When the hustle and bustle of the golf travel season comes to a close, Major Haversham and the H&B team shifts into what one might call “Recon Mode.” The ever changing offerings for the Good Life across the pond requires us to be extra vigilant in order to ensure the restaurants, hotels, and other sites we recommend meet with the high expectations of our travelers. As a result, The Major deploys his “Minions” on a regular basis to have a look in on things and, if we’re lucky, even discover a few new options in the process.
Over the last several months, several members of the H&B team have gone searching for the Good Life and returned with numerous new recommendations for the upcoming travel season.
Rocpool Reserve & Chez Roux – Inverness
After a morning round with our friends at Castle Stuart, we discovered a pair of superb Good Life offerings nearby and under the same roof. The Rocpool Reserve features 11 unique and chicly decorated guestrooms just a short stroll from the heart of Inverness. Not to be outdone, however, is the exceptional bar and fine dining found onsite at Chez Roux. If the name sounds familiar, it’s likely because it shares both name and proprietor with the restaurant at famed Greywalls adjacent to Muirfield. For yours truly, it was the smoked salmon and whisky cocktail which secured a spot on this list. For our Founder, Sam Baker, it was “the best eggs benedict I’ve had anywhere, and a souffle at dinner so light I had to hold it down with my fork.”
Number 1 – Aberdeen
By request of our Concierge extraordinaire, Tara Ryals, we took a short cab ride from The Marcliffe hotel in Aberdeen to Number 1 – a relatively new eatery whose buzz had caught her attention. There we found a stylish, yet comfortable, setting paired with attentive staff and a varied menu. After a full afternoon of driving from Dornoch to Aberdeen, we had a difficult time deciding between the filet mignon, the braised pork belly, or the wild mushroom ravioli. In the end, the Number 1 Burger won out, followed by the best rendition of pain perdu we’ve ever encountered.
The Halfway House and Lighthouse Suite – Turnberry
Besides the redesign of the Ailsa links and the renovation of the storied hotel, perhaps the most talked about changes undertaken at Turnberry of late took place at its famous lighthouse. The beacon is now the site of Ailsa’s halfway house – making a strong case as the finest setting among such establishments. If it weren’t for the spectacular 10th & 11th to come, Mike Walters, one of our Expedition Planning Managers, may very well have burned the rest of the afternoon on its terrace.
In addition to the halfway house, we also paid a visit to the new Lighthouse Suite. When it was announced, this new suite held promise to be among golf travel’s grand accommodations. We can report it easily defied those lofty expectations.
Brookwood – Dublin
On the final evening of a trip this summer, your author wandered the streets of Dublin, alone, without a plan for dinner. As Major Haversham’s Lieutenant for Social Media, I did a quick search on Twitter and, after a short exchange inquiring about bar seating for this weary solo-traveler, I soon found myself at Brookwood. Just two blocks from St. Stephen’s Green in the center of Dublin, Brookwood was precisely what I had in mind for this “last hurrah” meal. Excellent steaks, savory sides, and exceptional service were paired alongside a cozy, open-kitchen atmosphere. The somewhat small venue means that larger groups will need Tara to book them well in advance, but this bit of forward planning will prove entirely worthwhile.
Carnegie Courthouse – Dornoch
A wonderful new addition on the Dornoch square is the lovingly restored turn of the century building now known as the Carnegie Courthouse. In addition to the town’s tourist office, the site is now home to a whisky shop, a tea room, and a spa. The whisky shop features an extensive collection of single malts as well as a variety of the Scottish gins which are currently all the rage. Conveniently, there’s a tasting room for both types of spirit. In the tea room you’ll find breakfast and lunch service alongside a host of photos and artifacts from Dornoch’s long and rich history. Finally, the spa is an excellent place to unwind some of the kinks you may have picked up on the Foxy, however we’d strongly advise making a reservation as space is limited. All in all, the Carnegie Courthouse is a splendid new Good Life offering in the Royal burgh.
The Cave Bar – Meldrum House
This is not a new Good Life discovery, but one that, thanks to a recent reimagining, merits a mention. The Cave Bar at the Meldrum House has long been a favorite 19th hole for our Members of The Forces. Last summer, the hotel knocked out the bar’s rear wall, took over a guest-room, and dramatically increased the size of the venue. It now features a few intimate cubbies in the turrets, as well as some additional space to host those groups looking to toast a memorable round. They also have introduced a Whisky Locker, where Major Haversham is sure to keep some of his preferred malts on the ready.
Cheers to Golf and the Good Life in 2017!
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