Admit it, the last gift you gave dad on Father’s Day wasn’t exactly one for the record books. With June 16 right around the corner, though, there’s little time for dropping your head in shame for purchasing a case of glow-in-the-dark golf balls. Thankfully, a host of upscale hotels around the world have put together some thoughtful, posh packages for the papas, giving you a great chance to make amends. Here are five offerings sure to put a genuine smile on the big guy’s face.
Villas of Grand Cypress, Orlando
If dad’s skills on the links have slightly rusted, head to this sprawling, 1,500-acre Orlando getaway to help him sharpen up his drive, chips and putts. The “Teach Dad a Lesson” package at Villas of Grand Cypress allows the celebrated father to enroll in the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf and be tutored for an hour by PGA-certified instructor Fred Griffin (named one of the top 50 instructors by Golf Magazine) and receive a guaranteed tee time on the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed course. The deal also includes overnight accommodations and a breakfast for two.
Montage Beverly Hills
On the surface, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star doesn’t exude testosterone. But look past the stunning Spanish Colonial revival-style décor and you’ll find a property that’s centrally focused on pampering dads for a few days. Over Father’s Day weekend, visit the stylish Parq Bar and partake in Gent’s Tea, a doily-free afternoon get-together with house scotch, sliders and desserts. Additionally, when you schedule a shave at Gornik & Drucker throughout June, your trim at the onsite men’s grooming institution comes with a glass of Macallan scotch. And if that weren’t reason enough to reserve a spot at the Los Angeles hotel, the Four-Star Spa Montage also offers guy-centric treatments, such as Gentlemen’s Deep Tissue Massage and Gentlemen’s Executive Facial.
Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown
If you’d rather go for a catch-all gift for dad instead of one specialized event, Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown’s “Father’s Day Dream Day” package will please even the pickiest of parents. With a two-night stay, a tasting of rare whiskies at The Rye Bar, the chance to handpick a box of cigars, 18 holes of golf for two, $100 dining and spa credits per person, and a Friday, Saturday or Sunday trip to a Washington Nationals baseball game (the team faces the upstart Cleveland Indians this weekend), it’s an all-encompassing experience. For an additional charge, Acela Amtrak service to D.C. can be included. And as a luxurious cherry on top of the entire package, dad can also drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini around the city for two hours.
Bellagio, Las Vegas
If you’re looking to introduce a touch of indulgence into dad’s life this Father’s Day, the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spa Bellagio offers several special (and manly) services, such as a hot oil scalp treatment, an age-defying facial and the Bellagio Gentleman’s Manicure and Pedicure. But to show dad you think of him as royalty, send him to Las Vegas for Bellagio’s 45-minute “Fit For A King” treatment package. Beginning with a workout and a relaxing post-fitness Jacuzzi and wet and dry steam room session, dad will retire to a private room with a TV and be treated to an exclusive aromatherapy skin service and facial massage (prepping the skin for the shave to come) all while the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra play over the speakers.
The Lodge at Doonbeg, Ireland
If your father has been especially gracious over the past year, he may have earned himself a change of scenery — like to, say, Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Famed for its unfettered landscapes, County Clare makes a name for itself with golf and grand accommodations as well. The 400-acre Lodge at Doonbeg is essentially a celebration in all things brawny, what with 189 suites and cottages of dark-wooded, naturally toned masculinity and an award-winning 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman. But beyond the beautiful links, the property also boasts Darby’s Bar, the perfect place to kick back with a Guinness and a locally sourced sirloin after a day on the greens. And if you want to put the proverbial icing on the Father’s Day cake, set pop up with a joint-focused pre-golf massage or Elemis for Him Facial, a booster for worn, tired skin at White Horses Spa.
Photos Courtesy of Benchmark Hospitality International
