Dominican Republic: The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, Paradisus Grand Cana
The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club has over 200 luxury guest rooms and suites with private balconies and views of the lush gardens or the Caribbean. There are three miles of white sandy beaches, restaurants, a spa, a large pool and access to two championship golf courses, Corales Golf Club and the 27-hole La Cana designed by Pete Dye.
Paradisus Grand Cana is around 20km north of The Westin Puntacana and is an all-inclusive hotel with a water park. There’s a spa, beach and kids clubs, restaurants and a swim-up bar. Just 4km from Bavaro Beach, the suites have balconies, direct pool access and private sundecks. A stay here can include golf at the adjacent 27-hole Cocotal Golf & Country Club.
Long Beach Mauritius, a Sunlife resort, is a chic five-star hotel fringing the beach at Belle Mare. All rooms and suites have access to their own beach, garden or pool. There are four pools, five restaurants, two bars, the Cinq Mondes Spa, gym, kids and teens club and water sports. Guests can play at Bernhard Langer’s Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club and Ernie Els’ Anahita Golf Club.
Morocco: Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, Palais Namaskar
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech is a five-star haven with over 130 rooms, suites and villas, 10km south of Marrakech and its famous Medina. There are several restaurants and bars, tennis and padel courts, kids club, a spa with massage cabins, and outdoor and indoor pools. The resort has access to Cabell Robinson’s 18-hole Royal Palm Golf & Country Club.
Palais Namaskar has 41 luxurious rooms, suites, villas and Palaces, most with a private pool or plunge pool, less than half an hour from the Medina. Classic Moroccan architecture makes it all feel exotic as is the food at the two restaurants, bar and rooftop bar, wellness spa and the famous bunch. This resort is just a few minutes north of Royal Palm Golf & Country Club.
Portugal (Algarve): Conrad Algarve, Monte Rei Resort
Conrad Algarve, in Quinta do Lago within the Ria Formosa nature reserve, offers guests five-star luxury and Michelin-starred dining at Gusto by Heinz Beck. Guests also get to tee off at Quinta do Lago’s three golf courses, the Laranjal Course, the North Course and the iconic South Course, as well as the Jack Nicklaus signature North Course at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club.
Monte Rei in the Eastern Algarve is set in 1,000 acres of countryside with sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeirao mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The resort overlooks a superb Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Stay at the Monte Rei Villas or the Clubhouse Residences overlooking the 18th fairway. The main restaurant, Vistas Rui Silvestre, has one Michelin star.
Verdura, a Rocco Forte resort, is located on Sicily’s west coast close to ancient Greek and Roman sites. It’s set across 230 hectares of olive groves with a private beach. It’s a five-star experience and is home to three Kyle Phillips-designed golf courses overlooking the Mediterranean: the Shore Course, the Links Course and a brilliant 9-hole layout.
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama offers a five-star experience set in cliff-top tropical gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Located around 10km from Playa de Las Americas, there’s 10 indoor and outdoor restaurants, cafes and bars, including the two Michelin-starred M.B. At the resort, the Abama Golf Club course is beautifully conditioned with endless sea views and elevated tees.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel is the epitome of a luxury five-star golf break, located next to the Gary-Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Set on a 9 km stretch of private beach on Saadiyat Island, the rooms, suites and facilities are world-class, as is the golf course. Player’s layout was the Arabian Gulf’s first seaside course when it opened in 2010.
