STYLE and substance converge at the beautiful Finca Cortesin, a five-star hotel in the Andalusian region of southern Spain. Style, because of the endlessly impressive interiors. The corners laden with plush sofas and Moroccan lamps –an ode to the region’s moorish history; the courtyards filled with lush, tropical plants and, at times, the sweet, carefree chatter of passing birds; the floor-to-ceiling curtains; the rose-filled garden arches; the Grecian pillars in the swimming pools and every striking, incredible wall and floor tile. And substance, because beyond the aesthetics there’s real quality –in the restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star, the art gallery, the spa and the outstretching grounds with their 50-metre pool and golf course.
The pool at Finca Cortesin
Our trip began with dinner at El Jardin de Lutz. They call this the more casual restaurant and indeed, it feels relaxed. The food, however, is anything but – dish after dish was presented, each singing of the region’s exceptional produce. The dessert, quite unusually, may have been my highlight. Olive oil ice cream, local lemon and toast created a light, singular dish that was almost savoury.
Hotel Cortesin pool long view – Finca Cortesin
I began the following morning in the indoor saltwater pool. The hotel, despite being expansive, still exudes a feeling of privacy. Each time I swam, I was one of the only people around, almost as if it was my own private pool. I breakfasted soon after, enjoying eggs royale from the à la carte menu plus a menagerie of smaller side dishes, including fruit, jamon and local cheeses.
Hotel Cortesin Junior Suite – Finca Cortesin
After a quick look around the gallery, I returned to the spa area for an hour-long massage. The hotel offers a number of treatments and is very flexible to the needs of its clientele – the style and timings of treatments are worked around you.
Hotel Cortesin garden – Finca Cortesin
That evening we ate at Kabuki Raw, the hotel’s Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant. Again, we enjoyed a tasting menu with countless plates of sashimi, plus fried oysters and fresh scallops. The meal culminated in a plate of nigiri – eight pieces, all different, with highlights including the seared beef, raw-pink in the middle, and mackerel with truffle.
Hotel Cortesin building with flowers
For more casual dining, one might opt instead for the beach restaurant, which serves Spanish classics such as paella and fried anchovies in the most refined form. Following dinner, I returned for a final evening to my beautifully appointed room. As with the rest of the hotel, in the rooms, every detail has been carefully considered. Maximalist wallpaper and interesting art pieces set it apart from the usual, stripped-bare hotel room, and make it feel more like home. The large bedroom, which includes a small living area, makes way for a spacious terrace, walled off for privacy. The bathroom is big too – with a luxurious bathtub and heated floors. With all this, you’d be forgiven for not wanting to leave, and indeed the next day, as I got into the car for the airport, I vowed to return as soon as possible.
by Becky Zanker
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