The QHotels Group’s prominent position at the head of the UK golf market has been further enhanced following the release of a new rankings list of the top 100 resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.
The UK’s largest golf resort operator, which recently announced a new multi-million-pound investment across its golf resorts over the next three years, plays a leading role in Golf World magazine’s updated poll of the best golfing venues in the British Isles, with all seven of its golf resorts included.
Assessed over four different categories – golf courses, accommodation, non-golf amenities and setting – The QHotels Group earned particular acclaim from the magazine’s judging panel for the overall quality of the golf and non-golf facilities it offers to both members and guests.
Top-ranked among the group’s venues at number 26 was Slaley Hall, with the Hexham resort’s two championship golf courses – the Hunting and the Priestman – being singled out for special praise.
Oulton Hall, near Leeds, was named 64th in the updated list, two places ahead of DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, whose golf offering was described as “three loops of nine that are good enough to have hosted the Boys Home Internationals. They live up to the resort’s name, with holes winding among tall pines. One of the best courses in the second half of this ranking.”
A planned £2m resort investment helped Dunston Hall in Norwich claim 74th place in the rankings, with Belton Woods in Grantham, Lincolnshire (81st), DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort (93rd) and Telford Hotel & Golf Resort in Shropshire (95th) also being included in the revised standings.
Richard Moore, group chief executive of the QHotels Group, said: “We’re thrilled that all seven of our golf resorts have been included in such a notable benchmark industry list and it’s great to have something to celebrate after such a challenging last 18 months.
“Our resorts have been more popular than ever since the lockdown travel restrictions were eased and the new investment that we’ve recently announced will help to ensure that all our guests will continue to enjoy an outstanding experience on and off the course.”
As part of the new investment it announced last month, The QHotels Group will be rolling out an upgrade to its facilities and courses worth £2m at its golf venues in England and Scotland over the next 12 months, with further significant investment to follow in 2022 and 2023.
The three-year improvement programme will cover all sectors of The QHotels Group’s golf-course business, with the renovation work starting this spring.
At the heart of the investment is a major upgrade of the greenkeeping equipment, with each resort receiving the latest in mowing technology to deliver improved playing surfaces on all of its acclaimed courses.
Bunkers, pathways and drainage systems at each venue will also be overhauled in the next 12 months, while The QHotels Group is further improving the golf experience it offers by adding to the fleet of golf buggies available at every resort.
The QHotels Group manages seven top golf resorts in England and Scotland: Belton Woods, in Grantham, Lincolnshire; Dunston Hall, in Norwich; Oulton Hall, Leeds; Slaley Hall, in Hexham, Northumberland; Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, in Shropshire; DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, in Brigg; and DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort.