La Cala vs Los Naranjos
Two Costa del Sol names that pull golfers to southern Spain, and a real choice for a golf trip. La Cala Resort is the self-contained golf destination, three Cabell Robinson courses and a hotel in the hills above Mijas. Los Naranjos is a single classic Robert Trent Jones Senior round in the glamorous heart of Marbella's Golf Valley. Here is the honest head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: La Cala Resort, Mijas, via Google
The verdict
For a stay-and-play golf trip with the most golf in one place, La Cala wins. The resort in the hills above Mijas has three full eighteen hole courses, America, Asia and Europa, all designed by Cabell Robinson, a disciple of Robert Trent Jones Senior, alongside a four star hotel, a spa and a serious golf academy. A group can land at Malaga twenty minutes away, settle in and play three different courses without moving hotel or organizing transfers. For variety, convenience and a self-contained base, nothing on this comparison matches it.
But for one classic round in the heart of the action, Los Naranjos wins. Opened in 1977 and considered by Robert Trent Jones Senior to be among his finest creations, it is a mature parkland of generous fairways, orange groves and water set in Nueva Andalucia's Golf Valley, a par 72 of about 6,532 metres that has hosted the Marbella Ladies Open and the PGA Professional Championship. It has no hotel of its own, but it sits minutes from Puerto Banus, the beaches and the best dining and nightlife on the coast. Pick La Cala for a multi course resort week. Pick Los Naranjos for a great single round and a Marbella base.
Head to head
| La Cala Resort | Los Naranjos | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A self-contained golf resort with three courses, a hotel and an academy | A single classic championship course in Marbella's Golf Valley |
| Designer | Cabell Robinson (America, Asia and Europa courses) | Robert Trent Jones Senior, opened 1977 |
| Where | Hills above Mijas, about 20 minutes from Malaga airport | Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, near Puerto Banus |
| Golf on offer | 54 holes across three eighteen hole courses | One eighteen hole course, par 72, about 6,532 metres |
| Stay | On site four star hotel and spa, true stay-and-play | No on site hotel; stay in Marbella or Puerto Banus |
| Best for | A group wanting variety and everything in one place | A quality round with the coast and nightlife on the doorstep |
| Best season | Spring and autumn; mild winter golf, hot summer | Spring and autumn; mild winter golf, hot summer |
| Setting | Rolling inland hills, quiet and golf focused | Glamorous valley between Marbella and the beach |
| Who it suits | Buddies and society groups on a dedicated golf week | Golfers who want one great round inside a Marbella holiday |
Course facts verified June 2026 from the resorts, the clubs and recognized golf databases; La Cala's three courses are Cabell Robinson designs, and Los Naranjos is a Robert Trent Jones Senior design that opened in 1977. Fees and packages vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick La Cala if
You want the most golf and the easiest week. La Cala Resort in the hills above Mijas has three eighteen hole courses by Cabell Robinson, America, Asia and Europa, plus a four star hotel, a spa and a golf academy, all on one site twenty minutes from Malaga airport. A group can arrive, settle into one base and play three different layouts across a few days without a single transfer to organize. The setting is quiet and golf focused, the variety is built in, and it is one of the most complete stay-and-play destinations on the Costa del Sol. The pick for a buddies or society group on a dedicated golf week.
Pick Los Naranjos if
You want one classic round and a Marbella base with everything else on the doorstep. Los Naranjos is a mature Robert Trent Jones Senior parkland from 1977, generous fairways winding through orange groves and water, a par 72 the designer rated among his best, in the heart of Nueva Andalucia's Golf Valley. There is no hotel attached, but Puerto Banus, the beaches and the finest dining and nightlife on the coast are minutes away, and several other Golf Valley courses sit alongside it. The pick for golfers who want a great single round inside a livelier Marbella holiday.
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Plan your Costa del Sol golf trip
The three course ease of La Cala, or a classic round at Los Naranjos with Marbella on the doorstep. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
La Cala vs Los Naranjos questions
Is La Cala or Los Naranjos better for golf?
It depends on the trip. La Cala Resort near Mijas is a self-contained golf destination with three 18 hole courses by Cabell Robinson, a hotel, spa and academy, ideal for a stay-and-play group wanting variety in one place. Los Naranjos in Nueva Andalucia is a single classic course by Robert Trent Jones Senior, opened in 1977 and rated one of his best, in the heart of Marbella's Golf Valley. Pick La Cala for a multi course resort base, Los Naranjos for one quality round with Marbella and Puerto Banus on the doorstep.
How many golf courses does La Cala Resort have?
La Cala Resort has three 18 hole championship courses, named America, Asia and Europa, all designed by Cabell Robinson, a disciple of Robert Trent Jones Senior. The resort also has a four star hotel, a spa and a golf academy, set in the hills above Mijas about twenty minutes from Malaga airport and twenty minutes from Marbella and Puerto Banus, which makes it one of the most complete stay-and-play bases on the Costa del Sol.
When is the best time to play golf on the Costa del Sol?
The Costa del Sol plays well year round, but spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, offer the best balance of warm weather and good conditions for both La Cala and Los Naranjos. Winter is mild and a popular escape, while high summer is hot and busy, when early tee times are best. Always confirm current rates and tee times before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and designers verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.