WITH the UAE emerging as one of the world’s top golf destinations for both leisure and corporate travellers, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ has partnered with Troon Golf to train the concierge and Fairmont Gold staffs at Fairmont Dubai and Fairmont Bab al Bahr in Abu Dhabi to better serve the needs of golf travellers.
In addition, the resorts have added new services and amenities including the ability to book tee times directly through the resorts and complimentary use of tailor-made golf clubs for Fairmont President Club members who do so.
These measures were taken in order to enhance the overall quality the golf travel experience for guests visiting the region on business or for leisure. Troon Golf, which manages many of the top golf courses in the region including Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Els Club, and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, provided on-site training for the resorts’ Concierge and Fairmont Gold Staff, familiarising them with all of the available golf amenities, golf terminology and other considerations necessary to serve the specific needs of travelling golfers. As a result of this new emphasis, Fairmont Bab al Bahr has added a golf vacation package to its list of offerings. The Tea In and Tee Off Golf Package is available until September 30 and provides one night accommodation in a luxuriously appointed guestroom, one round of golf for two people at either Abu Dhabi Golf Club or Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, complimentary afternoon tea for two in the Chocolate Gallery and complimentary use of the health club, pool and beach area for Dh1,049 ($285), exclusive of tax and service charge.
Fairmont’s properties in the UAE also are a popular stop-over destination for guests travelling from North America and Europe to either of its two properties in South Africa – Fairmont Zimbali Resort and Fairmont Zimbali Lodge. Each of these properties offers a distinctive and luxurious experience for golf travellers with access to the private Zimbali Country Club and the acclaimed Tom Weiskopf-designed championship-calibre golf course. Golfers can take advantage of the golfing package that includes overnight accommodation at the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge, access to the 18 holes on the Tom Weiskopf golf course, for two people, golf cart hire and breakfast for two at the celebrated Thandi Restaurant. The package is valid year-round and is priced at ZAR2,699 (328) per room per night for two adults.
Elsewhere the Fairmont St Andrews, a five-star cliff-top resort, in St Andrews, Scotland, is offering guaranteed tee times on St Andrews’ famed Old Course as part of its Winter Golf Package for 2012/2013. For at £239 ($374) per person (minimum two), guests can avail two nights’ accommodation in a Fairmont Room, a full Scottish breakfast, guaranteed tee time for 18 holes of golf on the Old Course, 18 holes of golf on The New Course and 18 holes of golf on The Jubilee Course. The package is available from November 6 to December 31, 2012.