Hayley Barclay stays at The Belfry Hotel & Resort with her family…
A golf resort with a child in tow might not be top of your bucket list for this spring. But if it has recently launched an epic kid-friendly pool and outdoor play area but still has all the facilities parents need – sumptuous spa, driving range and excellent restaurants in one tidy go – you may change your mind.
The Belfry Hotel & Resort near Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands is foremost a world-renowned golf course. It has hosted the Ryder Cup four times and is the home of the British Masters. Make no mistake, the place is awash with players strolling about with their remote-controlled trolleys (that actually look a bit like prams) but what The Belfry does rather well is cater separately for the serious golf fans, lively weekend crowds and families.
The resort is spread over 550 acres and overlooks the 18-hole Brabazon tournament course – for golfing fans, it’s a big deal and my husband sat gazing at it longingly over a pint for ages. But more to come on that.
The accommodation options are scattered throughout the site with some more family-dedicated areas so you never feel in the way and despite the resort’s serious sporting credentials and upmarket vibe, children are made to feel so welcome – my son even got a massive bag of sweets and a teddy bear on arrival.
A luxury golf resort where family time and grown-up escapes finally meet in the middle
The room
We stayed in a Parklands Family Room located about a five-minute walk away from the main building, with parking right outside. The rooms are within a chalet-style building and also conveniently close to the playground. The kingsize bed and two armchair beds are great for families with younger children who may not want an interconnecting room and the interiors are pleasing and modern. The hotel has also recently opened its first two-bedroom suite in the Brabazon House wing with balcony views over the golf courses if you want to add an extra bit of luxury.
The food
The Belfry has a range of restaurants to choose from and all are family friendly. The Ryder Grill is where the a la carte menu and themed buffet and breakfast are served and the masala monkfish, grain-fed sirloin and caramelised onion ravioli were particular favourites. There is also Rocca’s for a more Mediterranean feel and Sam’s Bar and Kitchen for casual dining – though this is a hotspot for golfers. The Brabazon Bar is elegant and glam in the evenings – sometimes with live music – but also a tranquil spot for the afternoon tea experience. Sandwiches and cakes are all seasonal and the scones were top notch.
The facilities
This is where The Belfry really comes into its own. As well as the champion golf courses, which are also lovely to look at from the flowery courtyard with a drink, there is the Topracer driving range about a five-minute walk from the main hotel. The VIP suite is great for children as it’s private (less chance of annoying the pros), large enough for them to play and has a butler service. I’m not very good at golf, it turns out. My husband is and got quite cross I did not take it seriously enough but happily, it’s all computerised so caters for all levels.
The main draw for me was The Club, the hotels’s newly-built leisure complex with a vast, heated family pool, water flume and indoor and outdoor hot tubs. It’s all shallow with some fun water features and if you want to do some proper swimming, there’s also a 25-metre lap pool. Guests can also book Reformer pilates or yoga and there’s a boulder wall for climbing. The Technogym overlooks the PGA golf course and there’s a cafe on site too.
For adults, The Belfry also has a luxury spa with a Fire & Ice experience (it gets busy so best to book) with loads of ESPA and Dermalogica treatments to choose from. The resort’s plentiful options meant we could split up and do our own thing a bit and it truly felt more like a mini break than a night at a UK hotel.
With the weather getting warmer and the grounds starting to bloom, the hotel’s Woodland Adventure playground is perfect for burning off energy. There are loads of climbing frames, slides for all ages, as well as cute tables and benches for a rest.
Golf has seen a huge increase in popularity in younger players since 2020 and is no longer seen as the realm of middle-aged executives – it has even become quite fashionable with “golfluencers” taking over social media. So as we head into summer, if you want to give your child a taster, try yourself or improve your game, The Belfry is a splendid mini-break for foodies, wellness-seekers and of course, mini golf champs in the making.
Prices start at The Belfry from £169 per night for a signature room including full English breakfast.
