In February, the month of love, we turn our attention to some of the smaller, intimate, romantic places to stay while playing some of the world’s best golf. Think of this list as golf at it’s finest and love at its best. Or, as I rather crudely tell some of my older friends with fading memories of conquest, if you can’t get lucky here, you’ll never get lucky.
Aghadoe Heights, the penthouse suite
Killarney, Ireland
Just off the master bedroom of this massive suite is a hot tube with a spectacular view of the Lakes of Killarney and a ledge to sufficient to hold two glasses of champagne plus a bud vase. The world ranked golf nearby: Waterville and Ballybunion.
Culloden House
Nr Inverness, Scotland
The only Georgian Palladian mansion extant in the Highlands. Stay in one of the main house superior rooms with a crystal chandelier and marble fireplace. Take your pre-dinner drinks in the Wedgewood drawing room as the piper plays in the evening. Ask for a table for two in one of the dining room alcoves overlooking Moray Firth and the Black Isle. The golf in the neighborhood: Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Castle Stuart.
Eastwell Manor
Nr Ashford, England
The first time we stayed at Eastwell, my wife and I arrived in the dining room at 7:00 PM. While that is normally rather early for a fine dinner in England, we found the dining room already full and most of the other couples well into their entrees. We also observed that many of the women were noticeably younger than their male companions. By 8:00 PM, we dined virtually alone. Subsequently we discovered Eastwell is favored by aging London lotharios as the perfect place to bring their young mistresses. Had they played a round, they would have known it’s also the perfect place from which to golf at Royal St. Georges and Rye.
Finca Cortesin
Costa del Sol, Spain
Click here and feast your eyes on the accommodations options at Finca. Know that they are even more sumptuous and romantic than they appear in the photographs. No wonder Conde Nast named Finca Cortesin the best non-urban hotel in Spain. Work in a round at Valderamma during your stay.
Greywalls
Gullane, Scotland
Having tested several, I find the four poster at the top of the stairs to be the most romantic room in the house. Be advised that the floors creak and the room is located immediately above the bar. Hence you could risk sharing the sounds of a pre-dinner tryst with the early embiders below. (Let’s just call that piece of advice the voice of experience.) Muirfield is just off the back lawn and North Berwick is only ten minutes away.
Meldrum House
Old Meldrum, Scotland
There is something quite alluring about the period feel of the 11 rooms located in the 13th century baronial manor house. We, however, prefer the contemporary Scottish style of the 13 generously proportioned rooms carved from the 15th century stables. An evening libation in the Cave Bar is a fitting ending to a day on the links of Cruden Bay, Trump Scotland or Royal Aberdeen, all less than 30 minutes away.
The Merrion
Dublin, Ireland
Located in the heart of Dublin, The Merrion is built around beautifully restored Georgian townhouses which once belonged to a relative of the Duke of Wellington. Stay in one of the rooms in the main house. Dine one evening at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only Michelin 2 star. Play golf outside the city in suburban Portmarnock or the European Club.
Slieve Donard
Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Normally the Slieve would be a bit too large to fit in our smaller, intimate category but there are special circumstances. A few years ago, we sent a member of our team to the Slieve for a site inspection. She and her husband stayed in one of the junior suites and returned with what the Disney folks call a little souvenir of their visit. (The little souvenir now pitches for his Little League team.) Reason enough for an exception. The golf next door: Royal County Down.
Stoke Park Club
Stoke Pogues, England
Better known as the scene of the famous film match between Bond and Goldfinger, Stoke Park is also the place where Bridget Jones was bedded by her caddish boss in one of the many four poster suites with fireplace. Her boss was played by Hugh Grant who likely had prior practice for his role as his parents have been members of the club for ages. Had they opted for a bit of outdoor exercise, he and Bridget could have played Sunningdale or Swinley Forest in addition to the sporty Harry Colt design on property.
The Welsh Rarebits
Wales
About a decade ago, shortly after they were awarded the 2010 Ryder Cup, the Welsh tourism authorities asked me to go to Wales, look at their golf tourism product and advise them on how best to promote it to the American golf travel market. I came away truly impressed by the ruggedly beautiful, unspoiled nature of their seaside links but even more impressed with The Welsh Rarebits, a collection of small country houses and inns, many of which are incredibly romantic. My advice was to market Wales to couples as the quintessential romantic golf destination. I can tell I made quite the impression. Today the Rarebits website lets you search for a property near biking, birdwatching, fishing and walking but nary a word about golfing.
Nonetheless, if you play Royal Porthcawl, Aberdovey or Royal St. Davids, stay in a Rarebits. It will be a most romantic pairing and maybe you can even squeeze in a little birdwatching.
Sam Baker
Founder & Chairman