Home » HOTEL NEWS » Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa Honored with Silver Medal for Best Golf Resort in Southeast: Know More About it
Published on
October 2, 2025
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, an oceanfront resort nestled just south of St. Augustine, Florida, has earned a prestigious honor by receiving the Silver Medal for Best Golf Resort in the Southeast (Hotels – Regional) at the 2025 Northstar Stella Awards. This highly coveted recognition highlights the resort’s dedication to delivering top-tier golf, luxury, and resort experiences to its guests. Being recognized among the best golf resorts in the Southeast, Hammock Beach continues to uphold its reputation as a premier destination for both leisure and corporate events.
The Northstar Stella Awards are a key distinction in the meetings and events industry, serving as a benchmark for excellence in service, innovation, and overall guest satisfaction. For Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, this award marks a significant achievement, as it places the resort among the most esteemed destinations for meetings, conferences, and golf in the Southeastern United States.
The Northstar Stella Awards: A Gold Standard in the Industry
The Northstar Stella Awards are renowned for their rigorous evaluation process and are one of the most prestigious awards in the meetings and events sector. What sets these awards apart from others is the unique combination of public planner voting and objective third-party judging, which provides a more holistic and reliable assessment of each nominee. The awards honor the best venues, suppliers, and resorts, with an emphasis on the quality of service and the ability to exceed guest expectations.
The process begins with nominations submitted in various categories, including resort accommodations, meeting venues, and event suppliers. After an initial round of public and planner voting, the finalists are invited to submit detailed materials to support their claims. These submissions are then reviewed and scored by a panel of expert judges who assess each property on factors like service quality, amenities, innovation, and overall experience.
The Northstar Stella Awards are especially important as they are the only industry recognition program that includes both planner voting and a detailed review by independent judges, making the awards one of the most credible honors in the industry.
A Commitment to Excellence at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa has long been recognized for its commitment to offering an extraordinary range of services that go beyond typical resort experiences. With a reputation for exceptional golf courses, luxurious accommodations, and a comprehensive array of amenities, the resort has become a popular destination for travelers seeking relaxation, adventure, or an unforgettable event experience.
The resort is best known for its award-winning golf courses, the Ocean Course and the Conservatory Course, both of which are highly regarded in the golfing world. The Ocean Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is a challenging layout for golf enthusiasts of all levels. On the other hand, the Conservatory Course, designed by Tom Watson, offers a unique golfing experience with its beautifully landscaped fairways and dramatic elevation changes.
Beyond golf, Hammock Beach offers a variety of luxurious accommodations, including rooms, suites, and private villas that offer breathtaking ocean views, creating an ideal retreat for both couples and families. The resort also features a world-class spa, providing guests with a variety of rejuvenating treatments and therapies.
Carlton Grant, the Managing Director at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, shared that receiving the 2025 Northstar Stella Award was an exciting achievement for the entire team. “We are thrilled to have been recognized among the best golf resorts in the Southeast,” Grant said. “This award reflects our team’s commitment to providing outstanding experiences, whether our guests are here to play golf, relax at the spa, or enjoy a luxurious stay on the beach. It’s an honor to be recognized by the industry and our guests for this level of service.”
A Rigorous Evaluation Process
The Northstar Stella Awards are not just about popularity—they are based on a comprehensive and fair evaluation process. Nominations for the awards are open in multiple categories, including resorts, meeting spaces, and event services. The first round of evaluations involves public and planner voting, where industry professionals and event planners vote for their preferred venues based on personal experience.
Once the voting concludes, finalists are required to submit a complete application package. This includes additional documentation such as marketing materials, descriptions of the resort’s facilities, client testimonials, and evidence of innovations in service. The finalists then undergo a detailed assessment by a panel of expert judges. The judges evaluate each resort’s overall offerings, from the quality of the golf courses to the efficiency of the meeting spaces and the variety of amenities provided.
The judges then score each submission based on a set of rigorous criteria, such as the overall guest experience, the ability to meet diverse needs (whether for golf, leisure, or meetings), innovation in service delivery, and the overall quality of the resort. Finally, the votes from planners, the public, and the judges are combined to determine the winners, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation process that rewards resorts that consistently excel in all areas.
Why Public and Planner Voting Matter
The inclusion of planner and public voting adds another layer of credibility to the Stella Awards. By allowing the people who directly engage with resorts and meeting venues to cast their votes, the awards take into account real-world experiences and feedback from professionals who regularly choose these destinations for meetings, conferences, and events. This ensures that the resorts and venues that earn the Stella Awards are not just chosen by judges, but are genuinely appreciated and trusted by industry professionals.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa’s strong showing in the public and planner voting rounds reflects the resort’s stellar reputation among both leisure and business travelers. The combination of golf, luxury amenities, and a picturesque beachfront setting makes it a favorite choice for a wide range of guests—from avid golfers to corporate event planners looking for a top-tier venue.
Elevating the Meeting and Events Experience
While Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa is widely known for its golf offerings, the resort has also carved a niche for itself as a premier meeting and event destination. The resort features several versatile meeting spaces, making it ideal for both small corporate retreats and large conferences.
In addition to its beautiful location and amenities, the resort provides event planners with everything they need for a seamless experience, including advanced audiovisual capabilities, personalized services, and a range of unique event spaces. With access to both outdoor and indoor venues, planners can host events that suit any occasion, from formal meetings to relaxed social gatherings.
For corporate groups, the resort offers tailored packages to accommodate different needs, whether it’s for team-building events, strategic meetings, or incentive programs. The award-winning golf courses are also a significant draw for meetings, offering a unique opportunity for business groups to combine business with leisure.
Looking Toward the Future
The 2025 Northstar Stella Award is just one of many milestones in the evolution of Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Moving forward, the resort is committed to continuing its tradition of excellence. With plans to enhance its offerings and introduce new experiences for guests, the resort aims to maintain its status as one of the Southeast’s top destinations for both golf enthusiasts and event planners.
“We’re excited about what the future holds,” said Grant. “This recognition motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and improving every aspect of the guest experience. Whether it’s through enhanced golf facilities, new event spaces, or even more personalized service, we are committed to being the best.”
A Bright Future for Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa
The 2025 Northstar Stella Award is a significant achievement for Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, highlighting its status as one of the Southeast’s top destinations for golf and events. The resort’s focus on providing exceptional service, luxurious accommodations, and unforgettable experiences ensures that it will remain a top choice for travelers and event planners for years to come.
With its exceptional team, world-class golf courses, and breathtaking location, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa has undoubtedly earned its place among the best golf resorts in the region, and its future looks brighter than ever.
