Hôtel du Golf de Saint Omer

The Aa is, in fact, a river that flows through northern France and out into the North Sea. The name comes from the Old Dutch ‘aha’, which means ‘water’, and this water makes the surrounding region wonderfully fertile and green. I recently discovered that the colour green has proven health benefits. To encourage its positive impact on the mind, they recommend cultivating green plants at home and going for walks in the countryside whenever you can. The Hotel du Golf in Saint Omer is a real haven of green therapy, right in the heart of an emerald forest.

In the middle of the beautiful countryside of Northern France, in the Caps et Marais d’Opale regional natural park and a few miles from the town of Saint Omer, one arrives in a secluded little paradise for golf and nature lovers. Rabbits and birds peered out curiously as we stepped out of the car. The setting is perfect for a golf course, but the designers have respected the natural environment and adapted to the land’s slopes. Which means the course is a real challenge! The 18-hole course will impress golfing enthusiasts, and the 9-hole course, much easier, is accessible for everyone. But if you’re not a golfer, it is lovely to enjoy the serenity that envelops the Hotel du Golf. The establishment has plenty of ideas to help you enjoy the perfect getaway, even if your putt is a little disappointing!

As I mentioned, the Hotel du Golf is a natural chromotherapy centre, offering panoramic views over the luscious green countryside. The spa looks out onto the golf course, so you can relax and enjoy the virtues of the hot tub, sauna and beauty treatments while you soak up the lovely pastoral view.

The hotel’s two restaurants also offer views over the golf course. The Ristandèl, in the clubhouse, brings the pleasures of gourmet cuisine to golfers throughout the day. Typical French dishes like steak tartar feature on the menu, alongside burgers, salads and local dishes such as fish soup, welsch, and Flemish carbonnade. Meanwhile, the Lodge restaurant in the hotel offers a stylish setting in perfect harmony with the natural surroundings, with lovely interior design and dishes offering the best of land and sea: foie gras, scallops, duck, sea bass… all good-quality French meat and seafood sourced from sustainable fishing.

The hotel’s wooden construction is a first in France, and means that the building integrates perfectly into the natural surroundings. The large windows means the interiors are bathed in natural light, and you can gaze out onto the countryside as long as you like, each of the 54 rooms offering views over the forest. The interior design is modern, warm and welcoming, with contemporary furniture, soft colour schemes and luxurious amenities like bathtub, free WiFi and satellite television.

In the morning, we enjoyed a buffet breakfast, more than enough to sustain you through an action packed morning, whatever you may choose to do. Brioche, freshly made croissants, crispy baguettes, eggs and fresh fruit juices: I must say it’s lovely to wake up in the French countryside!