Why Sotogrande Is Changing — And What It Must Never Lose | Restaurants, Community & the Future

What makes Sotogrande one of the most distinctive places to live on the Costa del Sol, and how can it grow without losing what makes it special? From Sotogrande restaurants and the Marina to polo, quality of life, security and future development, this conversation explores the past, present and future of the Sotogrande community.I sit down with Juan Moncayo at Don Diego in the Marina de Sotogrande. Born and raised in the area, Juan shares his family's history in local hospitality, the story behind Casa Moncayo and Don Diego, how the Marina has evolved, the influence of polo and international residents, and why Sotogrande now needs to think carefully about infrastructure, hotels and controlled growth.CHAPTERS00:00 Life in Sotogrande01:03 Why quality of life and security matter01:39 Growing up in a Sotogrande hospitality family02:21 Diego Moncayo and the early days of Sotogrande04:31 How Casa Moncayo began05:13 Why Moncayo became a local meeting point06:11 María Moncayo and traditional Andalusian cooking07:35 The story behind Don Diego08:17 How the Sotogrande Marina developed11:04 From traditional food to Japanese-Peruvian fusion14:18 Don Diego and the Q de Calidad15:01 Why customers keep coming back18:11 Polo, international visitors and Sotogrande's community23:40 What's next for Don Diego?24:56 How should Sotogrande grow?26:18 Does the area need more hotels?27:49 The original vision for Pueblo Nuevo28:41 Infrastructure and the pressure of growth30:01 Why younger generations want to stay in Sotogrande31:41 Why Sotogrande is about more than golf and polo33:23 The two words that define Sotogrande36:12 Juan's wish for Sotogrande in 20 yearsThe Moncayo family's story runs alongside the development of modern Sotogrande. Juan recalls his father Diego working in some of the area's emblematic venues before the family established Casa Moncayo in Pueblo Nuevo. Today, Don Diego continues that hospitality tradition from the Marina, combining international influences with local Andalusian produce.But this episode is also about what comes next. Juan argues that growth needs to be accompanied by better infrastructure and additional capacity outside the urbanisation while protecting the qualities that attract people in the first place. His ambition for the next 20 years is simple: modernise Sotogrande without destroying the character, quality of life and security that make it different.MORE INFORMATIONDon Diego Sotogrande:dondiegosotogrande.comCasa Moncayo:restaurantecasamoncayo.comCONNECT WITH CHARLIE!📲 Mobile +34 607 911 661✉️ Email: connect@charlesgubbins.com🔗 Website: https://charlesgubbins.com/STAY CONNECTED!📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlieinsotogrande/👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlieinsotogrande👨‍💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliegubbins🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nollsotogrande🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliegubbins📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlesgubbins#Sotogrande #SotograndeLifestyle #SotograndeRestaurants #CostaDelSol #SotograndeMarinaCONNECT WITH CHARLIE!📲 Mobile +34 607 911 661✉️ Email: connect@charlesgubbins.com🔗 Website: https://charlesgubbins.com/STAY CONNECTED!📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlieinsotogrande/👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlieinsotogrande👨‍💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliegubbins🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nollsotogrande🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliegubbins📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlesgubbins