The potential of golf tourism continues to grow in Spain and the Costa del Sol has emerged as the main protagonist, with a magnificent climate, a specialization in the service sector and more than 70 golf courses throughout the province.
Some of them are among the most outstanding in terms of tourism, according to the specialized portal Leading Courses, which considers Finca Cortesín Hotel Golf & Spa (Casares) as the Best Golf Resort in Europe in 2017. In addition, two other Malaga resorts, Villa Padierna and La Cala Resort, have been chosen among the 100 most prestigious on the continent.
The ranking carried out by this website is based on users’ ratings of the golf resorts after their stay in them. This list takes into account criteria such as the impression of the golf club in general, sports facilities, hotel quality, hospitality and service.
Finca Cortesín climbed to first place on the podium after obtaining a score of 9.3 out of 10, beating Portugal’s Monte Rei Golf by half a tenth of a point and England’s Rockliffe Hall by one point.
“This is a recognition given to us by our own clients for a job well done with their evaluations on different internet portals. The fact that they are the ones who rate you well is the most important thing for us, since service excellence is what makes our difference,” explained Finca Cortesín’s director of golf, Miguel Girbes.
The award-winning 5-star hotel, inaugurated in 2009, has an 18-hole course that allows professionals and amateurs to practice their sport in a unique enclave, in full harmony with the Mediterranean landscape and the natural environment, where native species such as bushes, white olive trees and rosemary can be found. There are those who come attracted by the good image that gave the course after being the scene for several years of the Volvo World Match Play.
The resort, inspired by traditional Andalusian architecture, has 67 spacious and bright suites, ranging from 50 to 200 square meters, several swimming pools, spa, fitness area and lush gardens. Guests can discover the flavors of its haute cuisine in its three restaurants: ‘El Jardín de Lutz’, ‘Don Giovanni’ and ‘Kabuki Raw’, of Spanish, Italian and Japanese gastronomy, respectively, awarded with a Michelin star and two Soles from the Repsol Guide.
In the ranking prepared by Leading Courses, Villa Padierna, located in the triangle formed by Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís, appears in 26th place. This hotel, surrounded by three golf courses within walking distance of the beach and rocked by the Mediterranean breeze, is also the second Spanish resort to appear in this ranking, with a score of 8.75.
This 6-star hotel has 130 rooms and 8 villas decorated in a classic design inspired by ancient Tuscany, which are designed to ensure maximum comfort. Its facilities include more than 2,700 works of art, a spectacular spa with specialized doctors, a beach club by the sea and exquisite cuisine.
Located between the mountains and the sea in the municipality of Mijas, La Cala Resort appears on the list as the 61st best golf resort in Europe and the 6th in Spain.
Nearly 90,000 users passed through its facilities to practice golf and the players gave it 8.4 points for its hotel quality and sports facilities. The commercial director of La Cala, Noemí Román, affirms that “the facilities have capacity for more players” but reminds that “the success of the resort is based on maintaining a high level of sporting quality and preserving the comfort of the clients”.
The complex has three 18-hole golf courses designed by Cabell Robinson and a six-hole par three academy. It also includes a soccer field and sports facilities with an 8-kilometer running circuit. The hotel has 107 rooms of three categories, three themed restaurants and a Spa with more than 1,300 square meters.
Costa del Golf: Valderrama, the best rated golf club
The Costa del Sol maintains its reputation as the best golf destination in Spain, according to the ranking of the best golf clubs with 18 holes prepared by the website Leading Courses. Up to 16 clubs of the Costa del Golf appear in this Top 50. The Real Club Valderrama continues in the first position, the most acclaimed by players with a score of 9.4. Inaugurated in 1974, it hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997, was the traditional venue of the Volvo Masters and has regained its place on the European Tour with the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, to be held in October.
At number 3 is Finca Cortesin and in the Top 20 are Marbella Club Golf Resort (14th), Villa Padierna Golf Club (16th), San Roque Club (18th), Marbella Golf & Country Club (19th) and Golf Torrequebrada (20th). Two places below is Valle Romano Golf & Resort, followed by La Cala Resort (24th), Santana Golf & Country Club (31st), Golf Los Naranjos (35th), Atalaya Golf & Country Club (37th), Lauro Golf (39th), Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort (42nd), Golf Los Arqueros (48th) and closes the list Alhaurín Golf (50th).
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