1 Night, 2 Rounds
Tucked into the rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders, Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa is an all-encompassing golf resort that mixes a genuine parkland challenge with proper downtime. The parkland layout sits on rolling ground beside the River Tweed and it's far from a gentle knock, even if it looks that way from the clubhouse.
You're only 40 minutes from Edinburgh and about 90 from Glasgow, so it's ideal for a quick Scottish escape without the long haul north. Back at the hotel you've got everything you want post-round, including a restaurant, two bars, a pool and a spa, plus the Tweed on your doorstep if you fancy swapping wedges for a rod.
Who is this for?
Golfers or groups looking for a proper Scottish parkland test within easy reach of Edinburgh, with quality accommodation and leisure facilities all on site. Ideal for weekend breaks, society trips or couples combining golf with spa time.
Who is it best for?
Mid-to-low handicappers who want a genuine challenge on a tour-standard course, plus anyone seeking a peaceful countryside escape with excellent facilities and easy access from central Scotland's cities.
* Where applicable, the relevant promotions will be applied during the booking process. T&Cs may apply.
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
Using all the local features, Thomas, to his enormous credit, has managed to build the course to feel mature beyond its few years. Despite its position close to some pretty hilly terrain, the course itself is relatively flat, offering an enjoyable challenge to all those fortunate enough to visit Cardrona for a golfing break.
The testing par-72 championship course is now a regular stop on the PGA Europro Tour, owing not just to the golf course, but also the fantastic practice facilities on-site.
Signature Hole: Hole 7, Par 4, 402 yards
From the 7th& tee a straight drive is necessary in order to avoid trees and bunkers flanking the fairway on the left and right respectively. However, the approach shot is the real challenge and the golfer must find a raised, well-protected green making for a tough par.
| Par | 72 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Dave Thomas |
| Opened for play | 2001 |
| Previousley hosted | Euro Pro Tour and European Challenge Tour events |
| Black | 6,990 yards | SSS 74 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,856 yards | SSS 74 |
| Yellow | 6,555 yards | SSS 73 |
| Red | 6,035 yards | SSS 76 |
Cardrona's 99 bedrooms are contemporary, spacious and built for comfort after a long day on the course. Soft fabrics, quality beds and modern ensuites are standard across the board, with views either out over the surrounding hills or directly onto the golf course itself. If you're the sort who can't quite switch off from golf, the Deluxe Rooms come with private patios that open straight onto the course, so you can step out with your morning coffee and watch the first groups tee off.
Check-in is straightforward and the staff know their golf, which always helps when you're asking about tee times or course conditions. There's plenty of parking on site, which matters when you're travelling with clubs and kit, and the hotel has a relaxed, welcoming feel rather than anything overly formal. Breakfast is included in most packages and it's a proper spread, the sort of fuel you'll want before heading out for 18 holes in the Borders air.
Room types range from standard doubles through to family rooms and suites, so whether you're here as a couple, a fourball or a larger group, there's something that'll work. The rooms facing the course are worth requesting if you can, especially in the evening when the light catches the hills and you can sit out with a drink and watch the last few groups finish up.
Dining at Cardrona covers all bases. Renwicks Restaurant is the headline option, an award-winning spot serving refined dishes in a bright, airy space with panoramic views across the course and the Border hills beyond. It's the kind of place where you'll want to linger over dinner, especially if you've had a good round. The menu leans towards Scottish produce done well, nothing too fussy, just quality ingredients cooked properly.
For something more relaxed, Spikes Bar overlooks the 18th and does exactly what a golf club bar should: decent food, cold drinks and a terrace where you can sit out and dissect your round in the evening sun. It's the natural spot to end up after you've signed your card, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want, golfers swapping stories and settling bets.
The Lounge and Cocktail Bar offers a quieter alternative, ideal for sinking into a leather sofa with an afternoon tea or a well-earned drink while taking in the views. If you're here with a non-golfing partner, this is where they'll likely gravitate while you're out playing.
The leisure side is genuinely first-class. The spa runs a full treatment menu, including facials and massages using ELEMIS products, ideal if you've overdone it on the course or simply want to unwind properly. There's an 18-metre pool, plus sauna and steam room, and a fully equipped gym for anyone who wants to keep their fitness routine ticking over.
I'll admit, it works well as a resort base. Non-golfers have plenty to do while you're out playing, which matters if you're trying to sell a golf trip to a partner who'd rather be anywhere but a driving range. The spa is a proper facility, not just a couple of treatment rooms tacked onto a hotel, and the pool area is spacious enough that it never feels crowded.
