2019 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Rathmullan House - Wild Atlantic Way Special Offer
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.
The Atlantic Hotel
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.
Romney Bay House - Three Night Special Offer
NEW ROMNEY
Built by Clough Williams Ellis for Hollywood actress and gossip-monger Hedda Hopper, this lovely hotel stands between the Strait of Dover and Littlestone golf course, a gem, with challenging Rye coursedown the road. Hopper dreamed of creating an English Le Touquet but this is so much more romantic.
Trigony House - Three Nights for Two Special Offer
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.
Treglos Hotel
Padstow
In long-time family ownership, this seaside holiday hotel and spa offers golf breaks, tuition packages, buggy hire. Their 18-hole course is designed for beginners and more experienced golfers. Trevose Golf Club is nearby, and lovely St Enodoc a short drive away.
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.
Castle Cottage
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.
Viewmount House
LONGFORD
A warm welcome awaits at this antique-filled Georgian mansion in parkland on the edge of town. It is right by County Longford Golf Club, founded in 1894 and one of Ireland’s oldest. A Guide inspector judged everything well above par.
The Salutation
SANDWICH
A fine Queen Anne-style Lutyens mansion with gardens inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, in a gem of a medieval town, this Guide newcomer is close to Royal St George’s Golf Club (host to the US Open in 2020), and handy for Deal’s Royal Cinque Ports course.
From £90 per night
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.
2018 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Marlfield House
GOREY
Lavish, ‘prompt and very attentive’ hospitality is the order of the day at this ‘distinguished’ family-run hotel in an ‘imposing’ Regency house surrounded by 36 acres of grounds.
Rathmullan House - Wild Atlantic Way Special Offer
RATHMULLAN
Lawns run down to a sandy beach on the shores of Lough Swilly from this engaging country house, built for a Bishop in 1760 and enlarged by serial extensions.
The Atlantic Hotel
ST BRELADE
With ‘spectacular’ views over landscaped gardens to St Ouen’s Bay, Patrick Burke’s upmarket hotel is ‘just about perfect for a restful break’.
Park House, Hotel & Spa - Cosy Winter Spa Break Special Offer
MIDHURST
‘We much enjoyed our stay,’ writes a reader this year, of this Edwardian country house hotel in ‘grounds of a sporty nature’.
The Lake
LLANGAMMARCH WELLS
Cocooned in ‘lovely, peaceful grounds in glorious countryside’, Jean-Pierre Mifsud’s ‘welcoming’ Victorian country house hotel continues to offer an enjoyable bucolic break.
Balcary Bay Hotel
AUCHENCAIRN
‘A haven of tranquillity and quiet comfort’, Graeme Lamb’s ‘well-run’ hotel stands in ‘a wonderful setting’ on the shore, looking across the Solway Firth to the Lake District hills.
Riverwood
Pitlochry
‘Beautiful, beautiful! silvery Tay, Thy scenery is enchanting on a fine summer day.'
Ballathie House
STANLEY
In 1922 a young Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, as we now think of her) joined a house party at this turreted Victorian country house on the River Tay.
Budock Vean
FALMOUTH
Hidden within wooded acres on the Helford river, this 18th-century manor house was recently revamped, acquiring ‘a fresh feel’.
Skeabost House Hotel
SKEABOST BRIDGE
Catch sight of this ‘impressive’ Victorian hunting lodge through the trees as you approach; closer up, discover the ‘manicured grounds’ running down to Loch Snizort.
2017 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Chewton Glen - 4 Nights for the Price of 3 Special Offer
NEW MILTON
After more than 50 years, this country house hotel and spa on the edge of the New Forest still sets the standard for luxury.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
WINDERMERE
‘They just keep making it better every year,’ writes a trusted correspondent, of this luxurious country house hotel in Lakeland countryside.
The Atlantic Hotel
ST BRELADE
With ‘spectacular’ views over landscaped gardens to St Ouen’s Bay, Patrick Burke’s upmarket hotel is ‘just about perfect for a restful break’.
Park House, Hotel & Spa - Cosy Winter Spa Break Special Offer
MIDHURST
‘We much enjoyed our stay,’ writes a reader this year, of this Edwardian country house hotel in ‘grounds of a sporty nature’.
Trefeddian Hotel - March Breaks from £75 per person per night
ABERDOVEY
The Cave family’s holiday hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay is ‘very much family orientated, and the facilities are excellent – indoor pool, putting green, games room, beach across the road.’
Riverwood
Pitlochry
‘Beautiful, beautiful! silvery Tay, Thy scenery is enchanting on a fine summer day.'
Ballathie House
STANLEY
In 1922 a young Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, as we now think of her) joined a house party at this turreted Victorian country house on the River Tay.
Budock Vean
FALMOUTH
Hidden within wooded acres on the Helford river, this 18th-century manor house was recently revamped, acquiring ‘a fresh feel’.
2016 Editor's Choice Hotels for Golfers
Editor’s Choice Golf Hotels
Castle Cottage
HARLECH
On ‘one of the steepest, narrowest streets’ in a ‘town of sudden vistas’, just above the castle, this restaurant-with-rooms has been run by chef/patron Glyn Roberts and his wife, Jacqueline, since 1989.
Glenapp Castle
BALLANTRAE
Mellow sandstone battlements, turrets and towers are revealed only at the final turn of the ‘lengthy’ drive through the ‘vibrant, meticulously tended’ grounds of Paul and Poppy Szkiler’s 19th-century baronial pile.
Stella Maris
BALLYCASTLE
Guests can ‘watch the dolphins frolicking in the bay’ from the conservatory of Frances Kelly-McSweeney’s hotel in a ‘dramatically beautiful’ setting overlooking Bunatrahir Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way.
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.
Carrig Country House & Restaurant
CARAGH LAKE
Landscaped and wooded gardens filled with rare shrubs surround this Victorian manor house and former hunting and fishing lodge on the shores of Caragh Lake. Frank and Mary Slattery bought and extended it in 1996, furnishing it throughout with antiques