Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
One of Scotland's premium destinations for guests seeking luxury golfing and leisure facilities, the Carnoustie Golf Hotel has 96 en suite bedrooms providing enviable views over the world-renowned Championship Golf Course or the sea. Overlooking the 1st and 18th tee, guests can enjoy a wide selection of finely prepared Scottish cuisine to excite their taste buds in either the Calders Bistro, Bar or on The Terrace, whilst enjoying the spectacular views. Carnoustie Golf Hotel is a unique golfing haven, offering some of the most stimulating golf in the world.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled close to iconic golf courses, Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa is lauded for its exceptional location near the beach and town. While some guests have called out the stunning views and spaciousness of the rooms, concerns have been raised about the need for modernization and better internet service.
The staff's friendly and professional demeanor frequently earns praise, although there are occasional remarks about service hiccups. The hotel's cleanliness and refurbished amenities are generally well-received, but opinions on the overall atmosphere and value offer a mixed bag, with some areas perceived as needing a touch more warmth and others as being overpriced.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Mixed
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Hotel was pretty quiet on the Sunday when we arrived. I guess this was mainly due to the fact that there was work being carried out on the leisure facilities and was reflected in the price of the room. We had been well warned about this in advance but as we were going to be out and about exploring the local area, it wasn’t a big issue for us. We received a very friendly welcome from the receptionist on duty and our standard double room was warm and clean and spacious enough for us. Soundproofing was also excellent which helped us to have a lovely peaceful sleep. We didn’t have dinner at the hotel but the breakfast we had the next morning was superb and once again the staff on duty were all so friendly and polite. The ev charge points in the car park were a great help and certainly saved us a lot of time. Thanks to everyone for a very relaxing and enjoyable one night stay..!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Nov 13, 2024
Thanks you, delighted you enjoyed your stay.
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If you want relaxed, exceptional service..this is the hotel!
Check in - seemless . They take a ÂŁ50 each night charge on your room which is put on hold on your card till the end of the stay.
Room - Wow! Looking right onto one of the most beautiful courses. Shower - rain or normal with lovely Highland spa toiletries Bed - super comfy and huge
Restaurant- we were on a bed, breakfast and dinner
Breakfast - would recommend booking but we went for a walk the first morning as it was busy. No problem at all, as after a short walk on the course, we were ready for it..homemade granola ( a must have ) and the full Scottish perfect.
Dinner - exceptional on both nights. They provide chef specials which I would definitely recommend (photos attached) Compliments to the chef for the best whiskey sauce I have ever had!
Pool - you can see the investment that the hotel are putting in ..pool great, sauna, stream room and jacuzzi
Gym - perfect equipment with the nice addition of Sky tv
Bar area - the best set up I have seen..nice quiet area and another seating where my partner loved watching the football ⚽️
The attention to detail of honouring the golf heritage within this hotel flows right through with great small additions that just make it special.
I would definitely recommend staying here as at the heart of this hotel are a team that care and the service is exceptional..
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Book for breakfast and dinner
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Feb 5, 2025
Thank you very much for your comprehensive review, much apreciated, and delighted you enjoyed your stay.
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Check in was quick and easy and the receptionist pointed out the Calders Bistro where we were booked for two dinners and two breakfasts over the course of our stay. She did not point out that there was a corridor next to reception that lead to the spa and pool area though and we thought that the entrance to that area was outside the hotel. We had a ÂŁ25 per night per person food credit included in the tariff towards food. We were not informed that if we did not spend this credit that we would still have to pay this amount at the end of our stay. So you had to use it or lose it.
We stayed in room 133 on a 2 day winter break. The room was warm and comfortable especially as it was snowing outside. We had a lovely partial sea view from our window over the car park. No fridge in the room though which was a little disappointing.
