When the subject of best golf resorts is discussed, there is usually a hidden secondary desire that pops up during the course of this conversation. The combinations of golf and culinary, golf and mountains, or golf and beach can tilt the conversation toward the most desired destination.
What do you imagine when you close your eyes and dream about what a golf luxury resort should include? Do you see whales breaching in the ocean just beyond the 18th hole putting green? Does a post-round massage next to a private infinity pool sound like the ultimate refresher? Or does the perfect after-golf experience involve a Michelin chef cooking a favorite delicacy atop a penthouse view?
Our list of the Top 7 Golf Resorts covers all these wishes and more. From the mountain majesty of the Canadian Rockies to the jagged cliffs of New Zealand, many of the world’s best golf courses are magically connected to amazing Five-Star resorts. Sit back and take a ride on our golf journey revealing the best resorts for those who love the links.
Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, Canada
The Fairmont Banff Springs is the only golf resort in the world that includes a castle, two mountain ranges, elk, and a century’s worth of railroad lore. When Banff Springs opened in 1928 it was the most expensive golf course ever built.
What’s wonderful about the castle part of the Banff Springs hospitality equation is this towering hotel offers unsurpassed luxury and unending mountain range views. In anticipation of your Banff Springs environment, realize that most of the resort’s 764 rooms and suites are preceded with the word “mountain” in their description. The most glorious of these is the 1500-square-foot Royal Suite with its 360-degree view of Bow Valley.
Banff Springs’s unequaled golf layout is set amidst Banff National Park. During 18 holes at Banff Springs, you’re as likely to see an elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or bear as a birdie or a bogey.
Rosewood Tucker’s Point Golf Course in Bermuda
Tucker’s Point Golf Club is the fabulous end result of a mega-cash infusion and stylish golf course redesign. The distinct luxury you experience today is the culmination of a 2002 course upgrade that helped lay the groundwork for this 200-acre property becoming Rosewood Tucker’s Point in 2009. With origins dating back to 1932, this 18-hole layout features some of the best ocean views in all of Bermuda.
For those seeking vacation options beyond golf, Tucker’s Point Resort has something special for the most sophisticated taste. The resort dubbed “The Jewel of the Atlantic” includes a private beach club, tennis club, wellness spa, cricket matches, and nearby Botanical Gardens.
Sublime accommodations are styled with British Manor House furnishings. Tucker’s Point Resort reveals period antiques, hardwood furniture, and exquisite artwork. For top-of-the-line comfort, expect the 2,000-square-foot Walsingham Suite overlooking Castle Harbor to exceed expectations.
Argentario Golf Resort and Spa in Porto Ercole, Italy
The lush Argentario Golf Resort and Spa is branded “a private Tuscany in which wellness is a way of life.” The bio-compatible and naturally beautiful Argentario Golf Club merges two nature reserves over 18 holes.
The hilltop Locker Cottage is the ultimate in Argentario accommodations. This 2,000-square-foot luxury villa is embraced by an olive tree garden, Monte Argentario Beach, and the quaint village towns of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano.
Argentario Golf Course features amazing views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and Portobello Lagoon. The Argentario Golf Resort and Spa is your opportunity to Eat, Play, and Golf under the Tuscan Sun.
The Four Seasons Lanai Resort in Hawaii
How many golf courses have you played that are born from volcanic outcroppings?
During the course of a golf round have you ever spied a humpback whale spouting? Imagine playing one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world and you’re the only person on the course. All of this and more can occur when experiencing Manele Golf Course on the tiny Hawaiian island of Lanai.
Manele Golf Course features a tranquil setting, outrageous ocean views, and a personality all its own. Scenic golf holes with names like Angry Bear, Lonely Tree, and Beauty and the Beast help make Manele one of Hawaii’s top golf venues.
If luxurious Lanai accommodations are priority one, you only need to know two words: Four Seasons. A sweet suite option is the 3,900-foot Alii Royal. This lavish two-bedroom presents panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Hulopoe Marine Sanctuary. The seascapes from this suite are so special, amenities include a binocular tripod.
Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand
If your best golf luxury image involves the words rustic, cliffs, and wine, then award-winning Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand aim to thrill. There are two things you should know as to what makes this rugged golf resort unique. Billionaire investor Julian Robertson built this 6,000-acre resort on a sheep and cattle ranch, and the best way to arrive at this remote oasis is by helicopter.
If you wish to vacation as Robertson lives, the Owner’s Cottage is a four-bedroom beauty that includes a stone fireplace and a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dining like the owner means Chef Gill Meller graciously whips up gourmet cuisine during your stay.
If the thought of golfing on sheer cliffs overlooking the ocean is music to your ears, then Cape Kidnappers is a New Zealand links symphony. Expect a soundtrack of ocean waves, Kiwi tradewinds, and your heart pumping in harmony with Cape Kidnappers’ awesome surroundings.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya
Freshwater lagoons, one of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs, and a Greg Norman-designed golf course await at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya. Your first tee shot at the El Camaleon introduces you to something you won’t find on any other golf course in the world.
Norman chose to keep a giant cenote as part of his El Camaleon landscape when it was uncovered during the construction of El Camaleon. You should know that this award-winning track is the first Mexico course to hold a PGA event. The ocean holes on the back nine feature vistas that are matched only by the gorgeous scenery spanning the pristine Banyan Tree property.
To get a true accommodations feel for the Mayakoba existence, The Serenity Pool Villa includes a separate Study Pavilion, aromatherapy, and access to The Rainforest, a state-of-the-art hydrothermal experience. If you wish to walk the Mayakoba walk, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers three miles of nature trails.
The K Club in Kildare, Ireland
For the golf enthusiast, playing a Ryder Cup course is a die-and-gone-to-heaven proposition. At the K Club in Kildare, Ireland, you can make this wish come true as part of a luxury golf resort vacation.
The 2006 Ryder Cup was played at The Palmer, and this K Club course is considered one of the best in Europe. If your golf thirst can’t be quenched by playing just one course, realize The K Club is also home to a second championship venue. The Palmer Smurfit Course hosted the European Open from 1995 to 2007.
Accommodations at the K Club don’t take a back seat to any luxury resort. In 1832, the resort’s original suite was built on the banks of the River Liffey and is modeled after a French Chateau. Amidst all this luxury and history, if you’re looking for something to do beyond golf, consider the K Club Spa, fishing, falconry, and day trips to the city of Dublin.
Which Golf Resort is Right for You? If you have a hard time deciding what’s essential in your golf resort wish list, there are at least seven courses in the world that are ready to win you over. Why not vacation at Fairmont Banff Springs, Rosewood Tucker’s Point, Argentario Golf Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Lanai Resort, Cape Kidnappers In Hawke’s Bay, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, and The K Club? After experiencing these unique golf resorts, one thing is for sure…. your new lucky number is seven.
