Barceló Costa Ballena Golf & Spa Chipiona

Golfing at Barceló Costa Ballena Golf & Spa – where fairways and sea breezes belong together

Anyone who has ever played on the Costa de la Luz knows that this part of Andalusia has something relaxing about it. Sunshine, Atlantic winds and courses that never seem crowded. This is exactly where Barceló Costa Ballena Golf & Spa is located, right between Rota and Chipiona – less than ten minutes from the beach and only about 30 minutes from Jerez Airport.

For me as a golfer, it’s the ideal combination: a hotel that is completely geared towards golf, combined with a relaxed holiday atmosphere.

The golf course – 27 holes of pure variety

The Costa Ballena Golf Club is one of the most versatile courses in southern Spain. Three 9-hole loops (par 72 in combination) offer plenty of variety – from open fairways with sea views to tricky holes with bunkers and water hazards.

What is particularly striking is that the course is fair but never boring. Those who play precisely will be rewarded with many birdie opportunities. Those who attack too aggressively will quickly learn how well maintained the bunkers are.

The training facilities are also top-notch:

Driving range with over 100 tees

Separate short game zone for pitches and chips

Several practice greens

An additional 9-hole par-3 short course – perfect for warming up or for quick rounds

The entire course is flat, so it can be played comfortably on foot.

The hotel – golf, sun, spa

The Barceló Costa Ballena Golf & Spa is located directly on the course, so you can walk from breakfast to the first tee in five minutes. The hotel is modern, bright and open, with many rooms facing the golf course or the sea.

After your round, you can enjoy a large pool area, the U-Spa with saunas, steam bath and whirlpool, and – what I personally love – a relaxation room with a view of the greenery. If you like, you can have a massage to relax your tired shoulders while the sun slowly sets.

Cuisine – good food, relaxed atmosphere

In the morning, the buffet restaurant offers everything you need for a long day of golf: fresh fruit, a good selection of breads, scrambled eggs, pancakes, freshly squeezed orange juice. In the evening, there are changing themed buffets – sometimes Andalusian, sometimes international.

In the bar or on the terrace, you can relax and round off your day of golf with a glass of Rioja or a gin and tonic – depending on how you feel.

My conclusion as a golfer

The Barceló Costa Ballena Golf & Spa is perfect for anyone looking for a golf holiday with sea views but who doesn’t want the tourist crowds of the Costa del Sol. The resort is quiet, well-maintained and professionally run – but without a stuffy club atmosphere.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, in a small golf group or as a single player, you’ll find great conditions for playing, practising and unwinding here.