Finca Cortesin

Ever been to Spain? For those who have - and even for those who haven't - it's not rocket science that finding a luxuriously spacious feel of a home is not so easy. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa on the other hand, is ready to give you just that. Located right on the beaches between Marbella and Sotogrande, the Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa whisks you away to "A Paradise of Privacy" in their Mediterranean lifestyle-resort.

The Finca Cortesin consists of 67 suites: the Junior, Executive, Pool, the Cortesin, and the Private Villa. Every suite in the resort comes with a terrace and a private garden or swimming pool, with a view of the Mediterranean. Unlike the three suites, the Private Villa includes four suite bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, dining room with a fully furnished kitchen equipped with the most advanced appliances, and marble bathrooms. The Private Villa is custom-made to make your stay at the Finca Cortesin just like home, but even better and more relaxing.

The dining restaurants within the resort are built on two concepts: "exclusivity and exceptional quality." They strive to cater their guests with innovative culinary experiences through its range of different themed-cuisine restaurants. The El Jardin de Lutz for example is a traditional Spanish cuisine with an interior of tall ceilings and Portuguese clay tiled and painted tiles, and an outdoor venue of a terrace with views to the Mediterranean, and gardens that are filled with 1,000 year-old olive trees. The Kabuki Raw is the hotel's signature restaurant, and is a world leader in Japanese cooking with a total of three Michelin starred-restaurants among the five that are currently open. The Kabuki cuisine is known for its orthodox Japanese dishes with the use of prime raw materials and simplicity. One of the perks for the Kabuki Raw is that guests are welcome to watch the chef at work in the kitchen as he is preparing their food.

Honestly, this is what you've been waiting for. The Finca Cortesin's Championship Golf Course opened in early 2007, one of Europe's longest layouts designed by Cabell Robinson. The Finca Cortesin Golf Course has wonderful views of the horizon with 18 scenic holes. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, the Golf Course is topped with excellent service both from the equipment available such as the buggy for transportation through the course, and the helpful and encouraging staff right by your side. Ranked in the top ten golf courses in Spain by Golf Digest Magazine in 2012, the Finca Cortesin Golf Course offers three different memberships for any and all golf lovers: Individual Membership, Family Membership, Corporate Membership, and the "Discover Cortesin" Membership (a trial period of two years).

The Memberships include perks that you won't be able to resist:

• Unlimited play on the golf course
• Priority reservation of tee times
• Free use of the practice areas
• Free access to special areas and services restricted to members
• Special rates and discounts
• Correspondence with other golf clubs around the world

With or without these memberships, the Finca Cortesin Golf Club offers several packages during all three seasons: the high, the medium, and the low.

The Golf Experience package includes the following:

• 3 or 5 nights stay in one of our Suites
• Linger over a delicious daily breakfast in our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• While checking-in you will enjoy a superb sea view and a Typical Andalucian "Welcome Drink"
• Seasons Fresh Fruit Basket & Premium Water at your arrival
• Welcome Golf Package at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and some Tees
• Fresh Country Side Flowers will be placed in the room upon arrival
• Complimentary access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer season (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Complimentary Facial Diagnosis or Corporal Diagnosis will be offered at our Spa as well as national Premium Water and infusions
• Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi connection as well as Business Facilities will be available
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
• THREE Night Stay: 4 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 2 days)
• FIVE Night Stay: 6 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 3 days)

The Golfer's Dream Came True; Play the Four Finest Golf Courses in Spain package includes:

• 5 or 7 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*This package includes shared buggy in each course

Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in all courses.

Last but not least, the European Golf Experience packages includes:

• 3 or 5 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer seasons (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in each course.

For beginners and those who want to increase their skill, the Nicklaus Academy located right in the resort offers lessons in an ideal learning environment for all players. The core of the Nicklaus Academy's philosophy are as follows: "how to properly deliver the club to the golf ball in such a way to start it down its intended target, then learn how to control the trajectory and distance the golf ball travels." The Academy is equipped with the latest technology to better cater to the players' needs adn to accurately deliver the right type of exercises for each person. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa is definitely one to consider especially with a Golf Course and an Academy on the same property!

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two in room guests
• A complimentary 50-minute massage for two people, per room, once during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.

CASA DE CAMPO

Earlier this March, I had the luxury to spend a 4 nights 5 days vacation at the best all-inclusive resort hotel just off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Since Casa de Campo is a resort, I wasn't expecting just a simple property hotel with a few services here and there, and I certainly knew that the property was going to be big. However, right when I got to the resort, I was surprised to see the actual layout of this resort. Casa de Campo was huge, it was bigger than any resort I've ever seen.

As I was checking in to my suite, the front desk handed me a key to a cart - one similar to a golf cart - for me to use and ride as a transportation service throughout my stay at the resort. This cart was bigger, fancier, and ran on electric. The cart was useful throughout my whole stay as I was able to place a lot of my luggage in the back trunk of the cart. A resort so huge that they rent you a complimentary golf cart to ride your way around the property?- Of course!

