First Lady At Top Luxury Hotel in Marbella
There was, of course, a great deal of satisfaction in Marbella that Michelle Obama chose the southern Spanish resort for a brief private holiday last week with her younger daughter, Sasha.
The Mayor, Angeles Munoz, said the visit had been a chance for the city to highlight its lesser known aspects, such as its heritage and cultural attractions. “We can boast of being a place where many are proud to spend their holidays or have their second homes,” he said. Tourism officials hope the visit will usher in a new wave of arrivals from the United States.
Mrs Obama stayed with friends, a few staff and secret service agents at the Villa Padierna, a sumptuous luxury hotel and spa in the hills above the city. The President didn’t join them on the trip, instead celebrating his 49th birthday in Chicago. Their elder daughter, Malia, was away at summer camp.
Marbella has long been a haunt for the rich and famous, including members of the Saudi Royal family and Hollywood actors such as Sean Connery and Antonio Banderas. It’s also gained an unwelcome reputation as a haven for corrupt politicians and criminal gangs.
Mrs Obama’s visit was not without controversy in the United States, with some people considering that a ritzy vacation in Spain while the US faced tough economic times was off-message. But the Chicago Sun-Times said Mrs Obama and her friends paid for their own hotel rooms and other personal and travel expenses.
by Andy Moreton
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