Play Arnie’s courses at the opulent K Club, Ireland

Arnold Palmer designed both 18-hole courses at the five-star K Club in Ireland, where glamorous accommodation and luxurious relaxation awaits just 30 minutes from Dublin.

The Kildare Hotel and Golf Club in County Kildare, Ireland (abbreviated to The K Club) is a fantastic 550-acre estate of gorgeous parkland with the River Liffey flowing through the grounds.

It’s a wonderful golf and leisure complex built on the original grounds of the Straffan estate, incorporating the stunning 1830s Straffan House, only a half-hour drive from Dublin Airport and the city centre.

Golf courses

The Palmer North Course was the venue for Europe’s dominant Ryder Cup win in 2006 and has also hosted 11 European Opens and the 2016 Irish Open won by Rory McIlroy. With the added benefit of having a driving range, golf tuition and other practice facilities, The K Club really is the perfect venue. Of the two courses, this one is the standout. At 7,179 yards with a par of 72, the winding fairways cleverly incorporate the old trees and water hazards of the estate.

The Palmer South Course has also hosted the European Open in the recent past. It’s an inland links but it has many dramatic landscapes with dune type mounding throughout. This assists in making it a true championship level course. It has an intimidating length from the back tees of 7,300 yards, but it will accommodate all levels of player with several tees on each hole allowing for the overall length to be considerably reduced. It’s a completely different but equally well-presented and challenging test of golf.

Accommodation

This is a luxurious, peaceful place to stay with 127 beautifully furnished bedrooms and suites with lovely views of the verdant grounds and River Liffey. All are spacious and tastefully furnished and the multi-room suites are lavishly appointed and decorated to perfect period-appropriate standards. All rooms include 24-hour valet assistance, TV, espresso machine, Voya toiletries and a host of other extras.

There’s standard and deluxe rooms including Woodland and River View, while the Liffey, Kildare, Barton, Presidential and Imperial suites are even more opulent. The Viceroy Suite is 140 square metres of grandeur housed in the original Straffan House.

There are two Lodges. Straffan Gate Lodge is luxury self-catering accommodation with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a spacious lounge and a full kitchen. Palmer Lodge offers guests luxury self-catering accommodation in a stunning period house with four bedrooms.

Food & drink

The Barton restaurant serves exceptional local fare using local ingredients, while the Palmer restaurant serves classic more casual cuisine with a terrace providing gorgeous views out over the Palmer North Course. There’s also afternoon tea and the buzzy South Bar & Restaurant, which is perfect for a night out with cocktails and tasty food or a bottomless brunch on the terrace with views of Palmer’s South Course. Not to be missed is the chic Blue Martini cocktail bar.

Spa

The resort’s wellness complex has seven treatment rooms, two private suites and a garden. It offers an array of classes from yoga to meditation and there’s a swimming pool with water jet massage, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and an outdoors Canadian hot tub. Indulge in a selection of facial, body, well-being, holistic and massage treatments from the resort’s experts.

Activities

Visitors have a wealth of activities to choose from, from peaceful fishing and guided boat trips on the River Liffey to horse riding through the romantic Kildare countryside, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, tennis, archery, fishing, whisky and wine tasting. There is also a playground and a kids club.

Explore Ireland’s legendary golf courses

You could also visit some other world-class golf courses within a short drive from the K Club, including Portmarnock Golf Club and The European Club. Check out our itinerary for a golf trip to Dublin and the surrounding countryside which includes three world renowned golf courses in this wonderful location for golfers.