At the Casa de Campo, I stayed in the Elite Suite, which I booked through the Casa de Campo Resort Complete Supplement package. Luckily the Elite Suite gave an astounding view of the famous golf course, Teeth of The Dog. With the Complete Supplement package, every restaurant in the resort as well as drinks at its bars were complimentary, which I definitely took advantage of. Food, drinks, along with resort activities such as horseback riding, tennis, skeet shooting, and water sports were all included in this package as well (you can also enjoy the view of the Teeth of The Dog course at Lago Grill, a traditional Dominican buffet-style breakfast cuisine with performances from live bands). When it comes to resorts, most people generally stay inside the perimeters of the property but occasionally like to scope out what's around the resort as well. However, the sporty person that I am, I found myself at the shooting club, taking horseback riding lessons, and polo game watching. Although the golf courses are not included in the Complete Supplement package, they are an absolute must-go.

The Teeth of The Dog golf course is ranked as #1 in the Caribbean and 43rd in the top 100 courses worldwide. This golf course is as difficult and intricate as it gets. The Teeth of The Dog includes devilish dogleg shots and signature Dye obstacles. I even found myself on this exact golf course for a good chunk of my stay. The beach and the resort's collection of villas add to the already beautiful landscape. Even if you're not a golf person, or you're a beginner, I highly recommend at least stepping foot into the golf course- even if it is to enjoy the scenery.

I don't know about you, but for me, when it comes to vacations one of the first things I do is go restaurant hunting. I search for all the must eats, which then leads me to the must go restaurants around the area, then I read the reviews. However, since the Complete Supplement package gave me access to all the restaurants in the resort, I decided to fill up my taste with as many different cuisines as I could.

The first restaurant I stopped by at was La Piazzetta, a traditional Italian restaurant situated in Altos de Chavon. Altos de Chavon is a 16th century replica of a Mediterranean village that features its own amphitheatre, museum, restaurants/bars, The School of Design, and St. Stanislaus Church. As you walk through this town, you'll be able to submerge yourself into a different era in a different town. (Andrea Bocelli will be hosting a concert in this town during April!)

The second restaurant I went to was La Casita, a Spanish tapas restaurant located in La Marina. If you like to have your food with an amazing view, definitely visit La Casita since you have the option to dine in their waterfront seating area, or in the al fresco structure overlooking the Marina. I would recommend getting a seat a little early so that you can watch the sunset pass behind the yachts, through the Marina.

Another restaurant I thought was a must go is The Beach Club by Le Cirque. The Beach Club is a restaurant located right on the Minitas Beach with a full out beach theme- palm and coconut trees, straw huts, the ground floor as sand, and beach chairs. There's honestly no better place to enjoy your lunch and/or dinner with the feel of the tropical breeze and a breathtaking, up-and-close view of a beach.

The Coco Mar, along the Minitas Beach is a Caribbean bar that is just as popular as The Beach Club. Make sure to check out the Coco Mar, and stop by the resort lobby bar as they host events almost every night, filled with live music and jazz.
The bar inside the resort's swimming pool is also an option for anyone who wants a little extra to their normal routine in the pool!

The Casa de Campo is also well known for its private and hotel owned villas. The villas are categorized into three sections: the Classic Villas, Exclusive Villas, and Oceanfront Villas. These villas are separated into the number of rooms that they house; however, each villa has features that are unique to its own. I had the privilege to get a tour of some of the hotel owned villas in the resort, and I have to say- I would definitely buy one...if only. Every villa has its own individual architect, which means that the architectural designs are different and special in its own way as well. I visited the Villa Bambu, the Villa Vogue, and the Villa Infinidad. The Villa Bambu and the Villa Vogue are both Exclusive Villas with 4 and 5 bedrooms, respectively.

The Villa Bambu is a one-story villa with four bedrooms. This Villa is more on the sophisticated and modern style- the architecture and interior come from those of interior design magazines, while also utilizing natural materials such as real bamboo, wood, and stone.

The Villa Vogue is also a one-story villa with five bedrooms. The Villa Vogue is also modern, with a hint of Asian influence embedded in its architecture and design.

The Villa Infinidad is an ocean-front four bedroom villa that soaks up the amazing view of the beach.

Sure, these villas add a specific feature to the resort as a whole, but they also have a widely known reputation for housing and hosting some important figures in the entertainment industry. One of the villas of Casa de Campo was filmed on the show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Michael Jordan was also a guest who definitely enjoyed his stay at one of the villas.

The Casa de Campo attracts not only families, but also leisure travelers who come as couples or groups that want to have fun during their vacation. This resort is great for all travelers who like to be active and want to be engaged in their favorite sports- or even sports that they may not have the chance to enjoy on a regular basis. The Casa de Campo certainly deserves five stars for its impeccable service, warm welcomes, and attention to details, despite the fact that it is an all-inclusive resort. Even without the Complete Supplement package, guests can receive Virtuoso benefits that are comparable with the ones offered in the package, by booking through classictravel.com.

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability from Elite Patio to Elite Balcony
• Buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests daily
• $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
• $200 USD Spa Credit for Inclusive Reservations
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Now what better way to spend a short and/or long vacation with The Casa de Campo- a resort that goes to far extents to ensure that their guests are content and satisfied, to the point that it also offers private transfers via a heliport to and from the resort?

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.