Enjoying a sublime location overlooking Lake Istan, just 11 minutes from Marbella Golden Mile, Villa Kalani is a 6-bedroom Marrakech-style villa that feels worlds away from the everyday. Designed with relaxation and wellbeing in mind, the villa features a yoga temple, garden gym and an infinity pool overlooking the glittering blue waters below.
Families love the large cinema room and cave-style bunks, while the speakeasy nightclub on the lower ground floor offers a quirky and versatile space for the grownups to kick back and relax.
Bedrooms are generously proportioned and ranged across the villa's three floors. The standout principal bedroom is a sun-soaked oasis, accessed by a secret door concealed within a bookcase... the jaw-dropping views from the private bath are what dreams are made of.
Indulge in long afternoons outside, with an infinity pool set above the shimmering Lake Istan and terraces for morning coffee, relaxed lunches and sunset cocktails
Six generously proportioned bedrooms, led by a standout principal suite with private terraces and distinctive cave-style bunk beds
Continue the party in the villa’s speakeasy-style music lounge, complete with integrated sound system, disco lights and DJ deck for late-night celebrations
Kick back in the private cinema room, with oversized sofas for relaxed film nights and post-dinner wind-downs with family and friends
A Sanctuary of Calm Encircled by Lakes and Mountains
Dropped discreetly into a cluster of trees on the hillside, Villa Kalani opens to wide-open views of emerald water, forested slopes and distant mountains. With no immediate neighbours, the atmosphere is one of rare calm and complete privacy.
Life here centres around restoration and connection. Mornings begin with yoga in the temple room or a workout in the garden gym, followed by coffee overlooking the lakes below. Afternoons pass slowly dozing beside the infinity pool or reclining on sun-drenched terraces, while evenings drift from relaxed dinners and movie nights to celebrations that continue late into the night in the villa’s speakeasy-style club.
Effortlessly Stylish Interiors with Global Character
Inside Villa Kalani, sleek contemporary design is softened by an eclectic mix of global influences. Burnished copper tones, dark oiled woods and layered fabrics create spaces that feel inviting and lived in. Carefully chosen pieces sourced from around the world give the villa its distinctive, well-travelled character.
Atmosphere is central to the design. Bespoke lighting has been thoughtfully integrated throughout the house, with discreet sensors softly illuminating staircases and bathrooms. On the lower ground floor, a striking lounge area features sculptural planting and artificial olive trees that evoke the feeling of an enchanted indoor garden.
From relaxed living areas to the speakeasy-style club scattered with cushions, the interiors balance refined design with comfort and personality.
Resort-Style Living Above the Lake
Outdoor life at Villa Kalani unfolds across a vast, multi-level plot that steps down the hillside through mature palms and layered gardens. A series of expansive decked terraces create distinct spaces for lounging, dining and gathering, each positioned to capture the shifting light across the valley and the sparkling waters below.
At the bottom of the garden sits the infinity pool, where a deck extends across the water to a generous daybed. It’s an idyllic spot for long afternoons with a book, slipping between sun and shade with something chilled in hand, lulled by the soft birdsong of the surrounding valley.
Beyond the villa, nature takes centre stage. Hiking trails thread through the hills and forests nearby, leading to waterfalls and hidden freshwater swimming spots, while the lakes offer opportunities for kayaking and paddle-boarding.
Villa Kalani’s principal lounge is located on the ground floor and features generous family-sized sofas facing a wall-mounted widescreen television, with warm burnished tones, dark oiled wood and statement artwork.
A separate seating area with modular velvet sofas provides an additional space to gather or read, while a coffee station with pull-out desk allows for quiet working if required.
On the lower ground floor, a striking lounge space features sculptural planting and bespoke olive trees that create the feeling of an enchanted indoor forest.
Villa Kalani’s contemporary kitchen sits adjacent to the main dining area in an open-plan layout designed for relaxed entertaining. A central black ceramic island anchors the space beneath statement pendant lighting, with sliding glass doors opening directly onto the terrace and outdoor kitchen.
