What are the best luxury golf resorts and hotels in North America, and how do you get the best value when booking them? Spoiler alert! To get the best deal or discount at a luxury hotel, book via our luxury travel concierge.
1. Four Seasons Lanai
Four Seasons Lanai Hawaii is one of the best Four Seasons in North America. It offers a true escape on a billionaire’s private island. Larry Ellison’s to be exact. This Four Seasons on Lanai features in our best Four Seasons hotels in Hawaii. You will not find more beautiful or more remote, empty beaches anywhere in the world than the Four Seasons Lanai.
Golf here is epic, as shown by the picture above. Built on lava outcroppings, this Jack Nicklaus signature course features three holes perched on cliffs, enlisting the Pacific Ocean as a water hazard. Even better, effective July 1, 2022, guests can utilize a set of complimentary Titleist or PXG clubs while playing the Signature Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course. The selection includes men’s, women’s, and senior’s right and left-handed sets.
2. Four Seasons Hualalai
In second place is Four Seasons Hualalai, which offers a tropical beach complete with magical sea turtles, a pool you can snorkel in which is full of fish, a stunning array of pools, bars, and restaurants, and a world-class golf course. I particularly like the open-air bathrooms at this hotel (tip: you need to book a ground-floor room to experience these).
The hotel itself is perched on dramatic blackened lava from the Volcano. The entire low-rise complex is dotted with palm trees, and it has a long, private beach. The mix of warm sand, deep blue Pacific waters, lush green tropical foliage, and flowers means that the setting can only be described as breathtaking.
The golf course is also out of this world. Set along lava-rock fields, this Jack Nicklaus–designed course is a feast for all your senses as you play a 7,100 yard course that challenges and excites.
3. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
Ritz-Carlton is one of the most luxurious brands within Marriott Bonvoy, so you are unlikely to go wrong if you book into one of these hotels. With sun-drenched greens and luxury amenities, The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón inspires golf getaways in South Florida. Spend the morning playing the resort’s two 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman at Tiburón Golf Club. Or take to the water on a kayaking expedition before visiting the 19th green for evening cocktails. Additional amenities include a spa and 16,500 ft² of event space in Naples, Florida for memorable events.
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples’ golf courses host two annual PGA and LPGA golf tournaments. Here, you can join the ranks of QBE and LPGA players when you play a round at Tiburón Golf Club, home to two Greg Norman-designed courses.
A complimentary shuttle service between this golf hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is also available for those who wish to enhance their stay with a day at the beach.
4. Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, is situated on 54 lush acres featuring white-sand beaches and lava peninsulas. A major highlight here is the 36 holes of championship golf available, direct access to D.T. Fleming Beach, and a three-level swimming pool. The resort is beautiful, but it lacks a boutique feel, as it can be windy and quiet on this side of Maui. We consider this hotel to have one of the best club lounges in Hawaii. You can only get access to the club level lounge if you book a club-level room.
With emerald fairways that end in dramatic ocean views, the two 18-hole championship courses at this Maui golf resort promise the challenges and rewards of internationally acclaimed play. The Plantation Course, consistently ranked as one of Hawaii’s finest, hosts the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, while the Bay Course is a player favorite. The experience is complemented by the Kapalua Golf Academy, home to the industry’s top instructors.
The Plantation Course reopened in November 2019 after a major renovation and is consistently named the Best Golf Course in Hawaii by Golfweek. It is designed by Bill Core and Ben Crenshaw and has one of the PGA Tour’s most famous finishing holes.
Other courses include the Bay Course, a player-friendly course designed by Arnold Palmer and Frances Duane, which offers ocean and island views on the 16th and 18th holes. Its 17th hole is also the only one in Maui to play over the ocean.
Kapalua Golf Academy is Hawaii’s most complete, state-of-the-art golf school and practice facility. Designed by PGA touring professional Hale Irwin, it offers lessons, clinics and offsite instruction on all aspects of the game and for all skill levels.
5. Four Seasons Whistler
In at number five is the Four Seasons Whistler in Canada. If you want to ski at a Four Seasons, you will find this ski in ski out four Seasons hard to beat! I tell a slight lie, the Four Seasons Megeve is also pretty mindblowing and depending on which side of the pond you are based, this is another fabulous choice. Both hotels feature in our best for seasons for skiing.
I love this Whistler hotel because it is easy to get to, around a two-hour scenic drive from Vancouver airport. This Four Seasons is also excellent for golf. Four Seasons Resort Whistler offers access to three world-class golf courses designed by such legends as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Robert Cupp.
Less than two miles from the Resort, the 18-hole, par-71 Nicklaus North Golf Course runs along the valley floor, boasting spectacular views of snow-capped peaks backing an emerald lake ringed by fir trees.