Dinner in Calders Bistro was lovely. Service was quick, efficient and friendly. The menu was varied. It might have depended on what you ordered but I opted for the duck and it looked very sparse on the plate with sauces scored across the plate to fill spaces and a 2cm high tower of mashed potato the size of a fifty pence piece. On our second night the plates were fuller but spaces filled with all kinds of green leaves. Nevertheless the food was tasty. We especially liked that they kept our bottle of red wine overnight so that we could drink it over two dinners.
Breakfasts were again very enjoyable with a good choice available from both the continental and cooked options. Again the service was quick and friendly and the lady pointed out that we could help ourselves from the buffet area while waiting on our cooked breakfast order. However she did not point out that there were toasters in the next room and we only discovered the toasters as we were leaving because of the smell of burnt toast. We used the toaster on our second day but it only seemed to do slightly toasted or burnt toast.
We enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi, both of which were heated like a hot bath. Especially liked that there were several sets of steps with metal rails for entry and exit from the pool. I have an arm injury and could choose either a left or right hand rail to get in and out of the pool.
This was a lovely hotel offering long walks along the shore. Nevertheless my recommendation would be to book it on a B&B basis and to book Calders Bistro independently and pay meals as you go. We did not spend our full food credit amount so we had to pay for food we did not have. We did ask on arrival if we could pay any extras as we go but the answer was no as the credit was part of the package we had booked. We were not told on arrival that if we did not use the full credit amount on food that we would still have to pay the full amount of the credit. Also be aware that the credit is for food in Calders Bistro. The credit is for one night at a time and the credits cannot be carried forward or added together over two night breaks.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â We enjoyed the views from a very quiet room 133 on the fist floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Apr 7, 2022
Thank you for your comprehensive review.
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For the attention of Gordon Mackintosh. General manager of the Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa.
Subject: Disappointing Experience During Our Recent Visit
Dear Mr Mackintosh,
I am writing to share our deep disappointment with our most recent visit to Carnoustie Hotel. Having been loyal guests for the past 10 years, we have always enjoyed our stays—until now. Unfortunately, this experience was so upsetting that we felt we had no choice but to cancel our stay and return home.
My wife, Gillian, booked an overnight stay as a much-needed break after a difficult period of ill health and a recent bereavement. We were looking forward to a restful escape, but from the moment we arrived, we were met with a lack of care and concern that left us both shocked.
Despite booking on a dinner, bed, and breakfast package with a 3:00 pm check-in, we were informed at reception that the only available dinner slots were 5:00–5:30 pm and breakfast at 7:30 am. When we inquired about room service, we were told that we would need to contact the restaurant ourselves, and no assistance was offered. Instead of any attempt to accommodate us, we were met with silence and indifference from the reception staff. The manager stood behind the desk but said nothing, offering no alternative solutions.
We asked if we could book dinner for later in the evening but were told service stopped at 8:00 pm, with no flexibility. Given the circumstances, we made the difficult decision to leave, as paying ÂŁ250 for a room-only stay was unreasonable. To add to our disappointment, friends had arranged for wine to be sent to our room as a thoughtful gesture, which also had to be refunded.
As we left, one of the receptionists said, “Drive safely on your journey home.” While we accept this may have been meant politely, given the situation, it came across as dismissive and insincere.
This experience has left us deeply disheartened. We have always loved visiting Carnoustie Hotel, but the complete lack of care shown during this visit was shocking. The hospitality industry is facing challenges, yet loyal customers like us are being let down by poor service and inflexibility.
Beyond the disappointment of this trip, we also had to cancel our planned golf and treatments—again, with no acknowledgment or concern from the staff. For a hotel that has always been a place of relaxation and excellent service, this was a truly upsetting experience.
The reason I'm reaching out to yourselves is a sense of frustration and lack of communication from any other member of staff I've contacted.
We hope you will take this feedback seriously and address the issues we encountered.
Kind regards, Ian and Gillian Paterson
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â I've reached out to the general manager through sheer frustration at the unusual lack of concern...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you. I have responded directly to you Mr Paterson, as you emailed me directly. Hope to welcome you back another time.
