A brand-new luxury golf lodge resort will be opening at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire on the West Coast of Scotland in 2021. Dundonald Links is one of Scotland’s finest links golf courses and sits at the heart of one of the best golf destinations in the world. 

The course has previously hosted both the Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open.

Planning permission has been granted to build a new clubhouse and to add 97 bespoke lodges to the site, which will offer a mix of accommodation designed to suit individuals and groups of golfers, from one-bedroom hotel-style rooms to six-bedroom lodges. 

The new two-storey clubhouse will be a striking modern design and will replace the current temporary facility.  Large balconies overlooking the course will offer sweeping views to the Isle of Arran and facilities within the clubhouse will include a restaurant, bar and lounge as well as a gym and extensive changing facilities.

The clubhouse has been designed to incorporate the best features of a number of clubhouses, and to be sympathetic to the surrounding environment.  Sustainable features include a grass roof, which will provide natural insulation, and windcatchers to provide natural ventilation whilst planting will include an array of pollen and nectar bearing plants that will contribute to the Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network, a project co-led by Dundonald Links and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The luxury lodges, which will be added in two phases, will be custom-designed with golfers in mind and will provide much needed accommodation for golfing groups in an area that is hugely popular for golf tours. The lodges will be designed with a modern aesthetic and built to Scottish residential building standards to ensure they are suitable for the Scottish weather all year round. A number of the lodges will be clustered around three practice putting greens, making it easy for golfers to hone their skills whilst also enjoying the comforts of their lodge. All of the lodges, which will feature one, two, four or six bedrooms, will offer en-suite bathrooms, large relaxing living spaces and fully-equipped kitchen and dining facilities. The 22 one-bedroom hotel-style rooms will offer elegantly designed spacious accommodation close to the clubhouse.

Improvements will also be made to the existing golf course in order to enhance the playing experience, including the addition of a half-way house, and these will be led by the original course designer Kyle Phillips and his team. 

Ashley Pheasant, Head of Golf at Darwin Escapes, which operates Dundonald Links, said of the changes: “Over £20 million will be invested to transform what is already an outstanding golf course into one of Scotland’s leading golf resorts. Dundonald Links will become a valuable asset for all of Ayrshire, offering a new style of accommodation for golfers which is much needed in the area and helping to ensure that Scotland’s West Coast remains one of the top golfing destinations in the world”. 

Construction work on the new resort is due to begin in April with Dundonald Links aiming to start welcoming guests by the start of summer in 2021.

Women & Golf’s Winter Jumper Selection READ MORE