Vale Resort

Wales’ largest spa has achieved a five-bubble rating, the highest of its kind, from the UK’s leading authority on spa reviews following a £250,000 refurbishment.

The Vale Resort, near Cardiff, which recently retained its status as the highest rated 4* hotel in Wales, was awarded the accolade by the Good Spa Guide after undergoing the quarter-of-a-million pound refresh and launching of a number of exclusive new features, such as its chill-out, water and sleep relaxation zones.

The Good Spa Guide’s full independent reviews follow a strict criteria, which are used to rate the best facilities across the UK. Its coveted five-bubble award is the hardest to achieve and demonstrates that the spa is outstanding in the areas of cleanliness, customer care, quality of the treatments and value for money.

Kelly Hallowes, spa liaison and The Good Spa Guide, said: “We awarded the Vale Resort our highest accolade because the resort really exceeded expectations. Our Good Spa Spies complimented their perfectly planned spa journey, including wonderful treatments and immaculate facilities.

“Our reviewers were also blown away by the highly skilled therapists and luxurious spa facilities, and were delighted that all of the treatments available came at a very reasonable price tag.”

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort, said: “We were thrilled to achieve the four-bubble status in 2008, but to scoop the Good Spa Guide’s highest possible rating after our refurbishment is a fantastic reflection of the new facilities that we have to offer.

“The fact that we’ve been reviewed and rated so highly by the spa industry’s leading authority is another step towards our goal to be the recognised as a top three resort in Wales and one of the best in the UK.

“Looking towards 2012, we’re excited to see how our spa’s new look and exclusive modern features will continue to provide the ultimate relaxation and pampering experience for our clients, while maintaining the best possible price.”

In addition to four new relaxation zones, the Vale Resort’s new facilities include an exclusive range of Sundari treatments, which were created by supermodel, Christy Turlington. These Indian-inspired Sundari treatments are based on ancient philosophies and ayerverdic medicine to promote outer radiance and inner serenity.

These new facilities arrived alongside the Vale’s recently opened Chai Cafe and newly decorated foyer area, which also offers boutique shopping.

These compliment the Resort’s existing 19 luxury treatment rooms, floatation tank, hydrotherapy bath, 20m swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room.

The Vale Resort, Wales’ highest rated 4* hotel is unveiling its new spa just in time for those all-important, body beautiful, summer months. Already Wales’ largest spa, The Vale Spa will be bigger and better than ever after undergoing a £250,000 refurbishment to add a number of exclusive features that will allow guests to experience a whole new sense of wellbeing.

The new look spa has three unique relaxation zones, each with a bespoke design to help you find your idea of perfect peace. If your idea of heaven is a comfy leather sofa and a handful of the latest glossy magazines then the stylish ‘chill-out’ zone will be perfect for you. For something more relaxing surround yourself with the soothing sounds of the ‘water’ zone - with its comforting water beds and stunning water features it is a haven of total calm where you can simply float away. If you want to shut off completely then head straight to the Indian-inspired ‘sleep’ zone where shimmering lanterns and sumptuous quilts will provide the ideal environment to doze.

The brand new Thermae Suite is designed to treat your body to heat experiences that will soothe, relax and detoxify. The sauna offers traditional dry heat which can be intensified beforehand by body brushing with birch twigs. The hot and cold rainforest showers, with chromatherapy lighting, will stimulate the senses before you give your body a wake up call rubbing handfuls of ice flakes, natural salts and body muds to leave you with an all over glow. This room is ideal for groups of friends to enjoy a fun experience together.

The concept of supermodel Christy Turlington, Sundari is an Indian-inspired range of luxury products and treatments and the new-look Vale Spa is the only spa in Wales to offer this luxury brand. Based on ancient philosophies and ayerverdic treatments – a favourite with celebrity A-listers – Sundari aims to restore a natural state of health and wellbeing and is the perfect prescription for those looking for not just an outer radiance but also an inner serenity.

All of the wonderful Sundari treatments are completely tailor-made to your individual needs. Your therapist will begin with a Dosha consultation to ascertain your personality type in order to prescribe the perfect treatment for you. Then, whatever you choose, you will be treated to a heavenly foot soak and foot scrub – the traditional welcome for an honoured guest according to ancient Eastern traditions – to melt away tension and stress and prepare you for a treatment which will nourish, nurture and replenish unlike any other you have experienced.

A fabulous new café is the piece de resistance in the award-winning spa’s new additions. Chai Café is a vibrant and contemporary take on the traditional tea shop where you can sample a host of refreshing and stimulating teas as well as healthy snacks, sweet treats, coffees and even an indulgent glass of wine or champagne!

The light and airy café is designed for guests to take a break from pampering, catch up with friends and peruse the beautiful boutique shopping area. Stocking a range of fabulous products including the Yankee candle range, Melin Tregwynt Welsh traditional wool throws, beautiful Portmerion pottery and, of course, all of the traditional spa products including Sundari, Clarins and Jessica, it’s the perfect place to indulge in a little retail therapy!

