DG Europe Top100 Stay&Play 2016 | Page 45

Straffan » Ireland The K Club Host venue to the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, won in spectacular style with an eagle on the final hole by home favourite and event host Rory McIlroy, this long-standing member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts offers the very best of pampering, leisure and golf facilities and is only 30 minutes from Dublin. Built in 1832, on the banks of the River Liffey, the original house was modelled on a French château and still retains many of its original architectural features, art works and antiques. The luxury Kildare Hotel, opened in 1991, was Ireland’s first AA Five Red Star Property. To this day it continues to deliver the very highest levels of service and standards in terms of its food and beverage offerings, golf, leisure and spa treatments. The challenging Palmer Ryder Cup Course, designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, provided a fitting setting for the 2006 Ryder Cup and is a must-play for any golfer visiting Ireland, having also staged 11 European Opens in addition to this year’s Irish Open. The K Club’s Smurfit Course, designed by the Palmer Course Design Company, lies across the Liffey and offers a different feel but no less a challenge or experience.  ample golf offers: S Green fee €240. Early bird & twilight green fees from €100. Play & stay packages from €295 per pe rson. www.kclub.ie /thekclub /thekclub Top 100 Stay & Play 2016 45