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It's a golf complex. It was 52 euros for green fees including a trolley. If you ask them you might get unlimited golf for that fee. It's in good condition for January - none of the mud that you'll find in Estoril or Pinha Longa at this time of the year.
www.aroeira.com/
2815-207 Charneca da Caparica. 25 km south of lisbon
+34212 979 100
It's a newish hotel with a lovely par three golf course. We got the room including breakfast for 50 euros which was great value. There's a leisure centre included and it was only 20 euros to play the par three nine-hole course twice. Easily the best course I played around Lisbon in January. It was so dry and the greens were brilliant.
Largo Aldeia dos Capuchos, 2825-017, Caparica
Google map: bit.ly/gmaP39
In my experience its really hard to find good information about Mallorca which isn't aimed at the bottom of the market. But this site has a real magazine feel to it and has got some fantastic boutique hotels and hideaways listed. Plus there are loads of descriptions of where to go and what to see.
Victoria is a great course ... for us golfers. Victoria is rated in the top five in Melbourne and hosts many tournaments.
After golf, there is the superb dining room located upstairs overlooking the course. For the serious golfer and anyone wanting somewhere to stay, Victoria offers accommodation in the clubhouse, all rooms have views of the course and grounds.
Park Road, Cheltenham 3192
Ph: (03) 9584 1733
www.victoriagolf.com.au/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yddtjcd
The approach to Lake Country House and Spa takes you across the MoD firing range in Powys and the beautiful, but desolate, windswept Brecon Beacons. Thankfully we made it however, and our welcome was far more cordial at the Lake Country House.
Set in 50 fabulous acres of tended garden and wild woodland with facilities in abundance to keep you entertained during your stay. There's a nine-hole golf course to infuriate and delight, the lake where fishing is allowed (not sure if you're able to cook what you catch - best ask the chef!) and walks through the mature woodland. If this all sounds far too strenuous however, then the newly built Kingfisher Spa is available for treatments, and use of the generously sized pool, hot tub and sauna.
The rooms in this former hunting lodge are all different; from quintessential British country manor house to those with a more contemporary feel. All are well appointed with the luxuries that one would expect from a hotel of this standard. L'Occitane products are in the bathrooms reflecting the fact that the Spa has recently become the only one in the UK to use their products and treatments. Other nice touches are the bowls of fresh fruit and homemade shortbreads in your room and with a turndown service provided while you are enjoying a meal in the superb restaurant.
With two AA Rosettes under their belts you know that the dinner at The Lake Country House is likely to be special. There’s no need to go to the formality of making a reservation if you're a hotel guest, just arrive when you are ready between 7pm and 9pm and your table is waiting for you. This arrangement epitomises the relaxed and friendly service that guests are used to receiving here.
Locally sourced ingredients and a daily changing menu meant it didn’t disappoint. Choose from a set list including a full vegetarian option. You could be tempted by succulent venison, guinea fowl or a fantastically moist John Dory. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can swap options as the staff are happy to accommodate personal preferences where they can. The green pea bavarois with asparagus and artichoke on the vegetarian menu was the starter my wife fancied and it was no problem at all to change - and it was declared a success!
Dessert followed accompanied by dessert wines by the glass, again a nice touch as some restaurants just don’t cater for this option. We took our coffees in the relaxing and elegant lounge to finish and then paid the extensive wine cellar a visit. We were shown around by Luke Marriott, the front of house Manager, who couldn't contain his obvious pride at the list of bins that he has compiled. A selection that comprises decent house wines at reasonable prices and rising to some of the best that money can buy - wines for the serious connoisseur.
Breakfast is served in the dining room, which, again, is very relaxed and informal. A cold selection of fruit, juices, cereals and bakery, with a choice of full Welsh breakfast (Laver bread included), kippers or haddock to start your day. If you're feeling energetic why not take full advantage of the Spa facilities and have an early morning swim to work up an appetite?
