What Is Stay & Play? Golf Resort Packages & Tips for Choosing the Right One

Stay & Play — also known as a golf resort package — is an all-inclusive golf tourism model combining accommodation at a hotel or resort (Stay) with golf access at affiliated courses (Play). Instead of booking each component separately, golfers purchase a single package that includes accommodation, breakfast, and the green fee, designed to optimize convenience and provide a seamless experience from check-in to the tee.

What Is Stay & Play?

According to definitions from international golf tour operators, Stay & Play (or Stay and Play) is an integrated service package in which accommodation at a hotel or resort (stay) is sold together with the privilege of playing golf — tee time — at one or more affiliated or associated golf courses (play). This is not merely a simple cross-selling approach, but an experience model designed to eliminate bottlenecks in the operations, transportation, and booking processes for travelers.

The concept originated in the late 19th century in the United States and Europe, associated with early golf resort complexes such as The Homestead (1892) and Pinehurst Resort (1898), as well as satellite hotels adjoining historic links courses in Scotland and Ireland. Over more than a century, this model has become an indispensable foundation of the global golf tourism industry, and in Vietnam it is now searched for through phrases such as "what is stay and play," "golf resort package," and "golf resort package deal."

Distinguishing it from similar terms: Golf package is an umbrella term that may include only a round of golf, club rental, or a course without necessarily including accommodation. Golf holiday refers to a 5–14-day trip combining various cultural and recreational activities. A golf tour is a continuously moving itinerary through multiple cities to play at multiple courses, usually with a guide. In contrast, Stay & Play is localized — limited to one destination or a self-contained ecosystem where golfers only need to step out of their room to reach the first tee box.

What Does a Stay & Play Package Usually Include?

A Stay & Play package is designed in a modular format. The core components always include hotel/resort accommodation (standard occupancy of 2 people per room, with a single-room surcharge), breakfast, and the green fee for 1–2 rounds of 18 holes. Other services such as caddies, golf carts, lunch/dinner, or airport transfers often vary depending on the policy of each package — this is precisely what needs to be checked carefully before booking.

In terms of duration, the market has established two main formats: 2 days 1 night (1 night’s accommodation + 1 round of 18 holes) — ideal for a nearby weekend trip, and 3 days 2 nights (2 nights + 2 rounds, sometimes with a third round depending on fitness) — popular for flights to Đà Nẵng, Lăng Cô, Hội An, Phú Quốc, or Nha Trang.

How Is Stay & Play Different From a Golf Tour and Individual Course Booking?

Many golfers confuse these three options. The table below helps you distinguish them clearly and choose the model that best suits your needs:

One fact needs to be clarified: Stay & Play is not always cheaper than booking the course and hotel separately. The true value of the package lies in its coordination and convenience: a single booking, matching tee times and check-in times, no worries about schedule mismatches, and no unexpected transportation costs between the course and hotel when the entire ecosystem is located within the same grounds.

Stay & Play Package Costs in Vietnam 2026

The price of a 2-night, 1-day package (including 1 round of golf) in Vietnam in 2026 commonly ranges from 2,400,000đ – 6,500,000đ/person (twin room), depending on the resort brand, geographic location, and season. Prices vary considerably between weekdays and weekends, as well as during holidays and Tet. Below is a reference price range by region:

Luxury complexes such as Hoiana and Laguna Lang Co may set higher minimum prices, exceeding 6,000,000đ for premium packages. Prices are always time-sensitive — see the Stay & Play packages currently available at Wingolf for an accurate quote based on your desired travel date.

Vietnam's Top Stay & Play Destinations

Vietnam is home to dozens of international-standard resort complexes stretching across its three regions — each with its own distinctive character:

The North — Diverse Terrain

• Sky Lake (Chương Mỹ, Hanoi): a suburban resort "oasis" less than a 1-hour drive from the city center, with two 18-hole courses, Sky Course and Lake Course — an ideal weekend getaway for Hanoi golfers. See the Sky Lake 2N1D package.
• FLC Ha Long (Quang Ninh): a hilltop course with panoramic views of Ha Long Bay — a World Natural Heritage site, plus a resort with amenities ranging from an infinity pool to a premium spa. Explore the Ha Long Bay Golf Horizon Stay package.
• Sapa Grand (Lao Cai): enjoy golfing in cool weather, surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Northwest, with convenient access via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway. See the Sapa Grand 2N1D package.
• Ninh Binh: combine golf with the scenic attractions of Trang An and Tam Coc — an emerging "golf + heritage" destination in northern Vietnam. See the Royal Golf Ninh Binh package.

Central Vietnam — The Heartland of Links Golf

• Hoiana (Quang Nam): Hoiana Shores is a links masterpiece designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., featuring TifEagle Bermuda grass, constant sea breezes, and natural sand traps. See the Hoiana Golf & Lantern Escape package.
• Laguna Lang Co (Hue): a par-71 course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, winding through rice fields, primeval forests, and coastline; stay at Angsana or Banyan Tree. See the Laguna Lang Co Signature package.
• Vinpearl Nam Hoi An: an "all-in-one" ecosystem — besides an international-standard golf course, it offers a 5-star resort, VinWonders, and Safari, making it suitable for families with non-golfing members.

