CASERAS, Spain — There’s nothing like the first-tee experience at a Solheim Cup. But there has never been a first tee setup quite like what players will experience in Spain. More than 1,000 fans will pack an elevated grandstand that overlooks a drivable par 4 with ample risk/reward and views of the sea.
“I don’t think everyone will go for it,” said European vice captain Laura Davies of a downhill 280-yard tee shot that requires players to carry a lake. “But I think 80 to 90 percent will have a go.”
While the drama that plays out live on television will be eye-popping from the start, the behind-the-scenes luxury at Finca Cortesin will be talked about among players for years to come.
“As far as what we’ve had in years past to this one,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, “the accommodations and just the ease of it – probably the best we’ve ever had.”
Lewis toured the resort on a site visit but will stay at Hotel Cortesin for the first time with her team this week.
“There’s a snow room,” marveled Lewis of the luxury spa. “They were cleaning it the day we were there, but legitimately has snow in it.”
A look inside the snow cave at the resort’s spa. (courtesy of Finca Cortesin)
The golf course at Finca Cortesin, located in the south of Spain in the Costa del Sol region, debuted in 2007 and the hotel opened two years later. In 2020, “Travel + Leisure” named it the best resort in Spain and and the second-best in all of Europe.
With only 67 spacious suites on property, there’s an intimate feel to Finca Cortesin, where small, one-of-a-kind details like the ornate doors and floors that were salvaged from an old convent make every turn about the place feel special.
Take a tour of @FINCACORTESIN, the luxury resort that will host the @TheSolheimCup teams next September in Spain. This spectacular property is frequently rated the top hotel in Spain. (More on the golf to come!) pic.twitter.com/g6NSXONzJ8
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) May 26, 2023
Tropical courtyards and sweeping seaside views from private balconies will help give players a sense of calm during a pressure-packed week. If there’s a moment to spare, a walk under the arches in the rose garden might do well to clear the mind.
The restaurants on property each offer a unique and elegant experience, from the taste of Spain at El Jardin de Lutz, where the millennial olive trees are a sight to behold, to REI, the hotel’s signature restaurant that…
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