Author: Lee Mathew Waggott

Quinta do Lago, is nestled within the Algarve and located next to the beautiful Rio Formosa nature reserve. The resort offers an incredible selection of experiences and it has been making waves in the hospitality industry for its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

We sat down with Luis, the Corporate & Leisure Relations Director of Quinta do Lago, to discuss their ongoing partnership with 59club and how it has transformed their approach to customer service and performance management.

Luis, you have been working with 59club for a number of years now across the resort. Can you tell us how 59club has helped Quinta do Lago objectively evaluate the current customer experience and identify areas for improvement?

Our partnership with 59club has significantly improved the guest experience at Quinta do Lago. Through their analysis, we have identified and addressed weaknesses and enhanced various aspects of our guests’ stay, from the golf courses to the dining experience and also within the leisure club. Collaborating with 59club has spurred positive reviews and reinforced our commitment to excellence. They’re a crucial partner in our journey to providing outstanding guest experiences.

Considering the size of the resort, can you share with us how utilizing 59club helps in managing the guest journey not only in Golf but in Hotel, F&B & Leisure?

We initially started working with 59club to manage the development of our golf visitor experience through a mystery shopping program across our 3 courses, However, we soon realized that the guest experience cannot only be restricted to a specific department, but that it is fundamental to ensure all of the departments are in-line with our main focus in delivering a unique guest experience throughout the resort.

Therefore, we asked for a bespoke program for the resort which includes Hotel, F&B and Leisure, as well as some unique mystery shopper audits in relation to property sales & guest services. 59club has provided these for us, and the data we now receive covers the entire guest journey; from hotel check-in, to using the state-of-the-art facilities within ‘The Campus’; as well as measuring the experience across several of our dining outlets. 59club provides an incredibly in-depth picture, and a wealth of data of what our guests are experiencing across the property.

“Collaborating with 59club has spurred positive reviews and reinforced our commitment to excellence. They’re a crucial partner in our journey to providing outstanding guest experiences“

As Corporate & Leisure Relations Director, can you share with us your vision for the resort’s growth and how working with 59club contributes to achieving that vision?

The majority of Resorts in Europe and in the world are nowadays offering the same facilities to guests. However, where Resorts can stand out is by delivering a quality of service which differentiates them from the rest. In the end, what remains in his/her memories is the interaction and experience with the resort staff who deliver the service in the hotel or in the restaurant.

By working with 59club we are not only reviewing previous visits, but pro-actively performance managing experiences across the resort. We always endeavor for Quinta do Lago to be a leading resort in the world, offering unforgettable experiences, and 59club assists us to ensure this.

Can you discuss any specific goals or benchmarks you aim to achieve in terms of service quality and member experience utilizing 59club’s services?

We are obsessed about service! And our aim is always to be amongst the best in the industry and to be seen as Market leaders. To achieve this, we need to deliver an excellent product, but above all an excellent service. This is a never-ending story, as service can always be improved and is always changing, influenced by epidemics like Covid or in accordance with the evolution of technology. Consistent training is crucial to achieve the ambitious standards we strive for, and by working with 59club we can identify the areas where training is urgently needed to improve it.

59club don’t just provide the data, we get together for regular service meetings following each month’s audit, they help with data interpretation and explain to the team how improvements can be made. We then use this insight to focus our goals and targets each quarter to delight guests.

Having multiple outlets across the resort, how does working with 59club help to evaluate & manage the team across your venues?

Our aim is that all the outlets can deliver a similar service to our guests in the Resort. Consistency is very important for us and with the help of 59club, we are able to measure the service level in all departments, and to raise red flags when necessary. This way, we are able to work with specific teams and bring them to the service level we are aiming for.

How do you think the ongoing evaluation through 59club’s mystery shopping services will support QDL in maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and delivering unparalleled experiences for your members and guests?

59club’s Mystery Shopper program is invaluable for us. They deliver a service that is based on actual facts. This creates the basis for an honest and clear approach to the areas needing attention and improvement with the commitment from associates and management team.

QDL secured a Service Excellence Flag at our recent Service Excellence Awards, what does this mean to you & the team?

This is a great honor for the Resort, but above all, it makes our associates immensely proud of their work and commitment in delivering a great service to our customers. It makes us feel that we are all working together, and headed in the right direction.

As a leader in the golf industry, how do you think the insights and best practices provided by 59club will contribute to the growth and development of golf clubs in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve region?

