On this unique journey characteristic, Greg Evans explores the acclaimed Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, the place three distinctive championship programs, luxurious motels and the timeless great thing about Son Vida create one in all Europe’s best {golfing} escapes. Only a brief flight from the UK, it affords the right mix of first-class golf, distinctive delicacies and laid-back Mediterranean allure.
Mallorca has lengthy been a favorite amongst travelling golfers, however few locations on the island ship fairly the identical mix of accessibility, luxurious and championship golf because the Arabella Golf Resort.
Simply over two hours from the UK, it’s a straightforward journey. A easy mid-morning departure from Bristol with easyJet units the tone, and earlier than lengthy you might be getting into the heat of the Balearics. From there, it’s a brief switch into the unique hillside enclave of Son Vida, Mallorca’s unique golf tackle.
CHECKING IN
Inside quarter-hour of the drive to the resort the panorama begins to rise. The highway winds by way of immaculate fairways and gated villas earlier than revealing the enduring Castillo Lodge Son Vida, perched excessive above Palma.
Arrival right here feels extra like getting into a personal membership than checking right into a resort. The gates open, the view expands, and the tempo of life instantly slows.
My deluxe room provided sweeping views throughout the Bay of Palma, a kind of vistas that quietly calls for your consideration at each alternative. Add within the celebrated terrace, referred to as the “Balcony of Mallorca,” and you start to grasp that it is a resort constructed as a lot round environment as it’s round golf.
On night time one I joined the remainder of the group for drinks and canapes adopted by a dinner within the resort’s newly refurbished Es Balco de Son Vida Restaurant for a connoisseur dinner that includes one of the best of Mallorca’s specialities. All of which made for a memorable first night.
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LEGENDS
On Day 2 following breakfast we performed Golf Son Vida, the oldest course on the island. Golf Son Vida carries a way of heritage that’s instantly obvious. Tree-lined fairways, delicate elevation modifications and cleverly defended greens make it a strategic check fairly than a brute-force problem.
It has hosted the European Tour on a number of events, and you may really feel that pedigree all through the spherical. The closing stretch is especially memorable, demanding accuracy below stress on the Par 5 18th surrounded by lakes, with the clubhouse looming within the background.
Following golf, the group gathered for lunch on the Son Vida Clubhouse.
Within the afternoon it was again to the resort for an actual deal with within the Castillo Son Vida Spa for a 50 minute “Golf Therapy Therapeutic massage”, leaving you relaxed and prepared on your subsequent spherical.
That night we walked to the close by premium Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Lodge for an exquisite Tapas dinner at La Bodega del Inexperienced.
The Sheraton, providing a variety of lodging to go well with all classes, can be very best for households with youngsters and golf teams who don’t want the quiet luxurious environment provided by its neighbour the Castillo Son Vida.
CHANGING ROOMS
Following breakfast on Day 3 we transferred over to Golf Son Muntaner for our second day of golf. Warming up on the TopTracer driving vary.
If Son Vida is about custom, Golf Son Muntaner is the trendy championship format. Wider off the tee however longer and extra demanding, it’s arguably the standout check on the resort.
Son Muntaner is the resort’s flagship course and the host of the DP Tour’s Mallorca Golf Open in 2022. Thought of one of the vital beautiful programs on the island, it’s residence to plentiful wildlife, together with “Na Capitana”, one of many oldest olive timber in Mallorca.
That is most likely one of the best all-round check of the resort programs at Arabella. It has immaculate conditioning and a match really feel.
Following lunch at Na Capitana Restaurant at Son Muntaner Clubhouse, we went again to Castillo for a very nice wine tasting expertise and sustainability dialogue that includes Cercle wines made solely for the resort.
‘Cercle’ is the identify of the primary round wine within the Balearic Islands, a creation that’s the results of the collaboration between Arabella Hospitality, Macià Batle and Tirme.
By utilizing the natural waste generated at Arabella’s three motels on website, the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, Castillo Lodge Son Vida and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Resort which is handled within the services managed by Tirme and transformed into natural compost to nourish the vineyards of the Macià Batle vineyard.
As sundown beckoned, we headed to Palma Previous City first for a wander across the spectacular Cathedral after which a Tapas Dinner expertise on the Forn De Sant Joan restaurant. Palma Previous City has an actual allure about it and effectively price a go to.
Our last day started with breakfast adopted by 18 holes on the Son Quint course. That is the youngest golf course on the island opened in 2007. Probably the most forgiving of the three, but no much less fulfilling.
With beneficiant fairways and open vistas, it’s very best for a relaxed spherical or for these seeking to ease into their journey. It is usually as visually rewarding as it’s playable.
We adopted a really nice spherical with lunch on the Son Quint clubhouse.
BEYOND THE FAIRWAYS
Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, is as a lot about life-style as it’s about golf. Evenings naturally gravitate again to the Castillo Son Vida, the place the terrace turns into the focus. Watching the solar dip behind the Tramuntana mountains with a drink in hand is a kind of easy however memorable journey moments.
Eating is refined with out being overbearing, service is attentive but relaxed, and all through the resort there’s a constant sense of understated luxurious.
For these seeking to enterprise out, Palma is only a brief drive away providing all the pieces from historic structure to vibrant eating scenes, however equally, there may be little purpose to go away the consolation of Son Vida.
MY VERDICT
What units Arabella aside is the sheer high quality and number of its golf providing. Three programs, every distinct in character and are inside minutes of the resort.
Arabella Golf Resort strikes a uncommon steadiness. It affords real championship golf throughout three distinct programs, wrapped in an atmosphere that feels unique with out being inaccessible.
Along with the three principal programs, there may be additionally a 9 gap Par 3 course to sharpen your brief recreation.
For UK golfers, the comfort is simple. For these looking for high quality, selection and a contact of Mediterranean class, it’s exhausting to miss.
In fact, this wasn’t only a golf journey, it was an escape that occurred to incorporate three superb causes to carry your golf equipment.
Truth Field
Flights – Palma is effectively served from virtually all UK airports.
Greg flew with Easyjet return from Bristol www.easyjet.com
Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, has launched a novel summer time programme of life-style and cultural experiences, inviting golfers to find the final word Mediterranean escape and rejoice the sixty fifth anniversary of its acclaimed Castillo Lodge Son Vida.
The package deal is accessible at each properties, with charges ranging from:
Castillo Lodge Son Vida: From € 760 per night time (double occupancy, incl. breakfast and VAT). View Package deal.
Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Lodge: From € 585 per night time (double occupancy, incl. breakfast and VAT). View Package deal.
