The best luxury hotels are often located near the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Coincidence? Little Guest (collection of 4 and 5-star hotels for families) doesn’t think so! With amazing views and everything passionate families looking for new experiences need; this is our selection of 100% golf vacations all over the globe. Tiger Woods better hold on tight!

 

Playing your favourite sport on an alpine summit in Switzerland at 2,000 meters of altitude, on the abrupt cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean in South Africa, or even on the Provençal region in France… these are just a few of the dreamy vacations that Little Guest is spotted. Discover the best golf destinations for a prestigious stay that will meet your exacting family’s expectations.

 

 

1 – SWING AT THE BLUE CANYON, THAILAND

Stay at The Slate hotel

 

 

No list of the top 10 golf courses in the world would be complete without the two 18-hole courses at the Blue Canyon Country Club, which could also be described as the most prestigious courses in Asia. Designed by the Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato, the courses are located just 10 minutes from the Phuket airport in Thailand. The first course, the Canyon course, is known for its water hazards, numerous strategic bunkers, fast greens, and fairways lined with rubber trees. In this post-card-esque decor, with the bay and Phang-Na mountains as the backdrop, Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1998. Beloved by the biggest golf champions like Fred Couples et Phil Mickelson, this location plays host to dozens of international tournaments each year. Shorter and more accessible, the Lake course has proven to be more technically difficult than its counterpart. The course itself is surrounded by natural countryside, which used to be part of mining exploration, which has created a series of doglegs and large, torturous greens. Players can get around in a golf cart.

Champions trying their hand on these sumptuous courses can stay just 20 minutes from the Blue Canyon Country Club, in one of the prestigious villas with a private pool at The Slate hotel. This 5 star establishment is known for its exceptional design by Bill Bensley, its high-end gastronomy, and the quality of their offerings. Among which you will find athletic activities (tennis, yoga, fitness, Pilates, etc.), cooking classes to share as a family, a kids-club for children starting at 4 years old and a luxurious spa known all throughout the region. These locations offer their guests a complete change in scenery and an irresistible immersion in Thailand tradition.

 

 

 

2 – SWING IN Verdura, italy

Stay at the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

 

 

Designed by the famous golf company Kyle Philips, in the southern Sicilian countryside in Italy, the two superb 9 and 18-hole golf courses of the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort offer extraordinary views of Verdura’s coastal landscape and the Mediterranean Sea. The holes are very varied, some of them are located among olive and orange trees, and others by the sea. Here you have the choice between perfecting your golfing skills, learning through lessons or just having a good time on one of the courses.

Golf enthusiasts who can’t get enough of their favourite sport stay in one of the 168 rooms, suites and villas of the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, located just a few steps from the courses. Situated in the heart of a 230-hectare site, this family haven of peace and quiet enjoys a Mediterranean environment among olive and lemon trees. Thanks to the high-quality baby club, kids-club and teens-club, children will be able to engage in various activities (gardening, gymnastics, culinary or plastic arts workshops, Italian classes, giant chess games…). For the little golf enthusiasts, the Junior Golf Academy offers three to five days of initiation or improvement. In addition to golf, the resort offers many other sports activities: tennis, fencing, karate, swimming, rugby, basketball… Meanwhile, parents can enjoy a round of golf or take full advantage of the hotel’s 4,000 sqm spa, considered to be one of the most modern and luxurious spas in Europe.

 

 

 

3 – SWING IN DUBAI CREEK, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Stay at the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel

 

 

Designed by the British architect Brian Johnson in 1993 and completed by Thomas Bjorn in 2005, the par 71 – 18 hole Dubai Creek course is spread out over 6,270 meters, with palm and date tree-lined fairways, protected greens, and closed with an uncompromising finish: a perfect drive or nothing! Located on the left bank of the Dubai Creek in the heart of the city, the course was ranked in the Top 10 golf courses in the Middle East in 2018 by Golf Digest. The location also has a fun mini-golf course where the whole family can play.

Families visiting Dubai and its numerous golf courses can stay in one of the oriental suites at the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel, a luxurious, intimate, and paradisaical oasis. This 5 star establishment offers a superb private beach with a view of the Dubai skyline, 4 pools, 9 stunning gourmet restaurants and a free kids club for children between 2 and 11 years old where children can participate in numerous creative and recreational activities (camel rides, oriental dance class, Arabic classes, henna art, sand sculpting, etc.). The hotel also offers families free access to the Aquaventure amusement park, located on the famous Palm Island. Golf parents will love the resort’s perfect location and the opportunity to enjoy a lovely afternoon on the n°1 18 hole golf course in the Middle East – Emirates Golf Club, located just 8 minutes from the hotel.

