2023 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Headlam Hall - 'Winter Escape' Special Offer
Darlington
To the east of this country house hotel on the outskirts of Darlington lies a nine-hole golf course in gently undulating pastureland with woodlands, ponds and streams. A resident professional is on hand to give tuition, while equipment and accessories can be bought from the golf shop.
The Atlantic Hotel - Celebration Gourmet Break Special Offer
St Brelade
Some rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the links course of La Moye Golf Club, bordering the grounds of this leisure-oriented hotel. Founded in 1902, redesigned by James Braid in 1935, and further developed over time, the course has panoramic views across St Ouen’s Bay.
Trefeddian Hotel - Early Season by the Coast Special Offer
Aberdovey
Book tee time when staying here and join men of Harlech in the hollows, on the greens and in the rough of Royal St David’s links, overlooked by Harlech Castle, with views to Snowdonia. Or there is Aberdovey’s own magical course, one of the best 18-hole links courses in Wales, right below.
Star Castle
St Mary's
Subject to availability, guests at this historic hotel have complimentary use of the Isles of Scilly Golf Club, England’s most south-westerly course. The nine-hole, 18-tee course is maintained by volunteer members and has been cherished by islanders since it was founded in 1904.
The Peat Inn
Cupar
The world-renowned Royal and Ancient at St Andrews is just 12 minutes’ drive from Geoffrey and Katherine Smeddle’s Michelin-starred restaurant-with-rooms, a magnet for golfer and gastronome. There is an enticing choice of other historic courses within easy reach, but for foodies the most compelling courses will be on the inn’s tasting menus.
Beechwood Hotel
North Walsham
Hugh and Emma Asher, owners of this creeper-smothered hotel, have teamed up with Mundesley Golf Club to offer two-night, half-board packages that include a voucher for a full day’s golfing. The course offers a fair challenge to beginners and more advanced players, and the ambience, as at the hotel, is friendly and unstuffy.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst
An Edwardian country house originally catering to the polo set has evolved over four generations into a leisure resort with a six-hole, 18-tee golf course and a putting green. Day visitors are also welcome at neighbouring Cowdray Park Golf Club, in the lovely setting of the South Downs national park.
Rayanne House
Holywood
A gargantuan gourmet breakfast at Conor and Bernie McClelland’s B&B overlooking Belfast lough sets golfers up for a round at Rory McIlroy’s home club, Holywood, just two minutes’ walk away. There is even a McIlroy-themed bedroom here for the real enthusiast, and discounted green fees have been negotiated for guests.
Stella Maris
Ballycastle
If you can tear yourself away from the sea views at this former coastguard’s HQ on the Wild Atlantic Way, two superb links courses, Enniscrone and Carne, are 40 minutes’ drive away. Both designed by the late Eddie Hackett, they are thrilling to play and sensitive to their beautiful natural surroundings.
2022 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
The Dog at Wingham - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast from £99 per Person per night Special Offer
Canterbury
This jolly village gastropub is popular with players as it has partnerships with several Kent clubs, and offers packages, tee times and transport. Choose from Canterbury Golf Club, Faversham Golf Club, Princes in Sandwich Bay, and The Royal St George’s.
Beechwood Hotel
North Walsham
Any stay at this hotel entitles you to 10% off the green fees at two excellent north Norfolk golf clubs – the Mundesley and the Royal Cromer. Book DB&B for two nights, and you will receive a complimentary full-day green-fee ticket for two people, worth £70.
Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells
Practise your swing on the hotel’s own nine-hole, par-three course; beginners on a luxury break can borrow clubs from reception. Proficient players who want a challenge can drive a few miles to first-class 18-hole Welsh courses, such as Cradoc and Builth Wells.
Rayanne House
Holywood
Holywood Golf Club, where local legend Rory McIllroy fell in love with the game, is a two-minute walk from this Cesar-winning property. Rayanne offers discounted green fees at the club, or try one of 28 courses that are all within a 15-mile radius of the hotel.
Stella Maris
Ballycastle
This former coastguard’s house on the Wild Atlantic Way is between two of Ireland’s top links courses, Enniscrone and Carne, each about a 40-minute drive away, and, like the hotel itself, boasting beautiful ocean views. Long hours of daylight in summer mean you can play after an early dinner.
