Who's Going
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Beatriz Recar
Reason to Stay
Luxury Spa, Golf Academy, Private Villas
Hotel Type
Luxury Gold Resort
Malaga is one of those Spanish regions wrought in bad high-rise designs and rabid resort architecture gone amuck. A stylish traveler will want to be very weary of staying at the monolith luxury hotels repped by "western" chains if looking for anything other than a cruise ship experience with insipid rooms, quarreling families and rambunctious toddlers. To find Malaga's true beauty as well as one of its best golf courses, travel to Finca Cortesin near Marbella on a pretty swathe of Costa del Sol known for its award-winning golf course and rolling Mediterranean terrain. The hotel shares the resort complex with an upscale residential community and championship golf club, accessed through a white gate and driveway leading to a rambling hacienda-style motor court with dapper valet awaiting you and your bags.
Spanish colonial architecture defined by elaborate door and white plaster ceiling details is further beautified with period marble floors and well-selected antiques and tapestries in the desk-based reception area. Atriums and courtyards are outfitted in regal red and royal yellow sofas and ottoman settees leading to Blue Bar with its powder blue fabric walls and white-coat bartender service. Three gourmet restaurants offer varying menus of Mediterranean, Italian and Asian-inspired cuisine with Don Giovanni leading the pack. For those not on the 6am-3ppm golf circuit a massive spa awaits with indoor thermal baths, snow cave, Finnish sauna and ice plunge or Roman-style pools.
The Room
Almost everyone wants a suite of some type these days, offering a entry-level rooms that start at Junior Suite level with integrated King-size sleeping and living area with 3-seater navy blue sofas and opposing club chairs. Executive suites are worth the extra 70% upcharge located in corner rooms with beds draped in sheer white linen and more elegant arrangement of period furnishings and bold floral curtains. Even larger pool suites include an outdoor terrace with small lap pool and stone courtyard overlooking the sea or golf course. Families or larger entourages should consider the Private villas with step-down living areas and full kitchens with option private chefs.
Preferred Room
Pool Villa
Special Features
Gourmet Eatery, Championship Gold, Luxury Spa
Amenities
Restaurant, Spa, Lounge, Golf Course, Bar, Ocean Views, Villas
