A weekend getaway at The Vale and Celtic Manor: Wales’ finest

We were very lucky to visit The Vale Resort in Cardiff and Celtic Manor in Newport for our latest FAM Trip. Combined they make up two of the best golf resorts in Wales, five fantastic golf courses and multiple accommodation options between them!

We kicked off our weekend getaway by leaving the Windsor offices around three on Friday afternoon, setting our sights on The Vale Resort, where we planned to arrive by six. Once we got there, we quickly checked into our rooms and met up for dinner in the Cowbridge lounge.

This place is just perfect if you’re dining with a big group—it’s cosy and private. We started with a tasty feta tart, followed by a juicy Welsh steak, and even got to try our hand at making gin with spirits from the local Hensel Castle distillery. Super fun! After filling up, we decided to check out Cardiff’s nightlife—it’s close by, just a 20-minute taxi ride away.

Saturday morning came bright and early; we were up by eight for breakfast at the Vale Grill. A hearty full English and some lighter continental food set us up nicely for our morning on the Welsh National Course. It’s a championship-standard layout and one of the longest outside the US. But, lucky for us, the tees were set forward that day.

While some of us enjoyed our golf, the others made the most of the spa and gym—pretty cool places that are also home to Welsh rugby and football. After our morning activities, we grabbed lunch at the clubhouse before heading over to Celtic Manor.

Upon arriving at Celtic Manor, we took advantage of their valet car cleaning service. Pro tip: download their app to breeze through check-in with a virtual room key—it cuts down on waiting time.

After relaxing with a welcome cocktail and chilling in our rooms, we met up at 5 pm for a fun tour and treasure hunt at the Coldra Court, a hotel tailored for golfers and just a five-minute drive away. Our evening didn’t stop there; we headed over to check out the Ty Newport, the Celtic Collection’s brand-new hotel set to open in June. Though it’s still under construction, it was clear it’s going to be an awesome addition. The evening was packed with entertainment—a private singer, a photographer, and even a graffiti artist let us leave our mark on what will soon be the hotel walls.

Dinner was a treat, with Ty Newport’s incoming head chef serving up hanging lamb kebabs and homemade gelato—both were delicious. After dinner, we hit the Celtic Manor’s sports bar to play some darts and pool and even caught some of the PGA Tour on TV. They’ve even got this machine that prints personalised pictures on pints of Guinness, which was a real hit!

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the Olive Tree Restaurant before heading over to the 2010 clubhouse for a bit of a tour. If you’re ever there, definitely check out the Ryder Cup memorabilia—it’s quite special.

We warmed up with some range balls before our 9 o'clock tee time, managing to squeeze in a group photo in front of the Ryder Cup boardings on the first tee, a great Ryder Cup venue that you can play! Our round was a blast, trying to recreate some of those famous Ryder Cup moments.

Meanwhile, the non-golfers had a great time axe throwing guided by Celtic's experts, just one of the great adventure activities at the resort. The team noted how fun the experience was, with Celtic making each round a competition with prizes to be won!

Later, they relaxed at the Forum Spa - enjoying the facilities. The Spa at Celtic Manor in Wales is renowned for its luxurious and rejuvenating experiences, set against the backdrop of the picturesque Usk Valley. This award-winning spa offered the non-golfers a range of treatments, from massages and facials to holistic therapies and beauty services. The spa's facilities are impressive, featuring a stunning relaxation lounge, swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Note- guests can also enjoy the spa's signature experiences like the Elemis Herbal Steam Temple and exotic Rasul Mud Rituals.

We wrapped up our weekend with a creative take on roast dinner tapas, which was adorned with sumptuous cuts of meat and crispy roast potatoes back at the 2010 clubhouse before heading home.

Honestly, both The Vale and Celtic Manor were fantastic spots for a weekend getaway—definitely worth a visit if you get the chance!