Rarely in life do you get to spend a few days somewhere where time seems to stand still.

For me, that came in the form of a long weekend with closest friends as we rolled back the years, laughed until dawn and bathed in the breathtaking beauty of the exquisite Finca Cortesin.

You know you're somewhere special before you've even reached the first tee.

The driveway winds gently through immaculate gardens, ancient olive trees and whitewashed Andalusian buildings before revealing one of Europe's most spectacular golfing resorts.

It feels less like checking into a hotel and more like arriving at a private estate that just happens to contain a world-class golf course.

Set in the hills between Marbella and Sotogrande on Spain’s stellar Costa del Golf, Finca Cortesin has been quietly building its reputation as an elite location but it was hosting the 2023 Solheim Cup that cemented its place on the map.

Both the golf course and the hotel appear to have the same philosophy – luxury isn't about excess, it is about elegance.

Wandering through the clubhouse we arrived on the driving range and were already open-mouthed.

A pristine set-up welcomes visitors and members alike and you know this is no ordinary place.

The championship layout weaves effortlessly through mature cork oak forests, wildflowers and immaculately landscaped gardens, with glimpses of the Mediterranean appearing throughout the round.

Fairways resemble velvet carpets, the greens are impeccable and every bunker is presented with tournament precision. It is impossible not to admire the work that goes into maintaining a course of this calibre.

And by God it was hard.

If you are going to make the pilgrimage to play Finca Cortesin make sure your game is ready because for all the beauty the course is also a beast.

One piece of advice: bring lots of golf balls. 

The tee shots are elevated but you must carry chasms and water. The fairways are generous – but if you miss them your ball is gonesville. 

After being treated like royalty by the starter it was impossible not to be blown away by the course. The third is an awesome 541 yard par five with a lake dominating the left side leaving a nerve-wracking shot into the green. 

The fourth, which was the opening hole of the 2023 Solheim, is a downhill par four curling around a shimmering lake which offers a risk-reward drive over the water.

I loved the par three 10th, hitting a high iron into a green way, way, way down below. 

The 13th is possibly the signature hole – a spectacular par-four, with water left of the fairway and across the front of the green. It features one of Spain’s most beautiful approach shots. 

The closing holes are brilliant and bruising. The tee shot on 15 over the trees, and the 18th with the imperious Bermeja mountain range, taller than Ben Nevis, in the back drop.

After the round we relaxed in the bar and looked out over the view before retiring to the hotel. And what a hotel it is.

There is no sense of being rushed here.

It is a grand place. Courtyards, palatial patios, a central lounge featuring 18th-century antique doors and tapestries. 

We loved how the bar opens into a Moroccan-style terrace, perfect for endless G&Ts after a hard day in the sun.  

The rooms feel more like private residences than hotel accommodation with oversized bathrooms, high ceilings and generous terraces.

The staff couldn't have been kinder or more attentive. They all asked had we enjoyed the golf? They all smiled knowingly when we recounted how hard it was. 

Despite the obvious attraction, you would not know there is a golf course on site. 

Couples enjoy spa breaks and visitors relax in the sophisticated rather than sporting setting.

This is the place for food lovers and those who enjoy the finer things in life.

Breakfast is a succulent feast served looking out over the beautifully manicured gardens.

A walk around the grounds is a delight. A place of peace and tranquility.

One of the highlights came not on the golf course but at Rei, the resort's elegant Asian restaurant.

There are a handful of fine dining options on site but this was the pick of the bunch.

The menu is inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine while embracing premium local Iberian ingredients.

The food was mouth-watering and we fell upon plates of sushi and seabass, prawns and pork, all washed down with cold white wine. The experience was exceptional.

Few resorts manage to excel across every department. Finca Cortesin does so with ease, making it not just one of Spain's finest golf destinations, but one of Europe's outstanding luxury retreats.

On the final morning our taxi silently pulled out of the driveway and passed under the arch bearing the hotel's name – a place where, if only for a few days, time really did seem to stand still.