LOOKS TEMPTING doesn’t it? It’s the poolside scene at the Finca Cortesin, a new hotel in southern Spain that is quietly attracting fans. Located between Marbella and Sotogrande, with views of the Med, the hotel is set a mile back from the sea, around an hour’s drive (84km) from Malaga airport, and another hour from Jerez.
The 67-room hotel, built around an 18th century farmhouse, is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course designed by Cabel Robinson – it also has a Jack Nicklaus Academy. Non-golf attractions include emerald green swimming pools, alfresco lunches next to 1,000-year-old olive trees and a large spa with Turkish bath, and the only snow cave in Europe, a sports room and an indoor swimming pool. There are two restaurants, one of them a large Spanish tiled diningroom with a terrace looking out to sea.
The hotel opened quietly last year, but it keeps adding new facilities, including a beach club which is planned to open next summer. At the moment the Finca Cortesin is offering a “pay for six, stay for seven” deal with green fees and massages thrown in as well as a welcome drink and tapas. Room rates start at around €350 per night, including breakfast.
Finca Cortesin, Caseras, Malaga. See fincacortesin.com or tel: 00-34-952-937800