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My top 5 golf hotels in the country (of the places where I’ve stayed):
No. 5--Inn at Spanish Bay. I wouldn’t be caught dead on the Links at Spanish
Bay, but I wouldn’t mind drawing my last breath at the hotel. It’s so quiet
and comfortable, it feels as though you’ve taken a monkish retreat. Best
deal (based on double occupancy): Through March 31, you get two nights, two
rounds of golf (Pebble and Spanish Bay), $400 in resort credit for $1,237.50
per person.
No. 4--Sanctuary at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. It’s a castle-like
structure (pictured above) right on the water, with Shakespearian balconies,
a courtyard, rocking chairs on the back porch and six-star service, second
only to the service at the Lodge at Sea Island. Best deal, (based on double
occupancy): Through March 31, get a room and a round of golf at the Ocean
Course for $280 per person.
No. 3--A four-man cottage at Bandon Dunes. It’s your base camp for post-round(s)
recap, surrounded by three of the top 14 public courses in the country. What
you sacrifice in service and pampering, you gain in setting, serenity and
camaraderie. You get a living room, your own corner bedroom with a
king-sized bed, private bathroom and flatscreen TV (as if you’ll have enough
energy to make it through more than three minutes of SportsCenter). Best
deal (based on a group of four in a cottage): Through March 31, get a night
of lodging, two rounds of golf in the same day and a caddie each round
(gratuity included), for $665 per person. The same deal, for the month of
April, goes up to $810 per person.
No. 2--Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst. This old hotel, recently renovated, is
the bull’s-eye on the dartboard that is one of the best golf destinations in
the world. Catch the buffet breakfast and you’ll be so full you can afford
to miss lunch (and maybe dinner). There are two places I indulge in biscuits
and gravy--the Carolina and the Sanctuary. Best deal (based on double
occupancy): “Acura Package,” stay a minimum of two nights, three days, get
two dinners, two breakfasts, three rounds of golf on any of the eight
courses except No. 2. You also get one $300 gift card per room (can be
redeemed to offset the $175 premium you’d pay to play No. 2), and get 25
percent off at the spa for $970 per person.
No. 1--Lodge at Sea Island. The storied resort (pictured above) is in the
news a lot for all of the wrong real estate reasons. But it will host a Fall
Series event on the PGA Tour Oct. 7-10. I have never read a bad review of a
weekend at the Lodge, the service is what every great hotel strives to
achieve. Play golf at Seaside, then get a steak and martini at Colt &
Alison. Best deal (based on double occupancy): Through the end of June, the
“Premium Package” gets you a night at the Lodge, lunch and unlimited golf at
the Seaside or Plantation courses for $465 per person per night.
What's the most you'd spend for a night of lodging and a decent round of
golf?
A) Money is never a factor.
B) For a good hotel and a top 100 course, I'd pay $500 or a little more.
C) I can't go any higher than $400 for a bed and a round of great golf.
D) Are you nuts? I'd never go any higher than $200.
E) I collect cans, clip coupons and I keep lodging and golf to $100 a night.
You do know we're in a recession, right?
Tomorrow I’ll post my top 5 (more affordable, but still good) golf hotels in
the country.
--Matty G.
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