La Cala Golf Resort, Costa del Sol

La Cala Golf Resort is a fantastic option for a golf holiday with a hotel and spa and three championship courses situated on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

In the peaceful region of Mijas, around 30 minutes from Malaga Airport and a 20 minute drive from Marbella, the resort is surrounded by the Sierra de Mijas National Park and the Mediterranean.

There’s a high-quality four-star hotel and spa, three excellent championship golf courses by one of the world’s best course designers and a golf academy. One of Spain’s leading Hydrotherapy Health Spas, four restaurants and multiple bars add to the world-class experience.

The 107 rooms of this tranquil low-rise escape are tastefully decorated in a traditional Andalucian style and provide a comfortable base for your golf holiday. Room amenities include air conditioning, LCD TV, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi and a private balcony or terrace to soak up the Spanish sun, with views of the mountains, golf courses and swimming pool. There’s Classic, Superior and Family rooms.

La Cala Spa – The spa is set in a lovely location at the resort, surrounded by manicured green gardens, trees and a variety of indigenous plants. Facilities include a sauna, steam baths, aromatic showers and a tepidarium. There’s also hydrotherapy jacuzzis and an indoor swimming pool. A lovely place to unwind and enjoy the indulgent treatments and relaxing massages.

The resort features four restaurants. La Terraza Restaurant serves a specialist Mediterranean menu; La Bodega Tapas & Grill offers Andalucian cuisine with an international twist and the Panoramic Bar & Restaurant serves up global dishes. The Clubhouse restaurant is known for its superb club sandwiches. The Pool Bar is a particular treat, with a range of cocktails, beers and food brought right to you without having to leave the pool.

The three courses at La Cala blend wonderfully into the verdant and hilly scenery of Andalucia. Each was designed by acclaimed American architect Cabell Robinson, designer of 2023 Solheim Cup venue Finca Cortesin, La Reserva Club Sotogrande and Aphrodite Hills among others.

America Course – This par-72, 6,571-yards course is highly enjoyable with elevated tees, cavernous carries and undulating fairways. Few bunkers make this a slightly easier driving course, though small raised greens and a couple of water hazards demand precise club selection. It’s probably the toughest course at the resort. Like all the layouts at La Cala, it’s beautifully maintained and there’s spectacular views to the Sierra de Ojen and the Mediterranean.

Asia Course – A par-72, 6479-yard course with great variation. Water is present on two holes and the greens are tight, with half of them elevated requiring tough approach shots where club selection is vital. The course is home to four par-5’s and with its emphasis on strategy it rivals the America Course as the most challenging at the resort.

Europa Course – This par-71, 6576-yards layout is easier for the average golfer, with generous fairways, flatter terrain and slightly larger greens than at America and Asia. Notable for one main bridge and four smaller bridges across the River Ojen, which features on eight holes, cutting across three fairways. There are four tunnels for golf carts. Water hazards guard the greens at the 3rd and 14th which is a memorable par-3 challenge at 254 yards.

La Cala Golf Academy offers lessons and group classes for both beginners and experienced players, with multilingual professionals. It has a six-hole par 3 course, grass driving range as well as putting, chipping and bunker facilities.

La Cala has three new padel courts, tennis and squash courts, a fitness centre and a FIFA professional standards Football Pitch. In recent years, Rangers FC, Everton, Steaua Bucharest and the Ivory Coast national team have stayed at the resort and used the facilities.

La Cala is a great base to explore the Costa del Sol. Hire your own car or the hotel reception desk can organise trips as well. You can visit Marbella and Fuengirola, as well as Mijas Pueblo, Ronda and the historic Alhambra Palace in Granada.