We left reluctantly after breakfast and the warm welcome that we received on arrival was mirrored in our departure with best wishes and a promise to return to this wonderful lodge and its warm and friendly staff. The Lake Country House and Spa is a wonderful mix of old and new with the 18th century lodge and the modern Spa building looking out over the lake that justifiably has won the AA Hotel of the Year and Johansen’s Most Excellent Spa. As the accolades mount, surely a 3rd rosette for the restaurant can’t be far behind? What more do you need to pay this stunning property a visit, good food, a warm welcome and superb facilities and one more added bonus - for a small additional fee they accept our four legged friends! A truly cosmopolitan hotel.
The Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells,
Powys ,
LD4 4BS
An ancient village inn right by the fishermen's pier at Port Bannatyne. Five guest rooms; continental hospitality; freshly landed seafood including langoustine.
This place is of exceptional quality and thankfully very relaxed about it all... no tablecloths or pack-drill, just French quality meals, real ales, and Russian wines, beers and vodkas.
A mile long sandy beach and 200 seals close by. Be very nice to these good Russians they are providing a service unknown to Scotland! Along the seashore is a little marina and a pitch for playing Petanque.
Behind the village is a 13 hole golf-course with fabulous views over the water to islands, mountains and forests.
The Russian Tavern,
Seashore, Port Bannatyne, Isle of Bute, Argyll
01700 505073
www.butehotel.com
delicious.com/RogerMortimer
portbannatynemarina.co.uk
www.portbannatynepetanque.org.uk
www.portbannatynegolf.co.uk
Ferry for Bute leaves from Wemyss Bay on the A78 between Greenock and Largs. Direct train from Glasgow Central, and from Glasgow Int Airport and Prestwick Airport (RyanAir) RyanAir psssengers go half-price on the train.
You may not believe it, but there are some great golf courses tucked away all over Buenos Aires. Take a day off for some fresh air and to play in the sand for a while. Packages include instruction, equipment, caddies, lunch and greens fees. Click here for more info:www.bsas4u.com/sports-activities-bsas-golf-bsas-c-28_31.html
Now keep your eye on the ball!
Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa is a recently fitted-out hotel who are offering Grand National Accommodation packages for 2008. Many hotels in Liverpool are booked up but this one seems to have a number of packages still available.
La Sella is a really upmarket golf resort on the Costa Blanca. It's at a small place called Jesus Pobre, which is about half-way between Valencia and Alicante. If you're looking for a really luxurious resort that genuinely specialises in golf, then you wouldn't go far wrong with this place.
It's not cheap and it's full of Brits, but the standard of service you receive is second to none. It's got a five-star hotel, holiday apartments, lots of restaurants, and a course that was apparently designed by Olazabal.
c/Alqueria de Ferrando,
03749 Jesus Pobre,
Espana
+34 96 645 4054
www.lasellaresort.co.uk
Alcossebre is a lovely town with three lovely beaches (all blue flag) and lots of quality restaurants that cater for those wanting romance, family or tapas-style food. Although Brits are finally discovering the town and the surrounding area, Alcossbre still retains its Spanish roots.
It is ideally located to discover the wonderful Costa Del Azahar - the larger holiday resorts, Peniscola and Benicassim are about 20 mins drive away. You can relax, play golf, scuba dive and cycle to your hearts content.
Costa Del Azahar (approx 70km north of Valencia, 65km south of Reus)
For activities, unspoilt nature and dramatic scenery.
A 16km lake nestled into the lower Alps, with the largest inland Island in Europe.
Ferry boats, windsurfing, golf, canoeing, multi-pool complex and many other activities.
Value for money and no tourist bussle.
