We're going green. Or rather, greens. Inspired by our new partnership with Chigwell Golf Club, we've assembled six of Europe's best golfing resorts.
They were chosen for premier facilities, the quality of their courses and the options they provide for the non-golfer.
This list will grow. Welcome to the launch of the Abbotts Travel Golf Collection…
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, Provence, France
Ranked as #1 Golf Resort for Continental Europe, this Leading Hotel of the World is affiliated to the European Tour Destination.
Sited just 35 minutes from Cannes and set out as a Provencal Village, Terre Blanche has 115 suites and villas and two championship courses.
Created by Dave Thomas, the Chateau (par 72 – 7,235 yards) and Riou (par 72 – 6,567 yards - reserved for members and hotel guests) courses offer unique challenges that stay true to the shape and beauty of the landscape.
In addition, there is the Albatros Golf Performance Center, which includes a two tier 64-bay driving range, a selection of practice greens and short-game areas, the world-renowned Biomecaswing Center, The Leadbetter Academy and a Taylor Made fitting studio.
Away from the green, the Kids' Club is a land of adventure and discovery, open to all from 2 to 12 years of age. It offers artistic and musical activities, botanical explorations, shows, games and a heated pool.
You won't be able to resist the Michelin-starred Le Faventia either. Featuring contemporary French gastronomy, its tasting menu reads like poetry.
Meliá Hacienda del Conde, Tenerife
This adults-only boutique spa hotel overlooks the spectacular Buenavista golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros.
The par-72 course features a host of enticing elevated tee shots to wide fairways and true greens with clever undulations and hazard placement. With several greens situated just a few metres away from the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the shoreline, it all adds up to a memorable round.
With the cliffs of Teno acting as the backdrop, the course design bears the hallmarks of Ballesteros’ mischievous personality, which makes the whole Buenavista experience an unforgettable opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a golfing legend.
And with the year-round climate averaging 22 degrees Celsius, it makes for perfect playing conditions.
The Meliá Hacienda del Conde also has two restaurants - one buffet, the other à la carte - and an excellent YHI Spa featuring sauna, Turkish bath, ice fountain, dynamic pool and more.
Gloria Hotels & Resorts, Belek, Turkey
This is a five-star venue boasting three exceptional hotels and three golf courses, as well as Gloria Villas, perfect for a sporting trip, family sunshine holiday, spa break, gourmet experience or leisure activity holiday.
Our links to this resort are long and well documented, but Gloria's versatility makes it worth repeating.
Alongside two 18-hole championship golf courses, the nine-hole Verde course and outstanding practice facilities, it is the premier golf resort in Turkey.
There are 23 restaurants across the three hotels to enjoy, numerous swimming pools, an award-winning spa and leisure facilities and a host of activities, even including its own Aquapark boasting eight water slides which, we know, kids love.
Gloria Serenity resort also dedicates itself to self-indulgence, with the Serenity Spa and its range of treatments, the Gogi Kids' Club with its fun jungle, mini farm and activity areas, plus numerous pools, beaches and pavilions.
PGA Catalunya Resort, Barcelona, Spain
Two world-class golf courses are at the heart of this delightful destination in the Costa Brava.
The Stadium course (voted Spain's best) is a players' favourite, but its beauty can distract from the many dangers waiting to do serious damage to your scorecard. It makes no concessions with its trees pressing onto fairways, strategically placed bunkers and the lakes that come into play on no fewer than seven of the toughest holes.
The gentler Tour course is dominated by pine trees, and most of the holes feature wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers, which can be forgiving of a less than perfect shot. Another feature sure to focus the mind is that it seems you are never far from a water hazard.
The five-star Hotel Camiral is located on the complex. A short walk from the clubhouse, it has 149 rooms and an excellent Wellness Centre in which to relax or re-energise. Family activities include horse riding, a Compass Challenge and a smartphone treasure hunt, while the more adventurous guest may be tempted by skydiving, ballooning, boat trips or fishing expeditions.
Quinta do Lago, The Algarve, Portugal
Surrounded by 2,000 acres of national park, Quinta do Lago offers a year-round temperate climate, a wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure activities, and a strong sense of community. The resort boasts three exceptional courses, each with its own challenge.
The North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with the victorious Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy.
A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine’s "Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe", the par-72 layout has hosted the Portuguese Open on eight occasions.
The par-72 Laranjal Course poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2009, it promises a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.
Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy
Set in a valley of olive groves, Verdura Resort is set on two kilometres of private Mediterranean coastline. There are three golf courses, a 60-metre infinity pool, six clay tennis courts, a world-class spa, four restaurants, five bars and much more. An official European Tour Destination, Verdura is home to the 2017 Rocco Forte Open.
The three links-style courses, all designed by Kyle Phillips, use the natural, green contours of the landscape and are planted with indigenous trees and shrubs. Warmed by the Mediterranean sun and refreshed by the sea breeze, the courses are free from any buildings, offering uninterrupted views of the azure waters.
You’ll find the facilities world-class too. A double-ended driving range. Tuition from PGA-qualified professionals and an exceptional golf academy for budding young players.
Leisure activities are a must, with classes in Sicilian cuisine, mixology and wine tasting.
Between July and early September, guests aged between 5 and 16 can enjoy the Juventus Summer Training Experience, including daily training from the club's professionals, together with briefings and knowledge on how to put those new skills into action on the pitch.
To find out more about any of the resorts in the Abbotts Travel Golf Collection or to discuss offers, packages, availability, green fees or finer details, please contact us online or call 020 8989 9445.