Just half an hour from the well-served airport at Malaga, La Cala Resort, laid out over strikingly dramatic terrain between the Sierra de Mijas Natural Park and the azure Mediterranean, has been offering golfers something a little different for 33 years now.
Three contrasting but unendingly beautiful 18-hole courses are complemented by a stirringly appointed six-hole par-3 course – so an unrivalled 60 holes in total – a beautiful 107-room hotel, a selection of exceptional restaurants and one of Europe’s very finest spas.
These points of difference have not gone unnoticed among either the golfers who return year after year or the rankings panels who constantly seek out the very finest options for travelling golfers. Golf World has recently hailed La Cala Resort as the very best four-star resort in Spain, the third best resort overall in the country and the 13th best throughout all of Continental Europe.
If that weren’t enough to catch the eye, it also placed La Cala 73rd in its recent World Resort Rankings, where global competition for a top 100 spot is intense. The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has also bestowed an Outstanding Service Award on La Cala for going the extra mile to deliver the highest levels of customer service during the pandemic.
La Cala scored particularly well in the ‘courses’ category of the Golf World rankings – great news for keen golfers and no surprise to anyone who has played its America, Europa or Asia layouts, each blessed with a slightly different feel as it rises and falls through the breath-taking Andalusian countryside.
The Asia was the first to open in 1989, a delightful garden-style layout with trees, shrubs and flowers adorning the fairways. It was joined two years later by the America course, and although all three serve up spectacular mountain vistas and views down to the coast, America provides perhaps the most exhilarating ride of all, right from its memorable opening drive from the higher ground down into the valley. Few golfers could fail to marvel at the vision of those who first thought of laying out golf holes over this stunning mountainous landscape.
The third part of the jigsaw slotted into place in 2005 with the opening of the Europa layout on which the River Ojén makes its presence felt on several majestic holes along the valley floor. Despite their relative youth, all three courses have recently been impressively renovated, with a newly upgraded buggy fleet further enhancing the golfing experience. An excellent golf academy and that hugely enjoyable six-hole par-3 course complete the golfing side of the La Cala operation.
Perhaps the beauty of La Cala is that it really is an idyllic away-from-it-all retreat a mere 20 minutes from bustling Marbella. You can stay in the 107-bedroom hotel, which mixes an authentic Andalusian feel with contemporary styling, with all rooms boasting a private terrace or balcony, ideal for that first pre-dinner drink as the sun goes down.
When it comes to dining, the options are equally impressive whether you fancy Mediterranean cuisine in the renowned La Terraza or La Bodega restaurants in the main hotel, or the more casual ambience of the Clubhouse Restaurant, which offers fine views out over the Asia Course.
There are further options in the Panoramic Bar in the main hall, where splendid mountain views accompany a menu of modern cuisine highlighted by various breads, salads and appetisers, and the Pool Bar, where you can indulge in a cocktail or two by the pool around which the hotel rooms are set.
Completing the whole experience is the La Cala Spa, one of Europe’s very finest courtesy of its exceptional hydrotherapy circuit and wealth of soothing and pampering treatments, from age-defying facials to Mediterranean sea salts rituals. What’s more, there is a selection of on-site Real Estate for both sale and rental at La Cala.
If that all sounds too much to resist, keep an eye on La Cala’s busy social media channels for all the latest news and offers:
Facebook @LaCalaResort
Instagram @lacalaresort
Twitter @LaCala_Resort
YouTube La Cala Resort
The resort’s website www.lacala.com also has a dedicated offers and promotions page, whether you’re looking for a short break or longer stay.
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