La Quinta Golf
Tucked into the Benahavis golf valley above Marbella, with the Mediterranean glinting below and the mountains rising behind, La Quinta is one of the Costa del Sol's most enjoyable resort rounds. Laid out by the Ryder Cup star Manuel Pinero and opened in 1990, its 27 holes weave through a polished, leafy setting at the heart of the Westin La Quinta resort. Here is the verdict, the facts, the holes and how to get on.
Photograph: La Quinta Golf and Country Club, via Google.
The verdict
La Quinta is the Costa del Sol doing what it does best: well conditioned, scenic, thoroughly enjoyable resort golf in a glorious hillside setting. Designed by Manuel Pinero, a three time World Cup winner and Ryder Cup hero, and opened in 1990, it spreads 27 holes across three contrasting nines in the Benahavis valley, with views over the Mediterranean from many of the elevated tees and greens.
It is not the fiercest test on the coast, and that is part of its appeal: this is a course to be relished, with generous lines, immaculate turf and a string of memorable downhill holes that frame the sea and the mountains. With the Westin La Quinta resort on site and the heavyweight names of the western Costa del Sol, Valderrama, Finca Cortesin and Las Brisas, all within a short drive, it makes an ideal base or a relaxed contrast round on a Marbella golf trip.
La Quinta Golf at a glance
- Opened
- 1990
- Designer
- Manuel Pinero
- Holes
- 27
- Type
- Resort
- Layout
- Three nines
- Green fee
- From around €114
Designer, opening and layout verified June 2026. La Quinta Golf was designed by the Spanish Ryder Cup player Manuel Pinero and opened in 1990. It has 27 holes arranged as three nine hole loops, San Pedro at par 35, Ronda at par 35 and Guadaiza at par 36, which combine into par 70 to 71 eighteen hole rounds through the Benahavis hills. Indicative 2025 visitor green fees start from around 114 euros for 18 holes; fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
La Quinta's three nines each have their own character. The first loop runs over flatter ground, the second is more undulating and the third blends the two, so an 18 hole round combining any pair offers genuine variety. Pinero made clever use of the terrain, with elevated tees that open up sea and mountain views and downhill holes that tempt the aggressive line.
Water and well placed bunkering guard several greens, and the conditioning, manicured fairways and slick, true putting surfaces, is a constant strength. It is a course that flatters a good drive and rewards course management, generous enough to be fun for the higher handicapper yet interesting enough to hold a low marker's attention.
Played in the dependable Costa del Sol sunshine, with the Mediterranean below and the white village of Benahavis above, La Quinta is a thoroughly pleasurable round. It is the kind of course you finish already looking forward to the next loop.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A resort course open to visitors year round; stay and play packages through the Westin La Quinta resort are the simplest way to secure prime times |
| Green fee | Indicative 2025 green fees from around 114 euros for 18 holes, with buggy, twilight and resort guest rates |
| Booking | Book online or through the resort ahead of travel; the Costa del Sol high season in spring and autumn is busy, so reserve early |
| On the day | Buggies, a golf academy and full resort facilities, with the option to play any combination of the three nines |
| Getting there | At Benahavis above San Pedro de Alcantara, around 10 minutes from Marbella and 50 minutes from Malaga airport |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for warm, settled weather and firm turf, with golf playable all winter |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the resort; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with La Quinta or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort and Spa sits on the course, making stay and play effortless, with a spa, pools and dining a short stroll from the first tee. The wider Marbella and Benahavis area offers everything from five star beach resorts to private villas.
For a western Costa del Sol golf trip, La Quinta makes a comfortable base from which to play the heavyweight names nearby, Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and Los Naranjos, all within a short drive in the Marbella and Sotogrande golf triangle.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Marbella, Benahavis and the western Costa del Sol.
Stay and play the Costa del Sol
We arrange tee times at La Quinta and pair it with Valderrama, Finca Cortesin and Las Brisas, with a stay and play base in the Marbella golf valley. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
La Quinta Golf questions
Who designed La Quinta Golf and when did it open?
La Quinta Golf was designed by Manuel Pinero, the Spanish Ryder Cup player and three time World Cup winner, and opened in 1990. It sits in the Benahavis golf valley above Marbella on the Costa del Sol and forms part of the Westin La Quinta resort.
How many holes does La Quinta have?
La Quinta has 27 holes arranged as three nine hole loops, San Pedro at par 35, Ronda at par 35 and Guadaiza at par 36. Any two combine to make an 18 hole round of par 70 to 71, giving the course plenty of variety through the Benahavis hills.
How much does it cost to play La Quinta Golf?
Indicative 2025 visitor green fees start from around 114 euros for 18 holes, with buggy, twilight and resort guest rates available. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Is La Quinta a good course for higher handicappers?
Yes. La Quinta is a thoroughly enjoyable resort course rather than a brutal championship test. It has generous lines, excellent conditioning and memorable scenery, making it fun for the higher handicapper while still offering enough interest and clever holes to hold a low marker's attention.
What other courses are near La Quinta?
La Quinta sits in the heart of the western Costa del Sol golf scene. Within a short drive are Los Naranjos, Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Finca Cortesin and Real Club Valderrama, making it an ideal base for a Marbella and Sotogrande golf trip.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening date and layout verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.