In this exclusive travel feature, Greg Evans explores the acclaimed Arabella Golf Resort, where three distinctive championship courses, luxury hotels and the timeless beauty of Son Vida create one of Europe’s finest golfing escapes. Just a short flight from the UK, it offers the perfect blend of first-class golf, exceptional cuisine and laid-back Mediterranean charm.
Mallorca has long been a favourite among travelling golfers, but few destinations on the island deliver quite the same blend of accessibility, luxury and championship golf as the Arabella Golf Resort.
Just over two hours from the UK, it’s an easy journey. A smooth mid-morning departure from Bristol with easyJet sets the tone, and before long you are stepping into the warmth of the Balearics. From there, it is a short transfer into the exclusive hillside enclave of Son Vida, Mallorca’s original golf address.
CHECKING IN
Within 15 minutes of the drive to the resort the landscape begins to rise. The road winds through immaculate fairways and gated villas before revealing the iconic Castillo Hotel Son Vida, perched high above Palma.
Arrival here feels more like entering a private club than checking into a hotel. The gates open, the view expands, and the pace of life immediately slows.
My deluxe room offered sweeping views across the Bay of Palma, one of those vistas that quietly demands your attention at every opportunity. Add in the celebrated terrace, known as the “Balcony of Mallorca,” and you begin to understand that this is a resort built as much around atmosphere as it is around golf.
On night one I joined the rest of the group for drinks and canapes followed by a dinner in the hotel’s newly refurbished Es Balco de Son Vida Restaurant for a gourmet dinner featuring the best of Mallorca’s specialities. All of which made for a memorable first evening.
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LEGENDS
On Day 2 following breakfast we played Golf Son Vida, the oldest course on the island. Golf Son Vida carries a sense of heritage that is immediately apparent. Tree-lined fairways, subtle elevation changes and cleverly defended greens make it a strategic test rather than a brute-force challenge.
It has hosted the European Tour on multiple occasions, and you can feel that pedigree throughout the round. The closing stretch is particularly memorable, demanding accuracy under pressure on the Par 5 18th surrounded by lakes, with the clubhouse looming in the background.
Following golf, the group gathered for lunch at the Son Vida Clubhouse.
In the afternoon it was back to the hotel for a real treat in the Castillo Son Vida Spa for a 50 minute “Golf Treatment Massage”, leaving you relaxed and ready for your next round.
That evening we walked to the nearby premium Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Resort for a wonderful Tapas dinner at La Bodega del Green.
The Sheraton, offering a range of accommodation to suit all categories, would be ideal for families with children and golf groups who do not want the quiet luxurious surroundings offered 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 range.
If Son Vida is about tradition, Golf Son Muntaner is the modern championship layout. Wider off the tee but longer and more demanding, it is arguably the standout test at the resort.
Son Muntaner is the resort’s flagship course and the host of the DP Tour’s Mallorca Golf Open in 2022. Considered one of the most stunning courses on the island, it is home to abundant flora and fauna, including “Na Capitana”, one of the oldest olive trees in Mallorca.
This is probably the best all-round test of the resort courses at Arabella. It has immaculate conditioning and a tournament feel.
Following lunch at Na Capitana Restaurant at Son Muntaner Clubhouse, we went back to Castillo for a really nice wine tasting experience and sustainability discussion featuring Cercle wines made exclusively for the resort.
‘Cercle’ is the name of the first circular wine in the Balearic Islands, a creation that is the result of the collaboration between Arabella Hospitality, Macià Batle and Tirme.
By using the organic waste generated at Arabella’s three hotels on site, the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, Castillo Hotel Son Vida and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel which is treated in the facilities managed by Tirme and converted into organic compost to nourish the vineyards of the Macià Batle winery.
As sunset beckoned, we headed to Palma Old Town first for a wander around the spectacular Cathedral and then a Tapas Dinner experience at the Forn De Sant Joan restaurant. Palma Old Town has a real charm about it and well worth a visit.
Our final day began with breakfast followed by 18 holes on the Son Quint course. This is the youngest golf course on the island opened in 2007. The most forgiving of the three, yet no less enjoyable.
With generous fairways and open vistas, it’s ideal for a relaxed round or for those looking to ease into their trip. It is also as visually rewarding as it is playable.
We followed a very pleasant round with lunch at the Son Quint clubhouse.
BEYOND THE FAIRWAYS
Arabella Golf Resort is as much about lifestyle as it is about golf. Evenings naturally gravitate back to the Castillo Son Vida, where the terrace becomes the focal point. Watching the sun dip behind the Tramuntana mountains with a drink in hand is one of those simple but memorable travel moments.
Dining is refined without being overbearing, service is attentive yet relaxed, and throughout the resort there is a consistent sense of understated luxury.
For those looking to venture out, Palma is just a short drive away offering everything from historic architecture to vibrant dining scenes, but equally, there is little reason to leave the comfort of Son Vida.
MY VERDICT
What sets Arabella apart is the sheer quality and variety of its golf offering. Three courses, each distinct in character and are within minutes of the hotel.
Arabella Golf Resort strikes a rare balance. It offers genuine championship golf across three distinct courses, wrapped in an environment that feels exclusive without being inaccessible.
In addition to the 3 main courses, there is also a 9 hole Par 3 course to sharpen your short game.
For UK golfers, the convenience is undeniable. For those seeking quality, variety and a touch of Mediterranean elegance, it is hard to overlook.
In truth, this wasn’t just a golf trip, it was an escape that happened to include three very good reasons to bring your clubs.
Fact Box
Flights – Palma is well served from almost all UK airports.
Greg flew with Easyjet return from Bristol www.easyjet.com
Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, has launched a unique summer programme of lifestyle and cultural experiences, inviting golfers to discover the ultimate Mediterranean escape and celebrate the 65th anniversary of its acclaimed Castillo Hotel Son Vida.
The package is available at both properties, with rates starting from:
- Castillo Hotel Son Vida: From € 760 per night (double occupancy, incl. breakfast and VAT). View Package.
- Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel: From € 585 per night (double occupancy, incl. breakfast and VAT). View Package.
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