I Do not Play Golf and Even I Cherished My Keep at This Golf Resort in Spain — Here is Why

Mallorca, the most important of Spain’s enchanting Balearic Islands, has usually been synonymous with bucket-list seashores and opulent Spanish villas. Nonetheless, it has quietly turn out to be Ibiza’s extra modest sister by way of nightlife.

When in search of luxurious and luxury however nonetheless an activity-filled getaway on the island, Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort showcases a wholly totally different but simply as important facet of Mallorca that always goes unnoticed. Hacienda’s view of Mallorca is ample with landscapes in numerous shades of inexperienced and gold, beautiful mountain views, and world-class {golfing} whereas sustaining the foundations of Mallorcan artwork, Spanish structure, and island appeal.

This resort doesn’t play host to your grandfather’s buttoned-up, cigar-smoke-laden kind of golf membership.

Upon arrival, you’re greeted by a superbly designed foyer full of high-ceiling arches, palms, pottery, and Mallorcan sculptures by native artisans. The spacious, Spanish-style design appears constructed to attraction to the naturalist because of the colours of the encompassing vistas. It virtually seems as if the gardens of Mallorca’s historic village of Llucmajor have been constructed across the resort.

I grew up touring to golf resorts with my uncles, who thought of themselves newbie golfers once I was rising up. Throughout summer time vacays, I’d go to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Palm Desert, and at times, Florida, so I used to be excited to journey to Spain for the primary time for a European golf expertise. Whereas I don’t play, I used to be at all times in command of driving the cart, so I’ve an affinity for this wonderful sport and the way it, as a pastime, can convey households and associates collectively on the greens.

Right here’s my overview of Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort, Autograph Assortment, a golf resort about way more than simply golf.

The Rooms

As a traveler who believes that colours can set the temper, I liked the muted, lighter palette of stone grey, taupes, beiges, and different neutrals the designers plucked from nature showcased at Hacienda Son Antem.

It was a breath of recent air to see a property transfer away from the standard “masculine” colours of darkish greens, browns, navy blues, and burgundy normally discovered at golf inns and resorts. As a substitute of main with a sporty vibe, the design right here is trendy, Spanish luxe, and stately comfy. The room virtually forcibly places you comfy, and the lodging left me, a non-sporting visitor, feeling like I’d landed on a sublime property on the sting of a big Spanish nature reserve.

With solely 151 rooms, Hacienda has the footprint for bigger frequent areas however continues to be designed to offer an intimate really feel. I actually appreciated feeling just like the rooms weren’t proper on high of the foyer at this resort; the structure offers you a little bit of respiration room, which is required, particularly after worldwide journey.

The entry-level Deluxe Visitor Room is on the market with a king or two queen beds, each with a terrace. That is the resort’s smallest room at slightly below 350 sq. toes, and there’s a precedence location model of this room with a backyard view, but it surely’s not mobility accessible. At this identical sq. footage, there may be additionally a Household Room that may accommodate two queen beds with a smaller terrace, which might be good for a household unit or perhaps a girlfriend’s vacation.

For a bigger, extra luxurious keep, Superior Rooms cowl 387 sq. toes, with a terrace and a seating space. At round 670 sq. toes, the one-bedroom King Suites are a deal with sufficiently big to share. Whether or not with a major different or a good friend, this beautiful suite has a big terrace and a eating desk that seats 4. Inside, the closet area is massive sufficient to retailer units of golf golf equipment on the entrance and a week-long wardrobe for 2 within the bed room. There’s a separate front room, in fact, however right here, you’ll discover one other eating desk for 4, a bar, and an HD tv. Upon getting into, you’ll first need to open the massive floor-to-ceiling home windows that body grassy fields, permitting you to get pleasure from a cross-suite breeze.

Meals and Drink

Given Mallorca’s island standing, coming to Spain for the primary time as a pescatarian didn’t make me as anxious as many different places. Though Iberia is called the house of ham, the cooks at Hacienda have been accommodating, and the menus have been so diversified that I hardly ever needed to ask any questions.

Whereas my associates jokingly screamed, “Extra jamon, child!” at dinner, breakfast on the resort is complimentary each morning from 7–11 a.m., together with many gadgets which can be a part of native delicacies. You’ll additionally discover vegetarian and vegan choices, and I had no points discovering meals accommodating my dietary restrictions. My favourite meals have been from Es Camp Restaurant, the place I liked their calamari and the Mediterranean salad. There was additionally a vegan cheesecake on the menu that was excellent — a uncommon sight given how few dessert choices there are for individuals who don’t eat dairy.

For Hacienda to have simply 151 rooms, it was improbable having an abundance of decisions between two eating places and the resort’s charming tapas bar, Ses Vinyes. At that bar, their bartenders are nice at making cocktail classics and dialog, each misplaced artwork in lots of locations.

Es Peixet is their out of doors, poolside restaurant, which can be a cute place to have sundown cocktails. Very like their out of doors pool, the restaurant is seasonal, so verify with the lodge earlier than you intend to dine when cooler climate arrives.

Actions and Experiences

The resort isn’t solely reserved for golfers, however “golf” is in the secret right here, and lovers are in for a deal with right here.

