Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Sleep

We search Brussels Airlines’ destinations for the best place to lay your head. This month: teeing off in Malaga and Sicily

Finca Cortesin

MALAGA

Carretera de Casares, Casares, tel. , www.fincacortesin.com

Finca Cortesin is a spectacular independent hotel, golf and spa destination in the rolling hills of southern Spain between Marbella and Sotogrande, flanked by the arid Casares Mountains with sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Set in a 70-acre estate, the €350m development opened quietly last year and has since been discovered by a growing number of discerning guests from around the world drawn by its world-class hospitality, spectacular setting, expansive interior and exterior spaces, and privacy.

Expect lots of space: built around two principle courtyards, the hotel has palatial proportions, with 67 large, bright and exquisitely designed rooms with lofty 4-metre high ceilings. The fresh but grand design is inspired by traditional Andalucian architecture and gives every area a big, bright and luxuriously spacious feel.

You can choose from two excellent restaurants overseen by Dutch chef Schilo Van Coevorden, who has cooked with several Michelin-starred experts during his 20-year career across the world. Schilo is the most formal, but for a more local dining experience try El Jardín, set inside a large Spanish tiled dining room with an al fresco terrace serving Andalucian dishes made with the freshest local ingredients –including jamón, olives and oil.

The impressive grounds feature two swimming pools, a spacious spa with seven treatment rooms, sauna, a Turkish bath and the only snow cave in Spain, as well as a 25-metre indoor pool and a modern sports room. And if you’re a golf fan, the grounds are surrounded by a world championship 18-hole course designed by Cabell Robinson and featuring a Jack Nicklaus golf academy, which hosts the The Volvo World Match Play Championship. Junior suites from €350. Richard Bence

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

PALERMO

Contrada Verdura, Sciacca, tel 1, www.verduraresort.com

At Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, groves of olive and citrus trees stretch across a soft valley flowing down to the sparkling sea on the southwestern coast of Sicily. Two sweeps of contour-hugging rooms look across palm-studded lawns towards a white sand beach. There may be 203 rooms, but with 230 hectares, there’s space for everyone – plus a super-size spa and 45 holes of golf.

All rooms have balconies with sea views and large bathrooms stocked with local Ortigia toiletries. Many rooms interconnect, which, along with the kids’ clubs, illustrates the family-friendly nature of the resort. You’re spoilt for dining choice with four bars and restaurants, some overlooking the swimming pool at the resort’s centre.

The huge spa, set about an open courtyard, has four outdoor thalassotherapy treatment pools. The 11 treatment rooms include private terraces for outdoor massages, whilst the hammam is so large that you can’t see through the steam to the other side. The golf courses meander amongst the orchards, with many holes further toughened by water features from the River Verdura that runs through the property. And with no cars allowed in the resort, tranquillity is assured. Doubles from €328 including breakfast. Guy Dittrich

NEWS

Cinema fans will have another excuse to visit Spain’s capital with the recent opening of DormirDCine, a cinema-themed hotel on Vergara Street in Madrid’s elegant Salamanca district. Decorated with striking murals and graffiti, the bright, modern accommodation is inspired by popular films.

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