Appliances include Gaggenau oven, microwave, integrated coffee machine and electric ceramic hob with extractor, alongside a fridge-freezer with ice maker.
The main dining area features a statement dark wood table seating 20 guests, positioned to take in views across the terrace and surrounding countryside.
Guests can also dine outdoors on the terraces, where multiple seating areas allow for relaxed breakfasts, long lunches and sunset dinners beside the outdoor kitchen and pizza oven.
Villa Kalani offers a balance of relaxation, activity and social space throughout the property. Guests can begin the day with yoga or meditation in the temple room or a workout in the garden gym.
The outdoor terraces and infinity pool create multiple places to unwind throughout the day, whether lounging in the sun or relaxing on the daybed set over the water.
Evenings can be spent in the cinema room or in the lower ground speakeasy-style club with integrated sound system and DJ deck.
Beyond the villa, the surrounding hills offer excellent hiking trails, waterfalls and freshwater swimming spots, while the lakes nearby are popular for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Principal Bedroom 1: Located on the entrance level. Spacious suite with king-sized bed (180cm x 200cm, can be split into twins) positioned centrally within the room. Includes built-in wardrobes and distinctive cave-style bunk beds integrated into the wall. Sliding glass doors open onto a private terrace. Double-height ceiling and warm-toned interior palette.
En-suite bathroom with sunken square bath positioned before a large window overlooking the landscape, walk-in rain shower and separate WC.
Guest Bedroom 2: Located on the entrance level opposite the principal suite. King-sized bed (180cm x 200cm) set on a raised platform. Sliding glass doors open onto a small private terrace with seating area.
En-suite bathroom with freestanding bath, walk-in rain shower, separate WC and decorative hanging chair.
Guest Bedroom 3: Located on the living level. King-sized bed (180cm x 200cm, can be split into twins) positioned on a raised platform facing a private patio accessed through sliding glass doors. Writing desk and statement chair.
En-suite bathroom with walk-in rain shower.
Guest Bedroom 4: Located on the lower ground floor near the cinema room. King-sized bed (180cm x 200cm, can be split into twins) on an elevated platform. Stone shelving unit with widescreen television and freestanding Moroccan-style arched mirror. Walk-in wardrobe.
En-suite bathroom with walk-in rain shower and planting feature behind a glass wall.
Guest Bedroom 5: Located on the lower ground floor. King-sized bed (180cm x 200cm, can be split into twins) set on an elevated platform. Wall recess with television, walk-in wardrobe and sensor lighting.
En-suite bathroom with walk-in rain shower.
Guest Bedroom 6: Separate garden suite located within the grounds overlooking the lawns and pool. King-sized bed (180cm x 200cm) on an elevated platform and stone shelving unit with integrated uplighting.
Your rental includes daily housekeeping (7 days a week) plus a linen and towel change once every 3 days. Housekeeping hours can be arranged as desired between 7am and 10pm.
Villa Provisioning
All of our villas have a convenient stock-cupboard, with a starter supply of the essential household items you might need for a comfortable stay.
Complete Villa Pre-Stock Service
A full villa provisioning service is available in this property, so you can get settled straight in and relax. Your villa concierge will assist with making your order in advance of your arrival with payment on account made before you travel.
All stays with The Luxury Villa Collection include a personal meet and greet with an English-speaking Villa Manager for peace of mind, and they are then available during your stay to assist you with any villa queries. In addition, from the moment you book, our Guest Experience Team will help with all your travel arrangements to ensure a smooth stay.
Concierge-Style Support in Spain
When you choose a Platinum Collection Villa, you will be introduced to a dedicated Experience Manager who can help with all your arrangements to ensure a smooth stay.They will be happy to assist with extra services such pre-arrival provisioning, wine orders, chefs, transfers, escorted tours, yachts, nannies, etc (pre-booking is always advised to guarantee availability).
