A decade ago, La Alcaidesa was known mainly to keen golfers and local insiders. Today, it is building a wider reputation as one of the most compelling lifestyle areas in Southern Spain for laid-back luxury, shaped by long, golden beaches, open horizons and a calibre of golf that is drawing increasing global attention.
At the centre of that story is La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, the coastal course that has helped put this stretch of coast on the map, offering a peaceful residential location with genuinely international attraction.
Why La Hacienda Links feels different
Most golf on the Costa del Sol is parkland or resort style. La Hacienda’s Links course offers more. Built alongside the Mediterranean with constant exposure to wind, light, and sea air, it leans into the traditional links sensibility of ground game, creativity and shot selection. That character is one reason it is often described as one of the few true links-style experiences in Southern Spain.
Then there is the view. On clear days, Gibraltar and the African coastline are plainly visible on the horizon, offering a beguiling setting for a round. It is a course that photographs beautifully, but it also plays with intent, especially when the breeze picks up and club selection stops being routine and becomes a tactical choice. For golfers who enjoy variety and challenge rather than repetition, this is a big part of the appeal.
Awards and growing global recognition
The conversation around La Hacienda Links Golf Resort has accelerated as its recognition has grown, collecting serious accolades on the way.
In 2023, La Hacienda Links Golf Resort was named Spain’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards.
In 2024, the resort’s Halfway House, Calma Bar, was recognised as the World’s Best Halfway House, highlighting the overall experience rather than just the quality of the fairways. Then, beginning the year in style, La Hacienda Links entered biennial Golf World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts ranking for the first time, reflecting how quickly the destination is rising beyond Spain’s domestic scene.
This kind of recognition alters perception of the destination. It attracts travelling golfers who plan trips around rankings and reputation, as well as reassuring second-home buyers that the area is gaining long-term prestige rather than relying on short-term trends.
A lifestyle destination forming around the fairways
Golf may be the headline, but what is shifting La Alcaidesa into premier lifestyle territory is the growing community around it, including hospitality, dining and the kind of places that make a weekend feel complete without needing to drive to Marbella or Puerto Banús, although these hotspots are easily accessible.
A key development has been the opening of both the Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol and OKU Alcaidesa Hotel in 2025, bringing internationally recognised luxury hotel brands directly into the area. The resorts add a new level of services, wellness facilities, and destination dining, underscoring that La Alcaidesa is no longer just a residential base for golfers but a place people actively choose for leisure stays.
Dining has also stepped up. Restaurants linked to high-profile chefs and professional hospitality groups are helping to reshape expectations, with a move towards more refined Mediterranean cuisine alongside relaxed all-day options. This is complemented by a growing beach culture, with chiringuitos and beachfront venues that make the most of the region’s long, open shoreline and wide sands.
The result is a setting that supports both everyday living and weekend escape, without the sense of overdevelopment that some other parts of the coast exhibit.
Sotogrande next door and the strength of the wider neighbourhood
One of La Alcaidesa’s biggest advantages is its proximity to Sotogrande. Residents benefit from access to one of Europe’s most established resort communities without paying the premium associated with living in its central zones.
Sotogrande offers a full spectrum of leisure. The marina is a social hub with waterfront restaurants and cafés, polo remains part of the seasonal calendar, and private leisure clubs provide everything from tennis and paddle to spa and fitness facilities. La Reserva Club has also become a destination in its own right, with its private beach lagoon, dining areas, and family-friendly amenities.
This closeness means Alcaidesa residents can enjoy a quieter home base while having easy access to a more animated social scene whenever they want it.
A cluster of top-class golf clubs within easy reach
For golfers, the wider area is exceptionally strong. La Hacienda Links may be the star on the seafront, but it sits within a network of highly respected clubs that make the whole zone feel like a serious golf base rather than a one-course destination.
Real Club Valderrama remains one of Europe’s most prestigious courses, famous for hosting the 1997 Ryder Cup and still regarded as one of the toughest and most technically demanding courses in the region.
The San Roque Club’s Old Course has long been associated with professional competition and European Tour Qualifying School, and it continues to attract players who appreciate classic course design.
La Reserva offers a different style again, combining strong course conditioning with a modern clubhouse and wider leisure facilities.
For owners in Alcaidesa, this means golf can form part of everyday life without becoming repetitive, with very different playing experiences available within a short drive.
Straightforward connectivity from major airports
Ease of travel is another reason Alcaidesa works well as a second home location.
Gibraltar Airport is around 20 minutes away by car, making it particularly convenient for short breaks and weekend use.
Málaga Airport is typically around 1 hour 15 minutes by road, offering a wide choice of international flights year-round.
Jerez Airport is also a practical option, usually around 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 away, and can be useful for certain UK and European routes.
This range of options makes it realistic to use a home in Alcaidesa regularly rather than saving it for long annual holidays, which is increasingly important for buyers who want flexibility.
Where Serenity and Infinity Alcaidesa fit in
This broader lifestyle picture is exactly why Serenity and Infinity Alcaidesa are attracting such strong interest. Buyers are not just purchasing apartments, they are buying into an area that is gaining profile, infrastructure, and international recognition at the same time.
Serenity Alcaidesa is positioned with open views towards the Heathland course and the sea, offering a sense of space and calm that suits full-time living as well as holiday use.
Infinity Alcaidesa focuses on elevated, contemporary living with strong outdoor areas and a clear connection to the surrounding landscape.
Both developments benefit from proximity to La Hacienda Links, the beach, and the growing hospitality scene, while also sitting within easy reach of Sotogrande and the wider western Costa del Sol.
Discover Alcaidesa with One Eden
If you are considering a home in this part of the coast, we would be delighted to guide you through Serenity and Infinity Alcaidesa and explain how each development fits different lifestyle needs, from permanent relocation to flexible second home ownership.
At One Eden, we take the time to match you with properties that suit how you actually plan to live, not just what looks good on paper. Contact our team to arrange a private consultation and viewing, and discover why Alcaidesa is becoming one of Southern Spain’s most talked-about coastal communities.
