Where to stay for the ultimate luxury Surrey golf tour

Stop it! No, really. I am running out of superlatives. It is simply not fair!

In recent months my wife and I have had the privilege of visiting venues such as Aldwark Manor, Carden Park and The Manor House. The facilities on offer at all of these have been mind-boggling. And just when I thought that it couldn’t get any better along comes Pennyhill Park, near Bagshot in Surrey to blow everything out of the water. 

It is part of the Executive Collection. We spent a couple of nights at The Manor House in the Cotswolds last year - it is part of the same group and I thought that was special but this is different level.

There are hotels and spas and then there are venues such as this one. It is all about luxurious accommodation, incredible food and relaxation courtesy of a jaw-dropping spa. And all of this with some of Europe’s finest golf courses (that you can play through their Surrey Golf Tour) just minutes away. We will get to the golf but there is a LOT to cover first.

What You Need to Know About Pennyhill Park

Pennyhill Park is nestled in 120 acres of glorious parkland. It claims to be Surrey’s most luxurious spa and hotel retreat, offering guests the ultimate reset button. And I am the last one to disagree.

The 19th-century, ivy-clad country house features124 bedrooms, a magnificent award-winning spa and a range of rooms for conferences and events.

First impressions are everything and Pennyhill Park hits you right between the eyeballs. Chandeliers hang from the ceilings, artwork adorns the walls and the scent of freshly-cut flowers fills the corridors. It features ornate ceilings, intricate fireplaces and mahogany four-poster beds. This place oozes class and opulence.

There is a games room with a pool table, table tennis, table football, chess and a host of board games, as well as an outdoor, all-weather tennis court.

Accommodation 

We stayed in a junior executive suite that comprised a bedroom, work area and bathroom.

The bedroom featured a wonderful king-size bed, huge flat-screen TV, two armchairs and a sofa. There was also a welcome letter, bottle of bubbles and a box of hand-made chocolates waiting for us.

There was a massive wardrobe, writing desk and customised iPad giving free access to all daily newspapers, along with coffee (via a Nespresso machine, what else?) and tea-making facilities and a tasty range of snacks.

The bathroom had to be seen to be believed. There were his and hers sinks, a rolltop bath, state-of-the art walk-in shower and….a TV to watch while relaxing in the bath! Molton Brown toiletries come as a welcome free bonus.

Food

It is difficult to know where to start. Suffice to say the food on offer at Pennyhill Park is on a totally different level.

On night one we ate at The Latymer. Head Chef Steve Smith uses only the very best sustainably sourced and seasonal ingredients. The Latymer is located in one of the oldest parts of the original Pennyhill Park house, with wooden panelling, a beamed ceiling and rich, plush interiors, providing a truly intimate atmosphere.

When you learn that it has been awarded a Michelin star and FIVE AA rosettes it may give you an idea of what to expect but nothing can prepare you for the stunning quality of the food we were served through the seven-course tasting menu. It was a fabulous assault on the senses. The food looked like a work of art and tasted amazing. 

It comprised Brixham crab, King Oyster mushroom, Orkney scallop and truffle, Sladesdown duck (my wife opted for Brixham sea bass instead), Blood orange and Tomlinson’s rhubarb. We also had freshly-baked sourdough bread and a number of surprise dishes. The ingredients and origins of each course were explained in glorious detail. The tastes and flavours exploded in our mouths. 

My words really cannot do this food justice but hopefully the images that accompany this review will give you some idea of just how wonderful it all was.

On night two we were treated to a three-course dinner at Hillfield Restaurant. Many of the ingredients are sourced from the Pennyhill Park estate, Surrey Hills and the wider county. And the truth is that the quality of the food gave The Latymer a proper run for its money.

I started with Coronation Cornish crab with pickled raisin puree, almond and glazed brioche, while my wife opted for Beetroot tart fine with orange, capers and horseradish creme fraiche. Crab is one of my favourite things to eat but I have never tasted it quite like this - the puree and brioche add something very special to the taste. And you can forget any preconceived ideas you may have about beetroot too!

