With six championship golf courses in five stunning countryside locations, coupled with luxury on-site accommodation, if you haven’t yet experienced a short break at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, the question has to be: why not?
From Spey Valley in the Cairngorms, down through the Scottish Borders and Northumberland to Cheshire and Shropshire, a Macdonald Hotels stay is the perfect place to get away from it all. There’s never been a better time to sample the Macdonald Hotels experience, too, with fantastic short break deals available throughout 2026…
Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa
Home to 45 holes and on-site accommodation that takes luxury to the next level.
Set in the heart of the rolling Cheshire countryside, the 18-hole Championship and Premier courses and nine-hole Arderne Course have established Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa as a distinctive world-class championship golf venue.
The Championship Course, opened in 1990, is the star of Portal’s golfing complex. Designed by Donald Steel and a host of the EuroPro Tour in 2019, the 7,037-yard layout meanders through parkland with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
It is characterised by its unique and distinctive holes, with expansive water hazards and cascading waterfalls among the tests. The long third hole, tipping the scales at 607 yards with a green guarded by a beautiful lake, is a particular highlight.
The Premier Course features several key holes, including the par-3 seventh cut out of a sandstone quarry, while the nine-hole Arderne is perfect for either a gentle warm up or fun competition.
On-site, rooms at the hotel are as elegant and luxurious as you’d expect; stylish design, plush fabrics and rich soft furnishings combine to make a stay something special, with the feature rooms on the top floor taking luxury to the next level.
Elsewhere, there’s the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely dip in the 18-metre heated pool or work out in the state-of-the-art Technogym. Following that, relax in the thermal suite and indulge in either the infrared sauna, rock sauna, aroma steam room or ice room.
Advertisement
Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Luxury accommodation and championship golf await in the Shropshire countryside.
Located amid acres of peaceful gardens, yet conveniently close to motorway networks, Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa is the perfect location for your stay, with a relaxed country club ambience and stylish, modern interiors.
A host of the 2019 EuroPro Tour, there are two challenging and professionally designed 18-hole courses – the Emerald and Sapphire – both of which were designed by the duo of Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas.
The Emerald, a par-73 measuring 6,714 yards, sweeps around undulating fairways through natural water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, while the par-66 Sapphire is much shorter and suited to the less experienced golfer. Luxury four-star accommodation can be enjoyed in the various styles of rooms, including the feature rooms with beautiful golf course views and a furnished patio.
There’s plenty to enjoy in the area, too, with the historic market towns of Chester, Market Drayton and Shrewsbury all nearby. A visit to the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club is a treat for both body and mind.
Enjoy a leisurely swim in the sparkling waters of the 20-metre heated indoor pool or simply lie back on a poolside lounger. Or why not retreat to the candlelit hush of the treatment room, where trained therapists work their magic with spa and beauty treatments for ultimate relaxation?
Macdonald Aviemore Resort
Everything you need to enjoy the best short break in Aviemore is right here.
In the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Macdonald Aviemore Resort is a truly magical location.
Everything a family needs and more can be found within the resort, from the latest movies in the cinema, to the latest brand fashion in the luxury retail outlet, to an activity centre featuring a large leisure pool, soft play, multi-activity rooms for babies up to teens and so much more.
Advertisement
All that’s without even mentioning golf and the breathtaking Spey Valley Championship Course, regarded as one of the finest courses in Scotland and host of the Challenge Tour’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge, as well as EuroPro Tour events and more recently the Tartan Pro Tour in 2024, 20245 and now again in 2026.
Designed by Dave Thomas, the par-72 layout boasts one of the longest holes in Scotland – the fifth at 641 yards – while the sixth spans a lake that has been adopted as a nesting site by a bird colony. The most spectacular of all is the 18th, with its two bunkers designed to mirror the undulating corries of the mountains beyond.
The resort also includes three four-star hotels – Highland Hotel, Aviemore Hotel and Morlich Hotel – and 18 woodland lodges, as well as many restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. If you’re looking for a golf hotel in the Highlands, look no further than Macdonald Aviemore Resort.
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel
A golfing jewel in the heart of the Borders.
Situated in the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside, the four-star Macdonald Cardrona Hotel is the perfect venue for a short golf break. With luxurious contemporary accommodation in timeless natural surroundings on the banks of the River Tweed – it’s a relaxing haven just 40 minutes from Edinburgh city centre.
The par-72 Championship Course at Cardrona was designed in 2001 and matured quickly in rank and reputation, hosting Challenge Tour events in 2007 and 2008 and more recently has held the Tartan Pro Tour in 2024, 2025 and now again in 2026.
Playability for golfers of all levels is achieved through a wide choice of tee options, with the course measuring 7,010 yards from the championship tees and 6,555 yards from the yellow markers. Cardrona also has a great partnership with Peebles Golf course only 5 minutes drive and offers a brilliant second course option when staying on a golf break.
Advertisement
The Scottish Borders also offers a great choice of activities for all ages. Nearby Peebles is great for exploring, while it’s also perfectly located for thrill seekers looking to mountain bike through Glentress.
Guests can also take advantage of the hotel’s fishing rights and try to catch some Scottish Salmon along the River Tweed.
Macdonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club
One of the top golf resorts in Northumberland.
Built in 1812, the impressive Macdonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club is nestled in 450 acres of private grounds in the heart of the Northumberland countryside.
Its par-72 Champion Championship Course is one of the most picturesque in the area. Designed by highly regarded course architect Jonathan Gaunt and a EuroPro Tour host, the parkland layout has wide, undulating USGA specification greens and four challenging, par-3s. The signature hole, though, is the 13th – a real risk-and reward par-5.
The venue also boasts its own Linden Tree Pub onsite for all our golfers to enjoy. The Linden Tree Pub is relaxed and genuine, beautifully in tune with its surroundings and firmly focused on delivering fabulous food and warm hospitality to every guest.
Add into that the panoramic views of the Cheviots, Coquet Island and the Northumberland coastline and the opportunity to local wildlife and Linden Hall is a real treat.
Inside the hotel, it is classically furnished with rooms blending traditional comforts like comfortable beds with a modern digital television. Each room has its own special character and all have spacious en-suite bathrooms. The venue has recently opened a new state of the art golf academy as part of Elite Academies Group with expert tuition and custom fitting on offer for all levels.
Advertisement
Who can say no to golf in the sun?
Enjoy a golf holiday to remember on some of Spain’s best courses.
There is no doubt Spain’s premier golfing destination is the Costa del Sol. Stunning beaches, faultless weather, stylish shopping and a vibrant nightlife create the perfect set up for a memorable golf trip. Macdonald Resorts is one of the UK’s premier hospitality brands and its four Spanish holiday resorts – Doña Lola, Leila Playa, Villacana and La Ermita – are all situated within easy reach of Malaga airport and all within 10 minutes of a dozen different courses.
All four resorts have one, two and three bedroom apartments sleeping up to eight people, ideal if you’re visiting with a large group of friends. All are furnished and equipped to a high standard, with access to fantastic indoor and outdoor swimming pools, leisure facilities, bars and great restaurants.
Macdonald Resorts has numerous packages available specially tailored for visiting golfers. The best value break includes 3-nights at the award-winning Macdonald Doña Lola Resort and two rounds of golf at Cabopino & Chaparral including buggies from just £239 per golfer*. Longer durations are also available. *See website for terms & conditions
Macdonald Resorts will make your stay hassle free, with the ability to take care of transfers, club hire and dinner reservations at all four locations. Need help selecting which courses to play? Simply supply your handicaps and the golf team can recommend and book tee times at courses most suitable for you.
For more information visit the Macdonald Hotels website
Advertisement