Ardboyne Hotel

The Ardboyne has 29 en suite bedrooms, all refurbished with comfort as the priority, which is exactly what you want after 18 holes in Irish weather. Rooms are finished in calm, neutral tones and feel modern without trying too hard. Beds are properly inviting, with crisp white linen, and there's enough space to lay out your gear and dry off if the forecast does what it usually does.

Each room has an en suite bathroom with a shower and bath set-up, plus complimentary toiletries. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, handy for checking tee times, wind direction and whether that "light shower" is about to turn into something a bit more serious. Free parking on site is a genuine plus if you're driving and travelling with clubs.

Food-wise, you've got two easy options without leaving the hotel. Hugo's Restaurant is the more formal choice, leaning on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus for a proper sit-down dinner. It's a good shout for groups who want to eat well, talk through the day's near-misses and not worry about taxis. Kell's Bar is more casual, perfect for a quicker bite, a pint and a post-round wind-down. If you fancy something quieter, the lobby has reservable spaces for afternoon tea, which works nicely if you're travelling with non-golfers or simply want a break between rounds.

Right, let's talk about the golf. The Ardboyne puts you within reach of four very different courses, each worth your time for different reasons. If you're building a three or four-round itinerary, you can play a modern championship parkland, two classic seaside links and a newer big-dunes test without repeating yourself.