And, all of this, in addition to the existing 19 luxury treatment rooms, floatation tank, hydrotherapy bath, 20m swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room.

The new larger spa is also in the enviable position of being able to cater for groups of up to 50. So whether you are celebrating a birthday, about to get married, or simply friends getting together for some quality time, the spa offers a range of tailored packages to suit everyone and is perfect for a relaxing yet fun-packed group experience.

The Vale Resort at Hensol has further established its reputation as a UK leader within the hospitality industry after receiving maximum points in an AA review for the second year in a row.

The resort’s rating remains at 85% - the highest possible rating for a 4* hotel – and with the average score being 76.7% for 4 star hotels this result puts the Vale Resort at the very top end of the hotel and leisure industry.

The report describes the inspection at the £50million resort as “very positive” and highlights the strengths of the hotel as “clearly in service and hospitality received from a dedicated team”, both of which were assessed as being of 5* standard.

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort, said: “We are all delighted with this latest industry accolade. To have retained the highest possible rating is an extremely proud moment for us once again.

“Our vision is to be recognised as one of the finest resorts and members club in Europe, providing an excellent level of service, quality dining and helpful and professional staff and, through doing that, ensuring that everyone who stays here, be it on business or leisure, has a fantastic experience.

“The fact that we scored such high scores on every aspect of the inspection really shows that we are achieving that vision – and it is undoubtedly all down to the incredible teamwork that we have here at The Vale. Without the efforts of everyone from our housekeeping and reception teams working front of house, to our reservation and administration teams, our food and beverage teams and kitchen porters working behind the scenes, this simply could not have been achieved.”

In addition to the excellent service and hospitality, The AA report picked out a number of other key areas within the hotel for praise including the quality of food, spacious bedrooms and high standards of housekeeping. The report also made note of the “very good, impeccably presented, friendly staff that interacted well with guests.”

Of the extensive external areas, the report said “grounds including golf courses and leisure facilities are most impressive”

The Resort’s Vale Grill retains its AA Rosette under the guidance of Head Chef Daniel James. Of the food, the report stated that the “food offer was very good with consistency throughout the courses. Dinner was the highlight.”

An inspection from Visit Wales last month also resulted in another excellent report for The Vale Resort. The hotel was once again awarded at 5* rating in the “hospitality and friendliness” category, along with the restaurant and the exterior and leisure facilities.

Celebrity guests to the Vale Resort include the Manchester United team, Matthew Rhys, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Church, Jamie Oliver, Westlife, Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger. The Resort is home to a £4 million WRU National Centre of Excellence training facilities for the Welsh rugby team and also boasts training facilities for the Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City FC and the Welsh FA.

The Vale Resort in Wales was recognised as the ‘UK’s Most Enjoyable Golf Course’ at a prestigious awards ceremony last week. Chosen by a panel of experts, over renowned Ryder Cup host The Belfry, The Vale Resort picked up the accolade at the inaugural 59 Club Awards Dinner, established to recognise excellence in golf.

59club’s independent panel of testers was responsible for picking the winner of the award from over 50 courses. After whittling the finalists down to two, The Vale Resort’s Wales National course and the Brabazon at The Belfry, the panel decided that the Welsh course was ultimately their favourite to play in the whole of the UK. It’s a notable feather in the cap of The Vale Resort as The Brabazon has previously staged some of the most memorable moments in the history of the Ryder Cup.

The Vale Resort’s Golf Operations Manager Clive Coombs says “We are absolutely thrilled with the win, especially when you look at the standard of the courses that we were up against. At The Vale Resort we are, of course, committed to ensuring that our courses play to the very highest standard, but it has also always been absolutely crucial to us that our members and visitors are able to come and simply enjoy the experience that we offer here - I’m delighted that our efforts have paid off.”

The Vale’s Wales National course, which has hosted a number of European Challenge Tour events, offers a mixture of mature wooded areas, wide and narrow fairways and vast areas of water features. This is all set within 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside, boasting an abundance of wildlife.

The Wales National opened in 2003 and is one of the longest champion golf courses outside America at 7,433 yards off the championship tees. Water comes into play on a number of holes and greens are also constructed to USGA standard. The Wales National’s 2nd hole is the longest par 5 in Wales.

The other, par 72, Lake course is dominated by a 20-acre lake and has water coming into play on 12 of its holes. Its 8th hole looks down over the largest heronry in Wales. Its unique signature hole, The Island Green (12th), has been ranked as one of the UK’s top golf holes.

Clive Coombs leads a team of four top golf professionals, all fully qualified members of the PGA with over fifty years of professional golfing experience between them. The team is renowned for its friendly approach to beginners or newcomers as well as to their challenging tutorials for more competitive golfers.

