Conference News explores the growing appeal of golf resorts with insights from the top two golf resorts in the country, The Belfry Hotel & Resort and The Celtic Manor.
The appeal of golf resorts
Golf resorts are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for conferences, blending state-of-the-art business facilities with luxurious leisure activities. This combination enhances the overall experience for delegates, offering a seamless mix of work and relaxation. More conference organisers are opting for these all-inclusive venues, where everything from meetings to dining and entertainment can be hosted in one place, ensuring convenience and functionality.
What makes golf resorts so appealing?
Rachel Phillips, regional sales director at The Celtic Collection, highlights the resort’s ability to cater to various industries. She says: “The Celtic Collection’s expansion has significantly enhanced its ability to serve various sectors, making it a top choice for industries such as pharmaceuticals, banking, film and production, retail, and food. The acquisition of St Brides Hotel in Pembrokeshire has expanded the range of venues available, allowing event organisers to select the ideal setting for their needs, be it a large conference, corporate retreat, or a networking event on one of the resort’s championship golf courses.”
She adds: “The Celtic Collection stands out for its flexible packages and the ability to tailor services to meet specific client goals. At the Celtic Manor Resort, organisers can secure exclusive access to three championship golf courses, combining networking opportunities with leisure activities. These packages range from single rounds of golf to multi-day events, complete with accommodation and dining, offering a memorable and relaxed environment for building professional relationships.”
The Belfry: where history and hospitality meet
Hosting events at The Belfry offers a bespoke experience, combining world-class facilities with a rich history of golfing excellence. For example, on 9 March 2024, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, renowned for its iconic courses like The Brabazon and PGA National, hosted a special event celebrating International Women’s Day.
The event, organised by Julia Regis and Henni Koyack, aimed to inspire women from diverse backgrounds to take up golf and promote inclusivity within the sport. With 20 participants in clinics, 17 golfers on the course, and 184 attendees at the evening dinner, the day was a success.
Beyond its golf courses, The Belfry’s appeal lies in its exceptional hospitality and convenient location, making it an ideal choice for events of all sizes. The ‘Evening with Dr. Renee Powell’ dinner, which concluded the day, featured inspiring discussions with industry leaders, including Olympian Dame Denise Lewis, emphasising the importance of inclusion in golf. Event co-organiser Henni Koyack praised The Belfry by saying: “As a resort, The Belfry absolutely went above and beyond. They made the women and girls feel special and important, which is crucial for their experience. The Belfry made them feel welcomed and wanted, and that truly means so much. There wasn’t a single hitch on the day, and I can’t thank them enough.”
Set to expand
A major expansion and renovation project, in excess of £80m, has begun at the Belfry. The project, due for completion Autumn 2025, will see a flagship 852sqm event space, The Masters Suite, built and designed to host 648 guests for banqueting with a max capacity of 920.
At 852sqm and with 149 additional bedrooms, the multi-purpose space will be the resort’s biggest events venue yet when it opens in autumn 2025, and is the centrepiece of a wider £80m development project across the whole resort.
Katie Niland, sales director at The Belfry, said: “We knew there was demand for a dynamic, large-scale events space in the Midlands but, having already received over £5.5m worth of enquiries for our new venue, it shows the confidence our prospective and existing clients feel in the quality of our offering, the outstanding level of service they will receive, and our unparalleled ability to create extraordinary events.”
Operations director at Noble Events, Kate Hodson-Walker commented on the agency perspective of hosting events at the Belfry, by saying: “We’re looking for venues that offer a blend of luxury, flexibility and the ability to create exciting and engaging experiences for our clients and their guests. They value locations that provide a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere, combined with a high level of service and attention to detail. The Belfry meets these needs beautifully, offering a range of spaces that can be tailored for everything from intimate gatherings to grand events.”
She continues to say: “Our clients, particularly in the automotive sector, appreciate unique venues where they can bring their event to life and immerse attendees in the brand – but finding one that can accommodate cars and motorbikes into the meeting space can be tough. The Belfry’s ability to do this is a rare and invaluable feature that sets it apart. Having the flexibility to create dynamic, branded environments for informal dining and gala dinners, including access to a range of indoor and outdoor activities, is also hugely valuable. The resort’s luxury amenities, such as the spa and world-renowned golf courses, offer a level of exclusivity we know our Ultra High Net Worth clients will really appreciate.”
On the new expansion and renovation project, she says: “The renovation plans are really exciting. This exceptional level of detail is exactly what we’re looking for from a high-class venue. We look forward to seeing the space and hosting events for our clients there.”
Expanding horizons: The Celtic Collection’s new additions
St Brides Hotel, a recent addition to the Celtic Collection, is particularly appealing to the incentive market, Rachel says. “The expansion also includes the Tŷ Newport Hotel, which increases the Celtic Collection’s capacity to host large-scale events. This is especially important for conferences requiring extensive accommodation and comprehensive facilities. The proximity of Tŷ Newport to the main Celtic Manor Resort allows for seamless coordination of events, providing a cohesive experience for attendees.”
She continues: “The Celtic Collection offers a variety of golf packages that cater to different group sizes and preferences. With three championship courses, including the famous Ryder Cup course, guests can choose from multi-night stays with several rounds of golf to single-day outings. Exclusive use of the golf facilities, combined with tailored dining and accommodation packages, ensures that corporate events are both productive and enjoyable.”
With the management contracts for St Brides Hotel and Tŷ Newport Hotel, The Celtic Collection has solidified its position as the largest independent hotel group in Wales. This expansion enhances its ability to serve corporate travellers and conference attendees, offering additional high-quality accommodation and meeting facilities. The accessibility of these new locations, combined with their amenities, makes them ideal for business retreats and incentive trips.
The convenience of having everything in one location, from cutting-edge conference facilities to world-class golf courses, is a ‘whole in one’ for all delegates attending an event, conference, or away day at a golf resort.
