Sotogrande
Sotogrande
Sotogrande
Sotogrande

Sotogrande

Sotogrande

Sotogrande | NCG Top 100s: European Golf Resorts

Sotogrande has risen dramatically up the Top 100 European Resorts list due to some seismic changes at the resort since our last list in 2019.

Some of Spain's finest courses are all within a 3km radius; Valderrama, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, La Reserva and the recently revamped 27-hole Almenara.

The 5-star SO/Sotogrande hotel opened in 2021 and is arguably the best on the Costa del Sol, with an ultra modern wellness centre and a wealth of facilities that cover all bases for couples, groups and families alike.

The Beach at La Reserva Club is a unique concept - an inland beach club and super-cool hangout with swimming pool and watersports lagoon. La Reserva is also home to a top class Sports Academy, specialising in golf, tennis and padel.

Sotogrande is a phenomenally good resort. Nowhere else has such strength and depth in its golf offer and this is backed up by facilities that are incredible in both range and quality. Golfers will be in heaven, but there is so much more besides.

 
 
Visit La Reserva Sotogrande’s website here.

Sotogrande Overview | NCG Top 100s: European Golf Resorts

Championship Golf Courses

La Reserva Club de Sotogrande opened in 2003 as the brainchild of Cabell Robinson, the world-renowned golf course architect.

The 18-hole championship course is carved into the hillside, and it uses the natural terrain to its advantage. Robinson’s design allowed for wide fairways for the longer hitters, but the greens have subtle undulations that can throw off even the best putters in the game.

The 6th is a show-stopping hole; a downhill par-5 that is reachable for the big hitters. However, a lake flows down the right side of the green and makes going for it in two a big risk. The 15th is the longest par-3 on the course, and the signature hole on the back nine. Measuring almost 250 yards from the back tees, and with water to the left and back of the green, a par is an excellent score for the majority of golfers. 

The course has hosted several professional tournaments, including The European Tour NH Collection Open, La Reserva Sotogrande Invitational hosted by Annika Sörenstam and the Aramco Team Series.

The Almenara Golf Club is on the SO/Sotogrande hotel property. The 27-hole layout features three loops of nine that provide a test for all levels of golfer, enhanced by stunning views of the Mediterranean. 
It opened in 1997 and was designed by the famous British golf course architect Dave Thomas. It has recently undergone a programme of remodelling to bring it up to the standards expected of a five-star property and to make it a friendlier experience for the average golfer.

Sports Academy

La Reserva is home to two sporting academies; the Golf Academy at La Reserva Club, and the Racquet Club for tennis and padel.

Former Ryder Cup star and BMW PGA Championship winner Manuel Piñero Sanchez is the man behind the Golf Academy at La Reserva Club. The academy offers golf lessons suitable for all ages and abilities, providing opportunities for golfers of every age and skill set to improve their games.

The Racquet Club has a number of qualified professionals on hand to offer coaching and guidance in both tennis and the increasingly popular padel, with classes to suit all ages and abilities. 

World Class Accommodation

The SO/Sotogrande hotel is a modern five-star resort hotel with carefully considered design and a distinct bohemian vibe. 
Artisanal Andalusian detailing complements modern rooms and stylish studios and suites, many with spectacular views.

The SO/Sotogrande was built where the Cortijo de Santa Maria de la Higuera once stood. That was kept front of mind when designing and building the SO/ Sotogrande. Local craftsmanship, contemporary art and handpicked decor makes it a modern version of the Cortijo for today's luxury travellers.

The hotel has a range of restaurants, from the Rocio Garden where you can enjoy a light bite, to the classic Cortijo Santa Maria 1962 restaurant which provides a full menu of authentic Spanish food and the glamorous Ixo Tapas and Bar for late night cocktails.

The 3,500 sqm SO/SPA is a chic, luxury wellness centre offering cutting edge treatments in a supremely tranquil setting. At SO/FIT you'll find state-of-the-art fitness equipment, outdoor and indoor areas and a myriad of options to stay active.