Whistler golf club is designed by Arnold Palmer. Mountains surround this walkable, championship 18-hole course. It’s .6 of a mile from the Resort, making it easy to fit in a round or two between other activities.
Finally, Whistler’s top-ranked golf course by Score Golf is Big Sky Golf And Country Club. This 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Robert Cupp sits at the base of Mount Currie in stunning Pemberton Valley.
6. JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is an award-winning resort near Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona. This luxury resort welcomes you with attentive service, deluxe amenities, heated outdoor pools, garden terraces, and desert trails in the Sonoran Desert outside Scottsdale. Take the free shuttle to their amazing 18-hole championship golf courses.
Camelback Golf Club features 36 holes across two 18-hole championship courses, the Jason Straka–designed 18-hole, 7,221 yard, par 72 Ambiente Course and 6,903 yard, par 72 Padre Course. Set amidst rolling fairways and the Camelback foothills, natural beauty, native plants, and grasses combine for a challenging round that can be as punishing as it is rewarding. Gather before or after at the 36,000 ft² pueblo-style clubhouse. Share lunch, snacks, or drinks on the deck at Acacia Restaurant & Lounge with its sweeping vistas. Camelback Golf Club is a memorable destination for golfers.
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Nestled on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is an island bordered by beaches, and the beach in front of the Ritz-Carlton is magnificent! Whether you prefer to try an 18-hole championship golf course, wiggle your toes in the sand or enjoy the warmth of a beachside fire, this Ritz-Carlton is the perfect hideaway.
Golfers find The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, one of North Florida’s few resorts that unites their love of the sport and the sea. The Golf Club of Amelia Island features an 18-hole championship course designed by PGA Tour veteran Mark McCumber and golf legend Gene Littler. The course offers challenging yet fun play with strategically placed bunkers and shifting ocean breezes and is lush and meticulously maintained.
The golf club is also home to The Performance Golf Academy, where personalized golf instruction is offered for players of all levels.
6. Four Seasons Orlando
While you may think of this resort as an exclusive destination for access to Disney, there is so much more to this hotel. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort is 300 yards from the golf course. The Resort’s Tranquilo Golf Club was designed by Tom Fazio and is also an Audubon sanctuary replete with shimmering wetlands. The hospitality of Four Seasons extends to the course with complimentary bottled water and fruit, along with Titleist Pro V1 golf balls at the driving range, the best quality range balls you can get.
8. Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Inspired by the grand palazzos of Italy, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is a true luxury resort which calls America’s playground home. Test your skills against the championship-level golf course or rejuvenate with unique herbal treatments at the spa. We have compared the Ritz-Carlton Vs. JW Orlando, which are situated around adjoined pool facilities.
The Central Florida landscape provided inspiration to legendary golf course designer Greg Norman, who worked with nature to create challenging greens, wide fairways, and hazards. The 18-hole championship course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and tests the abilities of every skill level. The Orlando hotel golf club also features a clubhouse, restaurant, and lessons for children and adults.
At The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, children and young adults up to age 17 play golf at no charge with each paid adult round. This promotion is subject to availability and does not cover caddie concierge fees and gratuities. The Golf Club offers tournament-level golf course conditioning and personal service found only in the best private clubs. We accommodate corporate and leisure groups and offer options for scoring, format of play, food and beverage, and logo amenities.
9. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Troon North Golf Club is just minutes from Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. These are probably the best desert golf courses you’ll see in the Southwest or anywhere in the world. Typically, endless desert vistas extend on both sides of the holes, with huge rocks and distinct elevation changes. Here the golf carts have GPS that will give you exact yardage to the pin. Or you can order from the food and beverage menu and have it delivered to your location on the course.
10. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
Just 9 miles/ 14 km from the main Miami airport, this tropical island oasis is set on the eastern shore of a unique island that offers guests a tranquil haven surrounded by golden sands, gentle waters, and towering palms. With a décor inspired by West Indies Colonial design, the 12 acre oceanfront resort captures the beauty of its waterfront setting with floor-to-ceiling lobby windows that offer the first dramatic glimpse of palm gardens and the Atlantic Ocean.
Voted one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts” by Condé Nast Traveler, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is minutes from the picturesque and challenging par-72 course Crandon Golf Course, former home of the annual Royal Caribbean Classic, a senior PGA tournament. Designed by veteran golfers Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin, Crandon Golf Key Biscayne is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging 72-par courses in Florida and has been recognized as one of America’s top 75 upscale courses by Golf Digest. This distinctive Miami golf resort’s combination of challenging greens and beautiful setting with seven saltwater lakes, subtropical lagoon and glimpses of the area’s indigenous wildlife provide a unique playing experience for even the most seasoned golfers.
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