La Reserva Club

LA RESERVA CLUB

Designed by leading international golf course architect Cabell B. Robinson, who was originally mentored by Robert Trent Jones (creator of Royal Sotogrande) and has also been responsible for such other gems as the nearby Finca Cortesín and Royal Palm in Marrakesh, La Reserva Golf and La Reserva Club is located in the La Reserva sector of Sotogrande. it a majestic setting over looking the sea, the Andalucian hills and the Strait of Gibraltar.

The original La Reserva Club was built in 2003 to provide a focal point for the golf course, and was designed to incorporate key architectural motifs that blended Andalucian and historic Moorish influences such as horseshoe arched windows, internal courtyards and vaulted beamed ceilings.

More recently, the La Reserva clubhouse and its L'Olive restaurant underwent something of a renaissance, with the creation of additional amenities including a swim lagoon, exceptional wellness spa, tennis club and children's club - the cornerstones to offering a secure and fully contained community within the golf complex.  

Re-opened in 2016 and warmly welcoming non-members, the clubhouse and restaurant have been lightened and brightened inside and outdoors, with spaces re-configured to enhance its stunning position overlooking the putting green.

As Manon Sbaïz, founder of Paris-based creative architectural studio Des Source, explains, "The exercise was to keep the space modern while harnessing the traditional aspects of some of the architecture. We wanted it to feel like a large family house where you can live and enjoy the space, where you can discover a personal history, rather than feel like you are walking through a museum."

As for L'Olive, Sbaïz says, "We wanted to create a sense of arrival, something very different, so now when you approach La Reserva through the courtyards you are intrigued and drawn in by the relationship that the outside has with the building itself."  L'Olive was renamed Restaurant Casa Club in 2023.

The restaurant's changing menu is highlighted by seasonal specialities and special outdoor grill nights to capitalise on the area's renowned weather; while the wine cellar focuses on fine Spanish and French wines as well as an impressive range of spirits and draught beers.

The entrance to the La Reserva Clubhouse © Michelle Chaplow

La Reserva Transformation

The upgrading of the clubhouse and restaurant amenities are just part of a major €40 million investment programme at undertaken at La Reserva de Sotogrande.

"We are working and focusing efforts on putting Sotogrande back on the international map as one of Europe's most luxurious and exclusive locations," says Sotogrande SA CEO Marc Topiol. "La Reserva de Sotogrande is a place for families and friends situated in privileged surroundings. What we aim to achieve is to write another significant chapter in the history of Sotogrande, with the same spirit and high-quality standards as its original founder, the philanthropist and industrialist Joseph McMicking.

"We are transforming resort living and building the Sotogrande of the next 50 years; La Reserva is conceived for upcoming generations."

In that respect, La Reserva's low-build density is being created with utmost respect and sensitivity for the environment. The architectural design is described as including "a modern and sophisticated approach to architecture, following the natural lay of the land, and is developed using natural materials, allowing it to be absorbed by the beauty of its surroundings".

Those efforts to transform La Reserva, and Sotogrande by extension, received global recognition in January 2017 when it was officially announced that the club had successfully applied for membership of World of Leading Golf, an association representing many of the world's top golf clubs and resorts.

The club has also welcomed veteran Spanish golf star Manuel Piñero to the team, to develop new aspects of training and play for its international members.