Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca Stay & Play Review

Mallorca has established itself firmly on the radar of British golfing travellers in recent years thanks to a combination of fine courses, top class resorts and the enduring charm and quality of the Mediterranean island.

With a number of excellent courses, superb hotels and restaurants, it’s no surprise that one has been voted 2025 Golf Resort of the Year by the influential golf travel organisation IAGTO. The accolade is perfect timing for the Arabella Golf Resort, which has just unveiled a new identity to unite its three courses and two hotels under one umbrella.

The Arabella Golf Resort

Situated in the hills overlooking Palma Bay just a 20 minutes drive from the airport, the luxury German-owned Arabella Golf Resort has three 18 hole courses - Son Vida, Son Muntaner and Son Quint - and two top class hotels, Castillo Hotel Son Vida and the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel. There is also a nine hole pitch & putt, ideal for families and beginners. Each is in easy reach of the others by a regular private shuttle bus service which runs between the courses and hotels throughout the day. 

The Hotels

Castillo Hotel Son Vida is a true five star retreat which has hosted royalty and celebrities such as Prince Rainier of Monaco, Grace Kelly, Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas since it opened in 1961. Perched on a hillside it offers fabulous views over Palma from its elegant terrace and many of its well appointed bedrooms. It really ticks all the boxes for golfers looking for the height of luxury and attentive service while enjoying the view over the surrounding Son Vida course. With a former 13th century castle at the heart of the property and a collection of fine art and antique furniture in the oak panelled public rooms it conveys a rare sense of mediaeval history. As travel editor for Golfshake I’ve stayed in some fabulous hotels over the years but this for me this is the best and remains my favourite after many visits.

The nearby Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel is more suited to families who enjoys luxury surroundings and all the facilities that a family would want. Along with the Son Vida course on the doorstep it offers cycling, tennis, volleyball and a range of poolside activities.

The Courses

Son Vida is the oldest course in Mallorca with some short, tight par 4s as the course weaves through the trees and up and down the hills. It starts with a short and easy par 4, but immediately shows its teeth at the 2nd - a 200 yard plus par 3 before turning inland and into the hills. The memorable 6th runs around the back of the Castillo hotel. It’s a long, dead straight par 5 starting with a daunting drive into what appears to be a narrow tunnel. There are more lovely holes before the final stretch starting from the 13th, where open ground comes as a relief, although the holes play longer here. The 18th is an old favourite par 5 with a double dogleg, two lakes and a stream. A par here will be memorable and much talked about in the clubhouse overlooking the course.

Son Muntaner is a challenging course which opened in 2001 playing a good 7,000 yards from the tips, but most enjoyable off the forward tees. There is plenty of water early on, notably the 2nd and 3rd which run on either side of an attractive lake brimming with birdlife. The course then rolls through the hills offering a variety of challenges with a couple of very long par 5s, a lovely par 4 14th with a water feature in front of the green, and a concluding pair of tight yet short par 4s. The par 3s are tough, the 5th is uphill and long to a well guarded green while the next, the 7th, is the opposite - short, downhill to a green where left is OB and right is down a slope into dense rough where the ball is not likely to be seen again. The 11th is also long and dangerous at over 200 yards.

The golf academy is based here, with an extensive driving range and Toptracer video analysis. There are individual lessons, group clinics and customised training programmes on offer making it an ideal destination for winter pre-season improvements.

Son Quint is a later addition which opened in 2007 as a resort style course, considered a gentler challenge to its siblings. Most of the members’ play appears to take place here, and of the three it is probably the only one where golfers can do without a buggy. Players are free to reach for the driver on most of the two and three shotters, as there isn't a great deal of trouble off the tees.

Off Course

While you can easily spend all your time at the resort it would be a shame to miss what else Mallorca has to offer. The coastline and beaches are stunning and the mountains of Serra de Tramuntana, which form the island’s spine in the west, are well worth exploring. Nearby towns worth a visit are Valldemossa, Soller, Port de Soller and Port d’Andratx. However, the highlight for Arabella guests is the resort’s proximity to the capital Palma, a sophisticated city with plenty of interesting history, upmarket shops and restaurants. A tapas crawl via a number of bars in the old town is highly recommended.

Verdict

It makes perfect sense to rebrand these courses and hotels together. Guests at either hotel can readily use the other’s restaurants without having to catch a taxi by hopping on the shuttle or taking a relatively short walk along the main road through the Son Vida neighbourhood. Traffic is very light here and it’s safe to walk day and night.

The courses, while all well maintained, offer variety from the long challenge of Son Muntaner to the tight fairways of Son Vida to the easier going Son Quint. The perfect holiday package all round suiting families, couples and small mixed groups in particular.

For deals at the Arabella courses visit our travel partner Golfbreaks or visit Arabella direct.

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