Trump Turnberry

Standing proudly above storied golf links and the rugged Ayrshire coastline, Trump Turnberry provides modern Edwardian opulence and attention to detail along with 800 rolling acres of countryside where legendary King Robert the Bruce once had his castle. The property has been a landmark since 1906 and not only is it a renowned golf destination, featuring the famous Ailsa course it also offers a large destination spa and a wide range of outdoor pursuits including equestrian activities and clay pigeon shooting. Dining options include its signature 1906 restaurant, Grand Tea Lounge and Bar, and the Duel in the Sun, a golf-inspired eatery each overlooking its famous golf courses. The Luxury Editor recently stayed to discover what makes this not only one of Scotland’s best golf hotels but without doubt one of the best 5 star hotels in the UK. Read on to discover more.

Arriving at Trump Turnberry offers an atmosphere of bygone elegance, the hotel with its red pan-tile roof looks out above you as you ascend its zigzagging driveway until you loop around the back of the hotel to the lobby. Your eyes are immediately drawn to its central 40-foot-wide Roman Chariot fountain (a feature requested by Donald J Trump himself) as you are met by kilted porters in Turnberry tartan who quickly relieve guests of luggage which is whisked away up to guest rooms and a complimentary valet service is on offer too.

A plaque at the lobby door reminds you of what is a fascinating history, Turnberry Golf Resort’s origins lie in a once-local golfing secret that transformed when railway companies developed Scotland’s scenic landscapes into attractions. In response to growing demand for countryside escapes, South-Western Railway extended its line from Ayr to Girvan, establishing the Station Hotel at Turnberry, which opened on 17 May 1906. This grand resort, designed by architect James Miller made famous for a wealth of notable Scottish buildings was groundbreaking in luxury, featuring modern amenities like electric lighting, central heating, hot and cold running water, and saltwater plunge baths—remarkable for the time. The hotel’s design, characterised by white plasterwork and red pan-tile roof, remains iconic, while the interiors originally featured luxurious yet understated décor. Service was exceptionally attentive, with a large staff ensuring guests’ every need was met.

In 2014, The Trump Organisation acquired the hotel, investing £200 million to transform it into a premier golf and spa resort. The restoration included a careful refurbishment of the hotel and a significant redesign of the Ailsa course by acclaimed golf architect Martin Ebert. Since then, the Clubhouse has also been renovated, a new course named King Robert the Bruce has been introduced, and a grand ballroom has been added to enhance the resort’s offerings. Today, Turnberry retains this historical charm and grandeur, offering a seamless blend of modern updates and classic elegance. Guests experience the same stately building and attentive service that defined Turnberry’s reputation over a century ago.

Inside you are met by The Grand Tea Room & Lounge directly in front of you where the decor is gracious, with sparkling chandeliers, deep carpeted floors, gilt edged rosewood furnishings and large bay windows with panoramic views over the golf courses and Irish Sea. Here you can enjoy afternoon tea, start the night off with the cocktail, or discuss all things golf over a pint by the bar.

To the right the reception and across from that a fire burns away providing warmth and hygge to the space, nibble on freshly made shortbread rounds while the ethusiastic reception team make check-in a breeze.

To the right a grand central staircase leads you up to guest levels, make sure to take a moment to look at the glass case next to the stairs which houses some Trump Turnberry golfing memorabilia.

Location

Located on the southwest coast of Scotland, Trump Turnberry hugs the Ayrshire coastline and sits directly across from Campbeltown. It’s a 30-minute drive to Prestwick Airport and just over an hour to Glasgow. Enjoy sweeping views of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran, and on a clear day, Ireland. Nearby enjoy Cullzean Castle which is just a 5-minute drive away and brush up on your Bard at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayr.

