The 2006 “Great Hotels of the World – Luxury Golf Collection” directory is now available and includes 5 new members. The 144-page glossy directory features a selection of 42 of the world’s finest golfing hotels.
New members for 2006 are:
- Blau Porto Petro, Spain
- Pà³lus Palace Thermal Golf Club Hotel , Hungary
- Hesperia Lanzarote, Spain
- Hesperia Tower Barcelona, Spain
- Hivernage Hotel and Spa, Morocco
All of the hotels that have been selected to join the Luxury Golf Collection have had to meet stringent criteria, thus ensuring that those included are among the world’s most luxurious properties. Beautifully illustrated with colour photography, each entry spans two pages and includes detailed information on the golf facilities available at each property, as well as suggested day trips and sightseeing opportunities within the surrounding area. The diverse collection for 2006 features properties in the popular golfing regions of Spain, Portugal and the USA alongside more up and coming destinations such as Cyprus, South Africa and New Zealand.
New member opens in Spain.
Great Hotels of the World is delighted to announce that it has a new member opening in Spain. The Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort and Spa, located near the village of Torre Pacheco, Murcia, Spain, will open in June 2006. The hotel’s course was originally designed by Dave Thomas as a nine hole, par 36 but this is due to be transformed into an 18 hole course by the end of 2007. The course commits to challenging its players and offers a variety of holes, with high quality practice facilities, complete with driving range, if needed. The Golf Club Lounge invites players to relax in the red leather lounge armchairs or out on the terrace bar seating area after a round. Guests can also have access to the La Torre Golf Course, which is also due to open in June 2006. The course will be an 18 hole par 68, championship course by the Nicklaus Design company and will boast 5359 metres of lush green landscape, holes that run alongside lakes and five hectares of elaborately sculpted bunkers.
St Andrews Bay Golf Course transformed.
In spring 2005 the 18 hole Dukes course at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa in Scotland began its transformation, which follows the design philosophy of American architect Tim Liddy, one of the most prominent influences in the modern game. Liddy completely redesigned the last four holes of the Duke’s course and by doing so strengthened its challenge to make it one of the finest inland championship tests in the British Isles. Designers hope the transformation of the course will open the door to future major televised tournaments. The restructuring of the course has lengthened the course by 350 yards to 7,500 yards and the design of the course has focused on strategic rather than power play. The course will be fully open from June 2006 and the flexibility of the course has increased by the creation of five separate tees at every hole as well as the creation of a two hole par three facility, which is ideal for beginner and experienced players who would like to improve their short game.
Colony Club launches exclusive tee times.
For the first time guests at the Colony Club, Barbados can take advantage of exclusive tee times offered to them by the Royal Westmoreland Golf Club. The exciting partnership between the stunning west coast hotel and world famous golf club, offers two exclusive tee times per day for up to eight golfers at a fabulous rate of US $200 (approx. £115) per person. Price includes 18 holes, use of a golf cart and a 50% discount on all purchases in the Pro Shop. Guests staying at the Colony Club will get first refusal of these tee times over other properties of the Island.
Pestana Hotels and Resorts to hold 4th Annual Irish Seniors Festival.
From 26th March to the 2nd April this year the Fourth Annual Irish Seniors Festival will be held in the Algarve at the Pestana Alvor Praia with support from the Pestana Hotel Group. The Irish Seniors Festival was introduced in 2003 and has become an important part of the golfing calendar with over 100 golfers and a group of around 160 travelling to attend the festival every year.
The Elysium introduces new golf incentives.
This luxury five star resort in Paphos, Cyprus, has introduced a number of golf-friendly initiatives to assist the ever increasing market on the island. Due to the increasing number of golfers visiting the resort, the hotel has launched a special package, which includes accommodation, complimentary lockers, preferential green fees and on site facilities such as free transfers to all three golf courses (Tsada, Secret Valley and Aphrodite Hills). All three golf courses are located within half an hour of the resort.
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