Why I visited
After a long summer of covering golf’s various tours it was time to get away for a bit of relaxation. And Mallorca is nice in October…
Where is it?
A short drive from Palma airport, OD Port Portals ticked all my boxes.
Within just a few minutes of the hotel there are several quality golf courses, including Real Golf de Bendinat and Golf son Muntaner, which are the two I played while visiting.
Mallorca has become a popular destination for golfers with 20 quality golf courses open to visitors.
Aside form the golf, there’s plenty to do close to the hotel. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the luxurious Puerto Portals marina which boasts up-market restaurants and bars as well as boutique-style shops.
There are two beaches within walking distance and the popular capital of Mallorca, Palma, is just a 15-minutes drive.
The hotel
The junior suite is the perfect option for those looking for a luxurious and modern room with plenty of space – and don’t forget a quick stop at the well-stocked mini-bar leads you out to the relaxation and comfort of the balcony.
Overall, this suite had just about everything you would want and need for a stay. I was able to keep my golf clubs out of the actual bedroom and enjoyed a relaxing stay.
The rest of the hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere and pleasant staff. We spent a lot of time in the pool area – mainly in the luxurious double four-poster sunbeds.
Now I’m a man who likes my food so the breakfast buffet – available until noon – was a real treat. I would encourage anyone staying at OD Port Portals hotel to consider the hotel’s excellent restaurant and its emphasis on fresh, quality food while they stay, while there are plenty of food and drink events that take place throughout the year.
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In addition, all guests staying in a junior suite get the use of a Smart car included with their stay. This was incredibly handy for getting to and from the golf courses, as well as getting to the nearby marinas, beaches, and towns.
The golf
Designed in the 1980s by Martin Hawtree, Real Golf de Bendinat is a par-70 layout which is exactly the type of course that I enjoy playing in Europe.
The views that can be seen around the course are exquisite and really emphasise just how natural and picturesque the area is.
Thanks to the changes in elevation there is plenty to consider on each hole.
My highlight is the par-3 12th from a spectacular elevated tee to make it play much shorter than the 147 yards on the card.
Water and a greenside bunker will swallow anything short and left and there is trouble over the back of the green too, with out of bounds lurking.
Real Golf Son Muntaner is equally as impressive despite being built on a flatter area of land. Playing at more than 6,500 yards it is a good length and encompasses holes that demand different shot types utilising every club in the bag.
The practice facilities are impressive and the clubhouse that overlooks the course is a great spot to enjoy a post-round drink.
My highlight is the par-4 6th which is played from a slightly elevated tee onto a fairway that bends to the right around a lake to well-guarded green.
The tee shot has an element of risk and reward with a driver being well long enough to finish in the water if hit off line to the right. But if you are able to keep it straight or even down the left side, a good angle and distance into the green will be left.
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More information
Rooms at OD Port Portals hotel start from £81 per night in low season and £111 per night in high season (including VAT but excluding breakfast and Balearic Tourism Tax). For more information and to book, visit the OD Port Portals hotel website.
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