March 14th, 2008
Four of the best
Are you looking for a weekend away in a magnificent hotel where golf is just part of the attraction? If so, Richard Green has a few suggestions for you
Gleneagles
One of Scotland’s most venerable resorts, Gleneagles is quite simply a magnificent place to stay and play. Set in rolling Perthshire countryside, there was a time when wealthy visitors would travel by train from London and arrive the next day at the hotel’s own station. Nowadays, it’s more likely to be helicopters and chauffeur-driven Mercedes, so upmarket is this Scottish gem. The centrepiece is obviously the golf, a trio of courses so good that all are ranked in the country’s top 100. The Kings and Queens, perhaps the legendary James Braid’s defining works, are almost 100 years old and played together in a single day make for the perfect golfing experience. Jack Nicklaus added a third course in the 1990s which has now been revamped for the 2014 Ryder Cup by David Kidd of Bandon Dunes fame. It might not have the history of the others but it’s a superb course in its own right and should be an exacting test of the world’s best players. In addition to the golf, Gleneagles is famed for its recently-refurbished 5-star hotel, its array of outdoor pursuits (including falconry and a gun-dog school) and a level of personal service that confirms its status as “The Palace of the Glen”.
For further details: www.gleneagles.com
Carton House
Built in 1739 for the Earl of Kildare, Carton House’s reincarnation as a luxury hotel and golf resort has been so successful that it has just been named European Golf Resort of the Year by industry tour operators. But given the magnificence of the Palladian mansion that has over the years hosted Queen Victoria and Grace Kelly, it is hardly surprising that it should be honoured. Two spectacular courses add to the excellence, and with Dublin only half-an-hour away Carton’s position as one of Ireland’s best resorts is unquestionable. The Montgomerie (as in Colin) can’t accurately be described as a links course, but it certainly plays like one with pot bunkers and swaying fescues. The O’Meara (as in Mark, former Open and Masters champion) is more parkland in feel. Both are superb. Of course, Carton has the obligatory spa, high-end dining facilities and outdoor pursuits, but another excellent addition is the on-site presence of a company called Ireland Xtreme that offers innovative outdoor team-building exercises perfect for those corporate weekends designed to help colleagues “get on better”.
For further details: www.cartonhouse.com
Celtic Manor
With the Ryder Cup just three years away, there has never been a better time to visit Wales’ premier golfing resort and hotel. The brainchild of billionaire entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews, Celtic Manor sits proudly on the hills above Newport, with the imposing hotel visible from miles around. Having been awarded the 2010 matches on the promise of a new course that would offer fans unrivalled views of the action, the resort has certainly delivered. Architect Ross McMurray reworked nine holes of the existing Wentwood Hills course and added nine new ones at a cost of £16million, including a spectacular closing trio flanked by a hillside capable of hosting 15,000 spectators. The remaining nine of Wentwood Hills have been redesigned by Colin Montgomerie, and he too has added nine new holes to make a new signature course. A third course, the Roman Road, which has hosted the Wales Open on the European Tour, adds to the attraction making the resort a superb place for a weekend break. Away from the golf, this 1400-acre estate has plenty more to offer, including fishing, shooting, mountain biking and tennis while an ultra-luxurious spa is the perfect way to iron out the stresses of modern life.
For further details: www.celtic-manor.com
Fairmont St Andrews
If you like St Andrews, you’ll love the Fairmont hotel. Located on the cliff top overlooking the Eden Estuary and the unmistakable spires of the Auld Grey Toon, this modern resort has everything the traveling golfer and his partner could wish for. With two excellent resort courses on site, the magnificent Kingsbarns just up the road, and the eagerly-awaited Castle Course next door, there is no shortage of on-course interest for those prepared to look beyond the hallowed turf of the Old Course. Both the Torrance and the Devlin courses enjoy spectacular coastal views - with the former being heavily renovated to improve it further still - while the cliff top clubhouse is the perfect place to reflect on a day’s play. Away from the fairways, meanwhile, a superb spa will help replenish the body. One of the Fairmont’s star attractions is undoubtedly the AA-awarded restaurant, Esperante, which offers superb Mediterranean cuisine that makes use of many fresh, Scottish ingredients. The taster menu - which features miniature portions of numerous dishes - is the perfect way to sample the best Esperante has to offer.
For further details: www.fairmont.com/StAndrews
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