Stay and play

The thrill of taking on new and challenging courses in exotic locations is just part of the allure of a golfing holiday. Where you stay can add a whole new layer to the experience, and as Europe is home to such a wealth of outstanding resort courses, choosing where to stay and play can be overwhelming to say the least. Here are five properties well worth putting on your list.

SPAIN – Castillo Hotel Son Vida 

Ever since the 1950s when the first charter flights began to arrive in Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands has attracted millions of visitors every year in search of sea, sand and sunshine. The island is also well supplied with over 20 quality courses and several are within chipping distance of the capital, Palma. The best address in town for golfers is the Castillo Hotel Son Vida (a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel) – an oasis of comfort nestled in the heart of the exclusive villa district of Son Vida, about a 20-minute drive from the airport. 

Situated high above the Bay of Palma, this gorgeous 13th-century castle hotel exudes a rich Spanish grandeur with its historical architecture, exquisite antiques and collection of valuable paintings. Since opening in 1961, the hotel has attracted a long list of famous guests including the Spanish Royal Family and film stars like Brigitte Bardot and Steve McQueen.

Mallorca’s oldest golf course, Son Vida originally laid out by F.W Hawtree in 1964, and the 9-hole Executive Course surround the hotel, while only a few minutes drive away is the Son Muntaner course which meanders lazily through an undulating Mediterranean landscape. Magnificent pines and silvery green olive trees dot the fairways and on the par-5 15th is the fantastically gnarled and twisted thousand-year-old olive tree known as Sa Capitana, one of the oldest on the island. A fourth course, the superb Son Quint, is also linked with the hotel, which adds up to a total of 63 holes – and one of the best golf complexes in Europe. 

IRELAND –  Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg

Setting aside any debates that might be brought on by the name of the property, this stunning Greg Norman-designed layout, designed in 2002 looks and plays like it’s been part of the landscape for more than 100 years.  

Holes play, up, down, beside, around, and seemingly into the towering dunes. Bunkers are dug by hand, some edged by tall layers of stacked sod, others by shaggy tufts of native grass. The par-4, 18th is a fitting finale to a memorable course, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching the length of the 453-yard hole. Beyond the green is the magnificent granite five-star hotel, offering elegant accommodation with ocean, river and courtyard views from its one-to-four-bedroom suites, individually furnished with antiques and each with its own private living space and kitchen area. The Links Cottages are even larger residences located alongside the course and offer a self-catering option for families and golfing groups. Amenities include five-star dining, spa (with steam rooms, sauna, whirlpool), fitness area, Trump's Bar & Restaurant, golf shop and concierge service.

PORTUGAL – Praia d’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort  

Although Portugal’s southern Algarve may have the lion’s share of the country’s courses, for the travelling golfer looking for something special, the Oeste region is an interesting option. Star billing must go to the luxury Praia d’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort  less than one hour's drive north of Lisbon, situated along a beautiful sandy beach in a rural landscape of rolling sand dunes and pine forests. 

The centrepiece of the golf resort (offering villas, apartments and hotel accommodation), is Cabell B.Robinson’s wild and wonderful Praia d’El Rey golf course - a marvellous combination of a parkland front nine and links back nine that follows the coast with spectacular views over the Atlantic and the Berlengas Islands beyond. 

Away from the golf and resort facilities there’s plenty of off-course attractions and activities – from numerous archaeological and historical sites to sparkling Atlantic beaches, enchanting coastal villages, excellent seafood and fine wines. Well worth a visit is the charming fortified town of Óbidos with its picturesque cobblestone streets and whitewashed churches, all encircled by the walls of a 12th century castle. 

SCOTLAND – Gilmerton House

 With roaring log fires, tranquil gardens and a history dating back to the mid-1600s, Gilmerton House is a warm and welcoming Georgian mansion available for private hire for golfers looking to immerse themselves in the seclusion of the East Lothian countryside. The main house offers luxury accommodation across 10 beautifully appointed bedrooms, a billiards room, two private dining rooms, helicopter access, a separate three bedroom Lodge and the recently renovated Laundry House built in 1804. Although Gilmerton House doesn't have a golf course directly on site, an impressive selection of quality golf courses are only a few miles drive away including Gullane, Craigielaw, Archerfield Links, Longniddry, Muirfield, The Renaissance Club, North Berwick and The Glen.  

 Given its close proximity to Edinburgh, private driving range, luxurious accommodation and bespoke dining options, Gilmerton House has long been a popular choice for discerning golfers in addition to professional golfers from the PGA, DP World Tours and the Ryder Cup Team. 

ITALY - Verdura Golf & Spa Resort 

A 90-minute drive from Palmero airport through Sicily's mountainous interior and you arrive at the 570 acre Verdura Golf & Spa Resort set out in a valley of olive groves on the rocky southwest coast. Managed by the Rocco Forte Hotels Group, this luxury golf retreat boasts lavishly appointed sea view villas and suites in addition to an extensive portfolio of facilities, including four restaurants, a huge spa, 60 metre two-tier swimming pool (one of the largest in Europe), and a private beach of powder white sand.

 Golf is an integral part of the Verdura Resort experience, and three quality layouts (two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole par-3 course ), designed by renowned golf architect Kyle Philips meander around the property and along the coast. Using the natural green contours of the landscape, the  two championship 18-hole courses (West and East) have a distinctive links flavour, reminiscent of Scottish or Irish coastal courses, with the added twist of being lined with orange and olive groves plus Mediterranean Sea views. A double ended driving range, clubhouse with golf shop, and a Golf Academy with excellent practice facilities complete the golfing picture. A couple of worthwhile diversions from the resort include the historic fishing port town of Sciacca (a 15-minute drive) and the fabulous Greek temples at Agrigento and Selinunte (just under an hour's drive away).