Golf and Spa: WAGs Guide
Celtic Manor Resort - host of the 2010 Ryder Cup and dramatic European victory
Are you a golf widow and want to join in the fun? The SPA Traveller is reviewing a new golf and spa venue every issue, so girls can indulge themselves at some of the finest spas while he's on the course...
Celtic Manor provided a dramatic setting for the 2010 Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup WAGs found nothing to complain about at this years
Ryder Cup as Graham McDowell sealed a Cup win for Europe. As the WAGs sheltered from the rain or tired from the daily events, and
wanted to take a break from following the stars around the course, they could
simply summon a chauffeur-driven buggy to
deliver them to one of two opulent spas for a spot of off-course rest and
relaxation.
The Forum Spa is The SPA Traveller's favourite, its divine 20-metre pool is
perfect for swimming laps or simple floating about, with its giant Welsh-dragon
mosaic floor, housed underneath a simulated blue sky which darkens at night with
twinkling stars. Just a few feet away, a hot pool, steam room and sauna are
primed to soothe tired muscles, while a weary minds can be calmed by an
impressive range of beauty or massage therapies in the treatment rooms.
Once inside the golf and spa resort it is impossible to escape the fact that you
are in a five-star establishment. Celtic Manor is spacious – which is reinforced
by the atrium that greets you at the entrance. Gazing up at all six floors of
the hotel (each one adorned with florally decorated interior balconies) – right
up to the giant octagonal skylight – it is impossible not to be impressed.
The living quarters will impress any visiting international golfer and partner
who will be especially thrilled to see the ample space afforded by each of the
362 rooms, the vast beds and accommodating wardrobe areas, plus choice of shower
or bath (WAGs take note, Elemis products galore) in generous bathrooms, each
boasting many square metres of Italian marble.
The whole setting, from the sweeping driveway down to the hotel and the 1,400
acres of parkland estate within the Usk Valley (graced by its peacefully flowing
river, forested hills and seductive vales), to the three impeccably manicured
18- hole golf courses, is a panoramic achievement of which Newport, Wales and
Britain can be proud.
All this, the vision of Sir Terence
Matthews a Welsh telecommunications entrepreneur. In 1980, Sir Terence purchased a 19th century manor house
which was the maternity hospital he was born in. With a keen eye for business
he decided to take advantage of what he saw as an excellent
leisure industry opportunity and turned the manor house into an elegant 70-room
period retreat. With the vast tracks of land surrounding the hotel, Celtic Manor
was destined for success and fame.
The £140 million cash injection is still the biggest single private investment in the
British hospitality industry resulting in the Celtic Manor Resort winning numerous spa, hotel, clubhouse and
golf-course awards.
Sir Terence did not stop there. He went on to secure the rights to host the 2010 Ryder Cup by agreeing to designing a new course specifically for the 73-year-old event, which is a first in the Ryder Cup's history
And so the par-71 Twenty Ten Course – a was created. Colin Montgomerie, the European captain, knows Celtic Manor
well, having designed one of the other 18-hole
championship courses which is named after him. As host captain, Montgomerie was
able to make a number of changes to the Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course to suite the European teams style of play.
Celtic Manor is a fabulous 'What women want' venue, be it for a weekend of pampering and leisure, or combining golf and spa.
For the more active, there is also fishing, tennis, walking and mountain
biking trails...
For details and prices of all spa and golf packages: Tel: +44 (0) 1633 413000
www.celtic-manor.com
Welsh regional information: www.visitwales.com
Contact us 
