A great weekend away for couples at the legendary Celtic Manor resort in Wales
A golfing journey on hallowed greens… and a dip in the ultimate spa: at the legendary Celtic Manor resort for a great couples weekend away
The wind picked up and swirled around us as we stood and surveyed the dramatic landscape.
Green valleys glittered in the early morning light.
In the distance, the Welsh flag proudly flew in front of the huge hotel.
We popped our tee shots and laughed as we strolled the pristine fairways, basking in the freedom of a few precious kid-free hours.
We had chosen Celtic Manor golf resort as our destination for a couples weekend: two golfers on the course and two women at the spa – with the kids left firmly behind to wreak havoc on the grandparents.
The pristine Celtic Manor – Ben golf resort is a weekend home
Ben made his way around the fairways of the Roman Road course
Celtic Manor has three ‘sensational’ courses, including the Championship 2010 course
You can recreate your own Ryder Cup memories in Wales’ number 1 golf destination
The breathtaking view of the green valleys at Celtic Manor
The resort and championship golf course famously hosted the 2010 European Ryder Cup heroics, beating an American box office team.
That victory left an indelible mark on one of sport’s greatest competitions and has been invaluable to the Welsh tourism industry ever since.
Thirteen years later, golfers are still flocking to create their own moments of magic on the hallowed greens.
The resort features three courses: the 2010 course – for big boys and girls – and the Montgomerie and Roman Road courses.
They all have something different and offer a solid challenge.
With an open course in front of us, we raced around, crowing about the odd great shot and cursing about the missed putts that fell victim to the electric greens.
It would have been rude not to visit The Grill bar and restaurant, which overlooks the 18th green of the Roman Road course, for a few much-needed pints and a toast to an incredible golf odyssey.
The massive 332-room five-star resort is surrounded by breathtaking scenery
The girls go to the spa for a pampering session (file image)
The Forum Spa offers an endless array of treatments for body, mind and soul
The resort features palatial rooms, and Ben revealed that it came with a huge balcony to relax on
Meanwhile, in spa land, the girls relaxed in the pool and hot tub before being treated to a deep tissue massage at Wales’ ultimate pampering palace.
The Forum Spa offers an endless array of mind, body and soul treatments and there is also a salon and an exclusive health club.
In the evening we dined at the fabulous Pad restaurant – serving modern Asian dishes.
The chili braised octopus bao buns and fried soft shell crab cakes were to die for.
The Korean marinated steak and Sri Lankan curry come highly recommended – especially when washed down with bottomless glasses of crisp white wine.
For a nightcap we went to Merlins Bar for a cocktail.
After retiring to our rooms, I found myself on the huge balcony overlooking the majestic golf course.
The laughter echoed in the darkness below me and I chuckled to myself.
It was truly a day to remember.