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Golf & Game

Golfers are a brazen lot, so a little casino gaming goes great with our on-course action. Kingdom’s Jon Edwards tried his luck at Raffles Canouan. Get there, or try one of these other great destinations.

Golf & Game

Golfers are a brazen lot, so a little casino gaming goes great with our on-course action. Kingdom’s Jon Edwards tried his luck at Raffles Canouan. Get there, or try one of these other great destinations.

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Golfers are a brazen lot, so a little casino gaming goes great with our on-course action. Kingdom’s Jon Edwards tried his luck at Raffles Canouan. Get there, or try one of these other great destinations.

Raffles Canouan

As a much younger man backpacking in South-East Asia, I landed in Singapore, brushed off the smartest clothes I could muster and enjoyed the obligatory Singapore Sling in the world famous Raffles Hotel.  The ambiance, the décor and the simply stunning service transported me to another world and another time. I will never forget it but I in truth I hadn’t given the experience much thought over the last decade that is, until I stayed at the Raffles Resort Canouan Island, a tropical island paradise that’s part of the amazing archipelago of islands that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

That legendary Raffles service has been transported from Singapore and is evident as soon as you touch down at Canouan’s recently extended but still charming airport as you are instantly greeted with refreshing ice-cooled towels. The resort itself is set over two azure blue watered bays protected by a tropical reef that stretches for the entire length of the island. Its backdrop is Mount Royal, which you can hike up to catch the beautiful Caribbean sunset. With development have come world class amenities, like the Trump National Golf Club and accompanying Trump Club Privee Casino at the Villa Monte Carlo. The latter is set overlooking the resort in an impressive Colonial building styled after a Mediterranean Palace. The Casino also houses one of the resort’s five eateries, La Varenne, which has a well deserved reputation as one of the best fine dining restaurants in the Caribbean. The Casino and ballroom are extremely well appointed and offer Roulette, Blackjack, and Craps—the perfect end to an evening of the fine food and excellent wine perhaps alongside a great cigar selected from the well-informed cigar menu.

Accommodations

Unlike the U.S.–style mega resorts you find in Vegas and on some of the larger Caribbean islands, the Raffles resort has individual villas for guests arranged in an amphitheatre–style setting. These spacious accommodations are beautifully furnished and give the resort a comfortable feeling without compromising style and exclusivity. Each villa has its own golf cart so you can leisurely travel between the two perfect white sand beaches, great pool with swim–up bar and restaurants. Junior suites are even more luxurious and have magnificent views. In addition, they have their own personal pools—perfect for whiling away lazy afternoons.

For those who want to make the island more than a magnificent vacation, Canouan also possesses luxurious real estate opportunities on the 1,200-acre site. These are shared with the prestigious Raffles resort, and consist of the Grenadines Estates and the Trump Golf Villas.

Day Trips

While staying with Raffles you can charter a choice of stylishly equipped powerboats, visit the exclusive beaches of Mustique and mix with the many celebrities that call this island home. Alternatively you can sail on a catamaran that is permanently moored at the resort, riding the warm trade winds to the must–see Tobago Cays. This collection of five small tropical islands is renowned for diving and snorkelling and it’s where The Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.  Snorkel in the crystal clear waters with huge sea turtles or wander the tiny deserted islands amidst a recently reintroduced but ever-growing population of sun-loving iguanas.

On return to the resort, the Raffles Amrita Spa is a must for all guests. I recommend the couples massage in the sea palapas, which is only accessible by boat. It has a glass floor so you can watch the fishes as you relax and enjoy the calm.

Golf

The Jim Fazio–designed course is a must–play for any serious golfer with a passion for unique golf tracks. The 6th is the highlight and your concentration can easily be affected from this elevated tee by the sheer beauty of the panoramic view across the resort and along the reef which shimmers in front of you. A solid drive to the right of the fairway is necessary at this par 5 with its tricky approach to the green. As you head over the hill onto the back 9, you are transported away from the resort. Except for the tortoises that litter the fairways at dusk, it feels like you could be on a deserted tropical island where a world class golf course materialized—as if by magic. The signature 13th is truly a delight and offers wonderful views of the surrounding archipelago of islands, petite Canouan (the island’s baby offspring) and the Tobago Cays. As you turn for home you come across some of the most exciting golf holes I have ever played. The 15th offers longer drivers the opportunity to go from elevated tee to elevated green totally cutting out the fairway. From there you are straight onto what is unofficially the longest par 3 in the world. It can play up to 320 yards from the championship tees, with 240 feet of elevation change to the green! It certainly makes you scratch your head over club selection. Trump National is one of the best rounds I have ever had, and the resort guests with whom I was partnered became quick friends through the shared experience.

Wyndham Rio Mar Beach

wyndhamriomar.com

Just a quick flight from Miami, Puerto Rico offers a foreign vacation experience with the ease of domestic U.S. travel—no passport required. A valid photo ID will get you onto the island and into the Wyndham Grand Resort Rio Mar Beach, which offers great golf, an onsite casino and all the wonders and beauty of the Caribbean. Much of Puerto Rico has great ocean views, and the Wyndham is no exception with 500 acres of beachfront property. Besides being a good base for snorkeling and diving, the resort’s beach is a great place to practice hitting out of the sand—a skill you’ll likely need on both of the Wyndham’s championship golf courses, which offer stunning ocean views but plenty of challenges as well. For action out of the sun, the 7,000 square-foot casino just received a $5 million renovation, and the results are stunning. There are plenty of games of chance available in the new setting, and a lovely Mandara spa onsite to work out the knots in case lady luck doesn’t fall your way.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay

fortunebay.com

If you’re looking for something different in both golf and gaming, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay may be your next vacation destination. Self-described as being “a few miles north of ordinary,” The Wilderness is in northern Minnesota, making it a seasonal course to be sure. Set amidst high granite ridges just a few hours from the Twin Cities, the resort sits along the shores of Lake Vermillion surrounded by pine forests. In addition to staggering beauty, this means a fantastic golf experience as well. The natural beauty is complemented by the course’s sensitivity to the environment; Fortune Bay is working with Audubon International to ensure it’s certified as a caretaker of the land—and what beautiful land it is. Thankfully, all carts come with a GPS system, which is helpful in negotiating the dramatic changes in elevation and heavily forested corners. Indoors is as challenging, with plenty of games of chance to be had and jackpots reaching more than $1 million. Lodging is lovely and straightforward, a description that could fit the resort’s overall appeal. Good dining, great golf, exciting gaming and more natural beauty than most make Fortune Bay a rather unique destination for gaming golfers.

Pechanga resort & casino

pechanga.com

Southern California may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of an exciting gaming getaway—but it should be. Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula celebrated a grand opening in November, and the facility is a sight to behold. Nestled roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Pechanga offers top-shelf gaming and golf with luxury accommodations, A-list entertainment, a relaxing spa and more. Rooms and suites can feature floor-to-ceiling windows, Jacuzzi tubs (for two), beautiful baths and a host of top accoutrements. The Journey at Pechanga is a fantastically beautiful course, winding along a boulder-strewn mountain past elegant water features and spectacular views of the Temecula Valley. We like No.5, which rewards risk-takers who go for it over the water and features the remains of an old house made from tule. After the round, Pechanga offers great nightlife with a 188,000-square-foot gaming floor, lively nightclubs and bars, exquisite restaurants and a multitude of AAA 4–Diamond amenities and services. If you plan ahead, you’ll likely catch a top show; major entertainers and sports events are regularly featured at Pechanga.

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