Thinking of escaping to the sun for your next golf vacation? Here’s why you need to check out Spain’s newest luxury resort in the heart of Andalucia, one of Europe’s leading destinations for golfers.
Tourists travelling to Andalucia, the birthplace of Spanish golf, will have the opportunity to play at some of the world’s best golf courses, such as La Reserva Sotogrande, Almenara Golf Course, Real Club Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, and Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, all within a four kilometre radius of this new resort.
So, this new luxury destination is perfectly located for visitors to explore this sun-kissed playground for golfers, and guests staying here can benefit from special rates at these nearby golf courses.
This new resort itself is set within Sotogrande, the exclusive lifestyle community set on the western edge of the Costa del Sol. It’s the area’s first 5-star resort and it’s also just three miles from the stunning Costa del Sol coastline. So, let’s check out this brand new haven for golfers.
SO/ Sotogrande: Enjoy Andalucia in style
Luxury brand SO/ Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of SO/ Sotogrande this summer, promising a new one-of-a-kind 5-star resort – and it has lived up to the billing. There’s quite a few world-class resorts in this part of Spain, but SO/ Sotogrande offers a new, stylish way to enjoy Andalucia and its culture, through food, wellness experiences, design, and fashion.
SO/ Hotels & Resorts are part of Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel groups, and have gained a global reputation for offering innovative and unconventional interpretations of luxury hospitality – and this new destination, their first in Spain, doesn’t disappoint.
Based on the traditional cortijo, the historic rural dwellings of southern Spain, SO/ Sotogrande brilliantly merges together the history and feel of its Andalusian heritage with the high-fashion and contemporary lifestyle-led approach of the SO/ brand.
More than just a luxury resort
From the moment you arrive, you enter a world of wellness and serenity. Guests who are lucky enough to visit this resort can choose from 152 stunningly-styled rooms and suites, all featuring terraces or balconies, located around beautifully landscaped gardens in the form of cottages and lofts. But SO/ Sotogrande is so much more than just a luxurious place to stay.
Previously, SO/ Hotels & Resorts have collaborated with some of the fashion world’s biggest names when designing their hotels. They have worked with Kenzo Takada at SO/ Mauritius, Christian Lacroix at SO/ Bangkok, and Karl Lagerfeld at SO/ Singapore. This time, the group collaborated with Spanish fashion designer Dolores Cortés, who has perfectly represented the flavour and style of the Andalusian culture and countryside throughout the resort’s interiors.
When you arrive at the resort, you will enjoy an immersive experience, encompassing a unique gastronomic offering, wellness treatments dedicated to harmonising body and soul, and spectacular views of Sotogrande and the Mediterranean. The SO/ Spa and Health Club has an exceptional selection of treatments along with facilities such as spa rooms, cryotherapy and hydro pools.
There’s also four high-level restaurants serving Andalusian and international cuisine, and guests can enjoy meals on the outdoor terraces, or relax with a drink in one of two stylish bars located on-site. There’s also three stunning pools with panoramic views, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.
The perfect destination for golfers
With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Andalucia’s predominantly warm and dry climate offers year-round golf, making it particularly appealing to those looking to escape more northerly parts of Europe during winter when playing golf is often not possible. During the months of March, April and November, temperatures range between a pleasant 20ºC and 25ºC, and even in the height of winter it rarely dips below 15ºC. Between May and September, temperatures average between 25ºC and 30ºC.
Easily accessible from all over Europe, Sotogrande is just a 30 minutes’ drive from Gibraltar Airport and just over an hour from Malaga Airport. And close to the new SO/ Sotogrande hotel there are some fantastic places to play golf including the beautiful Almenara Golf Club – perfect if you want to enjoy a few holes before dinner. Recently renovated, the club contains 27 stunning holes comprising three sets of nine: Los Lagos, Los Pinos and Alcornoques. The layouts were designed by Dave Thomas, the man behind The Brabazon at the Belfry, host of the 1985 Ryder Cup.
Another must-play course when visiting Sotogrande is La Reserva Sotogrande. Just 1km from Valderrama, it was designed by world renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson and it rivals its neighbour as Spain’s best golf course. Opened in 2003, it has wide, sweeping fairways that lead on to large greens and is blessed with incredible ocean views.
Sotogrande itself is a chic, luxurious community set between stunning beaches and glorious countryside of olive groves and oak forests. The developments here are predominantly upscale villas and residents and visitors have access to elite facilities such as the iconic inland beach club complete with magnificent freshwater sandy lagoon, a dazzling variety of water sports, and Sotogrande’s prestigious Santa Maria polo club.