The Welsh Rugby Union has unveiled the first of its state-of-the-art rugby pitches under construction at the new Centre of Excellence at national team headquarters, the Vale Resort near Hensol.

A ‘third generation’ all weather rugby pitch has been laid to specifications exactly replicating the dimensions of the surface at Wales’ home ground, the Millennium Stadium, at the express request of national team management.

“From the length of the dead ball area to all the all the other dimensions of the pitch, right down to the eventual pitch markings this training ground will be an exact replica of that at the Millennium Stadium,” said Wales’ forwards coach, and the man who will lead his national team on tour to Canada and USA this summer, Robin McBryde.

“Detail like that will help the national team in the long term and once the all-weather surface has been laid and the other pitches are available to us we will be able to boast one of the finest rugby training facilities in Europe if not on a world-wide scale.”

Three full size normal pitches and two half pitches will also be installed at the Vale Resort complex as part of the new development for exclusive use by the national team and the full range of WRU squads, but the all-weather surface – the largest of its kind in Europe – will prove particular valuable to the national side.

The pitch has official FIFA approval, but is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of rugby union and meets all IRB standards.

It is 130metres by 80metres in dimension and is underlayed with a bespoke rubber, shock absorbant, material - known as Brock - which minimise the impact on the body when a player falls with force.

Drainage is incredibly efficient and there is minimum chance of water-fall or ice preventing play, making the new pitch literally useable in all weathers, with the only maintenance necessary being the use of specially designed brushes to care for the imitation grass surface.

“The investment made in these facilities will pay dividends to Welsh rugby for years to come and both the Vales Resort and the Sports Council for Wales, without whom this dream would not have been brought so swiftly into such magnificent reality, deserve many plaudits,” said WRU chairman David Pickering.

“Warren Gatland and his men will soon boast the best rugby training facilities world sport has to offer and the future stars of the Wales team as well as all WRU squads will undoubtedly reap the benefits.”

The new 3G pitch at the Vale Resort near Hensol is part of a multi million pound centre of excellence created for the WRU.

The Centre of Excellence development is the result of a three way partnership, with investment from the WRU, Leekes, the owners of the Vale Resort, and the Sports Council for Wales who have allocated a £1.5 million Lottery grant into the project.

“This is an exciting new development for the Vale Resort as we further extend our word-class sports facilities on this 650 acre site. We are pleased to see the new 3G outdoor pitch for the WRU nearing completion,” said Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort.

“We have made significant progress on site in the past six months to create a sophisticated training base for the WRU which we believe competes with any other major training facilities in Europe and possibly in the world.

“This is a world-class partnership and a culmination of the vision by the Leeke family to support excellence in Welsh sport from grass roots up.

“This new pitch is state-of-the-art and is one of the finest of its type in the world. It incorporates the latest 3G artificial pitch technology. This allows full impact for training as it reacts and behaves like a natural surface with the benefit of being able to be used in all weathers and therefore all year round.”

The Vale Resort at Hensol has further established its reputation as a UK leader within the hospitality industry after receiving maximum points in an AA review, to add to its AA rosette for its Vale Grill restaurant.

The resort’s rating has increased from 74% to 85% over the last three years - putting the Vale Resort at the very top end of the hotel and leisure industry market in the UK.

The Vale Resort is showing a winning formula across its hotel and leisure business as it expands and invests in its facilities on its 650-acre rural site and looks to compete at the very top of its market. On top of its leading hospitality facilities, the Vale also hosts world-class training bases for Wales’ leading sports businesses including Amlin Challenge Cup winners the Cardiff Blues, the WRU, FAW and Cardiff City FC.

Recently named the UK’s Best Large Family Friendly Hotel at the Hotel Excellence Awards 2010, a stay at the picturesque £50m resort was described in this report as “a most positive experience where guest service was unobtrusive, effective & delivered by a highly trained professional team”.

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort, which celebrated its landmark 10th year in business last year, said: “We are all delighted with this latest industry accolade and to have secured the highest possible AA rating within our market this year is a proud moment for everyone working here.

“Our vision and philosophy is to be one of the UK’s leading independent hotel resorts with a focus on providing an excellent level of service, quality dining, helpful and professional staff and that people have a great stay with us whether on business or leisure.

“We are expanding our facilities and to maintain such high scores on every aspect of our business is a mark of the great teamwork we have working here. Without the fantastic efforts from everyone from our housekeeping and reception teams working front of house to our reservation and administration teams and kitchen porters working behind the scenes, this simply could not have been achieved.”

The report proves that despite a tough economic climate, the Leeke family’s commitment to quality service in a quality environment has not waivered. The AA report picked out key areas for praise including excellent levels of service, friendly and well-presented staff, quality of food, spacious well-appointed bedrooms and high standards of housekeeping. The report noted: “All staff encountered were friendly, polite and interacted with guests without prompting.” It also said: “Leisure facilities are some of the best in Wales, grounds are a feature along with the extensive parking. Housekeeping was seen to be of a high standard throughout.”

