Son Vida

Son Vida, commonly referred to as the “Beverly Hills of Mallorca”, is a luxury residential area on the outskirts of Palma, highly sought-after as a place for the rich and famous to purchase their slice of paradise.

Long, leafy lanes lead to architect-designed, lavish homes of varying tastes and styles at a price guide of no less than two million euros. The urbanisation is home to three golf courses, Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner, and complemented by two five-star hotels that attract celebrities from around the globe including world leaders, royalty and dignitaries.

As a long-time resident of Son Vida, Helen Cummins knows the area well, regularly playing at one of the golf courses and relaxing at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida Spa. The neighbourhood itself is quite small (around 450 homes), but as Helen affirms, it’s growing in popularity with more luxury properties being built every year. Property in Son Vida is by far Palma’s most expensive, but the price promises more than just a beautiful home. Within the secure area, Son Vida residents benefit from unspoiled views of Palma bay, absolute privacy and a thriving community of people from all over the world.

SON VIDA

Opened in 1964, Golf Son Vida is the oldest golf course in the Balearic Islands. It is an 18-hole course with par 71 and from the yellow tee-offs 5601 metres long. The first 9 fairs are hilly, uneven and quite narrow requiring maximum concentration. However, this changes in the back 9 which consist of wider and flatter paths framed by trees and stunning villas. This prestigious course has hosted on two occasions the “Open de Baleares” part of the European Tour. Players of the magnitude of Severiano Ballesteros and Barry Lane have been challenged by the course’s technical design.

SON QUINT

Inaugurated in 2007, Son Quint is the youngest golf course in Mallorca. Designed by Ramón Espinosa and Kurt Rossknecht, this course has been created with relaxation in mind. Son Quint has views over the Bay of Palma, which feeds into its calming and stress-free ambience. The 18-hole par 71 course has a length of 5705 metres. At tee 8, the highest point of the course, players can tee-off facing Palma Cathedral. The well-placed bunkers will challenge even experienced golfers, and four different tee-box positions enable a variety of play. The “Warm-up Area” next to the Son Quint clubhouse is a good place to practice your swing before starting your game.

SON MUNTANER

Son Muntaner opened in 2000 by course designer Kurt Rossknecht but underwent an ambitious refurbishment in 2016. The newly produced fairways and re-seeding of greens has made this course one of the most ecological in Mallorca – the type of grass planted requires very little water. Nestled in the mountains of “Na Burgesa”, Son Muntaner offers a real challenge for all handicap classes. This 18-hole course has a total length of 6305m with par 72. At hole 15 there is “Na Capitana” which is the oldest olive tree in Mallorca said to be over 1000 years old. Professional players regularly train here including German golfer Martina Eberl who has used Son Muntaner as her training course for years, particularly during the winter months.

BEGINNERS OF GOLF

For those new to golf, the Pitch + Putt at Son Quint is where to learn. It is the only Pitch + Putt course on the Balearic Islands and offers beginners the space to enjoy the game without the pressure of an 18-hole course. It’s a great place to have fun and hit a few balls! No dress code is required and it’s possible to rent clubs. For golf lessons, the Golf Natural Guidance Academy at Son Muntaner (one of the largest on the island) offers a more intense introduction to golf, where both adults and children can improve their technique. Students can take private lessons with a professional or learn as part of a group. Classes are available in six languages.

All three golf courses in Son Vida are managed by Arabella Golf Mallorca and each include a restaurant and Pro Shop (open 365 days a year). In Son Quint, players will find an Outlet Corner where well-known brands are sold at discounted prices, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a good spot for events.

Son Vida is largely a place of residence where people live in tranquility. Its single road entrance and exit plus its 24-hour security service make it one of the safest places to live, hence its appeal to celebrities and affluent individuals in want of privacy.

Son Vida residents have the best of both worlds, surrounded by rural tranquility yet only 10-minutes from Palma centre. It serves well as a weekend retreat for golfers while also providing the perfect place to raise children. Its quiet roads, rolling hills and nearby international schools make it ideal for families.