For mains I went with Barracks Farm 50-day dry-aged 7 oz. sirloin served with BBQ mushroom, shallot, beef dripping chips and peppercorn sauce, while my wife went for Stone bass served with globe artichokes, squash and a ginger and tarragon sauce, and we shared Spring cabbage with chilli jam. The steak was cooked to perfection and literally melted in my mouth and my wife insisted that the Stone bass was the best she had ever tasted. The Spring cabbage with chilli jam came as something of a surprise - it was crunchy and the chilli jam was the ideal accompaniment.

For dessert it was Peanut and chocolate mousse with Peanut praline crunchie, salted peanut Chantilly with caramel ice cream for me and Historic Surrey Maids of Honour Tart Lemon creme, orange and grapefruit, blood orange gel with citrus sorbet for my wife. Suffice to say that they lived up to everything that had gone before.

Oh, and then there is the breakfast, served at the Hillfield Restaurant.

The buffet option offers home-baked Viennoiserie, locally sourced meats and cheeses, fresh fruits, juices, cereals and yoghurts, such as the forest berry sundae made with coconut yoghurt and toasted super food granola, or Surrey yoghurt with Pennyhill Park honey, lemon thyme infused apricot and omega seeds. I went for the full English, consisting of bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding and beans with freshly-squeezed orange juice. It was scrumptious. 

Or you could opt for Chapel Farm eggs and hollandaise sauce; Surrey Benedict, with Tempus King Peter Ham; Hampshire Royale, with cold smoked ChalkStream trout; Hillfield Florentine, with foraged nettles, garden herb and spinach (V); Soft boiled Chapel Farm hen’s egg and Pennyhill Bakery sourdough soldiers; Smoked ChalkStream trout and scrambled eggs Omelette Arnold Bennett; Cultured buttermilk pancake with seasonal fruit and Aldhurst Farm Cream.

I would like to finish this part with a shout-out to the staff - everybody was happy, welcoming, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable and they genuinely couldn’t do enough for us. 

Spa

If there is a better spa anywhere in the UK then I have yet to discover it. There is a full-size outdoor pool heated to 30c, outdoor jacuzzi and hydrotherapy pool, along with a poolside bar and sun loungers. Inside you will find an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, fully-equipped gym and an assortment of treatments, including massages and facials. There are also four cabanas overlooking the spa grounds. Named after the herbs you will find sprouting from surrounding planting, they offer a private haven to switch off from the world.

Places to Visit

You cannot go to Pennyhill Park without a trip to the historic city of Windsor, with its magnificent 1,000-year-old castle. Useful hint - try to get to the castle early as it can get very busy. The same applies to Hampton Court Palace, which is also within easy reach. Ascot is also on your doorstep and is also worth a visit.

Golf

And finally we get to the golf. Pennyhill Park offers a golf package that includes rounds of golf at Sunningdale, Walton Heath and The Berkshire. There is also a host of other world-class courses within easy striking distance.

I chose to focus on the two courses at The Berkshire and the magnificent Old Course at Sunningdale. Other courses in the area include Walton Heath, Windlesham, Swinley Forest and West Hill.

The Berkshire

There are two wonderful courses, Red and Blue, both laid out on 372 acres of stunning Crown Estate heathland in 1928 by Herbert Fowler, who also designed Walton Heath. Among the great course architects of the era, he had a special talent for designing courses of great natural beauty which blend into their landscape and surroundings. The Berkshire courses are considered by some to be the finest examples of his follow-the-land style. Only minor alterations have been made to his original design. He had the perfect natural materials, with heather, trees, slopes and streams, and his talent has meant that nature and man have combined to fashion two courses which are both highly picturesque and offer an exacting, but fair challenge to golfers of all levels.

