Finca Cortesin sits between Marbella and Sotogrande near Casares, set back from the coast in a quiet Andalusian landscape of manicured gardens and low-rise courtyards. The hotel is built around two palatial courtyards and draws on traditional Andalusian architecture without feeling like a reproduction. There are only 67 suites, ranging from roughly 50 to 200 square metres, all with dramatic four-metre ceilings.

Finca Cortesin is one of southern Spain’s great destination resorts, pairing just 67 palatial suites with 23,000 square metres of gardens, championship golf, a vast Thai spa and private beach club.