Derived from the Spanish phrase “Corazon del Valle,” CordeValle translates to “Heart of the Valley.” And it’s an appropriate name for this luxe, golf getaway in San Martin, California. Where is San Martin? Good question. Even Google executives had to forgo their own maps during a company retreat at Cordevalle. Look at a real map – it’s not easy to find!
The Rosewood resort and private club is about thirty minutes south of San Jose, and about five minutes west off the freeway (MapQuest points east). Despite its stealth locale, the 44-room, 1,700-acre property has racked up a few accolades this year. Wine Spectator gave Il Vigneto (the main dining room) an Award of Excellence for its wine list, Golfweek listed the course as a #20 Best Tour Courses You Can Play and Links Magazine listed it as; Most Bucolic, Best Finishing Holes on PGA Tour.
For serious golfers, the value can’t be beat. The villas are well-appointed (300+ thread count sheets, goose down comforters) and the staff is attentive yet considerate of privacy and sweeping views of the golf course and mountain range can be enjoyed from every room for a fraction of the cost of most golf resorts
Here are some ‘not-professionally-produced’ iphone videos of the course.
Basics on the property:
Rooms: Forty-four rooms consisting of 550-sqare foot fairway rooms start at $325, 750-square foot bungalows start at $375, larger Villa Suites start at $575 or Fairway Homes (four master bedrooms) start at $3,200-3,600.
Golf: A 260-acre, 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Spa: Sense caters to both regular club members and guests and as my therapist told me “I work on a lot of golfers and tennis players, they each have their own trigger points” Besides sports recovery, they offer facials and general therapy massage. Both the men’s and women’s locker rooms feature a therapeutic whirlpool and large steam room.
Pool: Plenty of shade (under umbrellas) can be found around the large central pool, which is heated to an easy-to-step-into 75 degrees.
Activities: Hike the nearby mountain ridges, play on the new hi-tech tennis courts, relax at the spa, sweat in the well-equipped (plenty of hi-end machines for everyone) fitness center or, of course, play golf. Clos La Chance Vineyards is also on-site and recently won the Best of Morgan Hill award for its tasting room.
Restaurants: Three onsite. Main dining, Il Vigneto (white table cloths) features an Italian/California inspired menu. One Iron Grill serves California cuisine both indoor or outdoor seating, and Lion’s Peak Grill just off the Golf Pro shop, is open all day with both indoor and outdoor seating.
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