
Seven of us spent four nights at Pinehurst, staying at the Carolina Hotel and playing #7, #8, #9 (rained out after 5 holes), #2, #4, and #10. The golf courses were in fantastic shape, especially considering Hurricane Helene came through the morning of our afternoon round at #2.
Even though it's just opened, #10 is going to be a special golf course. And, unlike some/most of the other courses, it's actually easy to get a refreshment on the course. This was really the only disappointing part of the golf part of the trip -- we went hours without seeing a beverage cart, a water cooler, or a refreshment station on some of the courses. Considering the price and the reputation, they really need to do better.
I can't say enough good things about the food program at Pinehurst. It's fantastic. I honestly wasn't paying much attention to the prices, but I know every dish I had at any of the dinners was excellent.
The staff was generally great also. They try to anticipate what you want or need. They get you shuttled to and from places. Your clubs show up at the right place, on time. It's a pretty well-oiled machine.
THAT SAID....
Our group likes to ship clubs to resorts using Shipsticks. We all pay for FedEx boxes, even if we put a travel bag inside the box. The idea of just having an open suitcase on a FedEx truck/plane/whatever never sits well with any of us. As expected, our clubs (in boxes) were ready for us when we arrived and the front staff was helpful getting us checked in.
On Sunday when we left, we played #10 and returned to the Carolina Hotel. We all put our clubs into travel bags, gave the guys our bags and paperwork, and VERY SPECIFICALLY asked them to put the bags inside FedEx boxes. We were assured that this would happen.
Fast forward to Tuesday of the next week, when I returned home to see my travel bag, without a box, sitting on my front porch. The pockets were open, a few items inside were broken (and I'm going to, I guess, take that up with Shipsticks).
It's awful that the people up front told me specifically that they'd put it in a box, knowing full well they had absolutely zero intention of doing so. I would have taken my clubs on the plane if I wanted them to come without a box. The gentlemen who took our clubs obviously didn't care a single bit.
His simple act of indifference and laziness soured me completely on what had been a great golf experience. I'm having to go through my bag and remember (or guess) what I'd put in there. There were broken things. This was completely avoidable, and completely the fault of the resort.
The service otherwise was fantastic -- as it should be if you pay $7,000 for five days at a resort -- but man...I'm so disappointed in the "last mile" of this trip. Such an unforced error by the...
Read moreI recently completed a Pinehurst trip, and while there were certainly positive aspects of our stay, the accommodations and transportation services proved to be a significant disappointment, overshadowing our overall experience.
My party of 12 stayed in the Lake View condos from May 19 to 21. Let's begin with the positives. The wait staff across the entire resort deserves commendation for their exceptional service. Throughout our stay, they were attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure our dining experiences were enjoyable. The food served at the resort was also outstanding.
The most significant issue we encountered during our stay was the inconsistent shuttle service, which had a profound impact on our overall enjoyment of the trip. The lengthy wait times, especially when catching a shuttle from locations other than the Carolina Hotel, were extremely frustrating. Waiting 30 to 45 minutes for a pickup disrupted our schedule, resulting in missed meals and delayed tee times. On some occasions, we had to resort to using alternative transportation such as Uber, which was not only an unexpected expense but also caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience. The inconsistency of the shuttle service put a dark cloud over our entire experience, and it was certainly the ugliest aspect of our stay.
It is with regret that I must emphasize the shortcomings of the lodging provided. Our rooms were a significant letdown. The actual rooms fell far short of expectations, leaving us feeling deceived and dissatisfied. It was disheartening to discover that the quality of our accommodations were far lower than the Carolina Hotel or even the Holly Inn, with similar advertised prices.
Adding to our disappointment, the cleanliness of the rooms was lacking. Despite a three-night stay, the rooms were only cleaned once. I feel compelled to mention that we encountered an issue with cockroaches in multiple condos. This was highly unsettling and unacceptable, as it tarnished the overall cleanliness and hygiene standards we expected from a resort of Pinehurst's stature. It is crucial that immediate action be taken to address this matter and ensure that such pests are eradicated, as they undermine the comfort and satisfaction of guests.
It is disheartening to acknowledge that the lodging experience at did not live up to our expectations. The disparity between the portrayed quality and the reality of the rooms, coupled with insufficient cleanliness and missing amenities, contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction among our group. It is my sincere hope that Pinehurst takes immediate steps to address these concerns and elevate the quality of their accommodations to ensure a more enjoyable and memorable experience for...
Read moreEDIT: Three weeks after leaving, my husband received another charge on his credit card that was on file for an additional almost $150. When he called Pinehurst, they told him that was “additional charges” that were previously not charged. Changed review from 4 stars to 2.
SERVICE: Excellent southern hospitality. Upon arrival, everyone is overly accommodating. The atmosphere makes you instantly feel at home.
ROOMS: We had a king room. The rooms are small and outdated, but they are cozy and make you feel at home. The beds have hotel luxury pillows and sheets. Nice walk in closets and a refrigerator.
DINING: Breakfast in the Carolina dining room is nice. They have buffet style and omelette bar with everything you can imagine for breakfast. Food was delicious and the waitress was really great; very accommodating. Average paying $35 per a person. As I was leaving, there was a pianist playing.
Late dinner at the Ryder’s Cup Lounge. Arrived at 9 pm. The Carolina stopped taking reservations at 9pm. The Ryder’s Cup Lounge was open. The service was great and food was delicious. Average paying $25 per a person with no alcohol.
Fried Green Tomatoes with White Cheddar Grits, Smoked Pimento Cheese, Kale, Tomato and Golden Raisin Chutney
Sandhills Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella, Thick Tomatoes, Basil, Olive Oil and Balsamic and Grilled Crostini.
The service was great and food was delicious. Following the appetizers, we enjoyed cocktails on the porch. Pinehurst has a beautiful southern Christmas ambiance!
BILLING: The billing was definitely a con. They charge astronomically for each additional person that stays in the room on top of the room charges. Without going into great details, we really had big issues from being over charged and a $1,400 hold was placed on our account for 3 days.
SPA: Really beautiful spa. Great services and the cost is in line with the national averages for spa services; especially for what you are getting. Very relaxing! One unique offering was peach smoothies and hummus that came with the services.
OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS: There is a fully equipped gym attached to the spa. I don’t think I have ever seen so much quality equipment at a hotel. I really enjoyed spending time in the gym during my stay.
ENTERTAINMENT: Barstool Classic, Girls Night Out, and Festival of Trees were all being hosted at Pinehurst during our stay. Plenty to keep you busy.
RECOMMENDATION: If you plan to join a Pinehurst event/no event, be sure to book well in advance. And also book services advance!
Beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. Overall great experience. I gave four stars based on the billing issues we had. We...
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