TorreMirona: a renewal between tradition and innovation

Text Arnaud Blanc

Like the Empordà region in which it is located, the TorreMirona Golf cultivates the historical character of Catalonia. Except that this culture is now a bit more modern. Just an hour from Perpignan, on the border where Spanish is a native language, the places have an even greater aura than in their previous 31 years of existence. In the middle of the Golf Club Peralada, Empordà Golf and other neighboring Pals Golf, this enclosure has nothing to envy them. Last year, the hotel underwent a series of major transformations affecting both the course and the hotel, while integrating ambitious technological and ecological innovations. A turning point designed to increase the attractiveness of the domain without denying its identity.

"Before we started this project, we knew that our product had something to please for a few years , says Andreu Viladevall, hotel manager. But we also knew that to ensure its sustainability, it had to be brought up to date before it was surpassed by the expectations of golfers and tourists. We had to get out of our comfort zone.” The most obvious illustration of this change is that of its main building, containing the golf reception, the hotel lobby, a restaurant and no less than 48 rooms as well as a suite. “Some guests, who have been here for 15 or 16 years, opened their eyes and said “Wow”,” says the hotel manager. In just a few weeks – between October and December 2024 – the establishment adopted a sober and refined style, redesigned to offer a bright and contemporary setting facing a landscape in tune with the seasons. Sometimes, the chairs offer a view of the Canigou and the Pyrenean ridges, sometimes they become a place to observe the course and the hole n°10, arena of the Win-in-One (see below). “What surprised us was that the lobby has become a real living space, popular with customers, golfers and not, for lunch or dinner.”
This enthusiasm, combined with the complementarity of the hotel restaurant, also renovated, allowed the teams to offer two atmospheres to their customers: an atmosphere animated by the world of golf and a cozy setting, more conducive to intimacy.

To accompany this wind of freshness, it was decided to install a more sustainable mode of energy production: photovoltaic panels. An approach in line with the customs of a clientele increasingly sensitive to ecology. Although Torremirona is not the only resort in the region to embark on this path, it confirms its status as a pioneer in terms of sustainable management, since these new solar panels add to those already present on hole 7. A logical choice in one of the sunniest regions in Europe; necessary, according to Andreu Viladevall, «as much energy consumption of a hotel is important». “Torremirona now relies on solar energy to reduce its energy footprint. This initiative reduces the energy bill by 50 to 60%,' he says, as the first summer test looms.​

On the course side, on a route that is already attractive for its frame and curves, the greenkeepers are working to complete what was the priority of the moment: the rehabilitation of the bunkers. “Nearly 75% of the bunkers have been redone, prioritising those around the greens to reinforce the strategic aspect of the game,” said director Kilian Archelaguet López. In a more distant vision, the change of turf was also launched to cope with the recurrence and lengthening of high heat. “The transition to Bermuda Grass, which is more heat-resistant and less water consuming, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable management of the course,” he says.

With a group of 260 annual members and more than 30,000 visitors (40% of whom are French) each year, the Torremirona golf course has chosen to satisfy both its regular clientele and that from tourism. In parallel with these actions, the training areas have been redesigned to meet the requirements of professionals who regularly come to practice. Thus, a bunker was dug in continuity of the practice stations to allow everyone to put themselves in the situation of exit from obstacle fairway; a way to ensure high-level training conditions and encourage amateurs to progress in low-level compartments.

And then, on the sidelines of performance, there is leisure — although the boundary between the two is often blurred. Win-in-One technology has been introduced at hole #10 to fuel this thirst for play. The goal for everyone is to hit a hole-in-one to win a great prize - often a trip or golfing experience. On this par 3 of Torremirona, the entire clubhouse and lobby has a view of the show. “My office overlooks this hole and I enjoy watching amateurs try their luck,” says Viladevall. “No one has done it yet, but it’s a great way to stimulate practitioners,” he says. Strategically located close to the lobby and golf course, this hole enjoys exceptional visibility even for non-golfers. There is also the strength of the place: it has everything to attract its world, whether this one is hungry for birdies or, more commonly, friand of relaxation.

Hotel Torremirona Golf & Spa
Carretera N-260 Km.46 | Navata - Costa Brava 17744 - Spain
info@hoteltorremirona.com
​http://www.hoteltorremirona.com/fr/
tel:+34 972 56 67 00