The Mallorca Press Cup one of the most prestigious golf events in the Europe is hosted annually by Arabella Golf Resort. Golf and travel writers from all over Europe join fellow sports writers from the Balearics to experience the courses at this world class resort.

When we arrived at Palma airport our VIP transfer was waiting to take us to The Castillo Hotel, Son Vida, this excellent service is offered to all guests staying at the resort. 

A twenty minute drive up into the beautiful Mallorcan hills and we  had arrived at the grand entrance of the magnificent five- star castle hotel. As the driver pulled up outside staff were waiting to take our luggage, it would appear that everyone staying at this very classy hotel is treated as VIP. I could get used to this!

The stunning 13th century castle hotel is surrounded by beautiful subtropical gardens, its elevated position allows amazing  views of the hills and across the bay of Palma.

The elegantly furnished and recently renovated rooms are spacious and luxurious, the marble bathrooms have a separate shower and gorgeous big fluffy towels and robes.  All rooms have balconies or terraces with stunning views over the gardens or Palma.

After checking in and comparing rooms as my friend and I usually do, it was time for a G&T and dinner!

The hotel has two restaurants, the Es Castell where you can experience pure Mallorcan and Mediterranean cuisine and the informal Es Vi, which offers a great selection of tapas. The extensive wine list at the hotel’s restaurants features a wide range of International and wines from the regions.  

A fabulous buffet breakfast is served in Es Castell restaurant. A splendid array of fresh fruit, all kinds of bread, hot and cold plates of ham, eggs, salads, cheeses. No weight watching this week!

The beauty of staying at any one of the resort’s hotels you just hop on the shuttle bus outside reception and in five minutes you are dropped off at the golf club. No hassle, just place clubs onto to the golf cart and you’re off, a first class service!

Arabella golf resort is located in the prestigious residential area of Son Vida, here are three of the best golf courses  in Europe, Golf Son Muntaner, Golf Son Vida, Golf Son Quint and Son Quint pitch and putt course. 

Son Muntaner, the resort’s flagship course is one of the most beautiful courses on the island. Magnificent pines surround the course, on the 15th hole stands the thousand year old olive tree  “ Sa Capitana” the oldest registered olive tree on the island. The natural fauna and flora throughout add to the beauty of Son Muntaner 

course making it an incredibly enjoyable round of golf.

The excellent practice facilities feature the largest putting green on the island. There is a very well stocked pro. shop and superb clubhouse.

Son Muntaner celebrated its 18th anniversary at the end of 2018. Extensive renovations were made recently to the course, some of the holes were redesigned, Celebration Burmuda grass was used on fairways and rough with V8 creeping bent grass on the greens to provide a smooth and fast surface all year round. By utilising Celebration Burmuda and other sustainability measures Arabella has achieved a dramatic reduction in its consumption of recycled water in the last year. Less water, fewer chemicals. Well Done Arabella!

Golf on Mallorca all started at Son Vida.  The first and most celebrated course is steeped in tradition and is renowned amongst players from all over Europe.

Club Son Vida hosted a European Tour event in 1990 and in 1994. It was in the first of these events that Severiano Ballesteros made history. The legendary Cantabrian sportsman won the Balearic Open in a play-off against Swedish golfer Magnus Persson on the 18th hole.  An incredible feat that is recorded for all to see in the Clubhouse at Son Vida.

Son Vida was originally designed  by course architect F.W. Hawtree and was renovated in 2001 with Kurt Rossknecht, together they created a breathtakingly beautiful course with tree lined fairways and stunning views of the Mallorcan countryside and the bay of Palma.

The front nine holes are laid out over hilly terrain while the back nine is more flat. Son Vida like Son Muntaner is also surrounded by old and magnificent tall pines.

Fairways are strategically designed to run through the beautiful Son Vida residential area where some real course management is required! Considered a short golf course Son Vida it is known for its sweeping doglegs and its dramatic par 5 finishing hole. A challenge to say the least!

 

Son Vida’s renovated Club House has a Pro Shop and a superb restaurant, from the terrace you can relax, enjoy the breathtaking views over the course while watching golfers play the final hole over the magnificent lake to the green!

Golf Son Quint is the youngest golf course of the island, inaugurated in 2007.  Course architects Ramón Espinosa and Kurt Rossknecht created a course for players looking for variety and something a little different. Hole 8,  is such a hole, the highest point on the course, where you tee-off facing directly towards Palma Cathedral. The course falls between Son Muntaner and Son Vida in the same

stunningly beautiful landscape of Pines and Olive trees and views to the bay of Palma.

The well-placed bunkers, two beautiful lakes at Son Quint will indeed challenge even lowest handicap golfers.

After 18 holes chilling out at the clubhouse is a must as it not only offers a great selection of food and drink, but also the opportunity to take a dip in the club’s pool!

 

The Castillo Son Vida hotel has two outdoor pools, one heated, there are four tennis courts  and a new state of the art Spa. The luxury Son Vida Spa opened in 2018  What a way to finish a round of golf!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The magnificent Cultural city of Palma is just 10 minutes by car, the bus stops outside the hotel and goes right into the centre.  Shopping is fabulous, there are wonderful little boutiques and restaurants around the alleyways in the old town. The city is steeped in history, some of the most impressive buildings include the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca and the Almudaina Palace. Take the tour it’s worth every cent!

 

Ger. Bradley