The inauguration of Río Real golf course in 1965 marked the beginning of Marbella’s transformation into the internationally renowned cosmopolitan tourist destination it has become today. A decade earlier, the Hohenlohe family inaugurated their magnificent Marbella Club hotel, located on what would become known as the Golden Mile, prompting visits by European aristocrats, Hollywood stars and celebrities from around the world. At the same time, golf was making its first tentative steps in Marbella, with the development of some of Spain’s finest courses.
One of those was Río Real. To create the course, the club decided to commission Javier Arana, arguably the finest Spanish golf course designer in history – Spain’s own Robert Trent Jones. He was a pioneer who, in many aspects, has still not been surpassed. His own design philosophy was based, above all else, on ensuring players enjoyed themselves and didn’t have to waste time looking for lost balls in over-lush rough or end up in too many water hazards. He made sure his layouts remained closely attuned to the original land, avoiding major earthmoving: on the one hand, to save on construction costs; and on the other, because he believed that 80 per cent of a course should be as natural as possible and only 20 per cent modified for design requirements.
It is also true that, during this period, abundant land was available to build golf courses to his liking, without having to take into consideration real estate, or other, restrictions.
In Marbella, Bilbao-born Arana found a mother lode with which to leave his imprint. He created three of his masterpieces in the area; three courses that would have made any golf architect proud, and warrant their recognition among the greatest designers of all time.
Situated close to Marbella’s town centre (just three kilometres away), Río Real is one of those jewels. It has a truly privileged setting on a plot that slopes gently towards the sea, which in turn can be viewed from many of the holes. Its fairways – bordered by verdant, well-established tree groves – cross the river that gives the course its name in four different places.
The 6,000-metre, par-72 course is a haven of tranquillity and a fine example of good maintenance, with fairways meticulously cut, bunkers well raked and greens in first-class condition. Río Real exudes a maturity of which very few other courses in Andalucía can boast.
This stunning Arana project – enhanced by a significant renovation and remodelling initiative undertaken in recent years – has become one of the Costa del Sol’s finest courses, excellent for players of all handicaps and a true delight to play.
“We are part of the group of top courses on the Costa,” says the resort’s marketing director, Antonio Gómez Cava, “not only because of the high standards of design and maintenance, but also because we offer an extremely professional and personalised service.”
At Río Real, everything is orientated towards ensuring visitors feel welcome, and to that end the club staff are key. “I would like to emphasise,” he says, “the human and professional qualities of all members of the team working at Río Real. They are the ones who really make the club great, who really generate value for the business.
“Here we have a very, very high rate of satisfaction among clients. The feedback we receive is very positive, we are receiving extremely positive comments on social media and networks, and that is all due to the superb efforts of all the staff, both in service and course maintenance.” In that respect, he notes that the course is “spectacular, as it never has been, especially due to the major investment undertaken, and still being undertaken. Clients are delighted.”
Furthermore, he adds, “We are making a major effort with everything related to communication via social networks, corporate videos and a re-aligning of the Río Real brand in order to boost the concept of a resort.”
In addition to its outstanding 18-hole course and a golf academy run by prestigious professional Sergio de Céspedes, the Río Real resort has its own boutique hotel, a four-star establishment – “with five-star amenities”, says Gómez Cava – highlighted by its spaciousness, elegant comfort and exquisite room décor, by renowned interior decorator Pascua Ortega.
Connected to the clubhouse, and with plans to increase its category to five stars, the hotel offers stunning views over the golf course, which can also be viewed from the attractive pool area, with bar and restaurant service. Other services include wellness treatments, and the hotel is also equipped with such top additional amenities as tennis and pádel tennis courts.
A new gymnasium is due to be opened soon, as the result of an agreement with sports and fitness services company CDS Sports. In addition to hotel guests, it will be open to residents of the surrounding urbanisations and the whole of Marbella.
“We have also,” adds Gómez Cava, “undertaken a major investment in technology to make our website even more user-friendly for reservations.” To that end, he emphasises that “we have implemented an innovative ‘deferred’ (or virtual) payment format at point of sale, which enables us to reserve the tee time in advance.” The aim is for clients to be completely satisfied at all stages of their relationship with Río Real.
