AD|PR Trip
Trump Turnberry is an incredible luxury resort with 800 acres of stunning Scottish countryside and coastline. We were invited to spend three days exploring all that Trump Turnberry offers couples looking for a gorgeous Scottish wedding.
Just an hour’s flight and another hour’s drive, we made our way up a long driveway to the iconic hotel building. The journey was beautiful; we were kindly collected at the airport by a car from the hotel and travelled through glorious scenery, castle ruins and hills until the estate appeared in the distance under a low autumnal sun.
Welcome to Trump Turnberry
Opening in 1906, Trump Turnberry has been lovingly and luxuriously restored, bought by the Trump estate in 2014. It has returned to its former glory, and every staff member’s kindness and genuine hospitality blew us away. With just three days to experience everything the hotel offered, our itinerary was packed– I’m sure you could spend a couple of weeks here and not get bored!
We were welcomed by Stuart, dressed in Turnberry tartan, and our bags were whisked away as we admired the spectacular Swarovski crystal chandeliers that adorned the lobby. Delicious drinks and homemade shortbread made the welcome even sweeter as we gazed out the window to the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig – an island in the distance. Visible from every window in the hotel, it’s a mysterious looming spectacle of the seas.
Staying at Trump Turnberry
Escorted to our suite under more sparkling chandeliers, our room was one of the best we have ever stayed in, with its foyer and more views over to Ailsa Craig, the room overlooked rolling greenery across the 800-acre estate, golf course and then to the sea.
Trump Turnberry offered something unique: floor-to-ceiling windows, luxurious tartan curtains, a gilded wooden bedframe, and a beautiful marble bathroom. Exquisite organic Trump toiletries just begged to be used for a bath overlooking the dramatic scenery, but that had to wait as we were invited to a lavish afternoon tea.
Activities at Trump Turnberry
An award-winning afternoon tea saw us enjoying a delectable array of sandwiches, sweet treats and scones, along with a cup of tea in The Grand Tea Bar and Lounge. Scottish smoked salmon with a lemon crème fraiche on wholemeal bread was simply delicious – there’s nothing like eating local, fresh produce. There are 28 teas to choose from, and Trump Turnberry also offers a sparkling afternoon tea with a glass of fizz included, or you can select a Hendrick’s Gin afternoon tea. Menus change seasonally, and they have a special menu for a children’s ‘Little Angels’ afternoon tea party, which is just the sweetest.
Next on the itinerary was clay pigeon shooting, hosted at the estate. Perfect for a stag party, all training and equipment are supplied. We were also given the opportunity for a horse riding experience. Having never been on a horse before, this was a great way to explore the estate, and many excursions take the horses to the beach to canter through the waves. Trump Turnberry is famous for its championship golf course, with Donald Trump a regular.
We took advantage of a little lesson, using the latest technology to assess our swing and video analysis to help improve our game – although I think we have a little way to go until we can play with the pros on the course!
After a stroll through the clubhouse, looking at all the memorabilia, trophies and pictures of celebrities playing on the course, we learnt more about the other activities on offer – paddleboarding, kayaking, archery, falconry, quad biking, kite-surfing, and more are all available to guests. Whiskey tasting would be a unique way to end a stag party, and we were shown around the whiskey shop, where we spotted a bottle that would set you back a cool £60,000.
On the way to the spa, we spotted many photographs showing visitors to the estate. Pavarotti, Rod Stewart and more grace the walls alongside Trump family photos, which hang in the corridor before you reach the dramatic spa entrance. The spa boasts treatment rooms, manicure stations, a huge pool, and a jacuzzi – perfect for a hen weekend. Again, Ailsa Craig looms through the windows as you swim, with a constantly changing view through the seasons. It’s utterly tranquil, and I thoroughly enjoyed a full-body treatment.
Dining at Trump Turnberry
There is plenty of choice with four different eateries, and the food is exquisite. With a three-day trip, we experienced all the restaurants and their incredible menus. We first dined at The Duel in the Sun, set in the clubhouse.
The Scottish bar and grill showcases the venue’s golfing history alongside serving dry-aged grass-fed beef and locally sourced Ayrshire seafood. Of course, we had to sample some of the best mussels, fish and chips, and a delicious sticky toffee pudding. A golf buggy across the course took us to The Turnberry Lighthouse – a two-bedroom suite that lies above the ruins of King Robert the Bruce’s Castle. Perfect for a minimoon or night of the wedding, it’s unique and beautiful, the epitome of luxury, with stunning views and its terrace looking out to sea.
With a contemporary twist on classic French cuisine, the restaurant 1906 boasts the year the Turnberry Hotel was opened. With more of Scotland’s finest produce, we enjoyed a delicious summer truffle agnolotti followed by the freshest monkfish tail and Scotch beef fillet with truffle cauliflower.
An indulgent coconut and dark chocolate pave, and a tangy passionfruit and lime cheesecake finished the incredible meal perfectly. The 1906 offers a six-course tasting menu, blending Scottish flavours with French cuisine, and their award-winning Sommelier is on hand to provide wine suggestions to complement each dish. The restaurant also has a chef’s table with a guest book of well-known names. It truly feels like a home from home, eating as a family.
We again found ourselves in The Grand Tea Lounge, sampling the dinner menu. An ‘Ailsa Breeze’ signature cocktail was the perfect way to start the meal, with gin, elderflower, lime, mint and ginger ale making for the most refreshing drink. Then lemon chicken and dumplings with asparagus, hazelnut, and kombu braised short rib of beef were incredible main courses.
The food is utterly divine, and set within the estate with the backdrop of Ailsa Craig and the sea, it’s an incredible experience for all the senses. We were even treated to a rainbow in the sky at breakfast on our final day as we enjoyed our meal – the perfect end to a fantastic stay.
Weddings at Trump Turnberry
It would be such an experience to take over the entire estate for your wedding, and indeed, many A-listers have done so, although we couldn’t manage to extract any more details! Formula One drivers are regular guests, and with over 200 rooms and suites and 70 more villas, each with 8 bedrooms, there is plenty of space to host all your family, friends and loved ones.
Range Rovers zip across the site, escorting guests to their desired destinations, and the hospitality is faultless. The ballroom could host weddings of any size, from small, intimate celebrations to parties of up to 500 guests. With eight Swarovski chandeliers that take your breath away, the room has a private terrace perfect for watching fireworks.
The room is so elegant, with sumptuous carpets and gold chairs. It’s the ideal place for a luxury Scottish wedding. We even visited the Norman suite, where Donald Trump stays when he visits and can be hired to stay in. Its terrace looking out to sea is such a calm and relaxing space.
Trump Turnberry is a unique, luxurious estate full of Scottish history and overflowing with kindness and unmatched hospitality. It’s an extraordinary place with so much personality and attention to detail. My favourite moment was at 6.30 pm. Each day, Piper Brice played his bagpipes as the sun set, walking the hotel – perfect for enjoying our pre-dinner drinks and marking the evening drawing in.
Our five 5 Star highlights:
- Our incredible suite – beautiful and so comfortable
- The stunning spa – utter relaxation with fantastic views
- Signature cocktails – sipping delicious drinks by the fire
- Brice the Piper – such a special moment each day
- Scottish Turnberry hospitality – we could not have felt more welcome
TRUMP TURNBERRY®
SCOTLAND
PHONE+44 01655 331000 RESERVE+44 01655 334115
