Polo Santa Maria
Polo Santa Maria
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
90 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
22
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Richard P
Madrid, Spain519 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Polo in Sotogrande is an absolute must. Some of the best players come every year to play : 3 or 4 ten handicap ! Enjoy a excellent gin and tonic Bayswater while watching the game.
Written 11 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamThomas_2000
Cambridge, UK198 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We hadn’t been to a Polo match before so didn’t really know what to expect although the Facebook page had given me a flavour.
We arrived to a deserted car park which should have been a rather large clue! Yup we’d got the time wrong!! I had picked up a print out of the planned matches whilst we were here and those times had changed which was silly of me especially as literally 2 minutes from our apartment in Sotogrande is the daily times displayed in large print in Spanish and English!!
Anyway we walked to the main building and my husband struck up a conversation with a really friendly man who went way out of his way to help us and subsequently establish the match wasn’t until 6:30pm (it was 5pm now!) he said don’t worry and so very kindly offered us a drink, free of charge, from his private box area (his company was secret garden) and were not even working that evening he told us where the match was going to be later that evening and said to take a seat in his area and relax so generous and gratefully received.
When we had finished our drinks we took a walk to the shops (I wasn’t overly impressed with the offering but if your a polo fan their are some good deals on shirts and fine Argentinian leather belts etc.
There was a bar and a few food offerings but they weren’t as yet open! We then walked over to court 3 which was where that evenings match was being held and their was a large central bar and a very large kids area jam packed full of bouncy castle type equipment.
There was a wood burning pizza offering which at €10 a paper plate full was rather steep! A small beer, Gin and Tonic and a bag of crisps was €18. I must add it was free to attend the Polo.
So we sat on Bleachers around the centre of the HUGE pitch (do take sun cream and hats it was scorching and your in full sun the entire match (around an hour).
We had read up on line about Polo rules so when the game started it didn’t matter that the commentary was in Spanish if anything it added to the whole experience which was fast and fun.
It was insane how quickly the place filled up from it just being us when the teams were
warming up at 6pm to literally every seat taken and people crowding around behind with chairs pulled up.
I wasn’t sure what to wear and didn’t want to appear over dressed (or under) so my smart shorts, pretty top and sparkly shoes fitted in fine although I’d wished I’d worn my special wedges to truly fit in! My husband wore smart white shorts and a shirt with his deck shoes.
We We’re rather hungry afterwards so didn’t hang around for the evening entertainment but would definitely go again with said sparkly wedges for sure.
We arrived to a deserted car park which should have been a rather large clue! Yup we’d got the time wrong!! I had picked up a print out of the planned matches whilst we were here and those times had changed which was silly of me especially as literally 2 minutes from our apartment in Sotogrande is the daily times displayed in large print in Spanish and English!!
Anyway we walked to the main building and my husband struck up a conversation with a really friendly man who went way out of his way to help us and subsequently establish the match wasn’t until 6:30pm (it was 5pm now!) he said don’t worry and so very kindly offered us a drink, free of charge, from his private box area (his company was secret garden) and were not even working that evening he told us where the match was going to be later that evening and said to take a seat in his area and relax so generous and gratefully received.
When we had finished our drinks we took a walk to the shops (I wasn’t overly impressed with the offering but if your a polo fan their are some good deals on shirts and fine Argentinian leather belts etc.
There was a bar and a few food offerings but they weren’t as yet open! We then walked over to court 3 which was where that evenings match was being held and their was a large central bar and a very large kids area jam packed full of bouncy castle type equipment.
There was a wood burning pizza offering which at €10 a paper plate full was rather steep! A small beer, Gin and Tonic and a bag of crisps was €18. I must add it was free to attend the Polo.
So we sat on Bleachers around the centre of the HUGE pitch (do take sun cream and hats it was scorching and your in full sun the entire match (around an hour).
We had read up on line about Polo rules so when the game started it didn’t matter that the commentary was in Spanish if anything it added to the whole experience which was fast and fun.
