Doral Golf Resort and Spa is, perhaps, the most famous golf complex on the planet, and rightly so. It’s always tough to find anything wrong bad to say about any of the "grand resorts" – not that I ever really try. But Doral Golf Resort and Spa is one complex that no one could ever, reasonably, find fault with. With five championship courses, including the famed “Blue Monster,” Doral Golf Resort and Spa is, perhaps, the quintessential golf travel destination. It’s certainly on my list of “100 courses to play before I die.”
Doral Golf. I have spent some time down there on the southeastern coast of Florida, but unfortunately I didn’t get play. I could have, but that’s a story for another day. I did, however, manage to tour and photograph the two premier courses at Doral: the aforementioned Blue Monster and Greg Norman’s contribution to the complex – The Great White. It was fairly early in the spring just after a one of the “big winds,” and there was a lot of casual water, especially lying in the bunkers, but that only enhanced the experience, and even just to visit/tour the courses is a real experience indeed and one I look forward to enjoying again in the future. Next time, you can bet I’ll play.
- The Blue Monster
- The Great White - Greg Norman
- The Red,
- The Gold
- The Silver
- Photographs of Doral's Best Golf Holes
The Resort Hotel is also an experience like no other. I was fortunate in that I had a room overlooking the 18th green and the Bridge of Champions, but no matter the room, or where it’s located, the experience is the same – Doral is infectious, and once bitten you’ll only want for more. The rooms are luxurious, the amenities extensive, and the staff must have been trained by Hestia herself. Doral is a class act that can be compared to only a few others like it worldwide.
Then, of course, there’s The Spa, and oh what a spa it is. Now, during the course of my travels, I’ve seen some pretty opulent spas. The Spa at Doral, however, is in a class all by itself. It stands head and shoulders above the rest. Nowhere else have I come across a spa as opulant, relaxing or self-contained as this one is. You can visit for a week – more if you like – and you need never step off the spa premises. They have their own guest rooms and suites, restaurants, pools, fitness center and a whole host of amenities too long to list here. As spas go, this is one I can highly recommend.
The Restaurants at Doral are also on a par with overall high level of ambience and service offered around the resort. There is something going on – food is available – almost around the clock. And, with eight restaurants, grills, café’s and bars to choose from, there’s something to suite every taste and need.
Recreation is at a premium at Doral. Aside from the obvious – the five golf courses – there are four pools, a fitness center, jogging trail, the aforementioned Spa, and whole host of off-site attractions all with a couple of miles of the resort.
- The Pools at Doral
The Jim McLean Golf School. No trip to Doral would be quite complete without a golfing tune-up and The Jim McLean Golf School is just the place to get it done. Jim employs a team of world-class, professional instructors so you know you’ll be taught by people who’ve made a living from the game: some have done much better than that. Oh, and for you British visitors, don’t be surprised to find yourself being showed the ropes by Neil Coles, one-time British touring pro. How much fun would that be?
Just For the Kids. Finally, you can rest assured that the kids will be well looked after too. Camp Doral is a self-contained kid’s resort where you can drop off the youngsters while you enjoy the resort, play golf, get a treatment at the spa, or just relax with a good book by one of the pools. All the time knowing they are being well-entertained, well-looked after, well-educated and that there’s plenty to keep them busy no matter how long you may be gone, and all under the close supervision of the Camp staff.
Rates and Information:
- Doral Golf Resort & Spa: Compare Prices
- Miami Hotel Guide
- More Miami Golf Resorts
How to get There:
There are two major airports serving the Greater Miami area: Fort Lauderdale Airport and Miami International Airport. These two airports are served by almost all major US airlines, including United, Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, and Northwest, and by Air Canada and major airlines from Europe and the United Kingdom.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
Contact:
Doral Golf Resort & Spa4400 N.W. 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
(305) 592-2000
(305) 591-6653(fax)
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter.
