Just five miles down the road from Stevenston is a hotel that will win the hearts of golfers around the world. The Gailes Hotel, built in 1995, is a picturesque hotel and restaurant complex that is within close proximity to a large number of golf courses. Nearby, the North Gailes Golf and Leisure Complex offers a spa, health club, driving range, two 9-hole courses, bar and excellent coffee shop.

Rooms at the Gailes Hotel are spacious and well appointed, with beautiful views. Super king-size beds and carpets that your feet sink into are just a couple of the touches that will make you feel like you are in the lap of luxury. If you have children with you, they offer family rooms with additional beds. The family rooms accommodate four guests.

Located down the coast a few miles south of Stevenston, on the outskirts of Irvine, is the Menzies Irvine. This 4-star hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations and it exudes an atmosphere of elegance without being stuffy. Its 128 guest rooms are large and very nicely furnished, the restaurant serves dishes that are appealing and tasty, the attached junior 9-hole golf course and the sheer number of excellent golf courses in the neighboring towns are all reasons that this hotel draws guests from near and far.

If a Bed and Breakfast is more to your liking, a short distance from Stevenston  is the Ardeer Farm Steading. At the edge of a working farm, this 4-star luxury bed and breakfast has six guest rooms that are luxuriously appointed. From the attractive guest rooms to the power showers to the LCD televisions and free Wi-Fi access, guests are not left wanting. This will be especially true once they incorporate the planned free international calling.

Bed and breakfast guests can start their day with a hearty Scottish breakfast or can nibble on a light Continental offering. Although Ardeer Farm Steading doesn’t serve other meals, there are many good restaurants in the surrounding towns. In Ayrshire, nothing is very far away.

In addition to the bed and breakfast rooms, the Ardeer Farm Steading has two guest cottages that are equipped with kitchen facilities. The cottages are, like the guest rooms, furnished with taste and have been modernized. The cottages are equipped with everything you need on a holiday. The only thing missing is Wi-Fi access and DVDs which they are planning to include.

Initially located in Stevenston’s Sandyhills, Ardeer Golf Club was formed in 1880. The 9-hole course was well received and the Club relocated to the Ardeer area in 1905. The new course was set between the town and the sea on land that was owned by ICI (Imperial Chemicals Industries Ltd). Many of the early members were drawn from ICI including a three-time Scottish Amateur champion, Hamilton McInally.

A testament to the course and Ardeer Golf Club is the caliber of some of its members. Jamie Anderson and Willie Fernie, both winners of the British Open, joined the Ardeer Golf Club after their wins.

World War II saw the taking over of three of the holes by ICI for its war duty. Once the war was over, the holes were completely restored through the efforts of the talented head green keeper and club master David Fry. It is a testament to the man’s skills that the course was as challenging after the restoration as before.

In the 1960’s, the membership was devastated to learn that ICI required the land and clubhouse for the construction of a new factory. After many meetings and challenges, it was decided to relocate the Club to part of Lochend. The greens were lifted by the members and re-laid at the Club’s current location.

Due to the continuing improvements by the Ardeer Golf Club, the course has made this course a pleasure to play. From the initial boggy land that allowed for dry weather play, improved drainage has led to year round golfing.

Ardrossan’s roots have been traced back as far as about 1140, when Ardrossan Castle was built on Cannon Hill. The castle was seized by the English in 1292 and successfully held until 1296. In that year, the English were lured out of castle and slaughtered by William Wallace. Oliver Cromwell had the castle completely destroyed in 1648. The stones were taken to build a fort in Ayr. Although the castle ruins still exist, they are in an extremely dangerous condition.

Due to the Ardrossan’s port, the town grew during the 1700’s and 1800’s. Pig iron and coal were the chief exports and the town transitioned to a shipbuilding center. It remained a shipbuilding center until foreign competition effectively closed the shipyards in the 1950’s.

Ardrossan has the distinction of being one of the last towns in Scotland to be made a Burgh. This designation occurred in 1846 and was removed in 1974 with the formation of the Strathclyde Regional Council. The town became part of North Ayrshire in 1996 and is now being positioned as the gateway to Arran.

The town in the middle of Three Towns, Saltcoats, received its name from the practice of harvesting sea salt from the waters off the coast. With the industry of “salt panning” declined in the 1900’s, the town became a vacation destination. The tourist industry has thrived as people have discovered the gorgeous beaches and the breathtaking view of Arran across the water.

The town was granted Burgh status in 1528 and that status remained until 1975 when the North Ayrshire Council absorbed it.

First mentioned in 1240, the town of Stevenston is the most southerly town of the Three Towns. An industrial center for many years, with the depletion of coal and the reduction of chemical production, the town has focused on tourism.

The stretch of unique dunes and stunning beaches has proven to be a lure for holiday goers. In addition to the beaches, challenging golf courses provide a draw for tourists. The history of the area, the golf and the beaches all combine to provide an irresistible attraction to many looking for a nice holiday destination.