Hôtel La Mola ★★★★

The hotel comprises two main buildings – a long low modern building with all the main accommodation and facilities, and a converted old manor house which is used for business meetings and conference venue. The buildings are surrounded by the luxuriant vegetation of the parkland and there are serene, sylvan views from every room. The décor is crisp and modern with touches of green reflecting the greenery outside. A friendly staff and the offer of a warm cookie on check-in was a nice touch, and the homely aroma lingered in the reception area.

We had treated ourselves to a deluxe room with a balcony and it was fantastic. Big views over the green, big super-comfortable beds and very little noise definitely passed the sleep test! The air-conditioning was perfect, the ultra-modern stylish bathroom was full if lovely little toiletries, TV, safe and coffee meant I could relax as long as I wanted and a generous work-station desk and Wi-Fi meant I could even catch up on some work while the golfers were out playing. I was certainly going to enjoy this golfing holiday on my own terms.

The first day the serious players were off on their rounds, I had a luxury relaxing Spa day, and enjoyed the pool, the solarium and a massage. I strolled through the grounds of the park and relaxed with a book. We had dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, the L’Obac which is top quality with a good choice of Catalan specialties and Mediterranean cuisine. Over dinner naturally I heard about the course at the Real Golf Club El Prat, which has 45 champion holes designed by Greg Norman. I heard details of the day’s play, the difficult shots heroically managed, the near misses on the putting green and the exhilaration of a day spent amidst that lovely scenery.

The second day when the players were away I made the short trip to Barcelona, and experienced again the vibrant atmosphere and sheer youthful exuberance that characterise that city. A visit to the superb and inspiring Sagrada Familia to pay homage to the great Gaudi, a stroll down Las Ramblas and lunch in a bustling tapas bar in the up-and-coming Poble-sec district were my treats of the trip. It was a tiring day and I was glad to return to the peace of the hotel and a late supper accompanied by details of the day’s golfing trials and tribulations. I was starting to wonder if I was missing something!

On the third day on an impulse I booked some lessons at the nearby golf school. To my surprise it turned out to be very enjoyable, though challenging for a beginner and a charming young coach assured me I showed real promise! I returned the next day. For the future, who knows, I may even be accompanying my husband to chilly Scotland on his next trip. But I am sure to be there to join the party when the serious golfers return to the delightful La Mola Hotel ****.