In the first of our series looking behind the scenes at Rio Real Golf & Hotel, we interview one of the key staff for golf: Ángela Caro. Head of Golf Reservations, Ángela has been at Rio Real for over 15 years and forms an essential part of golf bookings and the organisation of tournaments and events.
What’s your role at Rio Real?
Since I started at Rio Real I’ve worked in the Hotel Reception Department, Marketing and was in change of managing golf bookings. My day-to-day consists of many things – managing hotel bookings, events, golf tournaments… No two days are ever the same, but basically my role is to ensure everything runs smoothly. My top priority is to make sure the Río Real golf bookings system works like clockwork .
Tell us a bit about booking golf at Rio Real
We’ve come a long way since those famous reservation books with hand-written notes. Nowadays, practically all bookings for golf at Rio Real are done online. We’re fortunate to have a booking system where in just one click you can see the best green deals available. It’s then just another couple of clicks and you’ve booked your round.
That said, I’m still more than happy to book golf for clients via email or phone reservations. Technology is obviously very important, but some clients like that personal touch or aren’t quite so savvy using the internet.
Early-bird or last-minute bookings?
A mix of both really. We have clients who book their green fees at Rio Real well ahead – sometimes months in advance – and those who leave it to the last minute. Our online booking system caters for all of them. My job is to ensure that everyone who wants to play a round of golf at the course can do so at the most convenient time for them.
What’s special about Rio Real Golf course?
Anyone planning a golf break on the Costa del Sol is certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to golf courses. Marbella alone has 12! No two are the same so you’ve got plenty of variety. However, Rio Real has a certain pedigree about it.
It’s one of the oldest golf courses on the Costa del Sol and the only one in this part of the world designed by Javier Arana, one of Spain’s top golf course designers. I’d say it’s a classic golf course with an old-style design that hasn’t dated one bit in its over 50 years of history.
The course itself is another attraction. Not just its design but its immaculate condition. When I talk to clients, many praise the general state of the greens and fairways. And we have an exceptional team of gardeners.
As well as the golf course, how else does Rio Real stand out in the crowd?
Another stand-out factor for me at Rio Real is its professional staff. We each have an assigned role and know how to fulfill it, but always as a team. We all work together to ensure everything runs perfectly for the client.
We pride ourselves on offering customer service that’s second to none. This makes Rio Real special for anyone who visits, whether they’re playing golf, staying at the hotel or working out in the fitness centre.
We value all clients equally and never regard them as simply “paying guests”. For us, they’re much more than that; they’re part of Rio Real.
Discover for yourself what’s special about Rio Real Golf & Hotel – book your round or your stay at our boutique hotel now. See you there!
