Golf was one of the first leisure activities to re-open for business when Spain’s lockdown ended, and golf clubs throughout the country remain relatively secure havens of health and safety as tourists navigate new summer holiday protocols.
Internationally, the main professional tours have now resumed their schedules (albeit without spectators and with strict “coronavirus bubble” controls); while, at a local level, most golf courses are once again open for play, although with some services and amenities subject to ongoing restrictions.
Many golf resorts took the opportunity during the enforced break of upgrading their facilities or completing major renovation projects previously programmed. In Alicante province, on the Costa Blanca, the luxurious La Finca resort re-opened in July following a €6 million revamp of both its golf courses and gastronomic offerings. The multi-million investment includes the introduction of three new restaurants and a winery.
“We are very pleased to introduce the latest stage of our ambitious development project,” said general manager Brendan Dwyer, “which continues to elevate La Finca Resort to the very highest level.
“We’re proud to be a true hub of golf and gastronomy, and our latest enhancements help to amplify this further. It is exciting to be able to welcome our guests back… so that they can experience everything the resort has to offer.”
Work at the resort’s golf courses (La Finca, Villamartín and Las Ramblas) included renovation of all the bunkers on La Finca and Villamartín and the green complexes on all three courses, as well as a restoration of La Finca’s 16th hole.
In addition, 40 rooms at the resort’s hotel have been renovated to “club level”, featuring a contemporary and sophisticated design, while visitors’ culinary experiences have been enhanced with an array of new gastronomic options.
An exclusive hotel bar and terrace, The Hub, offers guests a relaxing environment for chilling out and dining throughout the day, and the revamped Citrus restaurant serves excellent Mediterranean cuisine.
Set to open this month is a new Mexican and Italian fusion restaurant, Frijolino, followed a few weeks later by the La Finca bodega winery. Catering for either group or individual wine tastings, the new establishment will offer local, national, and international wines.
Then, later this year, La Finca Resort plans to open its signature paella and brasserie restaurant, “providing diners with a true taste of Spain in a luxurious and contemporary setting”.
Meanwhile, another addition to the resort is the La Finca sports complex: an expansive training and rehabilitation centre offering physical therapy and personal well-being – and aimed at both amateur and professional athletes. Adjacent to the new gym complex, the tennis and pádel areas are also being upgraded.
The resort’s re-opening coincided with La Finca being nominated as Spain’s “Leading Sports Resort” at the 2020 World Travel Awards and Spain’s “Best Golf Hotel” at the 2020 World Golf Travel Awards 2020 – two acolades it won in 2019.
The number of flights at Alicante-Elche Airport continued to increase gradually in July – together with other airports around Spain – although the total (422,857) was still 75.4 per cent lower than for the same month in 2019. For live flight information, click here.
