New Hilton hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand

May 14, 2010April 27, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Having spent some time in Queenstown, New Zealand at the end of 2008, I was interested to read that Hilton seem to be planning a new hotel there.

I enjoyed my time there very much; from the wonderful scenery (where much of Lord of the Rings was filmed), to the great golf courses including the new Hills and Jack’s Point Courses…it is also the birth place of adrenaline sports like bungee jumping and jet boating. However, if you prefer something more laid back, it is the perfect base to visit Milford Sound or some of the excellent vineyards…I certainly recommend the Pinot Noir.

One thing I felt the area lacked was a decent choice of 4-5 star accommodation. We find that the Millbrook Resort works well for PerryGolf clients; and for those looking for something extra special, there is Eichardt’s or the new Matakauri Lodge operated by the same owners as Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. For a more modest option at a standard you can trust, a new Hilton hotel would be a welcome addition.

For further details, click here .

By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of our agents responsible for the South Pacific Programmes.

Fancourt Hotel, South Africa

April 30, 2010April 9, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Fancourt is South Africa’s premier golf resort located in George in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route. If you are scheduling a trip to South Africa then look no further than this ideal resort; home to 3 golf courses – Outeniqua and Montagu (both parkland courses) and the new addition in 2000, The Links, a spectacular links course…all of the courses are designed by Gary Player. Fancourt Hotel also has an award wining spa, luxury accommodation and 3 excellent restaurants on site.

Click here to view the hotel.

By Denise McKee. Denise has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

A Weekend at Celtic Manor, Wales – venue for Ryder Cup

April 23, 2010March 30, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

One of the advantages of having a partner who was born just outside of Cardiff (and is a very keen golfer) is that we get away to my favourite hotel, Celtic Manor, whenever possible; Wales playing at home in the Millennium Stadium, a family birthday or anniversary is all the excuse we need.

Although the main hotel looks somewhat formidable on approach – from the huge wooden dragon sleeping in the foyer, to the menus in the restaurants – it is a delightfully Welsh experience.

My partner always enjoys a lesson with the Pro which then continues onto one of the courses while I hit the Spa! The staff all over the hotel are extremely helpful and welcoming without being obtrusive and no less so at the Spa where you can chat about your treatment, choose your products and generally get into the mood for relaxation in the sunny conservatory.

There are five restaurants in the resort…and believe me, we have tried them all! My favourite is Rafters in the 2010 Clubhouse for superb food in an informal atmosphere. But for a real treat, and if we are being joined by family, the Taste of Wales experience in The Crown Restaurant makes for a memorable evening. Designed for a table of four or more to share, this is a taster menu with suggested wines and it is a lot of fun. The intention is that you will spend the entire evening with them; from pre-dinner drinks to a nightcap… and you are in no hurry to leave!

By Yvonne Shaw. Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

New Melbourne, Australia Hotels

April 14, 2010March 17, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Melbourne is already spoilt in terms of golf courses being located a short drive from the “Sandbelt”; which maintains names such as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath, but it is now adding to its hotel options with a range of new properties that have either opened this year or that are due to open later on in the year. It promises to keep this vibrant cosmopolitan city high on the “must-see” list of any traveller, not just golfers. You can see more details of some of the new hotels by clicking here. We will be especially interested to see what Gordon Ramsey creates at the new Crown Metropol.

By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of the agents responsible for our South Pacific programmes.

New Restaurants at Rusacks, St Andrews

April 12, 2010March 21, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Dining in St. Andrews offers several excellent places to eat; MacDonald Rusacks Hotel (located right next to the 18th hole of the Old Course) is now certainly one of them. The hotel has opened two new restaurants on site; restaurateur Adrian Pieraccini has joined in partnership with Macdonald Hotels to create the new restaurant Rocca (which opened in February 2010) and has panoramic views over the 18^th hole. Rocca is an Italian classic style grill restaurant with an excellent a la carte menu – they pride themselves on using the best Scottish and local produce. The young energetic kitchen team is led by head chef Liam McKenna – who 3 years ago won the distinction award of The Martin Wishart Scottish chef scholarship.

The second restaurant is The One Under and is St. Andrew’s one and only gastro pub. This was also developed by Adrian Pieraccini and was introduced in December 2009. Accurate to the meaning of ‘gastro pub’, the main focus here is on the quality of the food.

This is the perfect place to relax after a long day on the golf course so I would say that during your stay in St Andrews a visit to either of these restaurants is highly recommended!

By Denise McKee. Denise has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of the admin team.

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