Mallorca is an island of delightful contrasts. The largest of the Balearic Islands, it attracts huge numbers of tourists from the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, but for vastly different reasons.
The most popular tourist hot spots are to the south west of Palma, the delightful capital city – Magaluf and Santa Ponsa offer legendary nightlife, and are a fantastic value option for both families and large groups. Majorca’s interior, as well as its eastern coastline, is far more reserved, and is renowned for its incredible natural beauty.
There are plenty of golf and acommodation options for golfers visiting Mallorca, but one of the most comprehensive stay & play options comes in the form of the Hotel Iberostar Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa, which lies just a short drive from the bright lights of the city of Palma.
Here’s a little more info about this fantastic resort and its two champinship golf courses…
On the tee…
Son Antem is home to two impressive 18-hole courses, Este (East) and Oeste (West), designed by Francisco López-Senegalés.
The East Course is a par-72 layout which has been perfectly designed to welcome beginners to the game with a fairly flat overall layout, featuring generous fairways that allow for a certain degree of inaccuracy from the tee. A stronger finish to the course however places more demands on the player’s game as their round draws to a close and although the West Course is more of a test, seasoned golfers playing the East should certainly not become complacent. Five lakes and a lot of rough coming into play throughout your round so accuracy is key.
Although being slightly shorter from the back tees, the West Course probably provides a greater challenge, owing much to tight, tree-lined fairways that demand control and course management from the outset. Set in the picturesque Mallorcan countryside with views over the Randa Mountains, the West’s also features raised greens that make for an exciting short game challenge should you fail to hold the putting surface with your approach shots.
Signature hole…
Although picking a signature hole at Son Antem is no easy feat, the par 4 5th on the West Course is a real gem. The hole doglegs to the left and with an approach shot that must be played to a raised green surrounded by pot like bunkers, accuracy and good club selection are key.
Food and drink…
Son Antem offers guests a variety of dining options, from relaxed alfresco to refined elegance. The stylish El Olivar restaurant serves traditional Mediterranean dishes which are best enjoyed whilst gazing out over the spectacular hotel gardens.
The buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is the perfect place to try new and exciting flavours; whilst an à-la-carte menu is also available.
The friendly service and superb cocktails on offer at the Llevant Lobby Bar make it a popular choice amongst guests; combined with delicious tapas and live music, this is the best place to wile away the hours as the sun sets.
Throughout the day while guests take advantage of the region’s fantastic climate while lounging by the pool, they can also grab a convenient light bite, or indeed a refreshing drink at the Es Trenc Pool Bar which also offers a barbeque on selected evenings.
What else to do…
The wellness centre at Son Antem has all you need to wash away any memories of a bad round; including a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, indoor swimming pool and a fully equipped 24-hour gym (access is free for all guests).
With a free daily shuttle service running to Playa de Palm beach (June-September), why not try your hand at water skiing, scuba diving or surfing? Or if it’s your first time on the island, then be sure to spend a day wandering the quaint lanes and courtyards of nearby Palma.
Who to take…
Son Antem is the perfect location for a fun-filled family getaway. The Kids Club caters for children aged 3 to 12 and provides daily entertainment giving the adults enough time to fit in a few rounds of golf and a well-deserved cocktail or two. The large outdoor swimming pool is the ideal place to cool off after an afternoon spent enjoying the many walkways and jogging paths set in the resorts vast 490 acre grounds.
While the resort is the ideal spot for families, groups of golfers looking to enjoy their days on the fairways followed by nights of revelry, nearby Palma, although perhaps overshadowed by the crazy nightlife found on Ibiza, boasts are enough discotheques, bars and nightclubs to make it a party destination in its own right.
When to go…
With an average temperature of 21 °C and around 300 days of sunshine each year, Majorca is popular amongst jet-setters all year-round. If you’re looking to top up that golfer’s tan, the hottest and driest months are from June until September. For a more pleasant climate, we’d recommend travelling between March and May when temperatures are a little cooler (between 18°C and 22°C) but visitors still enjoy more than 9 hours of sunshine a day. If you’re looking to take advantage of those low season prices, do remember that October is Majorca’s wettest month, so you might need to pack your waterproofs!
Getting there…
With daily flights from many major airlines (including easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair), you could be in the heart of Majorca’s capital, Palma, in just over 2 hours. Although only 20 minutes away by car, Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa offers a tranquil haven from the hustle and bustle of Palma’s vibrant city life.