Camiral gets its name from the Cami Ral, or Royal Way, an ancient Roman route connecting the Iberian Peninsula to Rome. The route passes through the hotel grounds and can be followed today by bike or on foot.
This is a seriously stylish retreat with well-being programmes, gastronomic restaurants, organic vineyards and pristine nature underpinned by a genuine commitment to sustainability.
The Stadium Course is the star, one of Continental Europe’s best, three-time host of the Spanish Open on the DP World Tour and soon-to-be host of the Ryder Cup. The course winds through 6,500 metres of forest, hills and lush vegetation. Large lakes support the resort’s bio-diversity and also create monumental semi-island greens.
The kinder, but no less beautiful Tour Course would be the stellar draw anywhere else. Shorter and a little less tricky, dominated by pine trees and lakes, it is a ludicrously good second course.
The Hotel Camiral itself is a model of fresh, modern, laid-back opulence. Soaring ceilings let the light flood in and the décor is low-key luxury. The second hotel on site, the four-star Lavida is the cool, younger sibling, all buzzy hang-out spaces and super-fast Wi-Fi. The relaxed vibe, which is also easier on the wallet, attracts a younger crowd – especially golfers and cyclists.
Girona, the culinary capital of Spain is just 15 minutes down the road, and the resort’s flagship restaurant, Origin, offers an exceptional gastronomic experience that celebrates simple, fresh local ingredients. It is backed up by the Camiral Bistro and pizza joint Bella’s.
The €5 million state-of-the-art Wellness Centre is a game-changer. Serious, considered wellness breaks offer a holistic approach to modern-malaises like stress, burn-out and anti-aging. Cutting edge technologies lead the way with treatments like cryotherapy, oxygen chamber therapy and IV infusions.
CHECK OUT – NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list
Advertisement
How Camiral was awarded the 2031 Ryder Cup…
July 25, 2025 was an historic date in the history of the Ryder Cup. It was the date we discovered that golf’s biggest team event was heading back to Spain.
Camiral in Costa Brava, near Barcelona, will have the honour of hosting the best players from Europe and the USA in 2031, 34 years after the Ryder Cup was held at Valderrama and when Seve Ballesteros was the European captain.
Having opened in 1999, Camiral has become not only a popular venue used for DP World Tour events, but one of the finest golf resorts in the country. Being awarded the Ryder Cup was a hugely significant moment for Camiral owner Denis O’Brien, and all of his team.
Flavio Papa joined Camiral as Golf Operations Manager in 2022, having previously worked at La Cala Resort and Emporda Golf Club. Papa is now Golf Director during a time of great excitement and anticipation.
We asked Papa about the Ryder Cup application process for Camiral, what changes could be made to the site in the coming years, and how much the Ryder Cup could benefit this part of Catalonia.
Why was it so important to bring the Ryder Cup back to Spain?
Spain has a unique place in Ryder Cup history, thanks to the late, great Seve Ballesteros, who not only inspired Team Europe to its first win on Spanish soil at Valderrama in 1997, but along with Jose Maria Olazábal, formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history.
That moment elevated the Ryder Cup’s global standing and cemented Spain’s role in its story. To bring the tournament back, 34 years later, is both a fitting tribute to Seve and a recognition of the profound impact Spanish golf has had on the competition. We are immensely proud to carry that baton into the future.
Which holes on the golf course do you think could bring the most drama and excitement for the spectators watching?
At this stage, the exact layout of the golf course has not been determined yet as we intend to work closely with Ryder Cup Europe. That said, there are several iconic holes with spectacular elevated tees, mountain views and challenging approaches over water which would deliver moments of real drama and excitement when the Ryder Cup comes to Camiral.
What will preparation for the Ryder Cup look like in the next 12 months and beyond?
The next year will be about laying the foundations for 2031 in partnership with Ryder Cup Europe. From there, preparations will build gradually, ensuring Camiral and the wider region are ready to host one of the world’s greatest sporting events, while still delivering world-class golf for our members and guests in the years leading up to the event.
NCG Top 100s Rankings
Camiral sits comfortably inside the top ten on the NCG Top 100s: European Resorts list, and it is no surprise considering everything the Spanish venue has to offer its guests.
RELATED – NCG Top 100s: Camiral
RELATED – NCG Top 100s: European Resorts
VISIT THEM – Camiral’s website
Now have your say
Have you been fortunate enough to play at Camiral, the former PGA Catalunya? How did you find the two courses on the site? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
Advertisement
