Euro Weekly: Euro Weekly
30 March 2012 - Euro Weekly
THE road to paradise is a hair-raising experience. Driving through Alcornocales Nature Reserve – inland from Algeciras in Cadiz Province and past the village of Benelup-Casas Viejas - the narrow asphalt road is raised 30cm, making it impossible to pull-over as approaching vehicles whizz by at break-neck speed.
But all road safety fears disappeared on arrival for a 24-hour stay at the Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa Resort, one of only three six-star properties in Spain, and winner of numerous awards, including the World´s Leading Boutique Resort at the recent World Travel Awards in Qatar, Middle East.
Courtyards-by-day
At the same ceremony the hotel - opened six years ago at a cost of €45million - was also voted Spain’s Leading All-inclusive Resort and Leading Spa Resort, the latter for the fourth consecutive year.
Initial check-in was made more welcoming through hot drinks being served as dining options and hotel facilities were outlined before I and my mother, who had joined me for the luxury stay, were escorted to our suite with balcony, but only reachable by stairs.
All such accommodation offers stunning views over the golf course or nature park.
A complimentary fruit bask and jar of chilli onion oil by Asian Restaurant Chef Don Vienne Senathit took prime positions on the dining table set in the Colonial English-styled suite complete with a comfortable sofa but two accompanying wooden chairs with cushions failed to appeal.
Set styles in other similar rooms include Andalucian, Moroccan, Chinese, Balinese, Colonial African, and Surreal Art. The main bedroom was dominated by a huge four-poster, though a luxury of space remained.
However the second bedroom was much smaller.
But the ‘piece de resistance’ of the suite was the bathroom, with a central bath with wash basins on either side, though languishing in the tub would have been even more enjoyable if the taps had been at the other end, or if a mirror had been positioned so that views of the golf course could have been enjoyed while soaking and relaxing.
The hotel´s main guest base of clients from Germany, the UK, Benelux countries and Spain was clearly reflected in the channels available on the three televisions in the suite. Printable versions of some foreign newspapers are also available.
The main hotel building in general had a modern Andaluz / Moorish feel, though eclectic-style artworks adorn walls, even in the underground parking.
The-library
A small selection of books is available in the unstaffed library that includes card tables, sofas and desks, while laptops and a free secretarial service is on offer for gusts, along with WiFi access throughout the hotel.
The grounds ooze a luxurious Andalucia village atmosphere through inner courtyards with fountains and manicured greenery reminiscent of Granada’s ‘Alhambra’ Palace.
Steps are plentiful, so some visitors - the majority fall into the category of couples aged 40 - 60 - may prefer a ground floor room close to the main building.
But for me a stay in any of the 82- two-bedroom suite hotels (these can be broken down into 131 rooms) would be pure paradise, though in reality all I can do is dream of such a lifestyle!
The cost
Hotel charges range from €257 per person per night, while villas in the grounds are rented out per property, with €5,500 a night for the most luxurious that offers a private pool and gardens.
Prices are all-inclusive of food and drinks* as part of the hotel´s proud claim to be the only boutique property worldwide offering a service that includes an a la carte meals and daily room mini bar stock.
*Extra is charged for top branded drinks.
Man at the top
Martin Schneck, an Austrian, became general manager of the hotel three months after it opened and feels that "85 % of guests come to enjoy good food, spa and golf.
“The rest come for the various other activities offered,” he says.
“The World Travel Award is special to us because it is an institution that categorizes the best hotels with one international standard.
"Since most countries use their own individual rating standards, mostly based on physical installations and not the service standard, it is difficult for international clients to compare based on national classification.
Therefore as 82% of our clients are international it is a great advantage for us to receive this prestigious international award. We also realize the challenge this brings in terms of increasing expectations of clients to receive an outstanding hotel experience.”
Brasserie-by-the-pool
Food for thought
With buffet breakfast served in the conference hall, the hotel additionally boasts two lunch and three dinner restaurants. At lunch, the Brasserie by the pool offers succulent steaks and seafood cooked in front of guests.
Meanwhile at the Club house, with a rotating daily menu, I tried for the first time a delicious portion of hare pate starter, and I followed this with the lamb shank main and tart dessert.