Guest Rooms & Junior Suites

The hotel’s 198 rooms and suites are located on the upper two floors and offer discreet luxury; think silk effect wallpaper and deep wool carpets, handcrafted mahogany beds and furnishings finished with gold leaf details alongside marble and gold-topped ensuite bathrooms, and Nespresso machines tucked away that glide out with the lift of a lever. Room categories start with Deluxe Rooms offering resort views, before moving up to Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, which afford wide reaching vistas across to Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran while along with ensuites with seperate walk in shower and free standingt tubs.

Family Rooms come with adjoining private bedrooms with two children’s beds and TV. For additional floor space Junior Suites, which are named after historic castles include an additional lounge area.

Our Room During Our Stay

During our stay we were hosted in one of the property’s Deluxe King Room, Ocean View rooms on the first floor sitting almost in the middle of the hotel. These rooms are generous in size, beautifully appointed with kingsize bed and a huge oversized curved TV which sits directly across from the bed on a chest of drawers offering TV channels from all around the world. The feature bay window supplies an incredible view and in the distance you can see the Turnberry Point Lighthouse, which is now a suite and also the halfway point of the Ailsa course.

Lighting is easy to use (there is even a light setting that gently iluminites under the bed in case you need to visit the bathroom during the night) whilst plug points on either side of the bed means there is no shortage of sockets to charge phones.

The bathroom is generous in size with seperate bath tub, large walk in shower and toilet that also affords its own door for modesty. Marble flooring and tiling up to a dado rail add glamour and sophistication and a small brass and marble topped accent table next to the bath offers the ideal spot to place a glass of wine whilst bathing.

The chest of drawers across from the bed conceales the room’s Nespresso machine and kettle, which glides out on cantilever for ease of use, in addition you will find a minibar, cups, saucers and glasses. Whilst a small alcove to the left with chair and standard lamp provides additional seating space. At the window, a writing table has a compartment that lifts up and discreetly houses a hair dryer

By stroke of luck there was a wedding on in the hotel that night as I heard the faint sound of bagpipes from outside which grew in intensity and as dusk arrived the sun lite up the horizon and the sound of the piper brought goosbumps to my skin – it felt a special moment indeed.

Named Suites

Four ‘Named Suites’ located in the main hotel building are named after the four winners of the Turnberry Opens: Watson, Norman, Price & Cink and have a completely seperate living room, below is the Norman Suite.

Lighthouse Suite

For something truly unique the Lighthouse Suite is housed in the fully restored Stevenson Lighthouse which sits in the distance away from the hotel. Offering panoramic ocean-view terraces from each bedroom, furnished with period feature super king beds, and a living area complete with a dining table and a sofa bed. Additional luxuries like Swarovski crystal chandeliers, Breche marble bathrooms with a grand double vanity, and an ocean-view tub stocked with Natura Bisse Diamond Collection bath amenities along with nautical-themed décor and memorabilia are guaranteed to impress.

Villas and Cottages

Staying longer or coming with family? The Exclusive Use Villas and Two-Bedroom Cottage Suites offer spacious, luxury accommodations ideal for groups, families, or golfing couples. Located within the hotel grounds villas feature large, traditionally furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms, entertainment systems, and options for double or twin beds, along with communal lounges for social gatherings. While the self-catering Cottage Suites provide a homely retreat with two double bedrooms, a stylish lounge, and a fully equipped kitchen, available for three, four, or seven-night stays. Enjoy privileged access to resort facilities, including Turnberry Adventures, Turnberry Stables, the Trump Kids Club, The Wee Explorers Crèche, residential golf rates, and unlimited Spa access too.

1906

Named after the year the hotel opened in 1906, they also start serving at 19.06 each evening, the hotel’s Signature restaurant led by Executive Chef, Ryan Murphy, brings a contemporary twist on classic French cuisine enriched with the vibrant flavours of Scotland’s finest produce. Fresh vegetables arrive daily from nearby Dowhill Farm just a few miles from Turnberry, For fish and meat, Turnberry partners with Campbells Prime Meat, Scotland’s leading supplier, with fish sourced sustainably from the Troon coastline and beef cuts aged on the bone for a minimum of 21 days for peak flavour and tenderness.