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel and Golf Club sits just east of Peebles, 25 miles south of Edinburgh and roughly 15 miles from Galashiels train station, making it straightforward to reach from either direction.
Address: Cardrona, Peebles, Scotland, EH45 9HX
Jim
✓30 Oct 2019
Very good value for the money the course was in excellent condition for the time of year the only downside is the hotel was very expensive if you’re buying drinks or sandwiches we paid £46 for a round of sandwiches and coffee (4 of us ) apart from that excellent value for money and highly recommendable the food in was really good and the staff more than helpful we will definitely be booking again
George
✓16 Sep 2019
Hotel was dated and needs upgraded, the room was nice but when we opened our windows they would not close and jammed open, appear to be twisted? restaurant at night was lovely but breakfast was very poor, no appliances for making toast for breakfast and food was average, there was toast made and in the hot food buffet but was not good.
Alan
✓13 Sep 2019
Accommodation very good and setting/location excellent. The hotel service was a little disjointed this time, probably because they were quite busy. Despite this we thoroughly enjoyed the stay.
Brian
✓9 Sep 2019
Great time at the Cardrona. Everything was perfect and the professional couldn't have been more helpful. All staff and meals were fantastic. We will definitely be going back next year. Thanks again Your Golf Travel for a great golfing experience. Brian Smith
Sue
✓8 Sep 2019
a good few days. Helpful and efficient staff
Lee
✓26 Aug 2019
A gem of a find that was incredible value for money. The course was as you would expect for a Scottish golf course - long, well kept, punishing if you were off line but a very fair challenge. The staff were what made this trip exceptional however. Excellent customer service from desk, bar, wait and above all golf shop staff. David in the golf shop genuinely could not have done more for us and was an absolute credit to the place.
Maria
✓20 Aug 2019
The service is awful. Students at the restaurant and the cleaning team stays less than 5 minutes in the room just to set up the bed. They don’t even change the glasses or empty properly the trash cans
Eric / Sandra
✓18 Aug 2019
Hotel needing a bit of upgrading ,particularly the public areas. There were problems with the breakfast catering ,or lack of it(blamed on a large party who had eaten prior to the other guests) Pretty area for walkers and golfers. Drinks expensive,usually guests receive a voucher or 20% off but not at the present time
Kristina
✓2 Aug 2019
Lift was not working (we were on the 4th floor), carpets in room starting to get threadbare, very warm in the room, no electric fan and windows won’t open, toilet was blocked, shower nice and spacious, building needs a good spruce up specially outside...crying out for a fresh lick of paint, breakfast new setup is terrible and disappointing as a result of cutbacks here and there, service is very slow although staff shown dedication to work and were helpful and friendly. I’ve stayed at Cardrona Hotel numerous times but the noticeable cutback and quality of breakfast made me feel not to go back ever again. However, the course is still as good and challenging as I’ve always known throughout all the time I’ve played it. I guess hotel is fine for bus load of foreign tourist as stopover but not for guests looking for enjoyable break.
Anthony
✓27 Jul 2019
Jim
✓30 Oct 2019
We were very lucky the course was quiet and we went round in a very quick time the greens had recently been hollow tined but did not affect the pace of the greens A very enjoyable golf course to play
George
✓16 Sep 2019
Enjoyed the lay out of the course but was very hard and played long and especially for the wife
Alan
✓13 Sep 2019
An excellent layout and in good condition, particularly the fairways. The only criticism is there are several long walks from green to tees and this makes it feel like a long course, the back 9 is particularly long. Apart from that the setting is excellent an always enjoyable to play.
Brian
✓9 Sep 2019
Beautiful course with great panoramic surroundings. Would recommend to all golfers.
Sue
✓8 Sep 2019
a long course but most enjoyable
Lee
✓26 Aug 2019
Maria
✓20 Aug 2019
Eric / Sandra
✓18 Aug 2019
Played it often,quite long ,most holes have interest.While there it was quiet Pro shop very helpful ,
Kristina
✓2 Aug 2019
It’s never changed. I like the course that’s why I always invited my different sets of friends to come with me. The only negative point is there’s no toilet facility which is a long course. But because of the noticeable decline of the hotel standard I won’t be coming back.
Anthony
✓27 Jul 2019
Check-in from 3pm | Check-out from 11am
7:30-10:30am
Smart Casual
Renwicks or Manderston
Yes
Yes
Members only Sunday morning till 9am
There are 2 bars on site
There is complimentary car parking