Blue Course 

(Image Credit: Kevin Heggie)

The Blue Course starts with a par three, but it is a magnificent hole. The green sits on a mound, more than 200 yards away across a sea of heather. There is trouble short and right of the green, to catch a weakly hit slice and back left of the green to punish the hooked shot which is likely to go too long. This is a regular theme on both courses, as the natural slopes and hazards are subtly created from the shape and contours of the land which Fowler had to work with. After the challenges of the first have been dealt with, the front nine offers some birdie opportunities, with two par fives and three short par fours. The third is a 457-yard par five and a long straight drive will offer the chance to reach in two. The difficulty of the green is its speed from front to back. A chip shot, or a putt from the front of the green must be well judged. The sixth is another par five, this time 469 yards. Beware the stream which winds its way across and alongside the second half of the hole. If going for the green in two, make sure to check the position of the pin and to take enough club, as the green is long from back to front. The 392-yard eighth has no bunkers. However, hitting the fairway is essential as the rough to left and right can be thick. The green is very well contoured.

The back nine features one par five, and finishes with five challenging par fours which can ruin a potentially good score. That par five is the 11th. It is 468 yards. Drive as tight to the right as possible as the fairway will take the ball to the left. The tricky, well defended green makes going for it in two a real risk and reward shot. The 13th is 143 yards. It has a long green, and it is not easy to tell where the hole is cut from the tee. The green falls away on the left side and a pulled shot can easily finish down the slope. The 16th is a great 443-yard par four that rewards a long drive over, or shaped around, the bunker on the corner of the dogleg. Take care over club selection for the second as it is easy to come up short on this uphill green which slopes severely from back to front. Your drive at the 367-yard 17th needs to be in the left half of the fairway to avoid being blocked out by the large tree. The uphill second shot plays longer than the yardage. The 382-yard 18th is a beautiful finishing hole. A long drive off an elevated tee gives the advantage of a shorter iron for the second shot to the uphill green, but be sure to take enough club.

Red Course

(Image Credit: Kevin Heggie)

The Red Course lies on higher ground than the Blue and runs through slightly more undulating terrain, with more dramatic elevation changes between tees and greens. Unusually, it offers six par threes, six par fours and six par fives.

The opening hole is a 498-yard par five but be wary of the stream which crosses the fairway. The steep tier in the green demands a lot of the approach shot when the hole is on the top level. The third is another par five but measures just 463 yards. Cut off as much of the corner as possible to shorten the second to this reachable hole. The green is well protected with slopes to the left and right which can make for a tricky chip shot. The fifth is a 167-yard par three. It is semi-blind and slightly downhill, so plays shorter than its yardage. The bunkers left and right are not visible from the tee. The 411-yard eighth calls for a fade from the tee, as a draw may run out of fairway through the dogleg. The green slopes sharply from back to front, and the best approach shot will finish below the hole. The ninth is another par five of 472 yards. Big hitters may need to be wary of running out of fairway on the right hand side. Keep the approach to the right of the green to avoid the slope and bunker on the left.

The 12th is 314 yards and is a birdie chance. If playing safe off the tee, choose a club to finish short of the bunker. Don't forget to take plenty of club for the steeply uphill second. The 14th is a great hole, a par four of 430 yards. Beware the ditch off the tee, but try to get as close as possible to avoid a difficult long second shot to this tricky green. The green slopes sharply to the left, so the approach shot is best kept to the right. The 16th is a proper par three, measuring 203 yards and requires nothing less than your best shot to hit the green. Take care on the green as it can be very fast from the back to the front. The 17th is a terrific par five measuring 517 yards. Long hitters can attempt to cut the corner, but must beware of the heather. When the flag is on the top tier, it is important to find the correct level with the shot to the green. The closing hole is a 161-yard par three. It is uphill so plays at least one club more than its yardage, especially as it is important to get up the slope to the top tier to avoid the risk of a three putt.