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Greeted by a gloomy looking receptionist, more interested in rhyming off several start-finish times for breakfast, dinner & spa & taking £50 deposit than properly welcoming us to the hotel. Dinner / breakfast wasn’t exactly what you’d expect from a 4 star hotel, pretty basic options. Rudely woken up to roof works right outside our window, 12pm check-out turned into leaving before 10am due to drilling and no privacy. When notified to the front desk all was said was a very half-hearted sorry. You’d like to believe someone on staff would’ve known about roof works prior, to then not place anyone in said room.
Contacted itison directly & got a full refund within a day, much better customer service from them. I waited 7 working days & had to contact my bank directly to get my £50 “deposit” back, as again Carnoustie were no help over the phone, telling me to wait over the 5 working days, to which i still had no refund from said “deposit”
We were both incredibly disappointed by this trip, had heard such good things, would definitely not spend the money to come back, my partner being an avid golfer, would not spend the money to play at this course. Shocked and stunned by our experience.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded 4 days ago
Thank you for your comments which we note. Sorry that we failed to meet your expectations.
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On arrival the newly refurbished reception area and bars/restaurant looked amazing. We were early and got checked into the room early which was great.Paid ÂŁ20 per room to upgrade to a room with view over Golf Course, well worth it. The receptionist changed our dinner booking from 6:30 to &:30 but only booked in 2 of us instead of 4, but we were accommodated in the restaurant.
We ordered lunch - took 40 minutes for 4 cooked sandwiches to come out and they were lukewarm, but couldn't wait another 40 minutes for replacements so ate what we could. Ordered a round of drinks and after 20 minutes I had to go to the bar as the order had not been put through....there was only about 10 of us in the area so not busy! I asked for a Mocktail and they do not do them...disappointed with that!
At dinner we requested a second jug of water and another beer - again we then had to request this from another waiter as the first waiter had not ordered it!
Asked for our bill. We had overheard another table querying their bill and they were told by the waiter he did not understand it really either. We got ours and asked a couple of questions to be told to take it up with reception in the morning, which we did. At one point the receptionist said she did not understand the system fully either and not to shoot the messenger!
Refurbished pool is lovely, although the jacuzzi area still has rusty/discoloured handrails around it.
Such a shame as we have been here a few times but won't be rushing back!
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Feb 13, 2025
Thank you for your review and easch of you comments which we note and apprecviate.
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I have just returned from this hotel having spent two nights there with my wife. On arrival we found the reception staff less than helpful. We were advised the house keeping appeared to be behind schedule and our room was not ready therefore should try again in 30 mins. Making comparisons to check ins abroad we were not offered a drink or advised to sit in the bar or even offered to the use the facilities, no, just try again in 30 mins. We went for a walk outside and as advised returned in 30 mins. Once again the same receptionist advised our room was still not ready and should take a seat and she would contact house keeping by radio. We followed her instruction, more guests arrived and she obviously forgot to utilise the radio and we sat for a further 20 minutes before the concierge intervened. He advised he would personally go and check the room which he did and advised the room was clearly ready for us. Not a great start however we agreed to put this behind us. The room we booked had a tremendous view over the 18th hole however the balcony was full of debris and was never swept throughout our duration. Again comparing to other hotels we have stayed in there was no information booklets in the room which we have always found helpful in the past. Overall the room was disappointing. We utilised the spa facilities and found them to be of a good quality. The food on offer was of a good quality and the staff in the restaurant and bar area we very pleasant and helpful. Don’t think we will rush back
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Remember and book your meals early as the dining room gets extremely busy
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Jul 12, 2024
Thank you for your review and comments, much appreciated.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Without doubt, the worst hotel experience I have had. My wife and I booked a one night stay at the end of May as we very rarely manage to spend time together without kids, work etc and were very much looking forward to it. We were allocated room 142, which is at the end of the hall, roughly above the swimming pool. The room was unbearably hot, likely due to a combination of a sunny day and swimming pool rising heat. A small seat fan was provided as the window had been silicone sealed and couldn’t open. Doing this to a window, which provides the only form of ventilation or escape, on reflection, is a major fire hazard. Due to the constant running of the fan, we barely slept and were dehydrated and suffering from headaches by early next morning. We couldn’t even get ice as the machine in the hallway is turned off at 9pm. On check out, we discussed these issue with the reception staff. They advised that the room isn’t normally allocated but they were busy, and the window is sealed because it leaks when it rains. When my wife pointed out that we would’ve demanded another room if we had stayed longer, we were told we wouldn’t have been given that room for longer than one night. No apology, no clear explanation as to why the £170 we paid was worth a room that isn’t fit for human habitation, yet an additional night would have ensured a much better room. I’ve travelled a lot over the years and never been met with such a care free and disinterested attitude from staff. I’d advise anyone to avoid this hotel as the staff have no interest in the safety or welfare of their customers and seem happy to allocate a room which, in the event of a fire in the hallway, would have left no means of escape of ventilation to the room.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Stay somewhere else, even if you’re an avid golfer. I’m sure the course is great but the hotel...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded May 30, 2024
Thank you for your comments which we note.
