The Open Championship isn’t just golf’s most storied tournament—it’s an experience worth bragging about. Attending The Open now means more than watching putts trace across windswept links. On the course, there’s drama and tradition. Off it, there’s something even richer: private suites, evenings by the fire, Champagne toasts, spa mornings, and the rare sense that you’re part of something truly grand. Here’s how to make The Open unforgettable—long after the final cheers fade.
1. Origins Premium Experiences: Heritage Hospitality
At The Open, “hospitality” isn’t code for a small sandwich buffet and a folding chair by the window. The Origins Premium Experiences are built for those who want the best seat in the house—and maybe, for a fleeting moment, to feel like tournament royalty. Step into a private lounge, and the outside world—the crowds, the wind, the rush of the day, just melts away. This is the kind of place where the team that pours your drinks remembers your name.
Chefs who actually care about the region’s flavors serve dishes that feel like part of the celebration. And the best viewing spots? They’re close enough that you’ll swear you can feel the nerves on a five-foot putt. While relaxing in these exclusive settings, it’s not uncommon to hear guests discussing The Open Championship odds as they anticipate the outcome of each round. Every detail is handled, down to the fact that even children under sixteen need their own golden ticket—because this isn’t just access; it’s an invitation into tradition.
2. Destination Packages: Where Luxury Means Letting Go
Ever tried planning a trip to a major sporting event? The devil’s in the details, and so is the stress. Destination Packages at The Open are an antidote: a one-stop shop where every piece, from the moment your bags hit the curb to your last breakfast, has been handled.
The options range from reliable, close-to-the-action hotels to those rarefied retreats where the pillow menu is longer than the wine list. Fancy a round at a legendary nearby course before the action? Want access to special events that most fans only hear about later? The Open Accommodation Bureau sees to it all, so you can enjoy the anticipation—no spreadsheets required.
3. Signature and Platinum: The Front Row, Reimagined
If you’re the type who prefers to be in the thick of things—who gets a thrill from watching a decisive birdie from ten feet away—Signature and Platinum experiences are your golden ticket. The seats alone make it worth it—whether you’re in the grandstands on the 18th green or in a private lounge where a past champion might be quietly soaking it all in right beside you.
Platinum guests can drift between spaces: the hush of the Dunes House, the convivial Platinum Lounge, and, if you time it right, a glass in The Retreat Champagne Lounge. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure for grown-ups, where every viewpoint is better than the last, and the amenities mean you never have to choose between comfort and closeness to the action.
4. Curated Accommodation: When the Stay is Part of the Story
Let’s face it: after a day’s worth of wind, excitement, and walking the course, the place you lay your head matters. The Open’s accommodation partners, like Galgorm Resort, have transformed the “where you stay” into “why you’ll remember the trip.” Maybe you prefer a contemporary room with a view, or perhaps a secluded log cabin is more your style.
The point is, you’ll wake to quiet, not car horns—maybe fit in a spa session before breakfast, or unwind at a bar where the golf is always on, but you’re under no obligation to talk handicaps. In the best cases, these hotels are more than a base; they’re part of the legend.
5. Fine Dining and Social Lounges: Every Meal an Occasion
A major event can often be judged by its food, but The Open demonstrates that luxury extends far beyond the plate. From Champagne lounges to chef-driven menus, every moment is curated to impress. It’s a level of prestige reflected not just in the cuisine, but in the event’s partnerships with legacy brands like Rolex, whose long-standing ties to golf reinforce the tournament’s heritage and sense of occasion.
Hospitality became a performance of its own—complete with multi-course menus prepared by chefs who understood the region and how to satisfy a crowd. Settle into an artfully designed lounge, where the conversation hums and the wine seems to taste a bit better for being sipped among friends and rivals alike.
The Retreat Champagne Lounge is the sort of place where big business deals happen—or lifelong friendships are sparked, at least for the afternoon. For those who savor the sensory side of sport, this is the tournament’s secret weapon.
6. Behind-the-Scenes Access: For the Fan Who Wants More
Sometimes, simply watching isn’t enough. Many attendees dream of slipping past the ropes to see how a major championship comes together. With the right access, they can. Behind-the-scenes experiences at The Open offer more than just proximity—they reveal the tournament’s inner workings.
Guests may join guided tours of areas typically seen only on television, step into practice zones where the pros fine-tune their game, and speak with the team responsible for the event’s seamless execution. It’s an experience that deepens appreciation, showing that what unfolds on the fairway is only a glimpse of the full production behind the scenes.
What Lasts After The Open
It often becomes clear only after departure: what stays with you aren’t the headline moments, but the quiet, unexpected ones. Perhaps it was the calm discovered along a path behind the hospitality suites, or the subtle shift of light across the course in the late afternoon. Many guests remember the simplicity of finding a great meal right when it was needed, or how a stranger’s offhand remark about a missed putt led to a conversation that lingered far beyond the moment. These aren’t the kind of perks found in a brochure—but they’re often what defines the experience.
The Open’s idea of luxury doesn’t shout for your attention. It gives you room to settle in, look around, and absorb what’s happening. If you’re after the spectacle, you’ll find it on TV. But if you care about comfort, detail, and the freedom to shape your own experience, the best parts of The Open will likely sneak up on you—quiet, real, and impossible to buy outright.