We were the first Resort in Portugal to be working with 59club. This has generated the curiosity of many other resorts to understand more about the services they are delivering. The best practices implemented are being followed by other golf clubs and that is setting the bar in the region.

Finally, what advice would you give to other golf clubs considering partnering with 59club to improve their customer service, staff training, and overall performance?

I would strongly advise them to explore the opportunity of working with 59club, and to take advantage of their market knowledge, as they can guide a property to achieve their desired service levels. It is invaluable to have access to data which is transparent, and a specialist on hand helping you to provide consistent service to customers, in all areas.

Royal Park I Roveri, located in the stunning setting of the La Mandria Natural Park at the foot of the Alps, is now in its third year with 59club and it also just happens to be one of the most prestigious clubs in Italy.

“59club’s objective evaluations and strategic support empowered us to continuously improve our performance, striving to be among the best in the industry“

We caught up with General Manager, Marco Aquilino, as he highlighted the journey he and the team have been on with 59club, the benefits they have realised and his future plans for the team and the club.

“Throughout the years, Royal Park I Roveri has been on a transformative journey, continuously striving to provide exceptional customer experiences and elevate service quality. Our partnership with 59club has played a crucial role in this pursuit, revolutionising our approach and propelling us towards new heights.

And like so many Managers that find themselves engaging with 59club, Marco had the same common law of attraction to 59club, and went on to say;

“It all began with a realization – the danger of becoming complacent when working in the same environment day after day. We needed an objective lens to evaluate our operations and identify areas for improvement, this is where 59club came in to help with our pursuit of excellence. Their evaluations provided us with a fresh perspective, uncovering blind spots and bringing awareness to our starting point.

“Our vision at Royal Park I Roveri has always been to create an unforgettable experience for our members and visitors. We wanted our club to be more than just a place to play golf; we aimed to cultivate an environment where everyone felt genuinely valued, even if they were just visiting for a day. This vision required exceptional service that went beyond delivering a good product. Partnering with 59club became instrumental in turning this vision into a reality.”

Marco explains that certain elements of the club’s member & guest experience were prioritised, and he details how 59club supported the team to succeed in those areas …

“Through our collaboration, we focused on key touchpoints such as the welcome on arrival, booking confirmation, and guest management on the course. 59club’s insights, coupled with their online educational tools, allowed us to enhance the training of our staff, and elevate their attention to these critical areas. 59club’s objective evaluations and strategic support empowered us to continuously improve
our performance, striving to be among the best in the industry.

“Our goal is to provide a customer experience which is recognised alongside the best international venues, and with data collected through 59club platforms, this becomes our catalyst for shaping operations and driving further success. Analysing this data enables us to refine our offerings based on the needs of our customers, optimising our investments to deliver exceptional experiences.”

Looking ahead, Marco sees the insights and best practices provided by 59club contributing to the growth and development of golf clubs in Italy…

“In Italy, unfortunately, there are not many of us who are able to travel around the world to experience and explore new ideas, not due to lack of will but for lack of time. However, 59club’s international expertise bridged this gap, bringing fresh insights and igniting innovation. Their evaluations, explanations, and dedicated support serve as a foundation for golf clubs in Italy to grow and excel, even without
extensive travel experiences.”

Most recently the team at Royal Park I Roveri enjoyed multiple successes at 59club’s Regional ‘Service Excellence Awards’. The club displayed some of the highest standards of customer excellence achieved within their impartial mystery shopping audits, spanning Spain, Portugal, Greece & Italy.

“Our dedication to excellence was recognised when we received our Silver Flag Designation, and Retail Manager of the Year Award at this years’ ceremony. These accolades served as validation for our hard work, and affirmed our commitment to continuous improvement.

“The recognition we received bolstered our team’s morale, inspiring us to aim higher and exceed our achievements. Our sights are now firmly set on obtaining Gold Flag Status next year.”

Marco had this advice for other clubs currently considering partnering with 59club;

“To golf clubs considering partnering with 59club, my advice is simple: seize the opportunity. Regardless of budget constraints, 59club offers a bespoke approach that caters to different needs. Even with minimal audits and staff training, immediate results can be observed. Embracing this partnership will undoubtedly enhance customer service, elevate staff training, drive overall performance and financial gain. To all clubs in Italy, it’s a step towards growth and positioning your club on an international path, ultimately contributing to the reputation of Italy as a premier golf destination”.

