Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 - (Page 36)

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE (here) at Celtic Manor has a Welsh motif and is great for entertaining dinner guests; the rooftop garden (shown at left) is ideal for an afternoon stroll. com), in the heart of the Spanish Costa del Sol between Marbella and Sotogrande, may very well be Andalucía’s and south Spain’s finest golf resort (a member of Preferred Hotel Group). A rough day on the golf course here is quickly forgotten by a quick glance at the surroundings, which include the azure Mediterranean and Sierra Crestellina mountain range. The Finca Cortesin Golf Club is one of the longest courses in Europe at more than 7,600 yards from the back tees. This may be a reason it was chosen to host the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Fear Not: Five tee positions allow players of every skill level to enjoy the 18 well-crafted holes, highlighted by rolling terrain, undulating greens, natural flora and water vistas. Note: With more than 100 bunkers, players could be in for a day at the beach. If your clients find themselves knee deep in too many sand traps, recommend a trip to the onsite Jack Nicklaus Academy, which offers lessons and swing analysis sessions. Finca Cortesin boasts 67 rooms and suites, none better than the Pool and Executive Suites, each with high ceilings, oversized marble bathrooms and private gardens or furnished terraces. French doors quite literally open onto the landscape, letting the redolent outdoors seep in. For groups, Sales Manager Pilar López (plopez@hotelcortesin. com; 011-34-952-937-800) suggests the Junior Suites in the cloister area of the resort. Dining is a true treat. Under the direction of Dutch Chef Schilo Van Coevorden, his eponymous restaurant crafts an amalgamation of Arabic and Asian tastes. His multi-course tasting menu is all the rage, while the Chef ’s table, which can sit up to eight, is the perfect spot to experience dining at its finest. To reserve the table, contact Isadora Cabrerizo (reserves@hotelcor tesin.com; 011-34-952-937-800). Jetsetters can fly their private planes right into Málaga Airport, 30 minutes from Finca Cortesin. Stateside, it doesn’t get much better than a loop at the Miller and Soffer courses at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club (www.fairmont.com/turn berryisle), in Miami, which recently emerged from a $150 million facelift. The resort just hosted a PGA stop, but you don’t have to be a tour professional to enjoy the Raymond Floyd-de- signed courses. Soffer is the more difficult of the courses, playing 7,047 yards with a slope of 149. Note: Your higher-handicapped clients might fare better on the par-70 Miller Course, which is a tad shorter at 6,417 yards long. Off the course, the resort has a host of luxurious accommodations—none better than the two Grand Presidential Suites (Nos. 1701 and 1725) in the Jasmine Building and the Presidential Suite, No. 3501, in the Hibiscus Building. The Grand Presidential Suites boast rich wood floors, deep soaking tubs and private studies, while double French doors lead from the living rooms to the large private terraces, offering ample seating and panoramic views of the golf courses. Tip: Of the two Grand Presidential Suites, No. 1701 affords the better view, which includes the Laguna Pool. Note: Deluxe Golf View rooms offer the best golf course views and are the most requested premium accommodations. They overlook the signature 18th island-green hole and 64-foot waterfall. Luxury travel advisors should contact Director of Leisure Sales Ivan Negri (ivan.negri@fairmont. com; 305-933-6508) for further information. At Fairmont Turnberry Isle, a hard day on the links deserves respite at the 25,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa with a total of 23 treatment rooms. Here, the most requested treatments are the stress release massage and deep cleansing facial. Spa Director Michelle Young (michelle.young@ fairmont.com; 786-279-6301) recommends Nelly, Karen, Alick and Freda for massages, while Milli and Didi are known for their facial prowess. After, settle into either Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak (tip: Don’t leave without a taste of the “A 5” Kobe) or Cascata Grille, which serves up locally caught seafood. Make sure to snag a table on the outdoor terrace, which offers golf course and waterfall views. At Bourbon Steak, our insider says to ask for the cozy corner booth, which overlooks the entire Tony Chi-designed restaurant and bar. Fly clients into Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, which is 15 minutes away from the resort. Opa Locka Airport, about 11 miles away, services private jets. —David Eisen 36 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | February 2009 http://www.fincacortesin.com http://www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle http://www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle

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Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Caribbean Mexico Prague Hotel Splendido One Aldwych Liberty Hotel Resorts Cambridge Beaches Luxury Travel Expo Michael's Travel Awards Regent The Pulse Luxury Lifestyles Local Connections Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009

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