These are two terrific golf courses. They may not be overly long but don’t be fooled - they provide a great test for golfers of all abilities. The clubhouse is superb and the staff friendly and welcoming. The pro shop is well stocked and the practice facilities are excellent.

Sunningdale Old Course

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Sunningdale’s Old Course was designed by Willie Park Jr, twice winner of The Open, and opened in 1901. It was later modified by Harry Colt. The course is regarded by many as one of the finest on the planet and is regularly found in the top 30 of the world’s rankings. It has hosted the European Open, Ladies Open Championship, Walker Cup, Open Championship International Final Qualifying, Senior Open Championship and Curtis Cup.

The second hole is a 450-yard par four. From the championship tee the fairway has a slight dogleg to the left with the ideal drive finishing on the right half of the fairway. A dangerously sloping green is well protected by a bunker just short, on the left side, and many golfers will be faced with a difficult pitch to a pin that can be difficult to find. The fourth is a magnificent par three of 144 yards. Visually difficult with an elevated green that adds, perhaps, two clubs to the shot selection. Distance control is critical - the green slopes severely from back to front, and nobody wants to be past the pin. The seventh is a 379-yard par four. A blind tee shot over a steep hill to an undulating fairway is a challenge for everybody. A drive towards the trees in the distance, perhaps a few yards from their right edge, offers a good line but it is important to control the yardage to ensure one stays on the fairway - 250 yards from the back tee is probably the ideal length for the drive to leave a challenging approach to a double tiered green. The eighth is another par three, this one measuring 157 yards. A large green which slopes from left to right places great emphasis on leaving the ideal tee shot below the hole. Well protected by bunkers on both sides, there is little margin for error for an intimidating tee shot played from an elevated tee. The front nine closes with a 251-yard par four. It can be driven but is well protected by fairway and greenside bunkers and many will choose to lay up, especially if the pin is on the upper level.  

The closing stretch is stunning. The 15th is a testing par three of 213 yards. The tee of the day will determine the ideal tee shot - from the left side the entrance is reasonably wide allowing tee shots, often played with a driver or fairway wood, to bounce onto the green, whereas from the right side the ball has to carry the bunkers short and on the right of the green. A long straight drive is required at the 408-yard par four 16th. It needs to be struck between fairway bunkers from which reaching the green is unlikely. Only the longer hitters reach the flat part of the fairway so that the second shot can often be played off a down slope to a green on the horizon. Many balls finish short of a green that never offers an easy putt. The 17th is a 396-yard par four. A tee shot downhill with two bunkers on the right, the second one invisible from the tee and a trap for the unwary. Because the fairway runs away to the left, many players will use less than a driver to avoid their ball finishing too far down the fairway and behind a large stand of mature trees. Such a difficult green, which slopes strongly from the left, it is always helpful to finish below the hole. With the Clubhouse and iconic Oak Tree in sight, the tee shot at the 399-yard 18th needs maximum concentration, The fairway bunkers are reachable, on both sides with a fairway that climbs towards a long green that runs from left to right - everybody is looking for their longest drive. The second shot has little room for error - some players use the front door of the Clubhouse as their line, allowing the ball to run to the middle of the green no matter where the pin is placed.

If there is a better heathland golf course anywhere in the world then I have yet to play it. The Old Course at Sunningdale is just stunning. And the whole place just oozes class. It is all overlooked by a wonderful clubhouse. The service is friendly, the menu superb. You won’t be surprised to learn that the pro’s shop is a like a golfing wonderland - as are the practice facilities. If you are ever in this area this is a must-play course.

The Verdict

World-class accommodation, mind-boggling food, luxurious relaxation facilities, Windsor Castle and amazing golf courses on your doorstep - what’s not to love about Pennyhill Park?

For more information, please go to: https://www.exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park/.

Click here for everything you need to know about The Berkshire and here for all the required details regarding the magnificent Sunningdale.