Top 10 Best Golf Resorts in Hawaii and the Caribbean

What are the Best Luxury Golf Resorts in Hawaii and the Caribbean? Some recent TravelSort client requests from avid golfers have had us advising on the best luxury golf resorts in warm climates that Americans can travel to (or are expected to be able to travel to soon): Hawaii and the Caribbean. Here are our recommendations, taking into account the quality of the resort as well as the associated golf course. All courses are 18 holes, par 72. To reserve with Preferred Partner or Virtuoso benefits, become a TravelSort Client.

1. Four Seasons Lanai: Manele

Four Seasons Lanai is a favorite luxury resort for golfers. Course access is exclusively available to Four Seasons Lanai resort guests, so apart from busy holiday seasons you're likely to enjoy an uncrowded course. The Jack Nicklaus design makes the most of the dramatic cliffs and Pacific Ocean vistas, so much so that you'll be tempted to send photos, especially of holes 12 and 17, to inspire envy from golf-loving friends.

Four Seasons Lanai Preferred Partner Benefits

Daily full American breakfast for two in One Forty Restaurant or In-Room Dining
USD 100 Resort credit
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites

Best Luxury Golf Resorts in Hawaii: Manele Course at Four Seasons Lanai — Manele Course at Four Seasons Lanai

Here's our Four Seasons Lanai YouTube Video Review:

2. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua: The Plantation Course

The Plantation Course at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua has been ranked as the #1 golf course in Hawaii and among the 100 top golf courses in the world. The Plantation Course reopened in November 2019 after a 9 month, multi-million dollar renovation. Golfers who have played the pre-renovation course can see the hole by hole renovation updates.

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom (served in the Ulana Restaurant)
$100 USD Resort/Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Best Hawaii Golf Resorts: Plantation Course, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua — Plantation Course, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Here's our Ritz-Carlton Kapalua YouTube Video Review:

3. Amanera: Playa Grande

The Playa Grande course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the course has been updated by his son and renowned golf course architect, Rees Jones, creating an exhilarating course. The course overlooks the stunning Playa Grande Beach, and ten of the holes play directly on the ocean, the most of any golf course in the Western Hemisphere.

Amanera Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary full American Breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
A complimentary la carte lunch for up to two people, once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Best Golf Resorts in Caribbean: Playa Grande, Amanera — Playa Grande Golf Course, Amanera

4. Mauna Kea Beach Resort, Big Island: Mauna Kea Golf Course

Fantastic ocean views and a challenging course with a number of uphill, elevated greens and bunkers highlight the Mauna Kea Golf Course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and improved by Rees Jones. Try a Laird Hamilton designed GolfBoard to easily make your way through a round.

Mauna Kea Beach Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Buffet breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate or any third party vendor charges, no cash value if not redeemed in full). Guests in Suite accommodations receive a $200 USD Resort/Hotel credit
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Mauna Kea Golf Course, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii

5. Four Seasons Hualalai: Hualalai Course

The Four Seasons Hualalai is closed until 12/1/20 (see Four Seasons Hualalai, Four Seasons Ko Olina Suspend Operations), but the resort remains a favorite for golfers and their families, with many offerings for non-golfers.

Hualalai hosts the annual Mitsubishi Electric Championship on the PGA Tour Champions, and is an incredibly distinctive Jack Nicklaus designed course, with its lush green fairways contrasting with rough black lava. Take in spectacular ocean views from the final holes.

Four Seasons Hualalai Preferred Partner Benefits

Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant
Food and beverage credit of USD100
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites

Hualalai Course, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island of Hawaii

6. Sandy Lane, Barbados: Green Monkey

Sandy Lane's Green Monkey golf course is designed by Tom Fazio, with carve outs from an old limestone quarry contrasting with the rolling green fairways, and significant elevation changes that challenge even experienced golfers. See if you spot any of the island's Bajan green monkeys during your round! Also consider combining a visit here with a stay at Mandarin Oriental Canouan in the Grenadines, a short private jet flight from Barbados BGI.

Sandy Lane Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast, for two in room guests per bedroom
One 60 minute Sandy Lane full body massage in the Spa
A complimentary round of golf on the Country Club course including green fees and cart rental
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Green Monkey Golf Course, Sandy Lane, Barbados

7. Mandarin Orienal Canouan: Canouan Estate

The Jim Fazio designed course is the only championship course in the Grenadines, and one of the most spectacular in the Caribbean. The front nine holes take in beautiful views of Canouan beaches, while the back nine climb over the hillside for even more dramatic vistas. Another bonus is that the course is never crowded, given the remote location and the fact that the resort has just 39 rooms and suites.

Mandarin Oriental Canouan Fan Club Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full Breakfast for two guests per bedroom daily (including tax & service charge) in Lagoon Cafe or Asianne
$200 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-FI

Canouan Estate Golf Course, Mandarin Oriental Canouan

8. The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas: Ocean Club Course

The course, originally designed by Dick Wilson, was entirely redesigned by Tom Weiskopf in 2000 to make it more challenging, and crosswinds from its seaside location challenge even expert golfers.

The Ocean Club Preferred Partner Benefits

Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant
Food and beverage credit of USD100
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites

Ocean Club Golf Course, Four Seasons Bahamas

9. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea: Wailea Gold Course

The Wailea Golf Club has three courses, Wailea Gold, Wailea Emerald and Wailea Blue, with the Gold course the most challenging. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the Gold course has hosted the Wendy's Champions Skins Event and LPGA Skins Game. With its strategically placed bunkers and hazards, changes in elevation and masterfully designed doglegs, the Wailea Gold has earned a reputation as the “thinking player's” course that rewards good strategy and finesse.

Four Seasons Maui at Wailea Preferred Partner Benefits

Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant
Food and beverage credit of USD100
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities that are being extended
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites

Here's our Four Seasons Maui at Wailea YouTube review:

10. Rosewood Baha Mar: Royal Blue

This Jack Nicklaus designed course, opened in 2017, is one of the best in the Caribbean, and based on the golf course alone would rank higher, although the Rosewood Baha Mar had received mixed reviews from our clients, bringing down the ranking. The front nine holes offers dramatic vistas of the fairways, white sand dunes and ocean. On the back nine, journey across a limestone terrain, with elevation changes and dense jungle environment challenging even experienced golfers.

Rosewood Baha Mar Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full American Breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in MALAM daily
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay for Rosewood outlets only (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi