Azora expands its golf portfolio with the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey and West Cliffs

Azora, a Madrid-based European real estate investment manager, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Portuguese market by acquiring the prestigious Praia d’El Rey Resort in Óbidos, Portugal. This acquisition, executed through the Azora European Hotel and Lodging Fund (AEHL), includes the luxurious Marriott Praia d’El Rey hotel, two top-ranked golf courses—Praia del Rey and West Cliffs—and the management of 90 apartments and two food and beverage outlets.

The Marriott Praia d’El Rey, a 177-room, 5-star hotel, is a jewel in our crown. It will continue operating under the Marriott brand, managed by Blue & Green. The hotel, with its stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, direct beach access, and surrounding golf courses, offers a unique and luxurious experience. It boasts premium amenities, including four dining options, a renovated spa and wellness area, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids club, and extensive meeting and event facilities. The golf courses, recognized among Portugal’s top ten and recipients of the 2023 Golfer’s Choice Award from Leading Courses, are key highlights of the resort.

Azora leadership position

This acquisition is a testament to Azora’s strategic growth in Portugal. It expands our portfolio to include seven hotels and two golf courses with 36 holes. The Praia d’El Rey Resort, with its exceptional facilities and prime location, strengthens Azora’s position as a leader in the leisure and golf destination sector in Europe and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.

Azora’s portfolio now encompasses over 12,000 keys under management, cementing its status as a significant player in the European hospitality and leisure investment sector. Since its inception, Azora has invested over €3 billion in the hospitality industry, acquiring over 100 hotels and 26,000 hotel keys. The company’s strategy focuses on high-quality hotels and urban hostels, targeting assets that require active management and repositioning.

Launched in 2021 with €815 million in capital, AEHL has focused on the vacation hotel segment in major European destinations. The fund employs a value-add strategy, emphasizing asset transformation and active management of hotel operations. Recently, AEHL has also adopted an alternative hotel strategy for urban tourism, targeting a diverse range of travellers and aiming to revolutionize city tourism.

Concha Osácar, one of Azora’s founding partners, expressed confidence in the hospitality sector across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. She emphasized that the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey Resort marks a significant milestone for AEHL, underscoring Azora’s commitment to high-potential markets and its belief in Portugal’s growing appeal to both European and American tourists.

For over 30 years, Tee Times Golf Agency has offered the best packages for those seeking Portugal golf holidays. With extensive industry experience, we provide unparalleled access to top courses, including the newly acquired by Azora, Praia del Rey and West Cliffs golf courses, ensuring a memorable and high-quality golfing experience.

Amendoeira Golf Resort: a premier destination in the Algarve

Amendoeira Golf Resort, a unique gem nestled in the heart of the Algarve, spans 270 hectares of lush natural beauty. This one-of-a-kind destination offers an array of amenities, including several swimming pools, two award-winning 18-hole golf courses, and Portugal’s only illuminated 9-hole golf course. Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled by the two synthetic turf 5-a-side football pitches, a FIFA-sized football pitch, six Savannah tennis courts, a fully equipped gym with modern Technogym machines, a jogging track, and a children’s playground.

The Clubhouse, a beacon of luxury and comfort, is the resort’s social hub, featuring a restaurant where guests indulge in delicious meals, snacks, and drinks. Additionally, the pro shop provides everything golfers need to enhance their game. Whether staying in an opulent apartment with access to multiple pools or a lavish villa with a private pool, visitors are guaranteed a comfortable and luxurious experience. The resort’s proximity to the beach, just a 10-minute drive away, further enhances its appeal as a perfect holiday destination or permanent residence.

Undoubtedly, Amendoeira Golf Resort stands as one of the most exclusive destinations, offering the best options for those seeking unparalleled Portugal golf breaks in the Algarve with Tee Times Golf Agency.

Faldo Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort

The Faldo Course, a masterpiece by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo, is a 6578m Par 72 championship course that beckons strategic play. This course, which clinched the title of Portugal’s Best Golf Course by World Golf Awards in 2016, is renowned for its dramatic landscape. It boasts unique elements such as cacti and wild herbs, spartan Holm oaks, ancient olive trees, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone, offering a modern twist on traditional golf course design.

O’Connor Jnr. Course

The O’Connor Jnr. Course, designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., complements the Faldo Course with its lush valley setting. Water features, including lakes and watercourses, challenge golfers of all levels. The course’s mature palm trees and rich topsoil create a serene, oasis-like environment. The course’s greater distance, water hazards, and large greens provide an additional challenge, requiring golfers to carefully read the subtly contoured putting surfaces.

Academy Course

The Academy Course, the only floodlit 9-hole course in Portugal, is ideal for beginners and those wishing to improve their short game. Built to the same high standards as the Faldo and O’Connor Jnr. courses, it features three teeing options for varied play. The 7th hole, with two teeing options over water, is a highlight. This course is a family favourite and must-play alongside its more challenging counterparts.

The Amendoeira Golf Academy

The Amendoeira Golf Academy takes pride in its tailored training programs for men, women, and juniors of all skill levels. With a maximum 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the academy ensures each student receives personalized instruction, utilizing high-tech tools like Trackman for swing analysis. The holistic approach includes mental efficiency, equipment evaluation, nutrition, and fitness. Each lesson concludes with a personalized CD/DVD comparing the original and improved swings, making every student feel valued and catered to.

Amendoeira Golf Resort is a sanctuary for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing an unmatched experience in the stunning Algarve region for unforgettable Portugal golf holidays.

Photos by: Amendoeira Golf Resort.

Andalucia: sustainability innovations at Isla Canela Golf Club

In a notable effort to promote sustainability and enhance its environmental impact, Isla Canela Golf Club has launched an improvement project with an investment exceeding €120,000. This initiative focuses on two key areas: the complete renovation and waterproofing of the existing lake and the modernization of the electrical system at its pumping station.

The 6,380 square meters lake has been newly waterproofed to ensure the optimized use of both rainwater and irrigation water (non-potable). Simultaneously, a comprehensive upgrade of the electrical system at the pumping station has been completed, along with the fabrication of the essential boiler components. These improvements are crucial for distributing water efficiently across the golf courses.

Tino Cordero, Director of Golf at Isla Canela, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “This initiative follows a similar investment last year when we inaugurated our Solar Garden. We set an ambitious goal for the project timeline, as we needed to operate alongside the international golf season, and we met it successfully. This achievement is thanks to the excellent work of the various contracted companies and the coordination by the responsible departments at Isla Canela.”

With these improvements, Isla Canela aims to reduce its water consumption by 15% and lower its electrical consumption by 10%. This reduction is further supported by the photovoltaic energy production plant installed on the golf course, achieving nearly 50% energy self-sufficiency. Undoubtedly, these actions raise awareness among golf course managers, who are making consistent and realizable efforts toward sustainability.

At Tee Times Golf Agency, we are unwavering in our commitment to promoting the sustainable growth of golf. We actively support using renewable energy sources to power our facilities, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. We aim to enjoy the game while preserving the planet for future generations.

Isla Canela Golf Club facilities

Hotel Isla Canela Golf offers a peaceful, relaxed, and friendly setting where visitors can enjoy various activities at Isla Canela and the nearby village of Ayamonte. The hotel features 58 exclusive and elegant rooms with Andalusian-style architecture.

Isla Canela is home to two exceptional golf courses: the Isla Canela Old Course and the Isla Canela Links Course. The Old Course, with its proximity to the sea and unique vegetation, offers an unforgettable golfing experience. On the other hand, the Links Course, nestled on the left bank of the Guadiana River, provides a distinct riverside parkland that feels seamlessly integrated into a nature reserve. Both courses offer unique challenges and stunning landscapes, making them the perfect choice for those seeking a sustainable golfing experience.

Isla Canela Golf Club is an excellent destination for those looking for an unforgettable experience in their Spain golf holidays. Of course, it is part of Tee Times Golf Agency’s fantastic range of golf courses, which are offered with special packages and green fees.