2021 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
The Atlantic Hotel - Celebration Gourmet Break Special Offer
St Brelade
There are ocean views from every hole at Jersey’s La Moye golf course, plus a few rocky outcrops on the fairway. At the adjacent Atlantic Hotel, rooms without sea views overlook the fairways. The food is well above par.
Trefeddian Hotel - Early Season by the Coast Special Offer
Aberdovey
The nine-hole putting course at this family-friendly, dog-friendly hotel on the coast is just a warm-up for the real thing: Trefeddian overlooks Aberdovey’s 18-hole championship golf course. Coaching and caddies are available if needed.
Ballymaloe House
Shanagarry
For a bit of fun or practice, there is a five- hole course in front of this hotel, with golf balls and clubs available at reception. For something more serious, there are courses at nearby Castlemartyr, Fota Island and Harbour Point.
Beechwood Hotel
North Walsham
Guests at Emma and Hugh Asher’s country house hotel can enjoy special deals at Mundesley and Royal Cromer golf clubs. In the evening, there’s a different clubby atmosphere back at Beechwood, with a rolling programme of evening events.
Budock Vean
Falmouth
The golf bar has views over the fairway, Sky Sports is tuned to the golf channel, and the nine-hole course has one of the longest par-fives in the country. Better still, green fees at the Barlow family’s resort hotel are included.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst
If you like to mix your golf with other activities, Seamus O’Brien’s South Downs leisure hotel may be the place. As well as a putting lawn and six-hole 18-tee golf course, there are two pools and a spa, plus tennis, croquet and bowls.
2020 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Mallory Court - Warwickshire Escape Four Nights for the price of Three Special Offer
Leamington Spa
To tee or not to tee, that is the question facing guests at this Lutyens-style Arts and Crafts country house. Do you head out to imbibe culture at Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, when Royal Leamington Spa Golf Club is just across the way and the game’s afoot?
The Dog at Wingham - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast from £99 per Person per night Special Offer
Canterbury
Mark Bridgen’s village pub has teamed up with some great clubs to offer golf packages, with transport provided. Choose Faversham, Canterbury, Princes in Sandwich Bay, or maybe Royal St George’s, Sandwich, 15 minutes' drive away. It hosts the US Open in July.
Star Castle
St Mary's
Guests at the Francis family’s Elizabethan fortified mansion have complimentary use of the course at St Mary’s Golf Club. The nine-hole, 18-tee course is a mix of traditional links and gently rolling moorland sprigged with heather and gorse, affording fabulous sea views.
Prestonfield
Edinburgh
James Thomson’s sumptuous hotel at the foot of Arthur’s Seat is right by Prestonfield’s James Braid-designed golf course and Royal Holyrood Park. Tee times are available to guests – or the concierge can arrange them at such iconic Scottish courses as Gleneagles, Turnberry and St Andrew’s.
Budock Vean
Falmouth
Green fees are included in room rates at Martin Barlow’s resort hotel with golf shop and its own course, bounded by the Helford river. The original 1920s design by James Braid envisaged 18 holes. With the sale of some land it was reduced, but this is possibly Cornwall’s best nine-hole, 18-tee golf course.
Rayanne House
Holywood
A 100-yard shot from Holywood Golf Club, and offering discounted green fees, Conor and Bernie McClelland’s characterful B&B celebrates a local golfing hero in the Rory McIlroy Room. Its bathroom has grass-effect tiles, a shower grab bar fashioned from one of your man’s golf clubs, engraved with ‘Rors’.
Castle Cottage Inn
Harlech
Residents at Glyn and Jacqueline Roberts’s restaurant-with-rooms receive a 10% discount on green fees at Royal St David’s Golf Club, one of the world’s finest traditional links courses. For variety-seekers there are 18 courses within one hour’s drive.
2019 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
The Atlantic Hotel - Celebration Gourmet Break Special Offer
St Brelade
Most guests choose a room with a glorious sea view at this upmarket, family-run hotel in landscaped gardens above a sandy beach. However, golf fanatics may prefer a room overlooking La Moye golf course, with its hills, pot bunkers, gorse and ocean breezes.
Trigony House
Thornhill
Golfers are spoilt for choice, with no fewer than 30 golf course, in driving distance of this 18th-century former sporting lodge. It’s just a mile to Thornhill, set in heathland and parkland in the Nith Valley, and Royal Troon an hour to the north.
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan
You drive along the shores of Lough Swilly from this welcoming, family-run country house, to find Otway golf course, one of the oldest in Ireland, founded in 1893, bordered by sand coves, with spectacular views across the lough to the Inishowen hills.
