As two inexperienced travelers, our journey often leads us to unexpected places and experiences. Our latest adventure took us to the SO / Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort Hotel in Sotogrande, Spain. Our one-night stay has some quirks but comfortable rooms and delightful dining, and the trip to Playa de Sotogrande was well worth it. We’re excited to share our honest review with fellow travel enthusiasts.
The Resort and Food
How Much Does it Cost to Stay at SO / Sotogrande
Playa De Sotogrande and Bunker Beach Club
Arrival and First Impressions
Check-In and Initial Hiccups
Upon arrival at the SO/Sotogrande, we were greeted with pleasant service, including a refreshing glass of lemonade—a much-appreciated touch after our journey. The wristband room keys, doubling as chic accessories, initially promised convenience but quickly turned into a minor annoyance as they malfunctioned several times. Despite a brief wait and a mix-up with the staff, the issue was resolved, but it didn’t leave us with a good first impression.
The Room: Comfort and Quirks
Our room looked very opulent, with upscale decor and furnishings. However, despite booking a room with two queen beds they had pushed them together to make one. Thankfully, this was quickly resolved after alerting the reception.
The bathroom with a separate toilet area and a large unenclosed shower was very luxurious. The beds and linens promised and delivered a good night’s sleep. After spending many nights at Air Bnb’s, sometimes taking turns on pull-out couches, this was an amazing change of pace. The patio outside of the room, while cozy, faced a quiet road and lacked the serene view we had hoped for.
And if you are wondering, yes, we did adorn ourselves with the robes after many, many drinks!
The Resort Experience
Pools and Amenities
The resort revolves around its two pools—one family-friendly and the other exclusively for adults. While the service of drinks from the nearby bar was a plus, the lack of a walk-up bar was slightly disappointing. Our all-inclusive package granted us access to certain spa amenities, which we unfortunately couldn’t explore due to our short stay.
Dining at Marxa Chiringuito
Our dinner at Marxa Chiringuito was a highlight. Specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant offered a variety of dishes. The menu, tailored to different resort packages, allowed us to try a range of flavors, including delectable whole seabream, trio of sausages, and fresh prawns.
The razor clams were an acquired taste but we knew they were a delicacy and not available everywhere, so when it is all-inclusive, we had to try them!
This stray kitten enjoyed some of our seabream too!
An Evening of Flamenco
The intimate flamenco show at Ixo Tapas & Bar was a memorable experience. The small-scale performance, featuring a dancer, a classical guitarist, and a percussionist, created an enchanting atmosphere. Our all-inclusive drinks and an assortment of tapas added to the enjoyment of the evening.
Room Service
After staying up late at Ixo Tapas & Bar, until closing time around 1am, we wanted to keep our one-night party going and ordered some beer from room service. While it was fairly prompt, the price was exorbitant which was not disclosed to us until check-out. It was disappointing to have to pay for room service at an all-inclusive resort. Even more disappointing is that the mini-fridge had no complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Missed Opportunities
We regretted missing out on breakfast at Society Clubhouse and a visit to Cortijo Santa María 1962, the other restaurants at SO / Sotogrande. After a late night, we slept in and missed our all-inclusive breakfast at Society Clubhouse, known for its ordered menu rather than a buffet. Due to the short stay, we also regrettably didn’t get to try Cortijo Santa María 1962’s promise of Andalusian cuisine.
How Much Does it Cost to Stay at SO / Sotogrande?
The price for a one-night, all-inclusive stay at SO / Sotogrande was approximately 470 euros. This was the average price for end of August/early September. Typically, paying such a big premium for a resort should include incredible amenities and flawless service. Unfortunately, it fell flat on both.
Was it worth it to stay at SO / Sotogrande?
Not really. The rooms were nice and food (including the service at the restaurants) were great but it was not worth the price in our opinion. It was essentially just two pools surrounded by a couple of restaurants, located in an awkward area of southern Spain.
That being said, we didn’t feel completely cheated by the experience. At the end of your meals, you are given a bill with the real cost of food and drink. This is just in case you order something that isn’t on the all-inclusive menu, which isn’t much, and so you can tip appropriately. Between dinner at Marxa Chiringuito and lots of drinks and late-night tapas at Ixo Tapas & Bar, it would have cost us 500 euros if we paid out of pocket!
This is the receipt just from Ixo Tapas & Bar.
We would recommend that if you want to try a lot of new and interesting food and are weary of the price tag of an individual dinner that you might not enjoy, try an all-inclusive resort for a night or two. Don’t hold back…we sure didn’t!
Playa de Sotogrande and Bunker Beach Club
A Dip in the Mediterranean
Eager to experience the local beaches, Playa de Sotogrande. The 15-20 minute cab ride from SO / Sotogrande to the beach is easily accessible by the Bunker Beach Club. The early September waters were the perfect temperature on a hot day and the beaches, while a bit rocky near the shoreline, were clean and spacious.
The beach is very big and extends further west than the maps show, likely because they are in front of resorts. To the east of Bunker Beach Club, there is nothing but empty fields to the north of the beach which offer a peaceful experience. Playa de Sotogrande extended as far as the eye could see, with a spectacular view of Gibraltor. You can also find some actual old bunkers just off the beach too. A word of caution, there is a broken barbed wire fence down in front of some of the bunkers, so watch where you are stepping!
Our lunch at the Bunker Beach Club, featuring cold beers, patatas bravas and burrata salad, was a delightful end to our short but sweet visit to the Mediterranean coast. Offering indoor and outdoor dining options, it was as if you had visited a beach-side resort.
Final Thoughts
Our stay at SO / Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort Hotel was a mixed bag of delightful discoveries and minor inconveniences. The resort’s focus on comfort and leisure is evident, and the culinary experiences were a definite highlight. However, the distance from key attractions and some service hiccups were notable drawbacks. For those seeking a tranquil getaway with a taste of luxury, this resort offers a lot, but it’s important to plan for transportation to explore the broader Sotogrande area. A visit to Playa de Sotogrande accessible by the Bunker Beach Club is a must.
In summary, our experience as novice travelers at SO/Sotogrande was educational, enjoyable, and full of surprises. We left with a better understanding of what to look for in a resort stay and a longing to return to the beautiful shores of Sotogrande, perhaps for a longer stay next time.