Catherine Zeta-Jones has named the Celtic Manor Resort among her favourite places in Wales, and a stay in its Hunter Lodges shows why the resort appeals to both golfers and groups seeking a cosy retreat.
The Swansea-born actress, who spent much of her childhood in the city and the nearby seaside village of Mumbles, included the Celtic Manor Resort in her top five picks alongside Mumbles, Cardiff Castle and Johnnies Fish & Chips. She singled out the Twenty Ten Course, designed specifically for the Ryder Cup, telling the New York Times it is “a very hard course if you’re an amateur,” but that playing there is “something very special.”
The Hunter Lodges Experience
The Hunter Lodges at the Celtic Manor Resort are self-catering accommodation overlooking the Twenty Ten championship golf course. These large Scandinavian-style log cabins are designed for group getaways and include a private sauna, hot tubs and access to the resort's five-star amenities.
Each lodge includes four en-suite double or king bedrooms that sleep up to 8 adults, with some units featuring a snug or chill-out room with a sofa bed for two additional children. The lodges are a short drive from Celtic Manor's main hotel and overlook the first green of The Montgomerie Golf Course.
Celebrities and dignitaries have stayed here, including President Barack Obama during the 2014 NATO Summit. The lodges are built from Finnish Arctic pine and feature high vaulted ceilings, exposed timber beams, and a wood-burning fireplace, with a private Finnish indoor sauna and large outdoor hot tubs on a raised timber veranda overlooking the Usk Valley.
Resort Amenities and Dining
Newport's multi-award-winning resort sits on 2000 acres of parkland and comprises hotels, self-catering lodges, spas, restaurants, championship golf courses and a convention centre. It is best known for hosting the 38th Ryder Cup in 2010.
The resort offers three championship golf courses, spas, six restaurants, five bars, a shopping mall and indoor and outdoor adventure activities. The Forum Spa includes treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and a 20-metre indoor swimming pool under a starry-sky ceiling.
Just across from the spa is the independently owned LLL Well Café & Wellness Club, with a private infrared sauna and ice bath suite. Dining options include rooftop steaks at Steak on Six, modern Welsh cuisine at Rafters, Asian fusion at PAD, and buffet meals and afternoon tea at The Olive Tree & Garden Room.
Celtic Manor's Feel Good Lodge Breaks start from £343 per night, with Winter Lodge Stays from £446 per night when booking direct. The Hunter Lodges can rival top UK and European golf resorts like Gleneagles and Quinta do Lago for groups seeking championship golf and luxury.
