As vivid as the Andalucían sunshine and as revitalising as a chilled glass of Moscatel, SO/Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort opened in 2021 as the first five-star hotel on Sotogrande, southern Spain’s long-established elite sporting resort.
It replaced a former four-star NH Hotel built on an original farmhouse (cortijo) with a complete renovation. Now self-styled as a “Revolutionised Cortijo”, SO/Sotogrande aims to preserve the area’s cultural heritage while adding a deftly playful style. The SO/ brand is a collaboration between Accor and Ennismore, whose hotels focus on fashion and art.
Where?
The hotel is 20 minutes from Gibraltar airport, just over one hour from Malaga airport, and located at one of the highest points within Sotogrande.
The residential leisure estate, established 60 years ago, has become a byword for luxury living among wealthy Madrileños, and international residents and visitors who come to play and party alongside European royalty and global sporting stars.
Style
The aim is traditional Andalucían cortijo meets cutting-edge design and it works wonderfully well. Pull up to the hotel and the immediate feeling is one of light and space. Traditional arches, Andalucían colours, and generous water-filled gardens refer to the history of the original farmhouse that stood here, while floral staff uniforms by Spanish swimwear designer Dolores Cortés and sculptural art installations by noted contemporary international and Spanish artists add a fresh style. It’s thoughtful, provocative, and simply delightful.
Facilities
An excellent wellness centre has a well-equipped indoor-outdoor gym, a good range of yoga and pilates classes, and an indoor pool, sauna, and hammam. The light-filled, modern spa has eight treatment rooms with skilled, friendly therapists using products by ESPA, Parisian-brand Charme d’Orient, and QMS Medicosmetics.
Outside, there are three swimming pools, one dedicated to under-15s. The hotel manages to feel both compact and well-connected yet also spacious and calm. I visited in mid-July and, despite the hotel being full, it never felt crowded. Service throughout is warm-hearted and well-meaning but, at times, did misfire.
Extracurricular
As you would expect from one of Europe’s most established sporting resorts, the range of activities is A-grade. Enjoy water sports or take a boat trip from the marina, play tennis, hike, bike or horse ride, or walk out onto some of Europe’s most legendary golf courses. As well as the four on-site, there are more than 70 golf courses on the Costa del Sol, with seven of the most famous in Europe within 15 minutes.
Then there is polo. The first polo pitch was laid at Sotogrande in 1965 and now, every August, close to 40 teams and 1,000 horses take part in international tournaments.
Not sporty? Explore the culture and life of Andalucía. Within one hour’s drive, there are famous white villages, the bright lights of Marbella, and the wind-surfing hangouts around Tarifa on the Costa del Luz.
Food & drink
Four restaurants serve up a wide choice of Mediterranean dishes: plates of local cheese and jamón ibérico, fresh seafood and premium steaks, salads, and tapas. Society Clubhouse is informal, while Marxa brings chilled chiringuitos beach club vibes, the gorgeously designed Cortijo Santa Maria 1962 Restaurante is a fine dining treat, and IXO Tapas Bar opens up to a welcoming outdoor space. The breakfast buffet is banished in favour of an appealing à la carte menu of Spanish favourites.
Which room?
With 152 rooms, 36 suites, and six room categories ranging from SO/Comfy up to a Royal Suite, there’s plenty of choice. All rooms have excellent air-conditioning, huge beds, coffee- and tea-making facilities, a Bluetooth speaker, and some private outside space. SO/Comfy rooms are ideal for a three- or four-night stay. For more space, look at the newer SO/Suites (602 was a favourite), while SO/Two are good for families as they have two bedrooms linked through a living room.
Best for...
Families, couples, groups of golfing friends, dedicated spa-goers, and solo travellers looking for some Andalucían R&R will all enjoy a stay.
Price
Rooms start from €403 (£345) a night in a So/Comfy room includingâ¯breakfast and spa access, so-hotels.com