Southern Vietnam & the Central Highlands — Contrasting Experiences

• Ho Tram (Ba Ria – Vung Tau): The Bluffs, designed by Greg Norman, is frequently ranked among the world's best links courses, set amid natural sand dunes along the coast. See the Ho Tram Luxury Links package.
• Da Lat: Dalat Palace with over 80 years of history, The Dalat 1200, and SAM Tuyen Lam — "escape the heat" packages in a pine-covered highland setting, ideal from November to March. See the Da Lat Highland Golf package.
• Phu Quoc: Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc with its all-inclusive island resort ecosystem — an ideal destination for an extended getaway. See the Phu Quoc Island Golf package.
• Cam Ranh: KN Golf Links beside the pristine Bai Dai beach, directly connected to Wyndham Grand Cam Ranh — a sea-wind challenge for seasoned golfers.

Experience Choosing the Right Golf Resort Package

Below is a 6-criteria checklist compiled from the experience of serving thousands of golf travelers:

• Budget and group structure: determine whether the trip is for a group of friends, a corporate event, or a multigenerational family. If the group includes non-golfers, prioritize resorts with spas, swimming pools, and recreational areas.
• Amount of golf (rounds/day): decide whether to choose a 2D1N or 3D2N package. Do not cram too many rounds into a short itinerary — exhaustion will undermine the purpose of the resort getaway.
• Review the inclusions: this is the most important step — check whether the package includes a caddie, golf cart, and meals; many low-priced packages exclude caddies or charge extra for single-cart use.
• Match tee time and check-in: standard check-in is at 14:00. If you have an early-morning tee time, confirm that the hotel can store luggage and provide a changing room before check-in.
• Seasonal pricing strategy: weekend and holiday prices are significantly higher than weekday rates. If your schedule is flexible, traveling midweek can substantially reduce costs.
• Postponement/cancellation policy: understand the terms for refunds, date changes, or vouchers held for future use in the event of storms — outdoor sports are always affected by the weather.

3 Common Mistakes When Booking a Stay & Play Package

• Ignoring hidden costs: the advertised price may be low, but upon arrival you may have to pay extra for a caddie, mandatory golf cart, or expensive meals at the on-site restaurant of an isolated resort.
• Misjudging geographical distances: buying a package based on a destination name without checking the actual distance between the hotel and golf course → costly shuttle transfers. Prioritize an on-site ecosystem.
• Forgetting about companions: you spend 5 hours on the course while your loved ones are "confined" to a hotel room with no activities — choose a package that includes spa, afternoon tea, or entertainment vouchers.

How Do Beginners and Experienced Golfers Choose Differently?

Beginners (high handicaps) should choose a shady parkland course with wide fairways and few deep water hazards to reduce the pressure of losing balls and extend playing time — combining it with a 5-star resort helps balance the fatigue from the course. Experienced golfers seek a challenge: windy links courses with undulating fairways and enormous bunkers such as KN Golf Links Cam Ranh, The Bluffs Ho Tram or Hoiana Shores will be the perfect test.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stay & Play

What is Stay & Play?

Stay & Play is an all-inclusive golf travel model combining accommodation at a hotel/resort (Stay) with golf access at affiliated courses (Play). This model was created to eliminate the complexity of booking separately: a single booking includes the room, breakfast, and green fee.

What does a Stay & Play package include, and does it include a caddie and golf cart?

The standard components of every package include accommodation, breakfast, and green fee. Whether a caddie and golf cart are included depends entirely on the policy of each package — many budget packages separate the caddie fee or charge an additional fee for a single cart. Check carefully before confirming your booking.

What is the difference between a 2-day 1-night and a 3-day 2-night package?

The 2-day 1-night package includes 1 night of accommodation and 1 round of 18 holes, designed for a weekend trip close to home. The 3-day 2-night package includes 2 nights and 2 rounds of golf, suitable for longer flights to Da Nang, Lang Co, Phu Quoc, or Nha Trang — allowing you to relax comfortably between rounds.

Can non-golfing companions participate?

Absolutely. Modern resorts design packages to serve non-golfers as well: they can still enjoy accommodation, pools, spas, entertainment areas, or sightseeing shuttle services — making them suitable for multigenerational families.

How much does a Stay & Play package in Vietnam cost?

Based on 2026 price levels, a 2-day 1-night package (including 1 round) commonly ranges from 2,400,000đ to 6,500,000đ per person (double room), depending on the resort category, location, and season. 3-day 2-night packages generally start from 4,000,000đ. Weekend and holiday prices are higher than weekday rates.

Where can I book a reputable Stay & Play package?

You should book through specialized golf travel platforms to ensure transparent costs, contract terms, and tee times. Wingolf currently offers 29 Stay & Play packages at major destinations across the country, with consultation to help you choose a package based on your budget and itinerary.

Can booking a golf course and hotel separately be cheaper?

It can be, if you find separate flash sales. However, arranging everything separately carries significant risks: mismatches between check-in times and tee times, hidden costs, higher last-minute prices, and no one responsible if something goes wrong. In most cases, a package offers a better balance between price and peace of mind.

What is the best season for a Stay & Play trip in Vietnam?

Vietnam offers year-round golf thanks to the rotating climates across its three regions: the North is at its best from autumn to winter (September → March), the Central region during the dry season (February → August, avoiding storms from October to December), and the South year-round, with Da Lat at its best from November to March.

Explore Stay & Play Packages at Wingolf

Wingolf currently offers 29 Stay & Play packages spanning from the North to the South — from 2-day 1-night weekend packages to 3-day 2-night stays at premium resorts:

• Special package rates from a nationwide network of resort and golf course partners
• Consultation on choosing packages based on budget, number of rounds, and companions
• Fast confirmation and assistance matching tee times with check-in times
• 24/7 support before and during the trip

Or email: booking@wingolf.com.vn