The Preferred Awards of Excellence recognize partners across the company’s worldwide network that exemplify excellence within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand promise and inspire the global travel community to pursue #ThePreferredLife. Spanning from Best New Hotel of the Year to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the following member properties and hoteliers within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts were honored this year: Hotel of the Year – Overall: Finca Cortesín Hotel, Golf & Spa (Casares, Spain) Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2018 Preferred Awards of Excellence and GIFTTS Pineapple Award initiatives. With the luxury hospitality company celebrating its 50th anniversary milestone this year, these awards come at an exciting time in Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ history and signal the brand’s continued commitment to celebrating the remarkable achievements of its member hotels. Recognizing member hotels that have demonstrated excellence in their commitment to delivering inspiring experiences to their guests and local communities, the awards were presented at the closing ceremony of the largest Preferred Global Conference in history, when nearly 400 hospitality industry leaders, renowned speakers, media, and independent hoteliers from around the world gathered at Pendry San Diego from April 30-May 4, 2018. “It is an incredible honor to celebrate these partners for their tremendous leadership and outstanding dedication to inspiring travel by delivering the highest quality experiences in an authentic way,” said CEO Lindsey Ueberroth. “These winners, along with every other member hotel that was nominated, exemplify the core of hospitality and prove that every effort can have a big impact on our industry’s footprint.” Full article here

London Golf Club, one of Kent’s finest golf clubs and the venue for the 2018 Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, has launched a range of teaching programmes aimed at giving golfers’ game a boost this summer. In addition to its two highly-regarded championship downland courses, the European Tour Destination (www.londongolf.co.uk) has a reputation for outstanding tuition whilst the quality of its practice and coaching facilities is second to none. The team, comprising a group of PGA Professionals headed up by Paul Stuart, boasts a wide range of experience and has a proven track record with players at all levels. The packages available range from a 30-minute Swing Check focusing on grip, posture, ball position & alignment to a Playing Lesson out on one of the courses lasting several hours when alignment, shot making strategy, course management and pre-shot routine are all explored. The team is also happy to create more specific, tailored programmes for juniors and ladies who are new to the game and would like to get started with some guidance from a professional. “Paul is a patient, thoughtful teacher, who is always ahead of the game regarding new teaching thoughts and techniques. He has worked with me since I semi-retired and I am reaping the benefits. Now it’s down to me to practise what Paul teaches!” says John Hudson, a London Golf Club member. London Golf Club, part of the Golf in Kent partnership (www.golfinkent.co.uk), provides an oasis of golfing tranquility in 700 acres of idyllic Kent countryside, just 20 miles from the Capital. Testament to the quality of the two exceptional downland courses created by Jack Nicklaus Design, London Golf Club has hosted a string of major professional and amateur tournaments since it was established in the early 1990s.Paul Stuart enjoyed a successful career playing amateur golf which culminated with England honours in 1995 which was followed by a professional spell on the European Challenge Tour in 2000. Capitalising on his experience playing the game competitively, Paul has developed into a highly-respected coach and has a proven track record in coaching at every level. Using the knowledge gained from working with top coaches such as former Ryder Cup player George Will, he has gained an extensive knowledge of the golf swing. Renowned for his teaching of the short game, Paul also specialises in hosting Corporate Golf Days and Pro-Ams. London Golf Club is easily accessed from major motorways, rail networks and international airports, while its clubhouse is fully equipped and well-appointed to hold golfing and non-golfing functions, meetings, conferences, weddings and private dining. London Golf Club is a member of the Golf in Kent partnership between Visit Kent and some of the county’s premier golf courses and hotel providers which promotes the Garden of England as one of England’s premier golfing destinations, thanks to the quality of the county’s courses, accommodation and plethora of off-course attractions. For more information, go to www.londongolf.co.uk or www.golfinkent.co.uk  

Summer is coming very soon, and for many of us, it simply means that it is the time for golf and vacation. If you are currently planning a golf trip to Europe, make sure to include France on your list. Being one of the most popular golf destinations in Europe, France is the home to so many world-class golf courses offering a wide variety of challenges and experiences. So, picking the best golf courses in France is actually a pretty daunting task. There is no short answer to this, as many of the courses are highly enjoyable with their own classy layouts and beauties. Yet, here are our top five picks: Le Golf National (Albatros Course), Paris It will be very difficult not to pick the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup and the home of the French Open in this list. Le Golf National is located very close to Versailles, and there are three world-class golf courses including the famed Albatros course, one of the most renowned championship golf course in Europe. The Albatros course is a 7217-yard par-72 course that hosts the Open de France since 1991, known for its pristine, outstanding greens and excellent hazards. The whole Le Golf National is an inland links course, and what’s unique about it is how it perfectly captured the stadium feel with a dune-like landscape. The last four holes of the Albatros are arguably the highlights of the course, surrounding dramatic lakes giving you dramatic challenges and mesmerizing views. The best part is that the Le Golf National is a public course, featuring a variety of special offers for visiting tourists. You might want to opt for the all-inclusive golf day featuring, obviously, a round of golf on the Albatros, a VIP breakfast, on-course catering, and more. Definitely one of the best golf destinations in France – perfect to enjoy a day in the sun alongside your golf cart. Visit https://www.golf-national.com Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, Southeast France Terre Blanche is a fairly new golf resort opened in 2004, back then a resort run by the Four Seasons before it went independent in 2012. The resort features not just one, but two world-class tournament courses Le Chateau and Le Riou, and for those looking for a luxurious golf vacation, this one is an excellent pick. Both the courses are designed by Dave Thomas, the designer of the famous three-time Ryder Cup host The Belfry. The Le Chateau and Le Riou are quite distinct from each other, especially regarding the terrain and shot values. The Le Chateau plays relatively tougher and longer, rich with obstacles with virtually every turn. There are always ponds, trees, or bunkers to offer adequate challenges with each and every shot. Not only it is a challenging course, it is also beautiful where natural beauties serve as obstacles, like how a waterfall is smartly placed on the par-3 second hole. Le Riou, on the other hand, is more about variety, galloping up and down with a very

Over the weekend you will have the chance to participate in a range of activities that have created specifically for this Open Day, a taste of the infinite possibilities that both PGA Catalunya Resort and the vibrant communities of Girona and the Costa Brava, have to offer. PGA Catalunya Resort staff will be on hand during the Open Day to offer personal service and to give you a detailed tour of their exclusive properties. Amongst other activities you will have the opportunity to: • Play a round of golf on Spain’s #1 golf course: the Stadium Course. • Enjoy a gastronomic food tasting tour of local Catalan cuisine. • Relax with a massage and Thermal Circuits at the Hotel Camiral. • Improve your swing with our Internationally renowned Golf Professional. • Enjoy an exclusive tour of the charming city of Girona, its monuments, history and legends. To top off the weekend you’ll enjoy an exclusive dinner prepared by our chef in the 5* Hotel Camiral restaurant. We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Day and sharing everything that the PGA Catalunya Resort has to offer. An ambitious project transformed into a successful reality.