The general manager of SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel in Spain, Stéphane Menou, shares how the launch of The Alto Club, a modern golf facility, is building on the venue’s legacy of its established golf clubs such as Real Club Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande and La Reserva Club.
The Alto Club marks the rebranding of Almenara and the launch of a new Golf Academy. What does this transformation mean for Sotogrande, and how will it enhance the destination’s appeal?
The transformation of Almenara into The Alto Club represents a major new chapter for Sotogrande. It brings together heritage and a renewed focus on creating experiences that feel both aspirational and accessible. The Alto Club introduces a contemporary vision for golf in the region, combining a refined 18-hole championship layout, a new par three course designed by Manuel Piñero, and an advanced golf academy that opens the game to players of every level.
What makes this particularly significant is how naturally it fits into Sotogrande’s broader identity as Europe’s leading lifestyle and sporting community. For more than 60 years, Sotogrande has been synonymous with quality golf through venues like Real Club Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande and La Reserva Club.
The Alto Club builds on that legacy but introduces a fresh, forward-looking approach that embraces technology, community and creativity, while also complementing the five-star SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort next door.
As part of this new philosophy, The Alto Club features multiple tee options and dedicated scorecards designed to make the course more adaptable and enjoyable for every player. Each set of tees is represented by a distinctive character; The Deer, The Bull, The Vulture and The G.O.A.T., symbolising different playing styles and approaches to the game. The concept adds personality and inclusivity to the experience, encouraging golfers to engage with the course in a way that reflects both their ability and their attitude.
The academy is open to all levels, from beginners to professionals. What sets it apart from other facilities in Europe, and what kind of experience can players expect?
The Alto Club Golf Academy has been designed to redefine how people learn and connect with the game. It is an inclusive, technology-driven environment that balances performance with enjoyment. The facilities include Toptracer-equipped driving bays, Foresight and Swing Catalyst analysis studios, a short-game complex with multiple greens and bunkers, and even night-time practice areas. The addition of the new par three course designed by Manuel Piñero also gives players a dynamic space to work on accuracy and shot-making.
Beyond the infrastructure, what makes it stand out is the atmosphere. The academy has been created as a social and engaging space, somewhere that welcomes every kind of golfer, from juniors and beginners to professionals. There is an emphasis on family, women’s golf and community programming, with fun Toptracer competitions, group sessions and relaxed formats designed to make learning more enjoyable.
With Suzann Pettersen as global ambassador and LET star Mimi Rhodes representing Sotogrande, how do these partnerships strengthen The Alto Club’s international profile?
Suzann’s appointment as global ambassador has been a major milestone for The Alto Club. She is one of the most respected figures in international golf, with a career defined by leadership, consistency, and an unwavering passion for the game.
Her involvement goes far beyond a symbolic role, as she is helping shape the academy’s philosophy and mentoring the team of PGA professionals to ensure that the environment reflects her own approach to high performance and personal growth.
At the same time, having emerging talent like Mimi Rhodes representing Sotogrande strengthens our connection to the next generation of players. Both Suzann and Mimi embody the values we want The Alto Club to represent – excellence, inclusivity and authenticity. Together, they give the project international credibility while connecting it to golfers who share the same spirit of ambition and curiosity.
SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort is often described as more than a hotel. How do its design and services reflect this lifestyle concept?
SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort was conceived as a resort that embodies the essence of life in southern Spain. Its design blends Andalusian charm with contemporary style, creating a setting that feels refined yet relaxed and welcoming. The resort integrates every element that defines Sotogrande: sport, wellbeing, gastronomy, and culture.
It is not simply a place to stay, but a place to live well. Guests can move effortlessly between the golf course, the spa, the poolside terrace and a vibrant dining scene that includes everything from refined Mediterranean cuisine to open-air barbecue evenings.
This seamless connection between leisure, lifestyle and community is one of the things that really set SO/ Sotogrande apart.
The spa is one of the most distinctive in southern Spain. How important is wellness to the resort, and what makes the spa stand out?
Wellness has become one of the cornerstones of the SO/ Sotogrande experience.
The Spa & Wellness Club spans over 3,500 square metres and offers one of the most advanced wellness environments in southern Spain. It combines thalassotherapy-inspired rituals, hydrothermal circuits, and longevity treatments such as Cryotherapy and flotation. The serene outdoor areas with Mediterranean views are matched by the detailed interiors, carefully designed to create an atmosphere of calm and renewal.
Complementing the spa is the fitness area, open 24 hours and equipped with the latest technology, including a virtual training room and a full schedule of group fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, spin, and core strength.
Gastronomy is another highlight at SO/ Sotogrande. How do the dining concepts help create a complete experience for international guests?
Gastronomy plays a central role in the experience we want to offer. Each venue has its own character and atmosphere, yet all share a focus on authenticity, creativity and local produce. Cortijo Santa María 1962 celebrates Andalusian cuisine, while Marxa Chiringuito captures the spirit of summer with its open-air wood-burning barbecue, cocktails and live DJ sessions. For a more casual setting, Society Clubhouse offers relaxed all-day dining and panoramic views across the Mediterranean landscape.
This diversity of concepts ensures that dining at SO/ Sotogrande feels like an integral part of the resort experience rather than a complement to it. It reflects Sotogrande’s unique balance of elegance and ease, where every detail, from food to design, contributes to the art of living well.
The Art of Living campaign captures Sotogrande’s essence as more than a destination. How does this creative direction influence the way the resort connects with guests and residents alike?
The Art of Living campaign is about expressing what makes Sotogrande truly distinctive, its ability to combine natural beauty, community and a refined sense of ease. The film captures the everyday rhythm of life here, family, sport, connection and spontaneity. It is not about selling a destination, but about sharing a feeling, the sense of belonging and authenticity that defines Sotogrande.
At the heart of this identity is 11310, the postcode that represents a lifestyle as recognisable as the most exclusive locations in the world. It has become a symbol of modern European living, where wellbeing, sport and design meet in perfect balance.
The campaign reinforces that idea, showing that Sotogrande is not just somewhere to visit but somewhere to belong, a community that blends sophistication with a sense of ease that is uniquely its own.
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