A visit to Son Vida would be attractive to those with a passion for golf and fitness. For residents of Palma, a day in Son Vida might include a round of golf, lunch at one of the clubhouses, followed by a massage and relaxing swim at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida Spa. Afternoon tea is recommended at the hotel’s Bar Armas and includes fantastic coffees, cava, chocolates and pastries – prior reservation is needed.

Balearic resident offers are regularly available on the discounts page.

Given Son Vida’s affluence it is a surprise to some how few restaurants there are, only found either within a hotel or clubhouse. Es Castell in the Castillo Hotel Son Vida offer typical Mediterranean cuisine in true fine-dining style. Es Ví is recommended for its play on traditional Mallorcan ingredients and delicious flavours in a relaxed and laidback setting. The outside terrace is hailed as “The Balcony of Mallorca” and is a must-visit in the summer months. Diners can enjoy their evening meal overlooking a gorgeous view of Palma bay which – when graced with an orange sunset – is very romantic.

For a more laid-back style of dining then restaurants La Bodega del Green and Es Carbó at the Sheraton Hotel would suit. Es Carbó with its inviting ambience is decorated in warm tones and has a terrace with views of the Son Vida golf course. Or take the staircase down to La Bodega del Green where diners will find a good pairing of wine and tapas served in a sophisticated fashion.

More casual still are the Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner clubhouses, offering golfers a well-earned respite. The food here fills its purpose in feeding hungry golfers with a good selection of snacks, dishes of the day and a-la-carte menu. All three promise views of the golf course and a comfortable interior to kick-back and relax in. Out of the three, the Son Quint restaurant is privately managed and therefore differs in its quality and service. It’s regularly enjoyed as a venue for weddings, christenings and corporate events.

CASTILLO HOTEL SON VIDA

The Castillo Hotel is a restored 13th century castle surrounded by tropical gardens and incomparable views of Palma. With its 164 rooms and suites – including the iconic LOEWE suite designed by Spanish designer Enrique Loewe – the Castillo Hotel is perfect for a romantic break away. Since 2007, the hotel has become a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury Collection, joining the ranks of some of the world’s most unique hotels.

THE SPA AT CASTILLO SON VIDA

There’s a wide range of treatments to choose from at the Son Vida Spa where experienced therapists offer bespoke massages. The 24-hour gym includes the latest equipment where guests – if they so choose – can benefit from a personalised training programme. Having opened in 2018, all the facilities are top of the range and include a Finnish sauna, steam bath and large indoor pool.

THE SHERATON MALLORCA ARABELLA GOLF HOTEL

The Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel is less distinguished than its sister hotel, but no less accommodating. Its understated décor offers a comfortable place for golfers and families to rest after a day on the course. Guests could not find a better place to stay for ease of access to the Son Vida golf course – the hotel is within just a few metres of the nearest putt. There is a shuttle bus that runs between the two hotels making it easy for golfers to access the other golf courses.

Property in Son Vida is in high-demand, a honey-pot for investors and real estate agents. Every year more properties are being built, attracting the island’s best architects and designers to the area. Projects like the Son Vida Residences include properties with top-of-the-range specifications, private swimming pool and terrace.

Business is limited to a few key areas of enterprise in Son Vida. Property development and construction are the largest sectors fulfilling the demand for interested buyers. Cranes regularly dot the surrounding hills where areas of Son Vida are being developed for new projects. French property developers Fabien and Charlotte Leduc chose to build in the area having fell in love with the tranquility. Although, like many others, the couple didn’t just settle for an average house-build. Construction companies like Llull Sastre are keen to push boundaries in Son Vida – seen no more clearly than the avante-garde villas that circle Son Vida golf course (including Fabien and Charlotte’s).

Other areas of work include health and tourism. Thanks to the three golf courses and two hotels, jobs in maintenance, hospitality and hotel management are regularly advertised. For any customer-facing role, knowledge of English is useful given the international golfing appeal. Other languages including German and Swedish would be also advantageous.

For those searching in other sectors, Palma city centre is a short car ride away. Job-hunters can expect to find all matter of businesses in the capital from real estate to cultural venues to Michelin-star restaurants.