It was insane how quickly the place filled up from it just being us when the teams were
warming up at 6pm to literally every seat taken and people crowding around behind with chairs pulled up.
I wasn’t sure what to wear and didn’t want to appear over dressed (or under) so my smart shorts, pretty top and sparkly shoes fitted in fine although I’d wished I’d worn my special wedges to truly fit in! My husband wore smart white shorts and a shirt with his deck shoes.
We We’re rather hungry afterwards so didn’t hang around for the evening entertainment but would definitely go again with said sparkly wedges for sure.
Written 24 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SarahLouiseBowers
London79 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
You can’t visit Sotogrande without including a trip to the polo. It gets bigger and better each year and is such a fun afternoon/ evening out for all of the family. The fields are immaculate and being friends with a lot of the players personally I know that’s why it attracts the best teams from around the world.
There’s stepped seating up the banks meaning you can have great views during the game. The shopping is lovely – lots of boutiques leading up to the main bar and on the other side of the main field is a Fun Fair style food park with lots of different street food vans and more market stalls on offer. Kids and grownups love it here – highly recommend.
There’s stepped seating up the banks meaning you can have great views during the game. The shopping is lovely – lots of boutiques leading up to the main bar and on the other side of the main field is a Fun Fair style food park with lots of different street food vans and more market stalls on offer. Kids and grownups love it here – highly recommend.
Written 1 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tonka100
london235 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Polo Santa Maria has been a must on every family holiday to the Costa. But this year was the first year That we have been charged to attend. So for a family of 5 it cost €35 just to get in.
I must admit that we will not be coming back at that cost. Why? No event programme, no itineraries on show, no English commentary...nobody available to help, the list is long....Paying even extra money for shade!!
It doesn’t take much to elevate this place in the eyes of the tourists but charging entry fee isn’t on for the experience. Also having a betting company as a sponsor is poor. I guess Land Rover didn’t get value for money.
It’s a shame to write such a weak review but it’s deserved for the low level of entertainment on show. The actual polo game was good. And congrats to ESSO.
I must admit that we will not be coming back at that cost. Why? No event programme, no itineraries on show, no English commentary...nobody available to help, the list is long....Paying even extra money for shade!!
It doesn’t take much to elevate this place in the eyes of the tourists but charging entry fee isn’t on for the experience. Also having a betting company as a sponsor is poor. I guess Land Rover didn’t get value for money.
It’s a shame to write such a weak review but it’s deserved for the low level of entertainment on show. The actual polo game was good. And congrats to ESSO.
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie S
Brighton, UK114 contributions
Aug 2019
I was very disappointed to find that whilst the club (building) and polo (sport itself) was fine, the experience was nothing like any polo match I have been to before: The security was overzealous prior to the match starting, making the approach very hostile. The information on where to park or where to go was confusing. The playing fields were distanced from each other. ; the music was completely unsuitable for a polo club (loud Spanish radio type of music resembling a night club). The hospitality area was no such thing; tables and chairs placed all haphazardly, the bars selling basic drinks, no food (other than 5 cold tapas dishes) ; the so-called 'shopping village' was a few stalls selling over-priced goods that were nothing to do with polo (such as coloured fur coats in the middle of August!). Dangerous breeds of dogs walking around the place (albeit, on leashes), the list goes on. Perhaps one of the worst factors was the seat ranking; without a premium seat (at €150 each for nothing more than a plastic chair placed in a secure boxed area just above the basic floor wooden benches below) you would either stand or sit on rough wooden benches - so low down that you couldn't get a great view of the match. What really spoilt it this year was the accompanying White Summer Festival that has nothing to do with polo but ran throughout the summer matches. It was NOTHING like it was advertised, it was a few food trucks around a small patchy field - with huge bouncy slides for children (Is there nowhere in Spain for adults??) The advertised staged music was 5 supposedly famous artists who I or any of our Spanish friends had heard of - and high ticket prices were being charged to see them. There were no other aspects of The White Summer Festival that were advertised (making it seem like a huge attraction in Hyde Park with something for everyone) actually there. The fact that The White Summer Festival was there this year, there was an entrance charge because apparently that is what White Summer decided - so even if you only wanted to watch the polo, you had to buy a ticket to the useless White Summer to gain entry to the club! Who's in charge here? Santa Maria Polo Club or White Summer? Definitely will not be returning! BEWARE, if you watch polo in England, St Moritz or Argentina, you would be seriously disappointed here!
