The Belfry: Countryside luxury and world-class food in a hotel steeped in sporting history

THE BELFRY is one of the most famous sporting locations in the world, playing a big part in golfing history. Despite being famous for the sport the hotel offers so much more, a protected fortress of relaxation, great food and even better service.

the belfry hotel and resort review

The Belfry has hosted the legendary Ryder Cup four times on its luscious lawns (Image: The Belfry)

There are few places in the world more synonymous with a single sport than the unassuming Belfry Hotel near the town of Sutton Coldfield.

Mention the Belfry to any golfer worth their salt and you’ll see their eyes light up, as the hotel has played host to the legendary Ryder Cup tournament four times, making a name for itself in all four corners of the globe.

Driving up the long, crunchy gravelled driveway, glorious green fairways and lawns surround the hotel like a moat, protecting guests from the outside world.

Tall trees, gleaming blue lakes and sugar lump-like sand bunkers dominate the horizon, with the sprawling former manor house the centre focus.

Nothing much surrounds the hotel, with the small village of Wisham the nearest place to venture in, but the Belfry is a fortress with the intention of keeping you there.

The Belfry: Steeped in Ryder Cup history this luxurious hotel offers is much more than a golf retreat

Since its extensive renovation in 2013, the Belfry is now a bustling, sleek hotel and resort, with much more to offer than just pristine golf courses steeped in history.

Despite its legendary sporting credentials, the hotel is anything but pretentious, offering warm, friendly service, quality food options, rejuvenating spa experiences and country-chic bedrooms, all at surprisingly affordable prices.

Rooms

With copious amounts of space on its hands, the Belfry has a room to suit each individual need, from classic doubles all the way up to the decadent Belfry Presidential Suite.

Keeping the odd period feature from the hotel's original form of a country manor house, rooms often include exposed wooden beams, with the more pricey options boasting hearty fireplaces.

There are nine levels for rooms, starting at just £143 per night, but are all decorated in calming neutral tones with bold accents, have large, marshmallow beds and come equipped with luxurious ESPA toiletries.

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The Belfry underwent huge renovations in 2013, producing a sleek, spacious environment (Image: The Belfry)

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Rooms are all bright and spacious, complete with ESPA toiletries and gorgeous golf course views (Image: The Belfry)

For those looking to maximise their stay, a stay in one of the hotel's Manor House Suites (£458 per night) shouldn't go amiss, the epitome of country house luxury.

Overlooking the luscious lawns of the three golf courses that intertwine carefully around the grounds, the hotel's most luxurious suites boast three separate living spaces, with king size beds, high beamed ceilings, sprawling sofas, grand fireplaces and shelves filled with literature on the hotel's proud golfing history.

Food & Drink

The Belfry is famed throughout the local area for its decadent food and drink offering, and no wonder, with three separate dining options, a gorgeous hotel bar and even a nightclub – rumoured to have been visited by many a famous face, including The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger.

Restaurants are packed with hotel and day guests alike, especially when it comes to the hotel's famed Sunday Lunch.

Taking place at the Ryder Grill, the hotel's most upmarket outlet, the Sunday lunch is served buffet style, with mounts of starters, carvery options, salads, rich main dishes, sumptuous desserts and unusual cheeses to choose from, all unlimited.

Sunday is the only day the serene, art-deco styled restaurant is open for lunch, usually the place to head for a indulgent or romantic dinner overlooking the floodlit grounds.

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The Ryder Grill is the hotel's most upmarket offering, open for romantic, indulgent dinners (Image: The Belfry )

With large windows overlooking the putting greens, the Ryder Grill offers a buffet and a la carte option each evening, along with a diverse and crowd-pleasing wine offering.

For something more casual there is no place other to head than Sam's Club House, the hotel's American-themed sports bar.

Frequented by golfers following a game, the stripped down, yet stylish club house offers classics such as club sandwiches, loaded burgers and all things fried.

The hotel also has a casual Italian restaurant, Rocco's Pizza Pasta, the middleground between the Ryder Grill and Sam's.

Frequented by families and users of the adjacent spa, it runs spa packages run throughout the week offering afternoon tea deals, but alas not Italian themed.

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Sam's Club House is for more casual all-day dining, with burgers, sandwiches and laid-back vibes (Image: The Belfry)

To make more of an occasion from your stay, take a seat in the hotel's Brabazon bar and you'll be transported to a cocktail bar in London.

Boasting a serene art-deco design with stage for live music, the bar offers cocktail classics such as Old Fashioneds and Martinis, with the experienced and chatty bartenders more than happy to whip up unique creations and off-menu serves from the groaning backbar of spirits from around the world.

Head here for a nightcap after spending the day hopping from restaurant to restaurant, all with a totally unique feel.

Spa and activities

Aside from golf, the hotel has a plethora of other activities to while away the day, most noticeably its high-spec spa and pool facilities.

Open to guests and those purchasing a day pass, the hotel's pool is vast and bathtub warm, with a bubbling jacuzzi and fully equipped gym off to the side.

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The Belfry also boasts a luxurious spa, with unique Fire and Ice experience (Image: The Belfry)

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The sprawling grounds play host to three impeccable golf courses, including the famous Brabazon (Image: The Belfry)

For those looking to splash out, the Belfry is famed for its Fire and Ice experience, a maze of 12 rooms designed to totally relax and rejuvenate the body, using different temperates from sub-zero to sweaty.

After Fire and Ice, which costs £59 for guests and £49 for residents, the upstairs spa is on hand to either energise you or relax you, an option given to you before your treatment.

Using only ESPA products, the spa offers massages, facials, and other beautifying treatments, all done to an incredibly high standards by warm staff.

For those not inclined to an afternoon or morning of pampering and deep relaxation, a mini golf course, a replica of the famous Brabazon, if waiting on hand - perfect for those with just a little too high handicap.

The Final Word

The Beflry is a hotel that truly captures you, with everything someone could need under one sprawling roof.

Staff are friendly and always willing to do above and beyond, and everything from lunch, to afternoon tea, to cocktails to clubbing is catered for.

An ideal luxurious escape to the country for those not looking for anything else but golf, fun, food and relaxation.

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