The dining room seats around 20 tables in a mix of two and four-guest combinations which fan out and point in the direction of the large bay window. High ceilings, white walls, chandeliers, doric columns and dentil block cornicing cement the room’s timeless elegance. Tables are dressed with starch-pressed table cloths and napkins ingeniously folded like origami into what I hypothesised to be a bird, but I wasn’t quite sure.

Guests can order à la carte along with the Market Menu which is a three course set menu, it’s great value and really showcases the kitchen’s talent. An amuse bouche and bread basket are presented as we peruse the wine menu. Service is formal and friendly as the maitre d, servers and wine waiter glide around attending to customers.

For starters we went for the Spiced Butternut Squash Velouté and Smoked Trout Salad.

For mains we went for the Cod Fillet And Roast Rump of Lamb.

And for dessert we opted for the Brown Sugar Meringue Roulade and White Chocolate Panda Cotta.

Breakfast

Served in the larger of 1906’s two dining rooms, you can order both à la carte, as well as explore the hot and continental buffet, which has a good range of classic breakfast staples.

Spa

The spa complex feels almost as big as the hotel itself, it sits at a separate building which is connected via a corridor that runs under the carpark. We were there for a massage and waited eagerly in the main high ceilinged reception area, which wouldn’t look out of place in Florida. The Spa has 12 treatment rooms and a dedicated hydrotherapy bath. Treatments use ishga a collection of organic Scottish seaweed skincare products. Carefully crafted with seaweed from the Scottish Hebrides, the range captures anti-ageing benefits that revitalise, repair, and deeply moisturise. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Post massage we enjoyed using the spa’s 65-foot heated infinity pool. You can unwind poolside hop in the jacuzzi, enjoy the bio-sauna with floor-to-ceiling vistas, or find serenity in their thermal suites which feature a sensory shower, ice fountain, sauna, and steam room.

Golf

Ranked among the Top 10 Courses in the World, Trump Turnberry is renowned for its challenging play and historic significance. The resort is home to the iconic Ailsa Course, a 7,489-yard, par-71 course that has hosted four Open Championships and is revered for its challenging layout, particularly in the opening holes. Golf enthusiasts will find it a true test of skill. In 2017, the King Robert the Bruce Course was introduced, honouring Scotland’s first king. This 7,203-yard, par-72 course stretches along the Ayrshire coast, offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, ancient castle ruins, and the famous Turnberry Lighthouse.

Outdoor Pursuits

Outdoor pursuits are at the heart of Trump Turnberry, and it is not only golf you can turn your attention to, Turnberry Adventures offers an array of additional outdoor pursuits and country activities set within the 800-acre estate. Engage in equestrian activities with options for beginners to experienced riders, including beach rides, estate treks, and horsemanship lessons. For thrill-seekers, the resort offers quad biking, electric bike rentals, and 4×4 driving experiences.

Shooting experiences are available, such as clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, and simulated game shooting. We tried rifle shooting and I have to say my aim was better than expected, this activity lasted an hour and instructor Drew was great fun and we really enjoyed the experience, I even won a Turnberry Adventures mug at the end for having a top score!

Additionally, Turnberry Adventures also features a range of fishing experiences on local rivers and lochs, including trout and salmon fishing, complete with guides and equipment. Falconry experiences, like hawk walks and owl handling, add a unique touch to any stay here.

Final Thoughts

With a name like Trump attached to a hotel we know we are in for something big and bold, and ever so luxurious and Trump Turnberry is certainly no letdown. The team should be proud of what they have achieved – doing an outstanding job of maintaining the values and history of what makes this property so special and added all the modern luxuries that a well-heeled traveller expects, golf may be a big draw, but there is so much more with its spa, destination dining and outdoor pursuits, you could happily spend a week here and still not have tried everything.