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The hotel is very dated! Although our room was clean, it was in need of a facelift. The carpets were worn. The leisure area felt in need of a good clean, and we were asked to leave the hot tub to allow it time to clean its self (no one else was asked this the whole time we were there so found this strange). Pool very busy couldn’t swim as people were in the way. Dinner was good, the standard of the food was nicer than the standard of the hotel to be honest. Staff very nice. Room service was rubbish, no menus in room so had to phone and ask what they done, all they do is cold food apparently? If you’re looking for luxury unfortunately you won’t find it here. I wouldn’t hurry back.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Feb 16, 2024
Thank you very much fro your comments which we appreciate.
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We stayed here for 2 nights midweek with my parents, who had stayed previously. The hotel is in a fabulous setting with the sea views on one side and the golf courses on the other. There are large free car parks and plenty areas for walking in the vicinity of the hotel. I found the rooms were a little dated, especially the bathroom which needed maintenance. The bed was small but comfortable enough. The mattress was smaller than the base and headboard, possibly a replacement for a king size one. There were tea/coffee making facilities, ice bin with an ice machine in the corridor, iron/board, hairdryer and a small wall tv. The restaurant area has an open outlook and the sunsets were lovely from here. The food was a good standard and presentation at dinner, but the standard full breakfast, which was ordered by 2 of our party of 4, was rather dry and not hot enough on both mornings. The alternative hot food such as kippers, eggs and muffin were good, as was the choice of the cold buffet and juices. The bar prices are, not surprisingly, fairly steep, and the bar service was slow at times. We had a query regarding drinks on our bill and I think it would be beneficial for both parties if any drinks ordered to be put on a room bill were signed for by the guest, and any paid in cash were given a receipt. The staff were all pleasant and polite but did seem to lack direction at times in the evenings. The breakfast restaurant staff seemed much more organised and efficient. The hotel and the golf courses aren't owned by the same company, so there was no discounted green fees. The Open course is ÂŁ295 per round. The bar/cafe called The Rookery, which is owned by the Golf Course was great for snacks and hot drinks with a lovely outlook. Putting is free and you can borrow putters and balls from this building. There is also a golf sim which is ÂŁ25 for an hour. On the whole we enjoyed our break here.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Book tables in advance for meals
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gordon MacKintosh, General Manager at Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa
Responded Apr 13, 2023
Thank you very much for your comprehensive review and comments.
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bath, United Kingdom77 contributions56 helpful votes
The breakfasts are superb, particularly their own muesli! Not eaten other meals. The jacuzzi was out when we visited in October., presumably the hotel can update on whether it’s all fixed.
There are more places to choose from in the Carnoustie area.
PRICE RANGE
C$112 - C$238 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
carnoustie hotel course
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandAngusCarnoustie
NUMBER OF ROOMS
96
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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