A stay at Villa Kalani combines the tranquillity of the Istan hills with easy access to Marbella’s restaurants, beach clubs and cultural highlights. Your Villa Concierge is on hand to shape each day, arranging everything from in-villa wellness experiences to sought-after reservations along Marbella’s Golden Mile.
Mornings might begin with a guided yoga session in the temple room or a personal training session in the garden gym, followed by in-villa massage treatments or a wellness chef preparing a nourishing breakfast. For evenings at the villa, a private chef can host relaxed dinners or multi-course tasting menus, allowing guests to enjoy the setting without leaving the property.
For those wishing to explore, the Concierge can arrange kayaking or paddle-boarding on the nearby lakes, guided hikes through the surrounding hills or visits to nearby whitewashed villages such as Ronda or Benahavis. Marbella’s Golden Mile lies just a 20 minute drive away, offering celebrated restaurants, elegant beach clubs and world-class golf.
I visited Villa Kalani on a beautiful spring day after weeks of rain, when the landscape was impossibly green and the sky a deep, settled blue. The first thing that struck me was the view. Standing on the wraparound terrace looking over the treetops to the burnished surface of the Istan lakes, with mountains rising in the distance, felt like stepping into a National Geographic winning photo.
What I love most about this house is how much personality it has. The owner has clearly reimagined the space with real creativity and care. It never feels sterile or overly polished. Instead, there are beautiful pieces gathered from around the world, statement artwork and thoughtful details everywhere you look. The lower ground lounge with its enchanted forest feel is wonderfully atmospheric, while the soft sensor lighting creates a warm glow in the evenings that makes the whole villa feel calm and inviting.
It’s also just an undeniably fun house to stay in. You can be as active or as relaxed as you like. Start the day with yoga or a gym session, head out for a hike in the hills, then spend the afternoon by the pool or watching a film in the cinema room. If the mood takes you, the private club downstairs is ready for a proper party. And the principal suite, hidden behind a secret bookcase door, might just be my favourite feature of all, especially the gorgeous sunken bath overlooking the lake.
Villa Kalani works beautifully for multi-generational family stays, offering both space and flexibility across its six bedrooms. The principal suite includes cave-style bunk beds, making it ideal for parents travelling with younger children, while the cinema room, tropical gardens and private pool offer options to keep everyone entertained. With hiking trails, kayaking and paddle-boarding available nearby, the villa also provides plenty of opportunities for families to explore the surrounding landscape together. View the Family collection
The Retreat Collection
With its peaceful hillside setting and focus on wellness, Villa Kalani lends itself naturally to private retreats and restorative group stays. A dedicated temple room provides a tranquil space for yoga and meditation, while the garden gym and surrounding nature offer opportunities for movement and outdoor exploration. Expansive terraces overlooking the landscape create inspiring spaces for group sessions, while curated wellness experiences such as guided yoga, massage treatments and private chefs can be arranged through the Villa Concierge.
Villa Kalani is located close to Marbella overlooking Lake Istan, surrounded by forested slopes and mountain landscapes. This peaceful setting offers exceptional privacy and a strong connection to nature, while Marbella’s Golden Mile, Puerto Banus, restaurants and beach clubs remain within easy reach just over 10 minutes away by car. The nearby white village of Istan is also just a short drive away, offering traditional cafés and restaurants alongside scenic hiking routes through the surrounding hills.
Other local amenities include:
Nearest Airport: Málaga International Airport (AGP) – 60.7km (44-minute drive)
Nearest Beach: Marbella beaches – approx. 12-minute drive. Beach clubs such as La Cabane are also around 15 minutes away.
Supermarkets: Mercadona – 7km (11-minute drive)
Restaurants:
Local restaurants in Istán village – approx. 10-minute drive
For guests wishing to explore further, Marbella’s historic Old Town offers atmospheric streets lined with galleries, boutiques and traditional tapas restaurants. Puerto Banus lies a short drive along the coast, known for its marina, luxury shopping and lively dining scene, while the surrounding hills provide excellent opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration.
Like this Villa?
Check availability and pricing here.
If it’s not quite what you are looking for then please contact us and we will try our best to help.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
