Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club: A Hidden Gem in the Duke Forest

There’s a funny thing about living somewhere for years – you can completely miss what’s right under your nose.

For years, one of our oldest friends has lived around the corner from the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. We’ve been going to her house since 2004. We even lived with her for a month, and I used to jog the trails that weave through Duke Forest right alongside the property. And yet, hand on heart, I had absolutely no idea this place existed until we joined Craig’s parents for afternoon tea there about 18 months ago.

Hidden among the pines and oaks, tucked beside a championship golf course on the edge of Duke University’s campus, it really is its own little world. A destination that feels far from the everyday, even though it’s less than 30-minutes from Raleigh. Add it to your list. Here’s why.

What Makes the Washington Duke Inn Special

The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is Durham’s premier luxury hotel, a AAA Four-Diamond property that’s been welcoming guests since 1988. Set on 300 acres of tall pines and hardwoods on the edge of the Duke Forest and on the grounds of Duke University, it overlooks the 18-hole Duke University Golf Club course. All of this means the views are, simply put, are gorgeous, and the serenity factor high!

It attracts visiting professors, university families, golf enthusiasts, and Triangle locals looking for a proper escape, but it’s never stuffy about it. That’s one of the things I loved most. There’s an unpretentious warmth here that you don’t always find at upscale properties.

Elevating a stay at Washington Duke Inn even more is its recent renovations that include a beautifully reimagined lobby, restaurants, meeting rooms, and outdoor public spaces.

Here’s what we also loved: meeting bell person Carlos Leandro S. Bacugan. We heard of him just weeks before at the annual North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) awards dinner. He was recognized as “Lodging Employee of the Year” for his outstanding contributions to the hospitality sector, known for his reliability, attention to detail, and genuine care for guests.

The Setting: Golf Course Views & Patio Life

Let’s start where we spent a good chunk of our afternoon — on the patio. After our round of golf (more on that shortly), Craig and I collapsed into the comfortable outdoor chairs with a glass of wine and just…exhaled. Soaking up the warm sun after a long winter, watching the course stretch out in front of us, it was genuinely heavenly. And I’ll be honest; I was pleasantly surprised to find a quality glass of California chardonnay for just $13. At a hotel like this, that’s a win!

The patio recently got a lovely renovation with an outdoor terrace extension from the Bull Durham Bar. You can order from servers, or if you want something more casual, wander down to the chairs near the putting practice green and order directly at the bar. It’s relaxed, it’s social, and on a warm afternoon, it’s pretty much the perfect place to be.

We were quite peckish after our one-hour golf lesson and round of golf, so moved up to the terrace (still in the sun) to snack on some pimento cheese with our wine.

Golf Lessons with Chad: A Tale of Two Golfers

This was, without question, one of the highlights of our stay, and one of the funniest. Craig can golf. He’ll tell you he can’t, but don’t believe him. Rusty, sure, he plays maybe once every year but put a club in his hand and something just clicks. He took a private lesson with golf pro Chad Gibbs to refine his technique, learned some great tips, and went on to have a genuinely excellent round on the back nine. And then there was me.

I held out real hope. Chad is clearly a skilled, patient, and encouraging instructor — I want to put that on record. The problem was entirely on my end. My first ten swings? Air. Pure, uninterrupted air. Not a single connection.

But Chad worked with me one-on-one, adjusted my stance, talked me through it, and eventually I connected. There was a thwack. There was actual flight. I hooted. I hollered about how clever I was (we both knew it was Chad’s doing). For the rest of my lesson, I hit more (maybe not cleanly) more than I missed. Chad had me believing that with a bit of dedication, lots of practice, and more lessons, I could possibly call myself a golfer.

Professional golf lessons are available at the Duke University Golf Club, and whether you’re a seasoned player or a first timer, I’d genuinely recommend the experience. Their PGA professionals can help with every aspect of your long and short game, including pitching, chipping, and putting. Ask for Chad Gibbs!

A Championship Round of Golf

By the time we headed out to the course for the back nine, I had made my peace with things, golf will be my passion in my next life. I hit a few, missed a lot, and then handed Craig the driver, claimed the golf cart as my domain, put on our Australian playlist, and had an absolutely wonderful time driving around that beautiful course in the sunshine while Craig played the actual golf.

I am more than happy to tour golf courses doing just that. I can see how addictive it can be spending hours in the beautiful sunshine and outdoors. Craig was in his element on the golf course. Driving straight down the fairways. Over water hazards. Navigating over rolling hills. Out of bunkers. Living the golfers dream!

Golfers do travel far and wide to play a round on the beautiful 18-hole championship Duke University Golf Club – many stop in on their way to playing at Pinehurst. It’s the only Robert Trent Jones-designed course in the region and is considered one of the top ten golf courses in North Carolina.

It was the site of the 2001 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, earned honors as a Top 25 College Course in the U.S. by Golf Pass, noted among the best courses on the Top 100 Golf Course rating platform, and as one of the finest University golf courses in North America.Furthermore, general manager and PGA Director of Golf, Ed Ibarguen, was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2021, and n has earned national recognition as a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher and Golf Digest Best in State Teacher, both since 2001, and GRAA Top 50 instructor since 2012.

Dinner at the Fairview Dining Room

This was a real highlight. The Fairview is the Inn’s signature AAA Four Diamond rated restaurant, and it delivers. The service was impeccable — but not in a stiff, formal way. It was warm and friendly, with our server offering fantastic suggestions throughout. As someone who eats gluten-free, I always do a quiet scan of the menu with some apprehension, and I was genuinely pleased by how many options were available without having to negotiate.

