The Gailes Hotel & Spa

Rooms at Gailes Hotel & Spa are modern and comfortable, with an upgrade option in the luxury two-bedroom penthouse apartment that works well for small groups or families who want extra space. Practicalities are covered too, with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, free parking and transfers available on request, which helps when you're hopping between courses across the coast.

Food and drink is split across two main options. Coast Restaurant & Bar is the hotel's flagship dining room, serving modern Scottish cooking that leans on local produce, ideal for a relaxed post-round dinner with a decent wine list. GG's Coffee Shop & Sports Lounge is the more casual choice for breakfasts, lighter bites and a drink while you catch up on the day's golf. If you're travelling as a society or organising a bigger trip, private dining is available for group meals and presentations.

For recovery, Si! Spa is a real selling point. Treatments include over 50 ESPA and ishga options, and the thermal facilities include a vitality pool, sauna, steam room and an outdoor hydro pool that's worth braving even when the Ayrshire weather does its thing. Thermal suite access is available for hotel guests, though booking and any supplements may apply, so it's worth checking ahead. There's also a fully equipped gym and studio fitness classes if you like to loosen up before a morning tee time.

The spa restaurant and cocktail lounge provide a quieter alternative to the main dining areas, with lighter fare and a focus on wellness-oriented dishes. It's a nice option if you want to stay in the spa zone after a treatment or prefer something more low-key than the main restaurant.

Golfers will appreciate that the practice facilities are on-site, so you can arrive, loosen the joints on the range and tidy up the short game without needing to drive anywhere. The Toptracer range stays open into the evening, so you can work on your swing after dinner or challenge your playing partners to a nearest-the-pin competition. The short game area includes bunkers and a putting green, handy for dialling in your wedges before tackling Troon's postage stamps or Western Gailes' tricky greens. If you've ever turned up at Troon feeling a bit rusty, you'll know why that matters.

The team are used to golf groups and can help with local tips and logistics, which is useful when you're building an itinerary across multiple courses. The hotel's location makes it easy to mix Open Championship venues with members' clubs, play different styles of links golf each day and still have time to explore the Ayrshire coast or visit nearby distilleries.