The service motto at Trump Turnberry is “Never settle,” and every employee exudes an earnest, happy desire to make guests feel great and enjoy their vacations. We could settle into our ocean view suite forever.
Located on the west coast of Scotland in South Ayrshire, 24 miles from Royal Troon where the Open recently played, the luxury resort overlooks the Irish Sea, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Rolling dunes, rugged cliffs, and expansive golden beaches lead to the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse, built in 1873.
The resort has been a notable site in Scottish golf since the original course designed by Willie Park opened in 1902. It gained international acclaim through the years and hosted several Open Championships including famous tournaments in 1977 and 1986, a century after the lighthouse was erected.
In 2014, Donald Trump acquired the resort and poured beaucoup pounds into significant renovations to the hotel, golf courses and beyond. The Scots appreciate his keen commitment to painstakingly preserve historic details. The original Station Hotel served the railroad traffic from 1906 and has been restored to a state of glory with gold, marble and crystal appointments throughout. Authentic Edwardian furnishings are filled with modern conveniences such as a surprise pullout coffee station.
Trump Turnberry is inspiring from the moment you see the grand hotel perched on the hill overlooking the dramatic panorama of Firth Clyde with the golf, Ailsa Craig, Isle of Arran and the lighthouse in the distance. Guests are greeted by kilted attendees whisking luggage away to the luxury accommodations in the hotel or in the lodges. Opulent chandeliers light the way as walls are lined with historic photos.
The 1906 Restaurant and the Grand Tea Lounge and Bar offer excellent cuisine from breakfast to dinner with tall and wide window views of the breathtaking scenery. Every morsel and service piece delivers a lavish, fine dining moment.
Golf is stunning and challenging on two championship courses, Ailsa and King Robert the Bruce, ranked among the world’s best. The strategic designs include beautiful coastal views, deep bunkering and verdant fairways.
David, the starter on Ailsa gifts players with a tartan pouch with Ailsa embroidered on one side and King Robert the Bruce on the other. He is gifted with storytelling and has much history serving on royal protection teams. When asked who impressed him the most, he noted Nelson Mandela as a great person with an aura and the Late Queen Elizabeth, a lovely lady.
He gave us “a gentle and diplomatic reminder – it is a championship course. You might want to sacrifice distance for accuracy. But most of all, make memories.” It was a gorgeous day with barely a breeze, unusual for Scotland and the round was memorable indeed, passing by the Thomas Stevenson lighthouse on the beach at the turn. Thomas was the father of Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island. Since it now serves as “the best halfway house in the world,” (Trumpian style), David suggested giving it 20 minutes and perhaps have a little glass of something.
The yardage book within the pouch is very comprehensive with a welcome note from Eric Trump, pictures and layouts of each hole with Scottish names, translations, historic facts and descriptions. It’s a keepsake.
Ailsa Craig, a ginormous rock in the Firth of Clyde is visible from almost every hole and the lighthouse is from many, particularly the iconic 10th and 11th. A monument by the 12th green is dedicated to servicemen from Scotland as well as Australia and the U.S. It’s stirring when the Scots appreciate the aid of Americans in their war time of need, a tad bit like Normandy.
The finishing hole was renamed Duel in the Sun in honor of the 1977 Open Championship when Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus battled it out, shot for shot over four days with Watson winning the claret jug. The restaurant upstairs in the clubhouse is named the same with a view of the 18th hole and sea. Watson had visited a few days before us as he occasionally does.
King Robert the Bruce Course was first named Arran, then Kintyre with Starwood ownership and when Trump bought in, it became King Robert. As the story was told by David, in1240 Lady Marjorie, Countess of Carrick struggled to find herself a husband, so she threw a party and fell in love with Robert de Brus and gave birth to Robert, King of Scots, whose castle remains are still seen on the coast by the lighthouse. Every hill and cove are named as a tribute to a Scot in history, noted in the exemplary yardage book.
The Scottish flag was again still with nary a breeze and Steven, the starter said that only happens maybe three times a year. We lucked out with two of them. He advised that if you get bunkered, remember to take a full swing and look two inches in front of the ball to get out of the pot.
Collin in the pro shop noted that there are three types of greens on King Robert from stages of designing and renovations. The fairways were widened, and sea views improved to follow the guiding lighthouse.
The clubhouse is filled with logoed merchandise, both with Trump Turnberry Scotland and simply Turnberry Scotland to please the traditionalists. Century old portraits of the hotel and golfers adorn every wall. Women played in long dresses and wide brim hats back in the day and men in their knickers and flat caps.
The resort has multiple practice areas and a third short course to hone all aspects of the game. More great Ayrshire golf may be booked at Royal Troon, Western Gailes, Prestwick, and Dundonald Links.
After golf, the world class spa is soothing for a soak in the hot tub, pool, sauna and steam room.Trump Turnberry offers much more on their 800 sprawling acres with walking paths to the beach and lighthouse. Adventures include kite surfing, air rifles, clay shooting, archery, falconry, paddleboarding, kayaking, off-road driving, or electric biking and horse riding, all within a walk from the hotel.
When the equestrian center was acquired by Trump in 2021, Caroline took over the management. She had been boarding her own horse there and was retired but when offered the position, her husband Scott Anderson, hotel manager said, “You spend all your time there anyway. You might as well be paid for it.”
There we met Odin and Tillie, the 17 and 19 hands tall Percherons who for 110 pounds will carry guests to the beach. They are only a part of the Turnberry herd cared for by “a bunch of lovely grooms.” We loved Caroline’s and other Scots’ singsong lilt. Many greet with a casual “hiya.”
Some letters are skipped, and some vowels sound different like “I did” might be pronounced “I dayed”. We were asked, “Did you see the paper last night?” “You mean the Digital Press, no, what did we miss?” It was the piper they asked about not paper. The piper, not the paper is not to be missed outside the hotel at 6:30pm, conveniently in front of the bar and astoundingly in front of the spectacular view. You can see kilted bagpipers throughout Scotland but nowhere else with this scene.
Staff will assist with itineraries and arrangements on or off the resort for castle tours and the like. In the same town of Maidens, for which Ailsa’s hole number 11 is named, our friend Sean Winton was born. His home was over the fence of one of the King Robert holes, which he hopped occasionally to practice his young game. He now runs Distincte Travel and Golf Inspired with trips here and around the world. Any way you go, Trump Turnberry Scotland is golden and checks every box. It is one of our very best golf vacation experiences. www.turnberry.co.uk
