Golfers Dream Vacation: Top Hotels Around the World

Planning the perfect vacation is always stressful. We have found 14 of our favorite Golf Resorts and Hotels around the entire world with the best of the best golf accommodations you could ever wish for. These Resorts are truly the golfers getaway you have been looking for, and with so many beautiful attractions and activities for the whole entire family to enjoy! 

1. St Andrews: Fife, Scotland

Founded in 1754, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (located on the east coast of Scotland) has been the host to the Open Championship more than any other club. Despite what many believe, St. Andrews Links are public golf courses. We suggest staying in the luxurious Old Course Hotel conveniently located right next to the St. Andrews Links. During your stay, you also must check out the famous Old Course located in the Links, which operates seven different courses that you can choose from.  And your St. Andrews trip wouldn't be complete without enjoying their stunning beaches and rolling hills of course!

2. Machrihanish Golf Club & Ugadale  Hotel: Kintyre, Scotland

If you are looking for golf links in Scotland that are in a little more of a secluded setting than St Andrews, just drive to the west coast of Scotland to the Kintyre Peninsula. Their famous opening tee shot is a timeless classic because you have to cross an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean to a fairway retreating on the diagonal to get to it. The Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club includes links designed by David Kidd and a family-friendly Dunaverty Golf Club. The Royal Hotel (in Campbeltown) and the Ugadale Hotel (across the street from Machrihanish Golf Club) have both been newly renovated to be beyond comfortable, while also preserving a distinct Scottish charm making this a dream vacay for everyone in the family. 

3. One & Only Palmilla: Los Cabos, Mexico

In 1922, the One & Only Palmilla was opened in Los Cabos and the Palmilla legacy helped make the resort another prime destination for golfing. The resort has three 9-hole courses (Arroyo, Mountain, and Ocean) and was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course features lakes, deep elevations, and five staggered tees that all golfers enjoy at pretty much any level. The One & Only Palmilla Resort is also well known for their picture-perfect sunrises, countless beaches, and award-winning restaurants overlooking the Sea of Cortez and the Baja Peninsula.

4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Bandon, Oregon

The windy coast of Oregon is a close resemblance to the blustery conditions of golf's birthplace, Scotland. The courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort were built in 1999 making it the oldest course in Oregon. Not only are the weather conditions similar, but the Bandon Dunes were also built in the rare true links style like in Scotland. For those of you that may not know the characteristics that make up a true links course: they are built along the coast, have a very open design, and features few water hazards. And although all of the golf courses are considered relatively new, they are still considered some of the best in the world. You truly won't be able to find a more accommodating resort than you will at Bandon Dunes.

5. Pebble Beach Golf Links: Pebble Beach, California

There are so many different amazing sets of 18-hole courses at Pebble Beach, located right on top of a coastline of cliffs. It is by far one of the most famous golf courses in the world due to the breathtaking ocean views, especially at the eighth hole. If you want to explore other courses be sure to check out Spyglass Hill, they are well known for naming their holes after Treasure Island, and the Links at Spanish Bay that attempt to recreate a traditional Scottish golf course. There are two awesome hotels we recommend staying at depending on what you are looking for. If you want a more luxurious, high-end hotel we recommend The Lodge of Pebble Beach. If you are looking for a relaxing, laid-back environment we suggest the Mediterranean-style Casa Palmero.

6. Terre Blanche: Provence Cote d'Azur, France

Le Chateau and Le Riou are two Terre Blanche 18-hole championship golf course that are tucked away in the majestic landscapes of Provence Cote d'Azur in the south of France. Le Chateau is best known for hosting the annual French Riviera Masters on the Senior European Tour and its jaw-dropping water features. The five-star resort is equipped with a training center, a clubhouse,  and 115 suites and villas, all of which come with their own breathtaking views, such as lakes, forest, and waterfalls. after a long day of golfing, take your taste buds to a whole other world with four different decadent restaurants to choose from' including Le Faventia who has a Michelin star.

7. Banyan Tree: Phuket, Thailand

Thailand has been recognized for the Banyan Tree Hotel as being the best golfing destination not only in Thailand but in all of Asia as well. Architect Paul Jansen created a challenging 18-hole, par 71 course, with plenty of water hazards added into the mix along the 6,756-yard course. The scenery is completed with lagoons, tropical foliage, and the Phuket mountains, and due to the USGA specification of greens, it guarantees quality putting surfaces year-round! Of course, we can't finish this review without checking out the hotel-- they ensure every villa has its own pool and their spa has earned multiple plaudits over the years. Truly a dream getaway for everyone!

