Son Vida sits in the wooded hills to the west of Palma, with spacious villas, established gardens and views across the city and bay. Often called the “Beverly Hills of Mallorca“, it appeals to buyers looking for privacy and room to spread out within easy reach of the capital.
Golf is a central part of life here. Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner are the three nearby 18-hole courses, complemented by the nine-hole Palma Pitch & Putt. The neighbourhood also has two five-star hotels, Castillo Hotel Son Vida and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel, with restaurants, spas and terraces overlooking the surrounding landscape.
As a long-time resident, Helen Cummins knows the area well. Its international community and proximity to Palma are part of the appeal, although daily life generally involves driving for shopping, school runs and activities beyond the golf courses and hotels. Property for sale in Son Vida ranges from established villas to contemporary new builds, with prices varying considerably according to the plot, condition and views.
Highlights:
Property in Son Vida
Son Vida is one of Palma’s most established luxury residential areas. Its properties range from older villas with mature gardens to contemporary homes with pools and large terraces. Some overlook the golf course, while elevated plots can offer views towards Palma and the sea. Location within the neighbourhood matters: orientation, access and the surrounding buildings all affect a property’s appeal.
New construction and refurbishment continue to bring work for Mallorca’s architects and designers. Rather than relying on a fixed starting price, compare current properties and distinguish between an existing home, a renovation project and a building plot.
Helen has seen the neighbourhood develop over many years. Take a look at her villa in Old Son Vida for a personal perspective on living here.
Property for sale in Son Vida
Find exclusive, luxury properties for sale in Son Vida: the “Beverly Hills of Mallorca.” Explore curated, move-in-ready villas with hc/ Property Buyer’s Agency.
Good to know about Son Vida
Local language
Spanish and Catalan are the official languages of the Balearic Islands. English and German are also widely heard among Son Vida’s international residents.
Main industry / commerce
Son Vida is primarily residential. Local business activity includes property services, construction, golf and hotel hospitality, with Palma providing a much broader range of shops and workplaces.
International schools
Options in Palma and the surrounding area include:
- Queen’s College
- Lycée Français international de Palma
- Bellver College
- Baleares International College, with campuses in Sant Agustí and Sa Porrassa
- Agora Portals International School
- Raoul Wallenberg International School (RWIS)
Journey times depend on the school, your address within Son Vida and school-run traffic. Check the relevant campus and try the route at the time you would normally travel.
Getting around
Palma, the airport, Puerto Portals and the city’s public and private hospitals are accessible by car. Allow extra time at busy periods: journeys vary depending on where you start in Son Vida and your destination. Check a live route planner rather than relying on a fixed driving time or taxi estimate.
Transport
Bus: EMT Palma’s line 7 serves Son Vida and connects with central Palma. The line has different destinations, so check that your service runs to Son Vida. Consult EMT Palma’s current route and timetable before travelling.
Parking: Check parking arrangements with the hotel or golf clubhouse you are visiting.
Taxi: Book through a Palma taxi service or ask your hotel to arrange a car. Fares depend on the route, time and applicable supplements.
Golf courses in Son Vida
SON VIDA
Opened in 1964, Golf Son Vida is Mallorca’s oldest golf course. Its 18-hole, par-71 layout rewards accurate shots, with narrower holes among the trees and villas and a memorable finishing hole with water hazards. It hosted the European Tour’s Open de Baleares in 1990 and 1994.
SON QUINT
Opened in 2007, Golf Son Quint offers a more open layout through pine and olive groves, with views towards Palma and the bay. Its 18 holes provide a different experience from Son Vida’s tighter fairways, making it an appealing choice for golfers looking for a more forgiving round.
SON MUNTANER
Golf Son Muntaner is the resort’s par-72 championship course. It hosted the Mallorca Golf Open in 2022 and the Mallorca Ladies Open in 2023. Its greens and water hazards reward careful course management, while the practice facilities include a driving range with Toptracer technology.
LEARNING TO PLAY
Palma Pitch & Putt, previously known as Son Quint Pitch & Putt, is a nine-hole, par-three course suited to beginners, families and golfers practising their short game. Lessons and introductory programmes are available through the golf academy, with training facilities at Son Muntaner. Check current lesson options, equipment hire and playing requirements when booking.
All four courses are managed by Arabella Golf Mallorca. The three 18-hole courses have clubhouse dining, and the resort offers a shuttle service between its courses and the two Son Vida hotels. See our guide to golf in Son Vida for more inspiration.
Golfing in Son Vida
Compare Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner, with practical advice on golf lessons, Palma Pitch & Putt, restaurants and playing requirements.
HC’s tips:
- “Son Vida golf course is a bit of a challenge but it’s interesting. I love it for the beautiful villas that surround it, I’m always tempted to peek inside and have a look!”
- “Son Quint is the easiest out of the three and it would be a good one for those starting out. It’s not so long and is open with a lovely view.”
Son Vida in photos
Experience Son Vida
Son Vida’s appeal is its combination of residential calm and access to Palma. The homeowners’ association provides a 24-hour security service, alongside other shared services. Privacy remains a major attraction, although it is better understood as a feature of individual properties and the neighbourhood’s residential character than as an absolute guarantee.
For families, spacious homes and access to international schools are advantages. The practical consideration is transport: Son Vida’s hilly streets and spread-out properties make a car useful for everyday life. Visit at school-run times and consider the journey to shops, activities and friends as well as the home itself.