Prestonfield
Edinburgh
A historic, luxurious hotel with theatrical interiors, Prestonfield stands in parkland under Arthur’s Seat, beside picturesque Duddingston course with a meandering burn running through. It’s handy, too, for James Braid’s Prestonfield course – and all just minutes from the shops and city bustle.
The Neptune
Old Hunstanton
There’s Michelin-starred cooking at this 18th-century coaching inn turned restaurant-with-rooms. Home-baked croissants set guests up for a round at 125-year-old Hunstanton golf course, amid the dunes and link grasses, overlooking The Wash.
Castle Cottage Inn
Harlech
Just above the historic castle, this restaurant-with-rooms is run with a personal touch by the chef/proprietor and his wife. Guests receive a discount on green fees as world-renowned Royal St David’s Golf Club, host to the Ryder Cup in 2010, and there are 18 courses within an hour’s drive.
2018 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
The Atlantic Hotel - Celebration Gourmet Break Special Offer
St Brelade
Ocean views are on show through the floor-to-ceiling windows from some of the rooms at this hotel, on a headland above St Ouen's Bay.
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan
Pass the little gate lodge to drive up to this bay-fronted country house in wooded grounds edged by a beach on Lough Swilly.
Budock Vean
Falmouth
With golf, tennis, kayaking and powerboating, indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, this spa hotel is a holiday resort in its own right.
Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells
A ‘narrow and hairy’ road leads to Jan and Pierre Mifsud’s hotel in wooded grounds on the River Irfon, with views to the Cambrian mountains.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst
More than 70 years after the O’Brien family first opened their Edwardian country house to the Cowdray Park set, third-generation owner Seamus O’Brien presides over a thriving spa hotel.
2017 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Chewton Glen - Three Nights for the Price of Two Special Offer
New Milton
This quintessential English country house with spa, pools, kids' club, elegant bedrooms and fun tree houses, hits all the right luxurious notes for a romantic or family stay.
The Atlantic Hotel - Celebration Gourmet Break Special Offer
St Brelade
Ocean views are on show through the floor-to-ceiling windows from some of the rooms at this hotel, on a headland above St Ouen's Bay.
Trefeddian Hotel - Early Season by the Coast Special Offer
Aberdovey
The Cave-Browne-Cave family have kept a welcome in the hillside at their big, white hotel above Cardigan Bay since the days of silent film, when men wore bowler hats to the beach.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere
With its indulgent bedrooms, Michelin-starred dining, attentive staff and guaranteed privacy, many look to Gilpin as the ultimate in Lakeland luxury.
Budock Vean
Falmouth
With golf, tennis, kayaking and powerboating, indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, this spa hotel is a holiday resort in its own right.
Park House, Hotel & Spa
Midhurst
More than 70 years after the O’Brien family first opened their Edwardian country house to the Cowdray Park set, third-generation owner Seamus O’Brien presides over a thriving spa hotel.
2016 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae
At the end of a ‘beautiful tree-lined drive’, this romantic Victorian Scottish Baronial castle stands in landscaped grounds with views across the Firth of Clyde to Ailsa Craig.
Stella Maris
Ballycastle
Though it styles itself a ‘country house’ and stands amid gently rolling hills, the sea provides the drama at Frances Kelly-McSweeney's former coastguard’s HQ on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Castle Cottage Inn
Harlech
At the top of one of the world’s steepest streets, this inn occupies two 16th Century buildings just above Edward I’s formidable castle (faint hearts, take the High Street route).
St Enodoc
ROCK
In a fashionable resort on the Camel estuary, this child-friendly hotel has a light, Mediterranean decor with bright colours and original artwork. There are stone floors, open spaces in the public areas.
Golf can be such a beautiful way to experience different parts of the UK, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding amateur. Combining that great pleasure with beautiful places to stay, wonderful food and exceptional hospitality, whether you’re staying at a spa hotel or a family-friendly retreat on the coast.
Choose from a mix of traditional links and gently rolling moorland sprigged with heather and gorse, or a wonderfully atmospheric Championship Links. Choose from Faversham, Canterbury, Princes in Sandwich Bay, Royal St George’s or iconic Scottish courses as Gleneagles, Turnberry and St Andrew’s. You can play rounds at locations that have hosted the Open and The Masters. Then return to the hotel in the evening for good food, drink and maybe even a massage.