Dinner options were between the daily changing menu at the French restaurant or the Asia restaurant where there is a choice of the Tepanyaki table - with food cooked in front of guests with seats needing advance booking – or the standard tables.
The sesame prawn toast and chicken satay were the best I have tasted in Spain, while the Pad Thai noodles and chicken curry were mouth-watering.
Snacks during the day are laid out at the Putting Bar/El Mirador a favoured place to mingle day and night with views across the golf course.
During high season there is also a jazz bar.
View-of-golf-course-from-El-Mirador
The 18-hole / Par 73 golf course boasts seven artificial lakes, hundreds of trees and plenty of bunkers to add to the challenges of its beautiful natural surrounds in a national park and the La Janda Valley.
Despite the hotel being quite full, the course was never busy.
PGA Golf Pro Ivar Hauksson offers classes at The Golf Academy and there is a driving range with 26 places, plus a pitch and putt green.
Splashing out at a spa to remember
Breath-taking roman pillars and water spouts pouring into the therapy pool are impressively part of the welcome guests to the 2,500m2 spa witness.
The-Spa
With warm humidity adding to the welcome, I would have felt like Cleopatra as I walked down steps into the water but for an unflattering blue cap.
Various hydro massage stations with therapeutic jet streams, micro-bubbles and geysers at different pressures ease bodily stresses and help lull guests into dreamy relaxation. There is also a large steam room, sauna and two piping hot Jacuzzi’s.
More than 40 hair, face and body beauty treatments ranging from €8 for a beard, moustache and neck definition to €180 for the body massage and luxury facial treatment are available.
The €90 40-minute underwater massage and the €40 Multisensory Spajet Capsule are also popular. A vitamin bar offers healthy refreshments, and also under the spa management is a small but fully equipped gym.
Extra facts
High season: February to April, August and mid-September to third week of November.
Airports: Jerez de la Frontera, 40 minutes Gibraltar, 45 minutes Sevilla, 90 minutes Malaga, two hours
Beach: 20 minutes by car or one hour to the Arte Vida Hotel in Tarifa (also owned by Bernard Devos), where guests can use the beach club.
Pets: Up to 5kg, but not in public areas.
Activities: Golf, spa, horse riding, kayaking or windsurfing, gyrocopter, 4x4 rides, mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, small and large game hunting .
But all road safety fears disappeared on arrival for a 24-hour stay at the Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa Resort, one of only three six-star properties in Spain, and winner of numerous awards, including the World´s Leading Boutique Resort at the recent World Travel Awards in Qatar, Middle East.
Courtyards-by-day
At the same ceremony the hotel - opened six years ago at a cost of €45million - was also voted Spain’s Leading All-inclusive Resort and Leading Spa Resort, the latter for the fourth consecutive year.
Initial check-in was made more welcoming through hot drinks being served as dining options and hotel facilities were outlined before I and my mother, who had joined me for the luxury stay, were escorted to our suite with balcony, but only reachable by stairs.
All such accommodation offers stunning views over the golf course or nature park.
A complimentary fruit bask and jar of chilli onion oil by Asian Restaurant Chef Don Vienne Senathit took prime positions on the dining table set in the Colonial English-styled suite complete with a comfortable sofa but two accompanying wooden chairs with cushions failed to appeal.
Set styles in other similar rooms include Andalucian, Moroccan, Chinese, Balinese, Colonial African, and Surreal Art. The main bedroom was dominated by a huge four-poster, though a luxury of space remained.
However the second bedroom was much smaller.
But the ‘piece de resistance’ of the suite was the bathroom, with a central bath with wash basins on either side, though languishing in the tub would have been even more enjoyable if the taps had been at the other end, or if a mirror had been positioned so that views of the golf course could have been enjoyed while soaking and relaxing.
The hotel´s main guest base of clients from Germany, the UK, Benelux countries and Spain was clearly reflected in the channels available on the three televisions in the suite. Printable versions of some foreign newspapers are also available.
The main hotel building in general had a modern Andaluz / Moorish feel, though eclectic-style artworks adorn walls, even in the underground parking.
The-library
A small selection of books is available in the unstaffed library that includes card tables, sofas and desks, while laptops and a free secretarial service is on offer for gusts, along with WiFi access throughout the hotel.