 

 

 

4 – SWING IN ENGSTLIGENALP, SWITZERLAND

Stay at the Gstaad Palace hotel

 

 

The Engstligenalp 18 hole pop-up golf course is the highest golf course in Europe at 2,000 meters above sea level! Located in the small Adelboden commune in Switzerland, the course brings together typical mountainous countrysides with arid plains and wild rivers, for an unforgettable initiation into alpine golf. Children and adults, seasoned professionals or beginners (accompanied by an instructor) will struggle against the high altitudes wind and often capricious weather. The location also is home to a chalet where they serve delicious raclette. It’s everything you could want!

Just 90 minutes from the Engstligenalp Golf Mountain, the Gstaad Palace makes families the center of attention. The 100-year-old hotel offers connecting rooms, allergy-safe children’s menus in the restaurants, a babysitting service and an amazing free kids-club for children between 3 and 12 years old which includes an outdoor playground and two indoor playgrounds. There, experienced hosts organize workshops for reading, grimage, crafting, baking, as well as sports tournaments and treasure hunts. Family vacations at the Gstaad Palace are active! In the winter, your concierge can help reserve ski lessons for the entire family, while in the summer, children between 7 and 16 years old can use up their energy on the four courts where the hotel offers tennis lessons organized by champion Marc Rosset, a gold medal winner at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

 

 

 

5 – SWING AT CORALES GOLF, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Stay at the Eden Roc Cap Cana Hotel

 

 

The Corales Golf Course in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is an 18 hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio in 2010. Its incredibly panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea make it a unique experience for golf and nature lovers. The longer the landscape stretches, the harder the game gets. Players will enjoy splendid views of the natural creeks, wild bays and the best protected interior lakes in the region. The last three holes nicknamed « The Devil’s Bend », make even the most experienced players tremble as they courageously swing from the abrupt cliffs. This location, known for its tropical scenery and amazing climate 365 days a year, has played host to numerous competitions and championships, including the Web.com circuit, a PGA qualifying tournament.

Just 25 minutes from the site, athletic families will find the prestigious Eden Roc Cap Cana hotel. The establishment offers elegant and colorful suites with private pools, a magnificent infinity pool, a private beach, a free kids club for children between 4 and 12 years old, a luxurious spa (nominated numerous times for the World Spa Awards), as well as a superb 18-hole golf course designed by champion Jack Nicklaus. This course, designed between cliffs, beaches and waterfalls, was ranked « Best Course in the Caribbean and Mexico » by Golfweek in 2011.

 

 

6 – SWING AT THE FINCA CORTESIN, SPAIN

Stay at the Ikos Andalusia hotel

 

 

Designed by Cabell Robinson, the famous architect from Robert Trent Jones’ team, the 18-hole Finca Cortesin golf course, located on the sea’s edge in Malaga, is considered one of the top 5 best golf courses in Spain by Golf World Magazine. Home to the Volvo World Match Play Championship from 2009 to 2012, the course is spread out over 6,802 meters and offers large fairways, numerous marble white sand bunkers, and fast sloping greens, all in the heart of diverse local plant life. In the evening, the location benefits from soft lighting and breathtaking sunsets. Don’t forget your camera!

Another amazing Andalusian location that is worth a few photos is the sublime all-inclusive resort, the Ikos Andalusia. Located 30 minutes from the Finca Cortesin, between the cities of Marbella and Malaga, this hotel is a little slice of heaven for families looking for relaxation and a change of scenery. Even if it does not have its own golf course, this 5-star establishment is home to prestigious high-end and kids-friendly installations, such as its 8 pools, superb spa, baby-club for babies between 4 months and 3 years old, as well as its incredible kids-club for children between 4 and 12 years old and its teen-club for teens between 13 and 17, both of which are free! Athletic families will not be disappointed, as the resort offers a large selection of activities and two tennis courts.

 

 

 

7 – SWING AT THE CHATEAU ET LE RIOU, FRANCE

Stay at the Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort

 

 

Voted the « Best golf resort on the European continent » for the second consecutive year by the famous magazine Golf World, the Terre Blanche hotel is a must-see for golf lovers traveling to the south of France, more specifically, the Provençal region. Located in Tourrettes, this family-friendly and intimate resort offer golf lovers two 18-hole golf courses, named « Le Château’ and « Le Riou », which are both considered among the most prestigious courses in all of Europe. The resort also has a training center, the Albatros Golf Performance Center, which is home to a new academy, and the unique Biomecaswing center where you can get your start or perfect your skills!

Children staying at Terre Blanche are lucky: they have free access to all the excitement of the kids-club designed for children between 2 and 12 years old, such as recreational and creative outdoor activities, a welcome gift, indispensable childcare equipment to make children even more comfortable, as well as a high-quality babysitting service. Meanwhile, mom and dad can fully enjoy the 3,200sqm of the hotel’s spa, or participate in the free sports classes put on by the resort, such as hatha yoga, fusing Pilates, aqua biking, aquagym, cardio training, and even Zumba.

 

 

 

 

Sarah, 27 years old, Italian gastronomy and travel addict, from Brussels