In this special tour feature, Greg Evans explore the prestigious Arabella Golf Resort, where three unique championship courses, luxury hotels and the timeless beauty of Son Vida create one of Europe’s best golf getaways. Just a short flight from the UK, it offers the perfect combination of first-class golf, exceptional cuisine and Mediterranean luxury.
Mallorca has long been a favorite for traveling golfers, but few places on the island deliver the same combination of accessibility, luxury and championship golf as Arabella Golf Resort.
Just over two hours from the UK, it’s an easy journey. A smooth mid-morning flight from Bristol with easyJet sets the tone, and before long you’re in the warmth of the Balearics. From there, it’s a short transfer to the exclusive hillside location of Son Vida, Mallorca’s premier golf destination.
COME IN
Within 15 minutes of going to the resort the area starts to climb. The road passes beautiful streets and gated villas before revealing the magnificent Castillo Hotel Son Vida, perched high above Palma.
Arriving here is more like entering a private club than entering a hotel. The gates open, the vision expands, and the pace of life slows down rapidly.
My deluxe room offered sweeping views across the Bay of Palma, one of those places that quietly demands attention at every opportunity. Add to the famous terrace, known as the “Balcony of Mallorca,” and you begin to understand that this is a resort built as much on the space as it is on the golf course.
One night I joined the rest of the group for drinks and canapes followed by dinner at the hotel’s newly renovated Es Balco de Son Vida restaurant for a delicious dinner featuring the best Mallorcan specialties. All this makes for a memorable first night.
FOLLOWING IN FEET FOOTSTEPS
On the 2nd day after 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 protected greens make for a tactical test rather than a brute force challenge.
It has hosted the European Tour multiple times, and you can feel that pedigree throughout the circuit. The extended close is particularly memorable, demanding accuracy under pressure on the Par 5 18thth surrounded by pools, with the clubhouse behind.
Following golf, the group gathered for lunch at the Son Vida Clubhouse.
In the afternoon it was back to the hotel to really indulge in the Castillo Son Vida Spa 50 minute “Golf Treatment Massage”, leaving you relaxed and ready for your next round.
That evening we walked to the nearby luxury Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Resort for a delicious Tapas dinner at La Bodega del Green.
The Sheraton, which offers a range of accommodations to suit all classes, can be ideal for families with children and golf groups who don’t want the quiet luxury offered by its neighbor Castillo Son Vida.
CHANGING ROOMS
After breakfast on Day 3 we moved on to Golf Son Muntaner for our second day of golf. Warming up at the TopTracer driving range.
If Son Vida is about tradition, Golf Son Muntaner is a modern tournament structure. Wider than the tee but longer and more demanding, it is an outstanding test on the tour.
Son Muntaner is the flagship course in the resort and will host the DP Tour’s Mallorca Golf Open in 2022. Considered one of the most amazing studies on the island, it is home to many plants and animals, including “Na Capitana”, one of the oldest olive trees in Mallorca.
This is perhaps the best review of the resort courses at Arabella. It has an impeccable atmosphere and a sense of competition.
After lunch at the Na Capitana Restaurant at the Son Muntaner Clubhouse, we returned to the Castillo for a delicious wine tasting experience and a lively discussion featuring Cercle wines exclusively for the resort.
‘Cercle’ is the name of the first circular wine in the Balearic Islands, a creation that is the result of a collaboration between Arabella Hospitality, Macià Batle and Tirme.
Using waste generated from the three Arabella hotels on site, St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, Castillo Hotel Son Vida and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel are cleaned in the areas managed by Tirme and turned into organic manure to feed the vineyards of Macià Batle Winery.
As the sun set, we headed to Palma Old Town first to wander around the spectacular Cathedral and then have a Tapas Dinner at the Forn De Sant Joan restaurant. Palma Old Town has a real charm about it and is well worth a visit.
Our final day began with breakfast followed by 18 holes on the Son Quint course. This is the smallest golf course on the island that opened in 2007. The most forgiving of the three, yet the least exciting.
With wide open trails and open vistas, it’s perfect for a relaxed cycle or for those who want to ease into their journey. It’s as rewarding visually as it is played.
We followed a very enjoyable round with lunch at the Son Quint clubhouse.
OUTSIDE THE FAIRWAYS
Arabella Golf Resort is as much about lifestyle as it is about golf. The night naturally moves back to Castillo Son Vida, where the terrace becomes the focal point. Watching the sun set behind the Tramuntana mountains with a drink in hand is one of those simple yet memorable travel moments.
The restaurant is refined without being overbearing, the service is attentive yet relaxed, and throughout the resort there is a consistent sense of understated luxury.
For those looking to get out, Palma is just a short walk away offering everything from historic architecture to healthy restaurants, but equally, there’s little reason to leave the comfort of Son Vida.
MY DECISION
What sets Arabella apart is the quality and variety of its golf offering. Three courses, each unique in character and within minutes of the hotel.
Arabella Golf Resort achieves a rare balance. It offers true championship golf across three different courses, wrapped in an environment that feels special without being inaccessible.
In addition to the 3 main courses, there is also a Par 3 9 hole course to sharpen your short game.
For UK golfers, the convenience is undeniable. For those looking for quality, variety and a touch of Mediterranean beauty, it’s hard to ignore.
In fact, this wasn’t just a golf trip, it was an escape that happened to include three great reasons to bring your clubs.
A box of facts
Flights – Palma is well served from almost all UK airports.
Greg is flying Easyjet from Bristol www.easyjet.com
Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, has launched a unique summer program of lifestyle and cultural experiences, inviting golfers to discover the ultimate Mediterranean escape and celebrate 65 years of its prestigious Castillo Hotel Son Vida.
The package is available for both properties, with prices starting at:
- Castillo Son Vida Hotel: From € 760 per night (double occupancy, including breakfast and VAT). View Package.
- Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel: From € 585 per night (double occupancy, including breakfast and VAT). View Package.
