Anantara Villa Padierna Palace

Between Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort brings three very different 18-hole courses into one refined Costa del Sol stay. Flamingos, Alferini and the shorter Tramores layout give a group plenty of choice, from a serious championship length round to a more approachable session with tuition. The hotel has the character of a Tuscan palace, with 132 rooms, suites and villas, many opening onto private terraces facing the gardens, surrounding mountains or fairways. Central Marbella is a little over 9 miles away, while Málaga Airport is around an hour by road.

Alferini is the big golfing examination, a par 73 measuring 7,260 yards from the back tees. Its broad fairways and large putting surfaces may appear generous, yet the course demands sound placement and considered club selection throughout its quiet, mountain-enclosed valley. Five tee options on every hole make it workable for mixed groups without taking away its challenge. Flamingos, designed by Antonio García Garrido, is a more sculpted parkland round, shaped by lakes and the Arroyo del Taraje stream, with a different type of tree marking each hole. It has also staged the European Tour Senior Match Play. Tramores provides a shorter on-site alternative, particularly useful for newer players and those looking to build in a lesson between full rounds.

After golf, Hole 55 is the natural place to settle over relaxed food and a drink, looking across the course and its lake. La Loggia serves Mediterranean dishes, while 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant offers Japanese tasting menus. There is also Eddy’s Bar for lighter bites, a large outdoor pool, fitness studio and racquet club. The 2,000-square-metre thermal spa has a heated indoor pool, 10 treatment rooms, six steam rooms and two saunas, making recovery days easy to justify. The hotel shuttle also runs to By The Sea Beach Club, around three minutes away, where hotel guests have access to sunbeds beside the Mediterranean.