Donna Richardson visits Celtic Manor in Wales – the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup- for a luxury spa and golf break with her family
Celtic Manor is famous for golf, hosting the championship course, the 2010 Ryder Cup which Europe won. It also hosts the Montgomerie course and the Roman Course, which hosts The Welsh Open.
First impressions
Celtic Manor is a huge modern building with over 330 rooms, perched high on a hill just off the A449, and surrounded by 2,000 acres of parkland and woodland trails as well as the golf courses. Famous international golfers and even the former president of the United States Barack Obama have stayed here, and now we are about to too.
As you step inside, you are greeted by a lively atmosphere filled with people bustling about the impressive lobby, where an upscale shopping mall adds an air of sophistication. At the grand entrance, your gaze is drawn upward to the stunning display of vibrant Welsh dragons and intricately woven tapestries that adorn the space, creating a rich tapestry of culture and history. Surrounding you are six elegant floors of rooms, each promising a unique and memorable experience above the vibrant hub below.
Rooms
After checking in, we headed to our spacious room, which featured a charming balcony overlooking the beautifully landscaped grounds. Inside, I discovered two elegant Champagne flutes beside a chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier, along with a hamper filled with sweets and a cuddly teddy bear.The room included two sumptuous king-sized beds, a sleek TV, and a coffee-making facility. The expansive bathroom felt like a sanctuary, equipped with upscale Elemis amenities and offering both a relaxing bath and a refreshing shower.
History
Celtic Manor was opened by Sir Terry Matthews, Wales first Billionaire, in 1982. But long before this, much older hotel called the Manor House was built by Wales’ first coal millionaire called Thomas Howell in 1860. It used to be called Coldra House and as well as a hotel, it has been a maternity hospital, according to our driver who was born here. A shuttle bus transports guests around the site and also to two adjoining hotels – the Coldra Court Hotel and the Inn at Newbridge upon Usk. There’s also The Hunter Lodge accommodation where the former president stayed during his visit.
Food and drink
At The Celtic Manor Resort, you have a range of fine dining options from PAD, Rafters, The Grill, Steak on Six, The Olive Tree and Garden Room, The Rib Smokehouse and Grill or Newbridge on Usk, you’ll be spoilt for choice when staying at the hotel.
On the first night we dined in The Olive Tree and Garden Room where we enjoyed buffet style food options which was perfect for our family. As my partner and daughter are both picky eaters, there would surely be something for them. One of us chose Sunday lunch, the other curry and our daughter helped herself to the kids buffet. After dinner, we had a walk around the grounds and then headed to Merlin’s Bar for a cocktail and watched the live band.
The next morning, breakfast at The Olive Tree was superb, with cooked breakfasts as well as a huge selection of fruits and cereals.
After an active day, we were ready for our second night dining at PAD, an award-winning restaurant by MasterChef extraordinaire Larkin Cen. I indulged in the Pad Thai, while John opted for a beef rendang, and lots of prawn crackers too.
The third and final night, we headed up to The Grill where we enjoyed glorious views of the Welsh Open course and delicious food. I enjoyed a warm beetroot salad with feta cheese and walnuts, followed by fresh Welsh honey and soy-marinated salmon with grilled vegetables.
The next day, I hit the gym keen to try out the state-of-the-art equipment, reminding myself of Colin’s encouragement from our mountain walk. Finally, we had time for a delicious Sunday roast from the carvery and a brisk walk around the grounds to burn off our meal.
Activities
The best thing about Celtic Manor resort is that you can be as active or restful as you like, with lots of outdoor activities and a fantastic spa. On the first day, we enjoyed a game of crazy golf, followed by an archery session, and then Amelia and I went ape on the forest nets. It tested my fitness as I bounced and climbed my way around the nets, chasing an energetic eight-year-old.
After dinner one night at The Grill we got one of the shuttle buses down to the Manor and watched live sport in the basement bar. We also enjoyed a game of pool.
Golf
Golf of course is a big parf of a stay here and any golf afficiando will want to play here on one of the three world class golf courses. You can book a session at concierge. As it is 15 years this year since the iconic Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor on Friday 26 September, there is a special one day only package on the Twenty Ten, the most prestigious golf fclub with dinner and challenges on the course. When we visited we saw golfers on the Weslsh open course playting until sunset. Visitors and members can book tee times for all three Champiionship courses online. There is also a golf academy and two lucurious golf clubhouses. Of course my fiancé John is a golfer, and he was impressed by the three golf courses, although we couldn’t take a look at the Ryder Cup course because there was a private wedding taking place.
Spa
The Forum Spa is a great place for pampering. It also has a salon, so you can look your best when you leave. We changed into our robes and went to the spa area. The Forum Spa at Celtic Manor is a peaceful space with over 16 treatment rooms. You can pick from various massages, like the Lava Shell and Glacial Shell massages for fitness aches and pains. If you want something more relaxing, try the Forum Candle Ritual Massage and unwind in The Forum Steam Temple.The spa offers special massages to help women find balance, which can ease menopause symptoms, as well as treatments for pregnancy. There is also a men’s menu with deep tissue massages and skin energizers, along with biotech treatments.Occios Treatment Rooms provide a range of services, from cancer touch therapy to regular beauty treatments.
The swimming pool is incredible, with a celestial ceiling, which calms the senses. There is a sauna, hot tub and various steam rooms too, all free of charge to guests.
Dylan’s Health and Fitness Club has many facilities. I started each morning with a workout. All hotel guests and members get personalized workout plans. The club has step machines, cross trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes, and weight machines to help you get the most out of your exercise.
The verdict
Overall, Celtic Manor is a superb place to stay, ideal for an active adventure, a spa retreat, or simply to unwind and escape. Wales is stunning, and you’ll be right near the ICC Wales, so you can take in a show or concert too. Nothing here is too much trouble. If you like golf and the outdoors, make Celtic Manor your next stay.
Getting There
We drove to Cardiff in a brand new RAV4 Toyota. From Abergavenny to Cardiff was offset by the hybrid electric element of the car, which we charged fully overnight. Parking was easy. It is easily accessible via the A449. As we were on a long-term drive from Brighton to Wales, testing out a Toyota plug-in hybrid vehicle, this was an environmentally friendly option. The Toyota has a larger battery capacity, enabling an extended pure electric range of up to 46 miles, which then automatically kicks in when that’s exhausted. Plug-in models reduce our carbon footprint because they can be fully charged overnight and during multiple trips to various locations.
We put it to the test as we drove to multiple locations. The first leg was from Loughborough to Brighton and back (176 miles ew) = 352 miles (46 miles offset there and 46 on way back) -92miles reduced to 240 miles. Loughborough to Abergavenny = 128 miles, reduced to 82 when you offset 46 miles. Abergavenny to Cardiff 56 miles (purely electric -46 = 7 miles), Cardiff to Dursley 50 miles (purely electric -46 leaves 4 miles). Dursley to Loughborough =110 miles (becomes 62 when you offset 46 miles) =696 miles total. Offset by electricity, the total was significantly reduced by 405 miles.
The future is green. The only problem is finding electric charging points, as some of the car parks in the hotels we stayed at didn’t have any. Features include: Plug-in Hybrid Electric, Power 306 DIN hp, fuel consumption 282.4 mpg, CO₂ emissions 22 g/km and acceleration 0–62 mph 6 secs.
The lowdown
A stay at Celtic Manor costs £218 on a flexible bed and breakfast rate. A flexible dinner, bed and breakfast is £278.
Address: Coldra Wood, The Usk Valley, Chepstow Road, Newportm NP181HQ
