Zala Springs Golf Resort

Set among vineyards in the wine producing region of Balaton, Zala Springs Golf Resort is Hungary’s first purpose built golf resort community. Its 18-hole championship golf course was named Hungary‘s Best Golf Course at the 2019 World Golf Awards.

The resort boasts a state-of-the-art clubhouse, luxury apartments and penthouses, and fabulous wine and dining options. Close to the famously warm, thermal lake of Heviz, the resort is fantastically located just a 10 minutes’ drive from Hevíz Airport. The major cities of Budapest and Vienna are around two hours away by road. 

Golf Course, Clubhouse & Academy

Part of IMG Prestige and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., one of the world’s most renowned golf course architects, the 18-hole course at Zala Springs opened in 2015 and measures 6,945 yards from the back tees. The course is suitable for hosting professional tournaments, but it caters for higher handicaps with a great variety of challenges and four tee boxes at each hole. It’s a visually pleasing course, with the lakes and hills of the Zala Valley incorporated into the rolling fairways which have been laid out alongside the local vineyards. 

The superb facilities here include a driving range with 12 covered and 40 open-air practice areas, an 18-hole putting green, practice bunker and pitching area. The putting green is illuminated allowing guests to practice into the evening. The well-appointed clubhouse has a reception, changing rooms, a pro shop and golf simulator room. There’s clubs and trolleys for hire, as well as electro-trolleys and electro-carts. 

At the Golf Academy, resident multi-lingual PGA professionals are on hand to offer instruction. There’s individual and group classes, and the resort offers personalised golf clinics for advanced or beginner players.

Food & Wine 

At the clubhouse, visitors can enjoy a drink at the bar or sample the excellent cuisine at the Zala Springs Golf Bistro, which serves international cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. There’s a beautiful outdoor terrace area where visitors can dine at the gourmet restaurant while enjoying the lovely views overlooking the golf course, or lounge at the bar built around the illuminated putting green. 

A highlight is the great selection of wines on offer, capitalising on the resort’s location in the Balaton region, one of the best wine producing areas in the country. There’s a wine tasting centre and wine cellar where residents can buy and store some of Hungary’s finest wines. The bistro also stages unique ‘wine dinners’ presenting the country’s best selection of wines.

Real Estate & Accommodation 

The luxurious real estate at the resort is available to rent or buy, and the resort offers stay and play packages.

There are 28 modern studio apartments located next to the clubhouse. They come in three different customised design styles, and all have king-sized double beds, fridge, air conditioning, large flat-screen TVs, built-in kitchens, and terraces with views to the lake and golf course.

The larger 1-3 bedroom apartments enjoy all the same amenities and have terraces with similar views to the lake and golf course. The interiors come in five different customised styles.

Finally, the four exclusive, luxurious penthouses offer almost 3m high ceilings, large windows and a terrace providing amazing views of the lake and golf course. They are elegantly furnished, with a choice of five different customised interior styles, and are fully automated. 

The Zala Springs Wellness centre is coming in 2020

The Wellness Centre will include an authentic Finnish sauna, outdoor and indoor pools, adventure pool, beauty centre and a health-conscious bar will offer guests the perfect setting for a relaxing break. 

Local Attractions

Close to the resort is Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe. The area is reminiscent of England’s Lake District and has more than 70 beaches where visitors can go swimming in the shallow, warm water that reaches 25°C in the summer. The lake, backed by forested volcanic mountains and fertile vineyards, is the perfect place to try sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddle boarding. It’s also a great place for cyclists who can test themselves on the peaceful, traffic-free 130-mile track that surrounds the whole lake.

Lake Heviz

The small town of Heviz is also close by and well worth a visit. It’s a beautiful spa town and has the world’s second largest thermal lake. The whole place is a haven for relaxation, where visitors can take a dip and enjoy the lake’s healing properties, while there is plenty to enjoy for those who appreciate culture, art, and gastronomy.