In this edition of our Partner Spotlight, we highlight Finca Cortesin, the host venue of the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Finca Cortesin led the way at our recent Service Excellence Awards claiming: Golf Operations Team of the Year & Golf Manager of the Year, which was won by Rocío Sánchez Clavijo. In addition to this, the team also secure our prestigious Gold Flag Award.

We asked, Francisco de Lancastre David, CCM, General Manager of Golf and Leisure Operations at Finca Cortesin, what these awards meant to the club.

“Finca Cortesin is proud and humbled to have received two prestigious accolades at the 59club Awards. It is great to see our golf operations team rewarded for their dedication to creating a culture of high-quality service, and providing a unique experience that is unlike any other resort in Europe.

The resort also has a long-standing history and commitment of supporting women in the golf industry, both on and off the course, which makes it even more special to see our very own Rocio Sanchez collect the ‘Golf Manager of the Year’ award. Rocio is an integral part of our operations team and continues to excel in her day-to-day role that allows Finca Cortesin to be renowned as one of golf’s best experiences.”

All of us at 59club wish the team the very best with hosting the Solheim Cup and are excited to see how the week unfolds.

59club Europe South are delighted to welcome GOLF DE ANDRATX as it’s newest partner venue.

59club Europe South will help Golf de Andratx with their long-term vision of providing service excellence by delivering industry leading data across the customer journey. Golf de Andratx joins several other facilities in Mallorca who currently work with us and with this data, the team across the property can analyze focus areas and continue to grow the overall golf experience.

Located less than 30 km from the island´s capital Palma de Mallorca, Golf de Andratx is nestled in the beautiful coastal town of Camp de Mar. The spectacular surroundings, picturesque views and some of the most stimulating hole designs provide an unforgettable experience for golfers.

We are thrilled to welcome another great facility in Mallorca onboard & look forward to working with the team throughout the year.

In this edition of our Partner Spotlight, we highlight Pula Golf Resort who recently secured a Bronze flag at our recent Service Excellence Awards within their first year of partnering with us.

Pula Golf has utilized 59club in-depth analysis to review the entire customer journey to strive to provide the best experience possible from start to finish. We asked, Arnau Sala (CEO), his thoughts from his first year of working with 59club Europe South:

“I am really happy about our collaboration together with 59club. After one year working together, we have been upgrading our services standards which is great to see in the data delivered.

As we all know, the service we deliver to our clients is one of the most important things of tourism and ensuring we gain them back at our properties. I am also very proud of how my team is delivering our service and how they can improve every time with working with 59club”

Situated in one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in Mallorca, the old manor house dates back to 1581 houses today’s hotel and country club facilities, which welcomes guests with the warm and friendly hospitality typical of the Mallorcan people.

The course was founded in 1995 and completely redesigned by José María Olazábal between 2004 and 2006 in order to satisfy the demands of international and professional golf. In addition, Pula Golf Resort has a magnificent outdoor swimming pool and sauna, as well as a massage service to relax after a day of golf.

59club Europe South are delighted to announce La Cala Resort as their newest partner venue.

La Cala have taken their commitment in endeavouring to deliver service excellence by partnering with 59club Europe South who will deliver industry leading experience data across Golf, Hotel & Food & Beverage.

Situated in the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas with breath-taking views of the Andalusian countryside and distant Mediterranean, La Cala Resort is a golfing mecca with three championship courses, designed by world-renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson, providing an exhilarating challenge while their four-star 107-room hotel is the perfect place to stay between rounds

We are delighted to welcome another fantastic facility in the Costa del Sol onboard & look forward to working with the team throughout the year.

#Measure#Train#Support#59clubEuropeSouth

In this edition of our Partner Spotlight, we highlight Royal Park I Roveri who recently secured a Silver flag at our recent Service Excellence Awards which demonstrates fantastic growth developing from a bronze flag gained the previous year. Not only this but Fabio Vido was successfully crowned Retail Manager of the Year.

Royal Park I Roveri have skilfully made 59club part of their clubs DNA which allows the entire team across the venue to work towards common goals. We asked Marco Aquilino (CMDip) his thoughts on working with 59club Europe South.

“Joining 59club was an important and strategic choice to improve our standards of hospitality and have concrete goals to improve our services. For the Royal Park I Roveri, it is a tool that can give us an international vision on hospitality methods and help on the road to continuous improvement. We are looking forward to continuing on this path on constantly raise the bar we started a few years ago”.

Located in the stunning setting of the La Mandria Natural Park, at the foot of the Alps, Royal Park I Roveri is one of the most prestigious clubs in Italy, scene of several international events including the Italian Open and the European Amateur Championship.