Where to Stay for a Golf Trip in Spain: Hotels, Resorts & Villas Compared
Planning a golf trip to Spain? From luxury hotels to golf-focused resorts and private villas, your choice of stay can make or break the experience. Here’s how to choose the perfect base for your golf adventure, even if you’re traveling with non-golfers as well.
Introduction
Spain is more than a golf destination: it's a lifestyle experience. With over 400 golf courses across coastlines, mountains, and vineyards, it’s no surprise the country draws golfers from across Europe and beyond. But your choice of accommodation is just as important as the course you play.
Should you go for the full-service convenience of a golf resort? The cultural access of a hotel? Or the freedom of a private villa?
This guide breaks down the main types of stays for golf travelers in Spain: hotels, resorts, golf resorts with on-property courses, and villas. It goes on to explain which suits your group size, travel style, and budget. We’ve also included real-world examples and tips for travelers bringing along non-golfing companions.
Hotels: Culture, Comfort, and City Access
Hotels in Spain offer a familiar and comfortable setting, often in prime urban or coastal locations. For golfers who want to play a few rounds but also explore the history, food, and charm of Spain, hotels strike a perfect balance. You’ll typically stay within reach of multiple courses, giving you flexibility to choose where and when you play.
This option is ideal for travelers who don’t want to be tied to a resort schedule, or for those who may be traveling with a partner or family member who doesn’t golf. Non-golfers can enjoy local attractions, shopping, art, or beach clubs while you hit the fairways.
For example, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville offers luxury accommodation steps away from the city’s historic core, with several excellent golf courses accessible by a short drive. It’s a perfect setup for couples seeking both cultural immersion and golf access.
Resorts: Relaxation and Amenities Beyond the Course
Staying at a resort in Spain means access to a full suite of amenities: think wellness spas, fine dining, pools, tennis courts, and others. Resorts are larger and more leisure-oriented than hotels, designed for guests who want to combine golf with rest and rejuvenation.
While not all resorts are directly on a golf course, they are usually situated close to several options and often have partnerships that provide guest access or discounted green fees.
If you’re traveling with non-golfers, resorts offer plenty of distractions: cooking classes, yoga, wine tasting, spa treatments, or guided excursions. This makes them one of the best options for mixed-interest groups or couples who each want to enjoy their own type of getaway.
A great example is Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella. This beachfront retreat offers world-class dining, wellness, and access to top golf courses like Aloha Golf Club, Los Naranjos, and Las Brisas—all within a short drive. It’s ideal for guests who want an indulgent holiday experience alongside quality golf nearby.
Golf Resorts with On-Property Courses: Maximum Convenience for Serious Golfers
If golf is the heart of your trip, a resort with an on-site course (or multiple) offers the most immersive and efficient experience. You’ll enjoy the rare luxury of walking out your door and onto the course, often with access to coaching, practice ranges, rental gear, and organized competitions.
Golf resorts often have a more tranquil, “retreat-like” setting, perfect for those who want to play daily, improve their game, and escape everyday stress. And if you’re traveling in a group, these resorts can offer excellent value through “stay-and-play” packages that include rounds, meals, and accommodations bundled together.
While designed with golfers in mind, many of these resorts also cater to non-golfers. Spas, day trips, wine tastings, or lounging by the pool are all part of the experience.
Consider Camiral (former PGA Catalunya Resort) in Girona, home to Spain’s #1 golf course and 2031 host of the Ryder Cup. The resort combines sleek modern design with lush landscapes and Michelin-starred dining. For another luxury option, Finca Cortesín near Estepona offers impeccable service, Mediterranean views, and one of Europe’s top courses (2023 Solheim Cup official venue), all just minutes from the coast.
Villas & Private Rentals: Space, Privacy, and Flexibility
For groups or families, especially those staying for a week or more, renting a private villa can be the most comfortable and cost-effective choice. Villas offer privacy, full kitchens, pools, and a home-like atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing after a long round or sharing meals together.
Many villas are located near top golf areas like Marbella, Sotogrande, and Costa Brava, where several courses are clustered within a short drive. Some luxury villa communities are even inside golf developments, offering golf-cart access and security.
This is a great option if you're traveling with non-golfers who want to enjoy the sun, cook local food, or take day trips at their own pace. Villas also offer more freedom in terms of scheduling tee times, dining out, or even hiring a private chef.
How to Choose the Right Stay Based on Your Group
The best golf trips begin with choosing the right base—one that aligns with your group’s dynamics, interests, and travel rhythm. A solo player chasing perfect rounds may seek the seamless access of a golf resort, while a couple might prefer the balance of a city hotel with nearby courses. Villas offer space and privacy for groups or families, while high-end resorts combine comfort with curated experiences for everyone, golfers and non-golfers alike. Understanding your priorities helps narrow the options—and ensures the setting enhances every moment of your stay.
Price Tiers for Golf Travel in Spain
The following price ranges are general estimates to help you orient your planning. Actual costs can vary significantly depending on season, room type, group size, and whether golf packages or extras are included.
Ultra-Luxury (1,000€+/night)
Finca Cortesín, Costa del Sol: ~1,200€–2,800€/night
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, Marbella: ~1,000€–2,200€/night
High-End Golf Resorts (400€–1,000€/night)
PGA Catalunya Resort, Girona: ~500€–950€/night
La Zambra Resort, Costa del Sol: ~450€–900€/night
SO/ Sotogrande: ~500€–850€/night
Mid-Range Comfort (250€–400€/night)
La Cala Resort, Mijas: ~300€–450€/night
Barceló Montecastillo Golf: ~280€–400€/night
Value & Functionality (150€–250€/night)
Ona Valle Romano Golf Resort: ~180€–240€/night
Hotel Encinar de Sotogrande: ~200€–250€/night
Your Golf Trip, Your Way
Spain offers a world of possibilities for golf travelers—whether you're here for championship courses, coastal sunshine, or cultural richness. But how you experience it depends greatly on where you stay. A city hotel may set you up for adventure and flexibility; a villa promises space and privacy; a golf resort ensures you're only ever steps away from the tee.
At Spain is Golf, we specialize in tailoring unforgettable golf experiences based on your goals, travel style, and group dynamics. Whether you're seeking a discreet luxury villa, a dynamic resort with amenities for the whole family, or the ultimate golf-first itinerary, we're here to guide your planning personally and professionally.
Let us help you find the perfect place to stay—because the right setting turns a golf trip into something unforgettable.