Real Estate

Not only can you stay at Sotogrande for a holiday, but you can buy your own little piece of paradise at the resort. From gated communities to apartments and villas which back onto the golf course itself, there are a range of options.

The gated communities are the hub of the real estate, with one-of-a-kind architecture and infrastructure on show in The Seven. Meanwhile, The 15 offers views of the Mediterranean and to Africa beyond.

Village Verde is home to 121 fully-furnished apartments that were completed in 2023 and make up their own gated community which includes both a children’s and adult’s pool.

The Beach

The Beach at La Reserva is one of a kind. The inland beach club offers the ultimate environment in which to relax, socialise, dine and soak up the atmosphere of the region.

The Beach is not just a beach, it is a community. From The Meeting Point restaurant, to the adult pool and the Sports Lagoon where you can kayak, jetski, bodyboard and more, this part of Sotogrande really makes it stand out from other resorts. 

The spa zone at The Beach is an island of tranquillity where guests can relax and be pampered. The cutting edge spa is run by the SO/Sotogrande hotel and is open during high season at La Reserva Club with massages and treatments available.

FAQs about La Reserva Sotogrande

Where is Sotogrande?
Sotogrande is in the south of Spain on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. San Roque is the nearest major city, which is around 10 miles to the south west. Sotogrande is also less than 20 miles from Gibraltar, at the very southern tip of Spain.

What is the nearest airport to Sotogrande?
The nearest international airport to Sotogrande is actually not in Spain. Instead, Gibraltar International Airport would be the closest. However, the nearest major international airport is Malaga, which is around 70 miles to the north east, via a gorgeous coastal drive along the AP-7.

What golf facilities does La Reserva Sotogrande offer?
Along with its championship 18-hole golf course, La Reserva Sotogrande also plays host to the Golf Academy. There is a driving range and short game area within the Academy, which is available to those playing the golf course, 45 minutes prior to an allotted tee time. 

La Reserva Club also has a well-stocked pro shop which is located at the entrance of the Club and stocks top-quality golf merchandise, equipment and apparel. The pro shop at La Reserva caters to every type of golfer, with a wide variety of clubs, balls, bags and clothing on offer. 

What are the green fees at La Reserva Sotogrande?
In the high season, the price to play at La Reserva Sotogrande can reach as much as €300. However, that comes down if you are staying at the resort. Those numbers also reduce in the shoulder months

Does La Reserva Sotogrande offer golf lessons?
Golf lessons are available at the Golf Academy at La Reserva Sotogrande. Run by 1977 BMW PGA Championship winner Manuel Pinero Sanchez, the academy provides tuition for all levels of golfer, as well as also being known for their work with children who are getting into the game for the first time.

Is Sotogrande suitable for families?
Sotogrande is very suited to families. The Beach at La Reserva was designed with the whole family in mind. Yes there is an adult pool, but there is also the Beach Club for kids. Qualified professionals put on activities for children over the age of 4, allowing the parents to relax for a short while. 
The SO/Sotogrande hotel has rooms, suites and apartments all suitable for families, while it is also possible to rent larger private villa accommodation at La Reserva.

What accommodation is on offer at La Reserva Sotogrande?
There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation at La Reserva Sotogrande. From the SO/ Sotogrande Hotel, which features several different types of room for all the family, to villas and even places to buy on the resort, there is something for everyone at La Reserva Club.

What other resorts and courses are nearby?
Within just a few miles of the La Reserva Club Sotogrande, there are several other golf courses. They include the world renowned Valderrama, which hosted the first Ryder Cup in Continental Europe back in 1997. 

Real Club de Sotogrande, the host of the Estrella Damm Andalucia Masters, is another of those nearby venues. Almenara Golf Club, the San Roque Club and Club de Golf La Canada are the other courses which are almost within walking distance from La Reserva Sotogrande.
 

 
Visit La Reserva Sotogrande’s website here.