Los Flamingos Golf - putting on the Ritz

It may be intriguing to learn that the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group has only two establishments in mainland Spain, namely the contemporary skyscraper Hotel Arts in Barcelona and the antithetical Roman-esque Villa Padierna in Los Flamingos Golf, Marbella. Yet whilst they differ in style, they share the same phenomenal popularity.

Where Hotel Arts is a modern edifice clad in steel overlooking the iconic Gehry fish at the entrance to Barcelona’s Port Olimpic, Villa Padierna is styled like a Tuscan palace resplendent with Roman-esque features and tucked into verdant Andalucian countryside. Just 20 minutes to the west of Marbella, the five-star ‘Gran Lujo’ Villa Padierna, despite only opening in Spring 2003, has already earned ‘Great Hotels of the World’ status and you would have to attribute the abundance of golf, at least in part, to its runaway success.

Paul Rossiter, Managing Director of self-build specialist real estate agent Carrington Estates, comments, “In the latter part of 2007 continuing through to 2008, Carrington Estates has seen an unprecedented number of enquiries for building plots for private villas within Los Flamingos Golf and it’s not tricky to work out why. Few resorts can boast an architecturally outstanding five star hotel at their heart surrounded by what will be no less than four striking golf courses. To boot, square metre prices for building plots remain competitive, many of which are frontline to the golf and enjoy mountain, lake and sea views. As Los Flamingos Golf matures price increases are certain to follow.”

The most recent addition to the golf offering is Gran Flamingo, an Antonio García Garrido-designed par 73 which officially opened in October 2007. Joining Flamingos Golf Club (18-hole par 71) and the Executive Course (18-hole par 66), Gran Flamingo is a testing par 73 which at 6,600 metres is one of the longest on the Costa del Sol. Broken up by lakes and a bubbling brook, the course has some generous greens to compensate for a few tricky fairways and has received rave reviews. The last of the quartet, 18-hole Flamingos Norte, is slated for a 2008-09 opening.

Villa Padierna itself forms the centrepiece of the resort and its sweeping loggia provides a fine vantage point to look over the fairways and enjoy a cool drink. Designed by English architect Ed Gilbert, the Hotel houses an extensive private collection of Roman statuary as well as 112 rooms, three fine dining restaurants, a 2,000m² Thermae Spa and gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools and a small chapel and amphitheatre exquisite for weddings and open-air concerts. A driving range and golf academy complete the scene.

For more information, visit carrington-estates.com.