Visitors can play golf, have lunch at a clubhouse or book a treatment at one of the hotel spas. Bar Armas at Castillo Hotel Son Vida is another option for a drink with views across Palma. Check restaurant reservations, seasonal offerings and non-resident access to hotel facilities directly before planning your visit.
It’s a Beautiful Life in Son Vida
What’s it like to living in Mallorca’s most exclusive area? Son Vida is home to beautiful villas and the best golf courses in the Balearic Islands!
Events in Son Vida
Golf tournaments
Arabella Golf Mallorca’s calendar includes social league rounds, junior competitions, pitch-and-putt events and other tournaments across its courses. The programme changes each year, so consult the Arabella Golf Mallorca website for the current calendar and registration links.
Seasonal occasions
The hotels and golf restaurants also publish seasonal dining offers and celebrations. Check their current programmes for festive meals and special events rather than assuming that an earlier concert series or tournament format still runs.
Note: Confirm dates, eligibility, fees and booking requirements with the organiser.
Restaurants in Son Vida
Most dining options in Son Vida are within the hotels and golf clubhouses. At Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Es Balcó de Son Vida is the current main restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on seasonal produce and Mallorcan flavours. Bar Armas offers drinks with views over Palma, while Sa Font Pool Bar and its summer grill add seasonal options.
At Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel, La Bodega del Green serves tapas and other Spanish dishes. Es Carbó offers Mediterranean cooking, including sourdough pizzas, with views of the Son Vida golf course. Check which restaurant is serving dinner on your chosen day, as their schedules differ.
The golf restaurants each have their own character. Son Vida Restaurant focuses on tapas and vermouth overlooking the 18th green. Son Quint Restaurant serves Italian dishes, including pasta and risotto, while Na Capitana at Son Muntaner uses seasonal ingredients, including produce from the resort’s organic garden.
Menus, opening hours and seasonal services change. Book directly with your chosen venue and see our guide to restaurants in Son Vida for further inspiration.
6 Son Vida Restaurants to Enjoy
Beautiful views and high quality cuisine can be expected at Son Vida’s top restaurants, many of which are set within its three golf clubs and two luxury hotels.
Hotels in Son Vida
CASTILLO HOTEL SON VIDA
Set above Palma in a historic castle setting, Castillo Hotel Son Vida is part of The Luxury Collection, Marriott International. Its gardens, terraces and bay views make it a popular choice for a quieter hotel stay. The hotel markets itself as adults-only and welcomes guests aged 12 and over, an important distinction for families travelling with younger children.
THE SPA AT CASTILLO HOTEL SON VIDA
The hotel has a spa offering massages and other treatments, an indoor spa pool and a fitness centre. Residents interested in using the facilities should contact the spa about current memberships, day access, opening hours and booking conditions.
SHERATON MALLORCA ARABELLA GOLF HOTEL
Beside Golf Son Vida, the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel welcomes families as well as golfers. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and a spa. Its seasonal Arabella Kids & Tweens Club caters for children aged 3–12; confirm operating dates and availability when booking. The resort’s shuttle connects the hotels and golf courses.
Read more about the two five-star hotels in Son Vida.
The Son Vida hotel facilities loved by locals
Take advantage of the local facilities on offer when you live in Son Vida with two five star hotels, a variety of restaurants and two luxury spas.
HC’s tips:
- “La Bodega del Green would be our go-to place for dinner in Son Vida. We love coming here as a family – the food is good and it’s got a nice ambience.”
- “The Sheraton Hotel I’d recommend for families on holiday. It’s got all the facilities; tennis courts, swimming pools and a Kids Club.”
The spa in Son Vida the residents love
If you’re thinking of living in Son Vida, the Castillo Son Vida Gym & Spa is where you’ll want to spend your time training and relaxing.
Business & work in Son Vida
Son Vida’s local economy is closely connected to its properties, golf courses and hotels. Construction, renovation, architecture, interior design, garden maintenance and property management all serve the residential community. The area has also featured ambitious villa projects by companies such as Llull Sastre.
The hotels and golf courses provide work in hospitality, food and beverage, grounds maintenance and leisure services. Language requirements depend on the role, with Spanish, English and German useful in an international environment. Check current vacancies with individual employers.
For work in other sectors, Palma offers a much wider range of businesses. Son Vida can suit people who work in the capital or from home, provided its residential setting and daily travel requirements fit their needs.
Businesses HC loves in Son Vida
- CASTILLO HOTEL
- RESTAURANT LA BODEGA DEL GREEN
- SON VIDA SPA & GYM
- SON MUNTANER GOLF COURSE
- RESTAURANT ES BALCÓ DE SON VIDA
People: Locals and Celebrities
Son Vida attracts an international mix of residents who value space, privacy and proximity to Palma. It has long been associated with prominent figures in business, sport and the arts, but its everyday character is quieter than that reputation might suggest.
Golf, hotel dining and local gatherings offer opportunities to meet neighbours. The homeowners’ association provides shared services and represents residents’ interests, giving the neighbourhood a practical community network alongside its social life.
For anyone considering a move, the most useful introduction is to spend time here at different points in the day. Visit the clubhouses, try the journey into Palma and see how the setting fits your own family and working life.
The Last Word
Son Vida offers spacious properties, golf on the doorstep and access to Palma from a quieter hillside setting. Its appeal is strongest for those who value privacy and gardens and are comfortable driving for much of daily life. Choosing well means looking beyond a villa’s photographs to its orientation, access, surroundings and the journeys you will make every week.
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