Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel, ventured to Spain recently. Here’s a report on a hotel she fell in love with.
There is a new hidden gem in the heart of the Spanish Costa del Sol overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, offering a luxurious, intimate suite-only resort. It is a wow experience, coupled with an outstanding golf course that is ranked as one of Spain’s best, a spacious pampering spa, a state-of-the-art sports club, a stunning water-front beach club, and elegant private residences. This stunning secret is on a 532-acre estate and provides easy access to explore the area from Malaga to Marbella, Casares to Gibraltar.
What one will notice most is that there is an incredible passion at Finca Cortesin, which is part of its core as an independent hotel, to offer sumptuous service as part of its overall atmosphere. This passion begins with a magical setting, beautiful architecture, and beautiful rolling hillsides, but is further accentuated by the tremendous attention to detail and service provided by the incredible team of staff, both seen and unseen. It is all about providing bespoke service, before the guest even requests something.
Picture: The Beach Club Restaurant, situated directly on the beach, serves the best Mediterranean cuisine.
Finca Cortesin is a tranquil setting to merely relax, sunning oneself with a book at one of the three pools (two are outdoors and offer Balinese style areas under the palm trees—pool 35 and pool 50, as in meters length). Or you could play the 18-hole golf course designed by Cabell Robinson or improve your golf game at the Jack Nicklaus Academy. This golf course received worldwide recognition as the host of “The Volvo World Match Play Championship” in 2009, 2011 and 2012. If you prefer, sit at the Beach Club pool or beach, watch the waves of the glistening sea, or dine alfresco.
Picture: The Beach Club Pool offers Balinese-style areas under palm trees, and is a great place to relax.
The accommodations are 67 tremendous Junior Suites, Executive Suites, and Villas with views of the golf course, mountains, countryside or sea, each with its own private terrace or garden or pool. The attention to detail is impeccable, from the finest fabrics on the curtains, throw pillows and blankets, to the Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, and extraordinarily tall ceilings, to the spacious marble bathrooms, all with furniture and art reflective of the Andalusia region.
You will be enticed by the on-site restaurants, bars and terrace areas. The El Jardín offers dancing to live music under the stars. The two signature restaurants serve Spanish cuisine at El Jardín and Kabuki Raw Japanese with a Mediterranean influence. There is also the Don Giovanni Italian option, as well as many wonderful bars and alcoves to sip a glass of wine.
This resort offers impeccable service, privacy, delicious and varied cuisine, access to art, history and hospitality—it is perfect for a couple, family, multigeneration trip or even high-end corporate retreat. It is a must add to your bucket list for a quiet, but luxurious part of Europe.
Each Executive Suite is unique, with its own private garden or terrace or pool, and accompanying spectacular view.