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

Mallorca, the biggest of Spain’s enchanting Balearic Islands, has usually been synonymous with bucket-list seashores and opulent Spanish villas. Nevertheless, it has quietly grow 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 completely completely different but simply as important facet of Mallorca that always goes unnoticed. Hacienda’s view of Mallorca is ample with landscapes in varied 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 fantastically designed foyer stuffed with high-ceiling arches, palms, pottery, and Mallorcan sculptures by native artisans. The spacious, Spanish-style design appears constructed to enchantment to the naturalist as a result of colours of the encompassing vistas. It nearly seems to be 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-about themselves novice golfers after I was rising up. Throughout summer season 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 all the time 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 far 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 snug. The room nearly forcibly places you comfortable, and the lodging left me, a non-sporting visitor, feeling like I’d landed on a chic property on the sting of a big Spanish nature reserve.

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

The entry-level Deluxe Visitor Room is accessible with a king or two queen beds, each with a terrace. That is the resort’s smallest room at slightly below 350 sq. ft, and there’s a precedence location model of this room with a backyard view, nevertheless it’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. ft, with a terrace and a seating space. At round 670 sq. ft, the one-bedroom King Suites are a deal with large enough to share. Whether or not with a major different or a good friend, this attractive suite has a big terrace and a eating desk that seats 4. Inside, the closet house 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, after all, 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 big floor-to-ceiling home windows that body grassy fields, permitting you to take pleasure in 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 areas. Though Iberia is named the house of ham, the cooks at Hacienda have been accommodating, and the menus have been so assorted that I not often 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 objects which are 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 implausible 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 also be a cute place to have sundown cocktails. Very similar to their out of doors pool, the restaurant is seasonal, so test with the resort earlier than you propose 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 fanatics are in for a deal with right here.

Only a buggy trip 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 common playtime is round 4 1/2 hours. Recognized for its extensive fairways, it has a extra forgiving format, which is right for learners 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 talent and is a significantly tougher course for extra superior golfers. Though with tighter fairways and tougher greens, the West Course additionally has breathtaking vistas of Mallorca.

Son Antem Golf additionally gives facilities resembling a driving vary, placing greens, and professional 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 dwelling to an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, all accessible 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; it’s also possible to request in-suite massages for resort suite visitors who need to indulge in additional luxurious.

Household-friendly Choices

Hacienda Son Antem gives a non-public ceramics workshop that I loved with associates however would even be candy for {couples} or an brisk, familial, multi-generational expertise. Led by native artists from Mallorca, they train conventional strategies and can information you thru creations. It was an excellent pre-dinner exercise with cocktails for me, however I additionally assume it’s a enjoyable method to hold everybody, together with children, 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 test with the resort 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.

Most 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 shouldn’t be typically pet-friendly, service animals are welcome.

Subsequent door, Son Antem Golf, solely a golf cart trip away, can also 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. Throughout the first yr, 40 wheelchair-user golfers from 22 international locations got here collectively in Mallorca at Son Antem to benefit from the resort’s amenities.

Relating to sustainability, the resort practices common recycling, which can also be accessible in visitor rooms, and Hacienda makes use of water conservation strategies 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-about the spine of Mallorca.

This resort is barely exterior Mallorca’s busier touristy spots, so renting a automotive is a good suggestion when you’re not involved in utilizing taxis or Uber. An alternative choice for exploring past the resort could be reserving excursions, whether or not with a bunch or privately, to benefit from the island in the course of the day.

The long-lasting Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, often called La Seu by locals, is simply over 20 minutes by automotive from the resort. Will probably be crowded, and I recommend 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, often known 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 are lots of of years outdated. Like many earlier than you, together with myself, you’ll wander via plazas and eat tapas and ponder how a lot it might take to grow to be a neighborhood.

Should you resolve to soak up a bit extra nature exterior of simply golf, drive the hillsides surrounding Llucmajor, the village that hosts Hacienda, to discover trails for mountain climbing, working, strolling, or lease a motorcycle for a day. Relying on which one you select, these trails can take you to small seashores and olive groves and offer you a distinct perspective of a extra pure Mallorca.

Whereas I am not the most important seashore child, Hacienda is barely a 15-minute drive to Playa de Palma. This common metropolis seashore turns right into a closely populated nightlife space as a result of 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 seashore.

Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort is a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s distinctive Autograph Assortment, so when you’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 via the Golf Hyperlinks Program. Factors could be redeemed for Marriott Bonvoy present playing cards, which can be utilized for golf rounds, resort stays, spa remedies, and golf lessons.