costa Cálida, Costa de la Luz, Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical.

Envirocare SL are contactable 6 days a week and have offices in Fuengirola, and Los Boliches, which are staffed by our dedicated administration team, who are there to offer a competent and efficient service to all clients, new and existing.

The Envirocare installation is conducted to the highest degree of quality and all our installations are backed up by a comprehensive guarantee, details of which can be obtained from our After Sales Department.

All projects, regardless of size of installation and number of units required are surveyed to establish the most effective method of climatisation. Quotations are provided, which are of course free and without obligation.

Alternatively, fill in the form below, click the ‘Submit’ button and send us a message.

Head Office (Málaga and Costa del Sol): +34 952 663 141