Mala Kai Resort, Arroyo Vaquero: move-in ready penthouse near the beach in Estepona
The last available penthouse has 3 bedrooms, a 170 m² terrace and sea views, in a completed resort on the coast west of Estepona.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
About Mala Kai Resort
What immediately stands out at Mala Kai is the balance between indoors and outdoors. The penthouse still available has 145 m² of built area and a 170 m² terrace. So here you live more outside than inside. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, is on the second floor and looks out over the sea. The resort was completed in July 2026, so you are buying a finished home and can move in straight away.
Mala Kai is a resort of 70 apartments and penthouses with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, on the coastal strip of Arroyo Vaquero, west of Estepona town centre. The communal areas are extensive: a large infinity pool with sun loungers, a gym, a yoga room, a chill-out area, a gourmet room, a coworking space and a reading and relaxation room. There are also smart mailboxes, handy if you have parcels delivered while you are back home.
The price of €725,000 includes a garage space and a large storage room. The building is secure and has a lift, and the home has an energy rating of B. As only one penthouse remains available, there is little room for choice. If you want this type of home, you will need to decide quickly.
Amenities
- Infinity pool with sun loungers
- Gym
- Yoga room
- Chill-out area
- Gourmet room
- Coworking space
- Smart mailboxes
- Secure complex with lift
- Garage space and storage room
Mala Kai Resort in figures
The price of €5,000 per m² is right in line with the market: 1% below the new-build median for Estepona (€5,038) and level with resale homes (€5,021). The difference is in what you get. With a terrace equal to 117% of the living area, this penthouse has one of the largest outdoor spaces of any new build in the municipality. All in, you pay around €819,400: €72,500 VAT, €8,700 stamp duty, €4,400 notary and €8,800 lawyer. A Dutch agent lists the same asking price with buyer's costs excluded, so with them too these costs come on top. And because the home is finished, you make no payments before you have the keys.
| Price | € 725.000 |
| VAT (IVA) 10% | € 72.500 |
| Stamp duty (AJD) 1.2% | € 8.700 |
| Notary and land registry (estimate) | € 4.400 |
| Lawyer 1% + VAT (estimate) | € 8.800 |
Around 13.0% on top of the price in total. All purchase costs explained.
Terrace, solarium and garden combined, as a percentage of the living area (median). That is more than 99% of new developments in Estepona. Largest outdoor space: 170 m².
Calculated by Imagine Marbella on 20 October 2026 from the current supply of 71 new developments in Estepona and the average asking price of resale homes according to Idealista (September 2026). Costs are an estimate; we will prepare an exact calculation for you.
Location
Arroyo Vaquero lies on the coast west of Estepona, about 8 kilometres from the town centre. It is a stretch of coastline with several residential developments and direct access to the beach. The beach itself is around 500 metres long and 30 metres wide, with sand. On the Costa Natura side it runs into a quieter stretch of about 400 metres. The rest of the shoreline is a semi-urban beach that is usually moderately busy.
The big advantage of this location: Mercadona is a 2-minute walk away. Estepona hospital is 3 minutes by car or 17 minutes on foot. The beach at Costa Natura is a 20-minute walk or 2-minute drive, Azata Golf 3 minutes. Estepona town centre is a 9-minute drive, Puerto Banús 24 minutes. Gibraltar airport is 44 minutes away, Málaga airport 64.
We will send you the exact location and the address of the sales office when you request Privé access or book a viewing.
Distances, measured by us
Measured from Mala Kai Resort along real roads and footpaths, not as the crow flies.
| Destination | On foot | By car |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest beach (Playa Costa Natura) | 1.5 km, 20 min | 520 m, 2 min |
| Supermarket (Mercadona) | 150 m, 2 min | 140 m, 0 min |
| Golf course (Azata Golf) | 1.9 km, 26 min | 1.9 km, 3 min |
| School (Instituto de Educación Secundaria Mar de Alborán) | 6.3 km, 8 min | |
| Hospital (Hospital de Alta Resolución de Estepona) | 1.3 km, 17 min | 1.5 km, 3 min |
| Estepona town centre | 5.8 km, 9 min | |
| Málaga airport | 86.6 km, 64 min | |
| Gibraltar airport | 39.4 km, 44 min |
Calculated with OpenStreetMap routes without traffic, on 20 October 2026. Walking times over an hour are omitted.
Sun, light and views
Here the sun rises at 7:03 on 21 June and sets at 21:42, giving 14.6 hours of daylight. On 21 December you still have 9.7 hours, with the midday sun at 30° above the horizon. Mala Kai Resort sits at around 11 metres above sea level.
The penthouse is listed with sea views. Another agent mentions a south-facing balcony; we confirm on site the orientation and how open the view is above the other blocks.