We started with a benne seed crusted tuna for me — light, beautifully presented, and Craig went for the corned Cheshire pork belly, which he loved. For mains, I had a lamb special, and Craig tackled an enormous Angus NY strip steak, cooked exactly as requested. We paired everything with a Columbia Valley Syrah blend that the server helped us pick.

Dessert was where things got creative. Craig went the classic route with a chocolate molten cake. I had a key lime crème brûlée — a fusion I wasn’t sure about until I tasted it and then immediately wished I had a second. The combination of that bright, citrusy key lime with the classic caramelized brûlée top was genuinely inspired.

As mentioned, we have previously experienced the afternoon tea at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, which we highly recommend. Decadent and sophisticated with delicious savory and sweet items – a gluten free tower for me, with perfectly made scones.

Breakfast at the Vista Restaurant

Breakfast the following morning was in the Vista Restaurant, with the option of buffet or à la carte. I went à la carte, buffets can be tricky when you’re gluten-free and ordered a delicious green tomato shakshuka that I’m still thinking about. Other ala carte options include smoked salmon toast, acai bowls, and a hearty Blue Devil breakfast. Craig hit the buffet and was very happy with his life choices.

The Vista is perfect for fueling up before a day of golfing or enjoying a leisurely breakfast before a day of sightseeing.

Our Suite: Our Favorite Room in the Triangle

I don’t say this lightly, and we’ve now stayed at a few luxury properties around the Triangle, but this was our favorite room yet.

The suite was spacious in a way that surprised us. A large sitting area, a proper dining table, a luxurious bathroom, and a beautifully designed bedroom with a bed that was an absolute dream. The design felt elegant but not over-decorated — it had a warmth to it that made it feel like a special place to come back to at the end of the day, not just a room to sleep in. And a quick peek out the window let us know how the greens were looking and who was already out their rolling their buggies at the crack of dawn.

The rooms have amenities you’d expect, work desks, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and a Nespresso machine. They have a wide range of room styles from double guestrooms to presidential suites. They even have a family suite with bunk beds in a separate room

If you’re considering a luxury staycation in the Triangle, I’d put the Washington Duke Inn’s suites right at the top of your list. See room rates and availability.

Morning Walk: The Al Buehler Trail Through Duke Forest

Before we headed home, we took a lovely 3.1-mile walk along the Al Buehler Walking and Running Trail, which winds around the perimeter of the golf course through Duke Forest. It was the perfect way to close out the stay — quiet, green, easy underfoot, and just beautiful. If you love a morning walk, build this into your stay.

The Bull Durham Bar: More Local Than You’d Expect

We ended up back inside the Bull Durham Bar after dinner for a nightcap, and I was genuinely surprised by the vibe. It’s not just the hotel guests and golfers in there, it pulls in locals too. There’s an easy, lived-in energy to it that makes it feel less like a hotel bar and more like a neighborhood spot that happens to be inside a beautiful property.

If you live in the Triangle and haven’t been in for drinks, honestly, put it on your list for a date night or a catch-up with a friend.

Other amenities at Washington Duke

Want to ease your tired muscles (surprisingly golf can work your body). Head to the jacuzzi and indoor pool for a rest. The Inn does not have a spa, which was our one request to make it an even better elevated stay. That’s when I wave Craig goodbye on the golf course and pursue my real hobby!

The inn also has a golf retail store (you can rent clubs from here if you don’t have your own), a gift store, a family game room, and a fully-equipped fitness center.

What Else Is Nearby? Make a Weekend of It

If you’re visiting from out of town, or local and looking to make a proper weekend of a staycation, the Washington Duke Inn is located near many of Durham’s top attractions.

• Sarah P. Duke Gardens — Just minutes away on Duke’s campus, these 55 acres of gardens are stunning year-round. Budget at least a couple of hours.
• Duke University — The Gothic architecture alone is worth a stroll around campus. Duke Chapel is genuinely considered one of the most beautiful buildings in North Carolina. You can easily walk here from Duke Gardens.
• Downtown Durham — About 10 minutes away, downtown Durham has become one of the Triangle’s most exciting neighborhoods for food and drink. American Tobacco Campus, 21c Museum Hotel’s restaurant, Dashi, Mateo, the list goes on.
• Durham Bulls Baseball — Durham Bulls Athletic Park is one of the best minor league experiences in the country. If the timing works, go. Just go. We love game night here, especially on Friday with the fireworks.
• DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) — One of the top-ranked performing arts venues in the US, right in downtown Durham. Check their calendar before you visit — there’s almost always something worth seeing.

The Verdict: Would We Recommend the Washington Duke Inn?

Absolutely — and genuinely. This is the kind of place that locals drive past (or jog past, apparently, for years) without ever stepping inside. That’s a mistake. Whether you’re a Triangle local ready for a proper staycation, a golfer looking for a beautiful course experience, a foodie chasing a great dinner, or a visitor wanting to explore Durham from the most beautiful possible home base — the Washington Duke Inn delivers.

It has a soul to it. That feeling of arriving somewhere and immediately feeling like you can breathe. The staff are warm, the food is excellent, the views are beautiful, and the suites are genuinely some of the best in the Triangle. We’ll be back. Probably for the golf. Definitely for that key lime crème brûlée. And absolutely for a wine on the patio in the afternoon sun. See rooms and availability at the Washington Duke Inn.

Disclaimer: Our stay was hosted by the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. No monetary compensation related to this blog post was received, and all opinions are entirely our own.

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