8. Velaa Private Island: Maldives 

Velaa Private Island offers world-class golf and plenty of relaxation. What better way to get away from the world than to escape to your own private golfing Island. Jose Maria Olazabal created the amazing 9-hole course in the Maldives. Velaa truly has everything and anything a golfer could possibly wish for, including their state-of-the-art golf academy. When you're not relaxing in your beautiful villa, there are countless activities which include exploring the ocean in a submarine, diving, yachting or even being able to choose a label from the largest wine cellar in the Maldives!

9. Kauri Cliffs: Northland Region, New Zealand

One of our favorite locations on our list is by far the gorgeous New Zealand Kauri Cliffs. New Zealand really has no shortage of beyond stunning golf courses, but few can match The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in the country's beautiful Bay of Islands. The Lodge is a 6,000-acre course that sits right on the coast above Matauri Bay with views over the Cavalli Islands, Cape Brett, and the Pacific Ocean. What's nice about the par 72 is that it features five sets of tees that challenge any golfer at any level. 15 of the holes overlook the Pacific and 6 holes are along cliffs which guarantees an enjoyable view during your whole entire golf game. Once you're done with your golf filled days, enjoy your nights with exquisite cuisine and resting up in one of the adorable cottages set in a native forest that overlook the breathtaking golf course.

10. Cabot Trail Links: Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

If you don't know about The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, it winds over and around bald mountains, passes through dense forests of balsam fir, and clings to cliff sides with whales breaching in the waters below. The successful Cabot Links was built in 2011 and it was actually a joint project by Ben Cowan-Dewar and the Bandon Dunes developer Mike Keiser. Due to all the success, the resort opened its second layout in the summer of 2014, called Cabot Cliffs. It has been known to be compared to California's legendary Cypress Point for the breathtaking ocean scenery and amazing golf opportunities. 

11. Grand Resort Bad Ragaz: Heidiland Region, Switerland

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is located in the Heidiland region of Switzerland and is known for being the leading health and 'well-being' resort. The Grand is also the only resort in Switzerland with two golf courses, an 18-hole PGA Championship Course and the 9-hole Executive Course! On top of everything else, Bad  Ragaz is also a medical resort, therefore giving you extensive pro golf resources and support that is always on hand, including a "golf check-up", before thermal baths, sauna, and spa suites. And of course, no trip is complete without gourmet cuisine from the Michelin-starred chef Andreas Caminada at the Igniv Restaurant.

12. La Manga: Murcia Region, Spain

La Manga Club is located in beautiful Murcia, Spain. It has been a popular golfing destination since 1972 because it's all about golf, golf, golf here with countless golf resources such as three 18-hole course, a 9-hole academy course, and a golf training center! La Manga is most well known for being the host for five Spanish Opens and for having golfing greats like Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, and many more golf on their course. These resort amenities don't even mention the 28 tennis courts, their huge spa, plus the 20 restaurants that are all across the property. Doesn't matter whether you are a golf enthusiast or not, this Spanish resort truly has it all!

13. Kawana Hotel: Ito, Japan

Did you know that the Fuji Courses at the Kawana Hotel is known to be one of the world's great courses? Well lucky for you, the golf course is not only conveniently located an hour and a half outside of Tokyo, but the course is also both open to the public and is not crazy jammed like most other public golf courses tend to be. The Fuji course was made in 1936 by C.H. Alison and is located on the Izu Peninsula. Laying across beautiful seaside bluffs, the course features several holes with "pulse-quickening" tee shots that plunge down nearly 100 feet below. Although all of the thrilling downhill action makes it seem like you will have to climb back up somehow, Alison cleverly created the course in a way that only one hole (the par-five third hole) really feels anything like an uphill workout.

14. Laucala: Fiji

The private Island of Laucala can only be accessed by the resort's private jet (or your own private jet) and the private Island, of course, comes fully equipped with an amazing 18-hole golf course.  The par 72 course cuts its way through what used to be a coconut plantation across fairways. Their famous signature 12th hole sits right on the edge of the ocean, completing the course's scenery with cliff faces, the thundering surf on the South Pacific, and volcanic mountains in the background. With an incredibly dedicated staff of over 300 for just 24 villas, your wish is truly their command! Laucala also offers more than enough land and water activities off the course to last a lifetime. And we can't forget about the fine dining of chef Jean-Luc Amann to complete the perfect private island getaway!