GOLF ESCAPES

Short Haul: Portugal
PORTUGAL’S NEW SUPERSTAR
Royal Obidos resort
This impressive new resort north of Lisbon boasts a Seve-designed course and a swish hotel.
The arrival of the glamorous
Evolutee Hotel has taken the
Resort of Royal Óbidos to even
greater heights. With a grand
opening in the summer of 2014, the
Evolutee Hotel offers five-star luxury and
more. It is a boutique hotel with the
interior décor by the über trendy design
team at yoo studio led by the renowned
lifestyle designer Philippe Starck.
The hotel comprises just 39 rooms with
sensational Ocean or Lagoon views, a
superb dining room – titled ‘Kobe’ – that
is already renowned for its Steak and Sushi
concept, three bars, conference facilities
and a Spa covering all of the ground level.
Royal Óbidos’ course opened in 2012,
designed by the legendary Seve Ballesteros.
It offers three major ‘wow’ factors: the
stunning Atlantic Ocean views from back
nine holes; the breathtaking panoramas of
the front nine overlooking the Óbidos
Lagoon; and the eye-catching lakes and
water features throughout.
In keeping with the original landscape,
the course is a traditional heathland-style
layout in an amphitheatre setting as you
meander closer to the Ocean.
Already a Golf World Top 100
Continental European course, there are
signature holes aplenty, meaning it’s
difficult to pinpoint just one.
The course opens in fascinating style
with the 2nd a tantalising dog-leg par 5
that descends around a lake that reaches
and surrounds the green. Then, the 3rd is
a treat of a par 3, an aesthetically beautiful
short hole with an island green.
Each hole offers its own character and
charm, and the course closes in a dramatic
fashion with a ‘risk or reward’ par 5.
With generous playing areas and
staggered tees, it can be appreciated by the
higher-handicap golfer as well as being a
proper test for even the world’s best. At
Royal Óbidos, Seve has certainly created
a masterpiece and a fine legacy.
At the hub of the Resort is the cleverlyappointed
clubhouse, where relaxing preand
post-golf pleasure means an array of
culinary delights and thirst-quenching
drinks on the glass-fronted decking that
offers sensational views across the golf
course and deep into the Atlantic Ocean.
Very high standards of service are
expected of a five-star resort, but these are
surpassed at Royal Óbidos – from the
courteous welcome to on-course food and
beverage buggy and the table service of the
bar and restaurant team. This level is
matched by the greens team that
manicures the course to perfection.
Nearby Obidos is a beautiful, cobbledstreet
medieval town with a stunning castle
and makes for a terrific day out, as do the
nearby beaches, fish restaurants, while the
culture, glitz and shopping of Lisbon is
only an hour away. So a stay at Royal
Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort will appeal to
families, couples and groups; it is now a
‘must visit’ for travelling golfers. n
Contact details: t: +351 262 965 220,
w: www.royalobidosgolf.com, or e: golf.
reservations@royalobidos.com. Getting
there: Two hour flight to Lisbon then
drive less than an hour north west.
58 GOLF ESCAPES 2015