A Right Royal Stay

A look at the new King Hotel at Dragon Lake Golf Club

Dragon Lake Golf Club, situated to the north of Guangzhou, has made a name for itself over the past few years for hosting some of the region’s most significant golfing events. The original course at this 54-hole property, owned by Hong Kong Golden Horse Group, was chosen as the venue for Aaron Baddeley’s International Junior Championship on numerous occasions before staging the Asian Games in 2010. Then, on completion of the newer King’s Course, a dramatic mountainous layout designed by Steve Sheperdson, it was announced that the Royal Trophy, the annual team event played between Asia and Europe, would be making its way to the club at the end of 2013. The King’s Course produced a stunner, with Europe, captained by two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, managing to pull off a brilliant final-day fightback to emerge victorious.

To coincide with that event, Dragon Lake unveiled its latest off-course offering – the King Hotel, which like the rest of this seen-to-be-believed resort pays exuberant homage to the royal houses of northern European in its styling and décor. It certainly grabbed the attention of the Royal Trophy participants who attended the grand opening, with Olazábal and his team clearly taken in by the four-poster beds, marble fire places, wooden-beamed ceilings and crystal chandeliers that are a mainstay of the rooms.

But a stay here is not replete without a visit to the hotel’s golf museum, which houses a plethora of artifacts, from hickory clubs, ancient apparel and trophies to art from around the world. Dragon Lake has built a hotel that is intertwined with golf – and for that they should be applauded.

Visit www.dragonlake.com.cn for more information.

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