Homes and finishes
The kitchen is open to the living room and comes with appliances. The main bathroom has underfloor heating. According to the description, good thermal and acoustic insulation has been used, which you notice in summer with the air conditioning on and neighbours on their terraces. Other sources mention aerothermal heating and cooling, rain showers and an armoured front door. With a key-ready home, we always check the terrace drainage, the climate control system and the condition of the garage and storage room.
Payment schedule
As with most new builds on the Costa del Sol, you pay in instalments: a reservation deposit, a portion on signing the purchase contract and during construction, and the balance at the deed signing. Every payment before completion must be covered by a bank guarantee. We will send you the exact payment schedule for Mala Kai Resort through Privé.
Available homes in Mala Kai Resort
A selection, as of 20 October 2026. More homes are available than shown below; request the full price list.
| Type | Beds | Baths | Living area | Terrace | Garden | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penthouse | 3 | 2 | 145 m² | 170 m² | – | € 725.000 |
Book a viewing nowGet the price list and floor plansSend us a WhatsApp
Our honest verdict on Mala Kai Resort
Strengths
- 170 m² terrace with 145 m² inside, an exceptional amount of outdoor space.
- Key-ready since July 2026, so you see exactly what you are buying.
- Mercadona a 2-minute walk and hospital a 3-minute drive away.
- Price per m² in line with the Estepona market.
- Wide range of communal areas, from yoga to coworking.
Points to consider
- Only one home left, so no choice of floor or layout.
- Estepona town centre is a 9-minute drive, not walkable.
- A large resort with 70 homes can get busy around the pool in summer.
Who is Mala Kai Resort right for?
This penthouse is for people who spend a lot of time outdoors: breakfast, reading, dinner with friends, all on the terrace. It suits couples or small families who want to start enjoying it straight away and live practically, with shops and healthcare close by. If you would rather stroll through a historic centre or are looking for a quiet, small complex, you will find better options closer to town.
Why buy through Imagine Marbella?
With us you pay exactly the same price as buying direct from the developer. Our fee is paid by the seller, not by you. What you get on top is what makes the difference.
- Independent. We are not tied to any development. We compare the entire market and tell you honestly when a project is not right for you.
- Stronger at the negotiating table. Whenever there is room to negotiate, on price, payment schedule, finishes or a parking space, we know the market, the sales figures and the developers. We defend your interests; the seller defends theirs.
- Free extra services. We check licences, bank guarantees and specifications, provide legal support in your own language and plan viewings around your travel dates.
- Beyond the handover. We follow the construction, the handover and the after-sales with you, so you are never on your own.
Imagine Privé
As a Privé member, you receive the current price list and availability, floor plans, the building specifications, the payment schedule and our comparison with other new developments, in English, French, Dutch or Spanish.
Free and without obligation.
Off market: what you will not find online
Not every property on the Costa del Sol ends up on a website.
Owners who want to sell discreetly, a last penthouse that has not yet been released, a villa that only comes onto the market when the right buyer appears: part of the market changes hands without a single advert. Already know the market and looking for something you cannot find online? Tell us as precisely as possible what you are looking for. If it exists, we will find it for you.
Ask about our off-market propertiesDiscuss it on WhatsApp
Completely confidential. We only share your search with your permission.
Frequently asked questions about Mala Kai Resort
Has Mala Kai Resort already been completed?
Yes. Completion was in July 2026 and the available penthouse is key-ready. You can view the home before you sign and move in right after the notary.
What is the beach like at Mala Kai?
A sandy beach about 500 metres long and 30 metres wide, which runs into a quieter stretch on the Costa Natura side. It is usually moderately busy. We are happy to walk along it with you during a viewing.
Can you spend the winter at Mala Kai?
Absolutely. The supermarket is a 2-minute walk away, the hospital is close by and in December you get 9.7 hours of daylight. The large terrace is certainly usable during the day in winter.
Are buying costs included in the price on other sites?
No: VAT, stamp duty, notary and lawyer come on top of the asking price. For this penthouse that is around €94,400, about €819,400 in total.
Do I pay more if I buy Mala Kai Resort through Imagine Marbella?
No. You pay the same price as buying directly from the seller. Through us you also get independent advice, legal guidance and aftercare.
What costs come on top of the price of a new-build home?
In Andalusia, a new build carries 10% VAT (IVA) and 1.2% stamp duty (AJD), plus notary, land registry and lawyer's fees. For the most affordable home in Mala Kai Resort, that adds up to around 13.0%.
About the author
Geert Eeckeleers, Managing Director of Imagine Marbella. Since 2018 he has guided buyers on the Costa del Sol, in English, French, Dutch and Spanish.
Next step
Vraag Imagine Privé-toegang aan
We'll get back to you personally within 24 hours. No obligation, discreet and in your language.
- Tailored selection, including homes that aren't online
- Viewings planned around your travel
- Guidance from search to notary and handover of the keys