Hotel of the week

The Belfry Hotel and Resort Sutton Coldfield, North Warwickshire

WHERE AND WHY

Famous for hosting the Ryder Cup four times, this award-winning resort in the Warwickshire countryside has a glamorous appeal, where guests look like they’ve dressed up just to check in.

Served by three world-class courses, including The Brabazon and the PGA National, it displays its golfing credentials proudly in reception where a chandelier made from dozens of glass golf clubs makes a striking centrepiece to a golfing gallery of fame.

There is, however, plenty for non-golfers including a leisure club with pool and spa. Kids are well catered for with mini golf, a woodland adventure zone, children’s library, and free pick ’n’ mix from the sweetie cart.

We stayed in the Royal Lytham Suite, one of several signature suites named after other great golfing locations such as St Andrews and Wentworth, all with separate sitting room and bedroom areas. Our bathroom was stocked with fluffy robes, towels, slippers and Espa toiletries. We also had a shared, large balcony space with views over the lake and the green of The Brabazon’s 10th.

ON THE MENU

There’s a dining option to suit its broad clientele. For cocktails and light bites head to the Brabazon Bar, for pizza and pasta visit Rocca’s Italian or Sam’s Club House to enjoy a burger and drinks with on-screen sport.

We dined a la carte at the star of the show, the Ryder Grill, where a dress code is in place. I began with a delicious goat’s cheese and sesame cheesecake (£10.50) followed by fish of the day, a beautifully cooked salmon fillet (£26.50) and finished with a light-as a-feather English strawberry mousse (£7.75). The buffet-style breakfast was well organised, offering quality cooked and cold options.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

The spa is almost as famous as its golf courses. Boasting a large pool, whirlpools, gym and spin studio, it also has a fire and ice experience with feature showers, caldarium, igloo, aroma steam rooms, sauna and hydrotherapy pool. My Inner Beauty Facial left my skin glowing for days.

Practise your swing at the driving range, or indulge in afternoon tea in the garden full of white roses and lavender. Or head for Kingsbury Water Park which has 15 lakes set over 600 acres. The hotel will also arrange packages that include tickets to Twycross Zoo and Drayton Manor Park and Zoo.

WAKE UP CALL

Dinner, bed and breakfast packages from £159, Signature suites from £189, thebelfry.com