Grand Hyatt La Manga Club

At Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa in Cartagena, Murcia, a five-star stay centres on three championship courses within the wider La Manga Club resort. South, North and West provide enough contrast for a full golfing break without leaving the property, while the golf academy and junior coaching add useful depth for mixed ability groups. The clubhouse is a natural meeting point before or after a round, with a rooftop terrace looking over the North Course and academy, and 37 Spikes & Sports Bar sharing the same golf-facing view.

South is the resort’s principal course, having hosted professional events and been reworked by Arnold Palmer in 2005. Its fairways give you room to swing, though the reshaped greens and additional water make approach play the deciding factor. North asks for a different plan, with tighter landing areas, mature trees and lakes rewarding a well-placed tee shot over raw distance. West is the toughest of the three, using the contours of the ground to create uneven lies, narrow fairways and guarded greens. It is a demanding round when the swing is not quite settled, and a satisfying change of pace after South. Practice and coaching facilities are on hand if the group wants to spend time working on the game between rounds.

The hotel has 192 refurbished rooms and suites, many with views over the pool or golf, marble bathrooms and French windows opening onto balconies. Amapola, Asia, La Cala and Don Luigi Trattoria cover a good range of evening meals, while La Cascada serves drinks and light food beside its adults-only pool. The Arabian-inspired spa has a thermal pool, sauna and steam room, with experience showers and a hydro-massage bath for easing off after a round on West. Murcia International Airport is around 35 minutes away, and the beaches of the Mar Menor are about a 10-minute drive from the resort.