Only a buggy experience or three-minute stroll away, the Son Antem golf membership boasts two high-quality 18-hole programs: the East Course and the West Course. Each programs present distinctive challenges and scenic experiences, however the East Course is taken into account the Resort Course, inaugurated in 1994; the greens are scenic, and the typical playtime is round 4 1/2 hours. Identified for its huge fairways, it has a extra forgiving structure, which is right for freshmen and informal golfers however is good for all ranges. That is the setting for a laid-back day with household whereas soaking within the surrounding quiet magnificence.

The West Course, dubbed the Championship Course, is constructed to check ability and is a significantly more difficult course for extra superior golfers. Though with tighter fairways and harder greens, the West Course additionally has breathtaking vistas of Mallorca.

Son Antem Golf additionally gives facilities equivalent to a driving vary, placing greens, and skilled golf instruction and team-building actions at their golf academy, which might be nice for teams of associates or household. This facility has elevated Hacienda Son Antem right into a premier European golf getaway.

The Spa

Hacienda’s wellness space is residence to an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, all out there to visitors over 14. Right here, you’ll be able to bask in remedies designed to resume after long-haul journey or a day on the close by greens. From massages to fragrant physique scrubs and facials, the spa supplies a tranquil escape; you can even request in-suite massages for resort suite visitors who need to indulge in additional luxurious.

Household-friendly Choices

Hacienda Son Antem gives a personal ceramics workshop that I loved with associates however would even be candy for {couples} or an lively, familial, multi-generational expertise. Led by native artists from Mallorca, they educate conventional methods and can information you thru creations. It was an incredible pre-dinner exercise with cocktails for me, however I additionally suppose it’s a enjoyable strategy to hold everybody, together with youngsters, mentally energetic on trip.

The out of doors pool has a lifeguard and an adjoining restaurant, which is good for households that need to spend their day swimming. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. however is seasonal, so verify with the lodge if you’re touring throughout colder months. The indoor pool is open year-round.

Accessibility and Sustainability

One of many standout options of Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort is its dedication to accessibility, which makes disability-inclusive journey with family and friends really feel normalized.

Lots of the rooms and suites are accessible, as is the on-site parking, the restaurant, the spa, swimming pools, health heart, and the enterprise heart. Whereas the resort isn’t typically pet-friendly, service animals are welcome.

Subsequent door, Son Antem Golf, solely a golf cart experience away, can be decided to convey golf to all. The golf programs held the primary version of the Worldwide Wheelchair Golf Open Championships (IWGOC) in November 2018 and proceed to encourage accessible golf on each of their championship-level programs. Through the first 12 months, 40 wheelchair-user golfers from 22 international locations got here collectively in Mallorca at Son Antem to benefit from the resort’s services.

Relating to sustainability, the resort practices common recycling, which can be out there in visitor rooms, and Hacienda makes use of water conservation methods all through the resort and in visitor rooms.

Location

Positioned solely quarter-hour from Palma de Mallorca’s airport, Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort is nestled into former farmland with distant views of Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Website that’s thought of the spine of Mallorca.

This resort is barely exterior Mallorca’s busier touristy spots, so renting a automobile is a good suggestion if you happen to’re not inquisitive about utilizing taxis or Uber. An alternative choice for exploring past the resort will be reserving excursions, whether or not with a bunch or privately, to benefit from the island through the day.

The enduring Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, often called La Seu by locals, is simply over 20 minutes by automobile from the resort. It is going to be crowded, and I counsel a information to assist navigate so it doesn’t take up your whole day, however you’ll be able to’t come this far to not see Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece and one of many symbols of Mallorca’s cultural heritage.

About 40 minutes drive from the resort is Outdated City Mallorca, also referred to as Palma de Mallorca. Touring the Outdated City is why you introduced your digital camera to Spain; you’ll need to stroll the slender, yellow-hued streets, peek into courtyards, and stroll over stones which can be tons of of years previous. Like many earlier than you, together with myself, you’ll wander by way of plazas and eat tapas and ponder how a lot it might take to turn out to be a neighborhood.

When you resolve to absorb a bit extra nature exterior of simply golf, drive the hillsides surrounding Llucmajor, the village that hosts Hacienda, to discover trails for mountaineering, operating, strolling, or lease a motorbike for a day. Relying on which one you select, these trails can take you to small seashores and olive groves and offer you a special perspective of a extra pure Mallorca.

Whereas I am not the most important seaside child, Hacienda is just a 15-minute drive to Playa de Palma. This in style metropolis seaside turns right into a closely populated nightlife space because of the surrounding inns and eating places — however only a 25-minute drive from the resort will get you to the turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean at Es Trenc seaside.

The way to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort is a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s distinctive Autograph Assortment, so if you happen to’re a member, you’ll be able to earn loyalty factors throughout your keep on the property. Along with that, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 10 factors for each $1 spent at Son Antem Golf by way of the Golf Hyperlinks Program. Factors will be redeemed for Marriott Bonvoy present playing cards, which can be utilized for golf rounds, lodge stays, spa remedies, and golf lessons.