Just north of Bergamo (Milan Bergamo airport is a Ryanair hub). Activities guide www.monticolo.it/activitieslakeiseovallecamonica.html
Don't follow the crowds. Come instead to idyllic Isla Canela on the Portuguese border, 90km from Seville. 7km of uncrowded golden sands, terrific range of bars and restaurants, attractive marina. An exclusive resort set amongst natural spaces and in easy distance of delightful Andalucian villages, chief of which is the little Andalucian pueblo of Ayamonte, with palm fringed squares, cobbled streets, tapas bars and historic buildings. An hour from Donana National Park, teeming with indigenous wildlife. Less than 40 minute drive to 6 top-flight golf courses.
Precious water resources are being squandered, and new housing estates are being built around new courses, sometimes illegally, to the detriment of English buyers, like in my village, Otura, south of Granada.
New golf courses are planned in Andalucia, whilst my farming neighbours do not have enough water to irrigate.
Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona is located on the Costa del Sol (also known as the sunny coast of Andalusia) and despite what you may think about this particular area, this holiday proved to be one of the most enjoyable spa breaks I’ve had.
The hotel has everything a frequent spa-goer wants including a Medico resort plus a Wellness and Beauty Centre. The resort is also set within huge acres of gardens and with views of Malaga, Gibraltar and the African Coastline this is almost another treatment in itself!
The spa destination is just 2kms from Estepona and 18km from Marbella so as well as enjoying all the treatments that were part of my holiday package, you can venture out from the hotel and explore the surrounding area.
This is definitely a place I would revisit when in need of that extra boost of sun and spa indulgence and I also recently discovered the hotel is situated within the famous Costa del Golf with 40 golf courses nearby. This is great news and will definitely make the boyfriend happy when I drag him along next time!
I also want to recommend the website www.specificspas.com if you’re looking to book a similar holiday like this. This is how I initially found out about Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona and specificspas.com is great for booking a whole host of luxury spa holidays throughout Europe with just a few clicks. They tell you everything you want to know about your chosen destination and you can book everything including flights, accommodation and your desired spa packages straight away.
Spa holidays like this are definitely the way forward!
See www.specificspas.com for full details and address.
Nearest airport Malaga with frequent flights from British Airways, Easy Jet, Monarch etc
The oldest and best of the three courses in the area. Opening in 1923 it's a lush oasis and is beautifully maintained by wonderful staff who are keen to offer advice and encouragement - and turn a blind eye to odd shanked tee shot. Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George played there and if it's good enough for them....
Marrakech Royal Golf Club, Ancienne route de Ouarzazate, BP 634, Marrakech
This beautiful golf course is just outside Kenmare. I went there with 3 friends earlier this year and we had a great time. The course is challenging, the staff are friendly and the views are fantastic.
Going to Gippsland? Like a round of Golf at a new course in picturesque Metung?
I reckon Kings Cove on the hill overlooking Metung is the way to go.
The views are worth the cost of a round, clubs bags and buggies for hire. And if you don't play golf, go to the restaurant for dinner - recently voted one of the best country restaurants
in Victoria
Kings Cove golf course is at Metung on the Gippsland lakes, 3 hours from Melbourne
www.kingscovemetung.com.au/golf/overview.html
The smart alternative to Tarifa! Isla Canela is at the far western end of the Costa de la Luz, and hasn't been hyped as much as Tarifa et al.
But it's on the Atlantic coast, so has good dependable winds and great beaches, making it the perfect spot for the expert and the novice alike. There are schools during the peak months, but the winter months attract the experienced who find this a good year-round venue. Lots of windsurfing and sailing opportunities as well, and superb golf courses if you fancy a change!
There are many excellent courses around the city and the public ones are very cheap. Try the nine-hole at Point Walter for beautiful views of the river and $15 for a round.
Honour Avenue, Bicton, Point Walter, on the south side of the river; tel: 8 9330 3262
Google map: tinyurl.com/o4m6jc
Take advantage of, in many cases half price tee times from June to September as its low season for the many golf courses in Malaga. The courses are empty - just make sure you take a hat and plenty of water. Check out this URL for more information on courses in the area.
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