The K Club Hotel

The K Club sits in the Kildare countryside, surrounded by mature parkland, elegant gardens and the River Liffey.

There is a sense of grandeur to the estate, but the atmosphere is not overly formal. It feels polished and luxurious while still being somewhere you can settle in comfortably after a day on the course.

The golf is a major draw, of course. Having two contrasting Arnold Palmer courses on site makes it easy to build a memorable break without spending time travelling between rounds. Yet the hotel has enough going on away from the fairways to make the stay feel like much more than a golfing weekend.

There are stylish bedrooms and suites, a peaceful spa, several restaurants and bars, and a long list of countryside activities for anyone keen to make the most of the estate.

Key Facts

Hotel rating: 5-star
Location: Straffan, County Kildare
Golf on site: Palmer North and Palmer South
Course designers: Arnold Palmer
Spa: K Spa
Swimming pool: 16.5-metre indoor pool
Dining: Several restaurants, bars and lounges across the resort
Best suited to: Luxury golf breaks, couples, groups and stay-and-play holidays

Location

The K Club is set in Straffan, County Kildare, surrounded by lush countryside but within easy reach of Dublin.

It works particularly well for golfers looking to enjoy a quieter country-estate stay while still including time in the city or rounds elsewhere in East Ireland. Once you arrive, there is no need to rush around. Both golf courses, the spa and a good choice of dining options are all within the resort.

Rooms and Suites

The bedrooms and suites suit the setting beautifully: spacious, individually designed and full of character.

The style is elegant and traditional rather than stark or minimalist, with period-inspired details sitting comfortably alongside the modern touches you would expect from a five-star stay. It is the sort of hotel where returning to your room after golf feels like part of the treat, rather than simply a place to leave the clubs overnight.

Two Arnold Palmer Courses On-site

The big attraction for golfers is having two very different Arnold Palmer-designed courses within the estate.

Palmer North is the headline layout. Regularly ranked among Ireland’s leading parkland courses, it hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup, 11 European Opens and several editions of the Irish Open. With mature trees, strategic water hazards and a strong finishing stretch, it is the course that brings the big-stage atmosphere.

Palmer South offers a completely different experience. Designed primarily as an inland links-style course, it features dune-style mounding, elevated viewpoints and dramatic rock features. It has hosted three European Opens and will welcome the KPMG Women’s Irish Open from 27 to 30 August 2026.

Playing both gives the break real variety without ever needing to leave the estate.

Ryder Cup History

The K Club became the first and, to date, only Irish venue to host the Ryder Cup when Europe faced the USA here in 2006.

Ian Woosnam’s European team secured an emphatic 18½–9½ victory on Palmer North. For golfers who enjoy playing courses with a story behind them, following in the footsteps of some of the game’s biggest names adds an extra layer of excitement to the round.

KPMG Women’s Irish Open 2026

Palmer South will take centre stage from 27 to 30 August 2026, when The K Club hosts the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.

The event is part of the Ladies European Tour and gives golfers another reason to have Palmer South firmly on the radar. Paired with the Ryder Cup history of Palmer North, it makes The K Club an especially appealing choice for a golf break in 2026.

K Spa

The K Spa is a very welcome place to retreat to after golf.

The wellness complex has seven treatment rooms, two private suites and an aromatic garden, along with a quiet studio offering classes such as yoga and meditation. There is also a 16.5-metre indoor swimming pool, water-jet massage, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and outdoor Canadian hot tub.

Whether you have time for a treatment or simply fancy a swim and a little downtime, it adds an extra touch of indulgence to the stay.

Dining and Drinks

There is plenty of choice when it comes to eating and drinking at The K Club, which is particularly useful if you are staying for a few nights.

The resort’s dining options include Barton Grill, The Palmer Restaurant, The Henry Lounge, the Blue Martini Cocktail Bar, South Bar & Restaurant and The Straffan Inn, as well as afternoon tea.

The Palmer Restaurant is an especially inviting spot after golf, with a terrace overlooking the famous Palmer North fairways. Over at the second clubhouse, South Bar & Restaurant has an outdoor terrace overlooking Palmer South, making it an easy place to settle in for a drink or something to eat after the round.

More Than Golf

There is no shortage of ways to fill the time between tee times.

Guests can explore the estate along The K Trails, a six-kilometre network of riverside walks and woodland paths, with complimentary bikes available. Other activities include fishing, falconry, horse riding, archery, clay-pigeon shooting, tennis, paddle boarding, guided boat trips, wine tasting and whiskey tasting.

That makes The K Club a particularly good option for couples, mixed groups and anyone who likes a golf break to come with a few extra possibilities.

A Standout Choice for an Ireland Golf Holiday

The K Club has all the ingredients for a memorable luxury golf break.

There are two excellent Arnold Palmer courses on site, a five-star country-estate hotel, a lovely spa and enough restaurants, bars and activities to make it easy to settle in for a few days.

Palmer North brings the Ryder Cup prestige. Palmer South adds its own tournament pedigree and the timely appeal of the 2026 KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Together, they make The K Club one of the standout choices for a Dublin and East Ireland golf holiday, and a very tempting addition to a wider Ireland golf holiday.