The exclusive resort in Andalusia, southern Spain, beat off competition from some of the most famous golf venues in the world to be named as the winner of the ‘Best Staff Operation’ honour at the prestigious network’s annual Mystery Shopper Awards.
Results were taken from European Tour Destinations’ ‘Mystery Shopper’ initiative, with the awards criteria based on written confirmation from staff to visitors. Each member club was assessed on tee times, shop presentation, visibility of marshals on the course, payment information, attention to detail, food presentation and data capture.
Ian Knox, head of operations at European Tour Destinations, said: “Our Mystery Shopper programme is a key focus amongst the network and we’re delighted to see the improvements across all of our venues, with Finca Cortesin consistently leading the way.
“Internationally-recognised as one of the world’s best golf resorts, we are delighted that they have picked up the ‘Best Staff Operation’ award for the third year in a row, which is testament to the outstanding golf team and customer focus at the resort.”
The accolade, which comes in the wake of Finca Cortesin renewing its membership with European Tour Destinations, is the second major honour to be bestowed on the resort in the last month after it was recently voted ‘Best Golf Resort in Europe’ by users of the respected website Leadingcourses.com.
René Zimmer, general manager at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, added: “We take great pride in the luxury service that we offer to all our members and guests, from the moment they arrive to the time they leave. It’s one of the things that the resort is famous for, and we will continue to strive to improve our standards going forward.”
Set across a vast 532-acre estate, Finca Cortesin – which was also voted number one in the ‘Top 20 Hotels in Spain & Portugal’ category in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2019 – is regarded among Europe’s most exclusive modern golf and lifestyle destination resorts.
Set in the rolling hills of southern Spain, between Marbella and Sotogrande, with the Mediterranean to one side and the tranquil Casares Mountains to the other, Finca Cortesin’s 18-hole championship course was designed by Cabell Robinson and has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments – including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012. It is the first venue in Spain to feature a new, eco-friendly variety of Bermuda grass on all its greens.
Complementing the par-72 layout are outstanding practice facilities including Finca Cortesin’s recently-upgraded Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, which features the very latest golf-swing technology as well as offering an exclusive five-star club-fitting experience using equipment from some of the game’s top golf club brands including Honma Golf – global leaders in the manufacture of premium golf equipment.
Finca Cortesin’s other world-class facilities include an elegant 67-suite hotel; a 6,000sqm Beach Club; an award-winning spa featuring Spain’s only snow cave; and the choice of four restaurants.