The grounds ooze a luxurious Andalucia village atmosphere through inner courtyards with fountains and manicured greenery reminiscent of Granada’s ‘Alhambra’ Palace.
Steps are plentiful, so some visitors - the majority fall into the category of couples aged 40 - 60 - may prefer a ground floor room close to the main building.
But for me a stay in any of the 82- two-bedroom suite hotels (these can be broken down into 131 rooms) would be pure paradise, though in reality all I can do is dream of such a lifestyle!
The cost
Hotel charges range from €257 per person per night, while villas in the grounds are rented out per property, with €5,500 a night for the most luxurious that offers a private pool and gardens.
Prices are all-inclusive of food and drinks* as part of the hotel´s proud claim to be the only boutique property worldwide offering a service that includes an a la carte meals and daily room mini bar stock.
*Extra is charged for top branded drinks.
Man at the top
Martin Schneck, an Austrian, became general manager of the hotel three months after it opened and feels that "85 % of guests come to enjoy good food, spa and golf.
“The rest come for the various other activities offered,” he says.
“The World Travel Award is special to us because it is an institution that categorizes the best hotels with one international standard.
"Since most countries use their own individual rating standards, mostly based on physical installations and not the service standard, it is difficult for international clients to compare based on national classification.
Therefore as 82% of our clients are international it is a great advantage for us to receive this prestigious international award. We also realize the challenge this brings in terms of increasing expectations of clients to receive an outstanding hotel experience.”
Brasserie-by-the-pool
Food for thought
With buffet breakfast served in the conference hall, the hotel additionally boasts two lunch and three dinner restaurants. At lunch, the Brasserie by the pool offers succulent steaks and seafood cooked in front of guests.
Meanwhile at the Club house, with a rotating daily menu, I tried for the first time a delicious portion of hare pate starter, and I followed this with the lamb shank main and tart dessert.
Dinner options were between the daily changing menu at the French restaurant or the Asia restaurant where there is a choice of the Tepanyaki table - with food cooked in front of guests with seats needing advance booking – or the standard tables.
The sesame prawn toast and chicken satay were the best I have tasted in Spain, while the Pad Thai noodles and chicken curry were mouth-watering.
Snacks during the day are laid out at the Putting Bar/El Mirador a favoured place to mingle day and night with views across the golf course.
During high season there is also a jazz bar.
View-of-golf-course-from-El-Mirador
The 18-hole / Par 73 golf course boasts seven artificial lakes, hundreds of trees and plenty of bunkers to add to the challenges of its beautiful natural surrounds in a national park and the La Janda Valley.
Despite the hotel being quite full, the course was never busy.
PGA Golf Pro Ivar Hauksson offers classes at The Golf Academy and there is a driving range with 26 places, plus a pitch and putt green.
Splashing out at a spa to remember
Breath-taking roman pillars and water spouts pouring into the therapy pool are impressively part of the welcome guests to the 2,500m2 spa witness.
The-Spa
With warm humidity adding to the welcome, I would have felt like Cleopatra as I walked down steps into the water but for an unflattering blue cap.
Various hydro massage stations with therapeutic jet streams, micro-bubbles and geysers at different pressures ease bodily stresses and help lull guests into dreamy relaxation. There is also a large steam room, sauna and two piping hot Jacuzzi’s.
More than 40 hair, face and body beauty treatments ranging from €8 for a beard, moustache and neck definition to €180 for the body massage and luxury facial treatment are available.
The €90 40-minute underwater massage and the €40 Multisensory Spajet Capsule are also popular. A vitamin bar offers healthy refreshments, and also under the spa management is a small but fully equipped gym.
Extra facts
High season: February to April, August and mid-September to third week of November.
Airports: Jerez de la Frontera, 40 minutes Gibraltar, 45 minutes Sevilla, 90 minutes Malaga, two hours
Beach: 20 minutes by car or one hour to the Arte Vida Hotel in Tarifa (also owned by Bernard Devos), where guests can use the beach club.
Pets: Up to 5kg, but not in public areas.
Activities: Golf, spa, horse riding, kayaking or windsurfing, gyrocopter, 4x4 rides, mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, small and large game hunting .
Source: Euro Weekly
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