from the GOLF Course Guide 2013
We present the most comprehensive assessment of Australia’s Stay & Play Resorts – our judges’ rankings for Accomodation, Food and Beverage, and Other Facilities.

To qualify for our list, destinations must offer a fully integrated resort environment including at least overnight accommodation and dining facilities for three daily meals. The accommodation may not be owned by the Golf Course, but there must be the option to book a “Stay and Play” package. Be sure to check out the GOLF Course Guide 2013 to access exclusive savings offered at many of these resorts.

As with our course rankings, we have aimed for clear criteria and presented individual assessments in each category so that users can decide for themselves whether they are seeking better quality food and beverages or additional non-golf activities.

The overall Resort Ranking is the result of combining our scores for Accommodation, Food & Beverage and Other. Each element was weighted equally (ie one third of total score for each).

Golf Course rankings are shown in brackets as an item of interest, they do not affect Resort Rankings.

Once again this year, the list is dominated by Queensland – a legacy of the excesses of the 1980s.

Accommodation Rankings

Accommodation: The quality of the rooms, the range of suite sizes, appointments, room service and in-room facilities; accessibility to golf and dining.

Food and Beverage Rankings

Food and Beverage: Quality, choice and service in restaurants/clubhouse/on course (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Resorts that do not offer full meal service 7 days were penalized, even where there were nearby restaurants.

In 2013 Bonville became the first Golf Course in Australia to be awarded a prestigious ‘hat’ by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, influencing their elevation into second spot. The “Flooded Gums Restaurant” truly is an unmatched combination of setting, atmosphere, food and wine as it overlooks the most beautiful golf course on the mainland.

Other Facilities Rankings

Other: Quality and range of on site activities - tennis, pool, spa, beach, gym, barbecue, gaming, shopping, walking, fishing etc. For resorts featuring more than 18 holes of golf a small bonus was applied in this category. Services that may be available from nearby providers were NOT considered. Golf practice facilities were NOT rated.