It’s summer on the Dublin coast and Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is basking in the Irish sunshine.
The view from my top floor window looks onto the white sands of Portmarnock beach and across onto the 18th green of a links course that is enveloped by mighty dunes which separate it from the shoreline. A group of youngsters in nothing but swimming shorts clamber up one side of them from the beach to briefly watch a group finishing up their round and perhaps daydream of a round on this beautiful links.
The setting is spectacular and the set up and service at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is every bit as good. This is a 5-star resort in every sense of the word. The public spaces are beautifully finished and the rooms are bright and airy. Mine had a terrace that gave me a panoramic view of the beautiful coastline and both the 18th green and 1st tee of the golf course. It was genuinely breathtaking. The bathrooms are modern and spacious and there is an air of class about all the tiny details that mark out great hotels from good ones.
The saying among the staff here is said to be that nothing is ever overlooked, except the ocean itself. That was certainly our experience.
Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is located in prime position for both the airport, which is a 15 minute drive away, and the best golf courses near Dublin. One of them is within the resort itself and was designed by none other than former Ryder Cup captain and general legend of the game, Bernard Langer. Now, Langer would be the first to admit that he was blessed with a majestic piece of land on which to build what is now a classic Irish links course and widely considered to be one of the best in the Dublin area. But he has made the most of it. The course felt like it got better and better as the round went on. It’s a great test and played firm and fast on our visit, just as it should.
The putting green and short game areas are within yards of the hotel buildings, which is a wonderful treat for those on a golf trip who are looking to sharpen their game before they get going.
The history of this resort is fascinating too. It was once the private family estate of the Jameson family, yes that Jameson family of worldwide whiskey fame. The original hotel building was the family mansion and once your round is over you will find the Jameson bar as welcoming and warm a place as any to relax and unwind. It’s a great place to knock back a glass or two of Irish whiskey or a pint of Guinness and all while you get a history lesson for the barman.
We loved Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links. It was welcoming, luxurious and thoroughly relaxing. A more beautiful place to stay, you will struggle to find. Visit www.portmarnock.com to make reservations.
