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The old fortified town of Acaia sits close to the sea south of Lecce surrounded by acres of quiet olive groves. Here, there is a wonderful golf hideaway - the Acaya golf resort.
Built and owned by a local developer, it is now managed by Hilton under their Doubletree brand, who have invested heavily in the resort. A new building now houses a big spa, the Clubhouse (replacing the old one by the First Tee and range) and holds conference facilities too. The hotel consequently has an American feel (cookies on arrival, free coffee and four packets of chewing gum in every room!) but it's all very well done and the staff are all Italian - as is the chef!
The golf course is so good we are sure that you will want to play it more than once; so it's no harm that Acaya is a little isolated - some might even say it's a good thing...
Acaya Architect: Hurdzan Smith 18 holes: 6,116m: par 72: SSS 71
Without a shadow of a doubt, Acaya is one of the finest courses in Italy. Broad panoramas and a wonderful variety of holes will keep you entertained from the 1st to the 18th. The opening holes are quite striking with an almost heathland feel, lots of purple heather mixed in with the indigenous vegetation; the back nine has plenty of water: always in play but often with an alternative route. All across the course the bunkering is intelligent, forcing you to stop and make a decision on every Tee-box. Great fun to play and the views alone will have you coming back for more.
N.B. The original Clubhouse (an old Masseria, now a halfway hut) First Tee and driving range are a little way from the hotel (beside the fourth Green). If you don't want to stroll across to the First, there is a free shuttle buggy that will run you over - and bring you back!
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The HotelThe Hilton Doubletree Acaya is very much a self-contained resort and holds evryting you need within its walls to enjoy a few days luxury, golf, relaxation and fine dining in southern Itlay. The hotel forms a square around a central courtyard with pool. Bedrooms are huge, with large sitting areas and private gardens or balconies; fully air conditioned and with every mod-con, very four star. There are two outdoor pools at the hotel, one within the courtyard and a larger one in the grounds outside, where there is also a pool bar during the hottest months. Breakfast is a vast array of fine fresh local produce served in the restaurant on the first floor. Lunch is available in the Clubhouse and dinner served in the same new building and the food is superb. As is the wine list (which is also sensibly priced). |
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The SpaThe Hilton hotel has a very impressive spa on the lower ground floor of the Clubhouse. Unlike many Italian spas this is not a "medical" spa purely a beauty and relaxation spa. There is a multitude of treatments available, saunas, steam rooms, aroma-showers, jacuzzis, ice baths the list goes on... Totally relaxing. |
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Around and about AcayaThe nearby towns of Lecce and Otranto are worth visiting during your stay. If you are a fan of ecclisiastical architecture then the 34 churches in Lecce should satisfy your cravings! Otranto is a smaller town, with a beach and a medieval centre with streets made for for strolling, browsing and lunching within the (car-free) fortifications. If you prefer sea swimming, the beaches of San Cataldo with their stretches of white sand running alongide the deep blue of the Adriatic are only a few minutes away. |
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