Written 15 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petroc1002
Guildford, UK75 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
My son has spent a couple summers training at Santa Maria Polo Club. Because polo is a bit of a niche sport there were not many other people learning. Consequently he had one on one lessons and they were not ridiculously expensive. The training venues were stunning either in Sotogrande or at Iron Bridge.The lower key games at Iron Bridge are lots of fun for polo fans and those who have not seen it before. Free and very relaxed. Just up the road is the Ayala Polo Club with a stunning restaurant. Again relaxed games watched sitting on a grass bank. If you need to buy polo kit there is a brilliant polo shop in San Enrique de Guardia, the village just before the Iron Bridge ground. Over half the price of what you would pay in the UK.
Written 10 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nickcrdavis
Petersfield, UK17 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Have been coming to polo here for years, but 2019 has brought an entry fee. We are a family of 5 and so although the entry is only 7 euros per person, it has made the popping in for some shopping, drinks and polo watching more expensive.
Shame as we would visit two times a week during August, which amounted to quite a few round of drinks they will no longer be selling.
It's the way of the world I guess.
Shame as we would visit two times a week during August, which amounted to quite a few round of drinks they will no longer be selling.
It's the way of the world I guess.
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chel250
Sidmouth, UK42 contributions
Aug 2018
I somewhat reluctantly agreed to take my teenage daughters to the polo whilst on holiday in Sotogrande. We enjoyed an evening of free entertainment in glorious surroundings. The polo was enthralling although somewhat confusing- commentary was in Spanish. There was a pleasant bar with reasonably priced drinks and a variety of stalls selling clothes and jewellery. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we took the rest of the family back a few days later. My youngest daughter had a great time in the kids area which offered a crèche facility and was well equipped with several bouncy castles, zip wire, go karts and bow/ arrows. From aged 7 to 78 , we all had a fantastic time and will definitely return when back in Sotogrande.
Written 6 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SerahO
Sotogrande, Spain246 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
This is a soto must if you are here in August. It has a great family enviroment with an area your kids can spend some time while you enjoy a GnT watching some Polo.
Written 5 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean Claude L
Granada, Spain582 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
You need to go to Polo Santa Maria at least once to breathe the ambience of a polo match.
I usually go every year and, if you choose the right games, you'll see hi level polo with some of the best teams in the world.
Don't doubt to forget the beach for an afternoon in Sotogrande Polo Santa María.
I usually go every year and, if you choose the right games, you'll see hi level polo with some of the best teams in the world.
Don't doubt to forget the beach for an afternoon in Sotogrande Polo Santa María.
Written 24 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
We want to come to the Polo in August or September but want to pick the best weekend for Polo
Is there a championship weekend?
Amanda
Written 14 April 2019
All the 'nearby' hotels that are listed on the Santa Maria Polo page are not nearby at all - they are in Portugal!!! This information is incorrect!
Written 20 May 2019
Por favor, me pueden decir el horario de los partidos? Hoy habrá partido?
Written 15 August 2018
Buenas noches,
Para saber los horarios no se pierda sus RRSS, en Instagram y Twitter os mantendran informados.
Un saludo
Written 15 August 2018
Hi is there any polo we can watch within the next week or so? I can't find a webpage to tell me thanks
Written 29 July 2017
Hi, what time does the polo usually start / doors open? Thanks.
Written 3 April 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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