The Resort won its AA rosette for its Vale Grill restaurant last year, which is now under the supervision of Head Chef Daniel James. The AA report commented on a ‘Very good use of fresh ingredients, simply presented.”

In September, the Vale was awarded a Gold Award from Visit Wales in recognition of its outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality. Celebrity guests include the Manchester United team, Matthew Rhys, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Church, Jamie Oliver, Westlife, Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger. The Resort is home to a £4 million WRU National Centre of Excellence training facilities for the Welsh rugby team and also boasts training facilities for the Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City FC and the Welsh FA.

The Vale Resort, Nr Cardiff is helping companies to get the New Year off to a flying start by offering incredibly low prices for all conference and meeting bookings. Selected dates are even cut to over 50% off standard conference rates, starting from as little as £29 per delegate. Not only that, they’ve added a few little extras including free Wi-Fi at no additional cost to ensure you can easily engage with your delegates.

The 143 bed luxury 4 star hotel is set in 650 acres of beautiful parkland and located just off junction 34 of the M4 and a 15 minute drive from Cardiff City centre.

Over £1million has been invested in conferencing facilities at the resort over the past two years, making it one of the best facilities in South Wales.

The Vale offers 10 state-of-the-art multi-functional meeting and conference rooms, providing a flexible range of options for every business requirement. So, for a small meeting with small prices, through to a large conference for more than 700 delegates, the Vale can provide the perfect solution for your new year business needs.

This is in addition to the on site leisure, spa, golf, dining and accommodation facilities, plus an experienced team of event managers that ensure the smooth running of each event – however big or small.

One of Wales’ most successful leisure and hospitality businesses, The Vale Resort, nr Cardiff is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. The £50m hotel resort opened its doors to its first hotel guests in November 1999, just before the Rugby World Cup and has now played host to a staggering 750,000 hotel guests during its first decade in business.

The 143 bedroom hotel, based within a 650-acre rural setting, has enjoyed significant success since its inception, with a string of awards including most recently two AA rosette award winning restaurants on site and in September 2009 was awarded a Gold Award from Visit Wales in recognition of its outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality.

It has been a winning year for the Vale Resort which is flying the flag for Wales’ hospitality industry after receiving a top AA score and new AA rosette for its Vale Grill restaurant earlier this year (May 2009). The Resort achieved an 82% AA merit rating out of a maximum 85% within the four star rating band, with its contemporary Welsh restaurant the Vale Grill achieving its first AA rosette.

The hotel has now established itself as one of the UK’s leading destinations for family breaks thanks to its wide-ranging sports and leisure facilities, extensive and spacious accommodation and family friendly policies.

The hotel employs more than 270 staff and prides itself on employing more than 90% of colleagues from the local area.

The wide ranging line-up of celebrity guests that have stayed in the luxury four-star hotel including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Westlife, Reverend Desmond Tutu, Jamie Oliver, Sir Alex Ferguson, Charlotte Church and Sir Ian Botham. It has played host to top sports teams and events including the British and Irish Lions, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Sir Steve Redgrave’s Golden Five Celebrity Charity Golf Events and a number of golf’s senior Challenge Tour tournaments.

A popular destination for wedding receptions and short breaks during its 10 years, the hotel has hosted more than 1,000 wedding receptions, 275,000 rounds of golf, provided 40,000 massages and sold 80,000 bottles of champagne.

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort said: “This is an important landmark to celebrate as we recognise the significant investment that our business has made to Wales’ hospitality and leisure industry and the economy in this area.

“Our aim at the Vale is to consistently perform at the top level and in world-class company. We have seen this with the creation and development of the extensive sports facilities here with unrivalled training homes for the WRU, FAW, Cardiff City and Cardiff Blues - which are amongst some of the finest in Europe - if not the world.

“Our hotel seeks to provide a very personal, high quality and consistent service to all our guests and we strive to beat these standards year on year as we develop and invest further in our business.

“We are very proud of what we have established at the Vale and we look forward to another successful 10 years in the hotel business.”

Wales top 10s, Stephen Jones, Sam Norton-Knight and Stephen McPhail took time out of their busy schedules to help celebrate the hotel’s landmark decade and cut the hotel’s birthday cake.

Scarlets and Wales rugby star Stephen Jones, stayed at the Vale Hotel as part of the Wales team just after it had opened, during the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

He said: “Having our training base here at the Vale makes a huge difference to the way we prepare for internationals. We have the best of both worlds; the facilities are outstanding and the surroundings of the hotel and leisure facilities make it a relaxing, comfortable location for the players to be – it makes it easier for us to switch off and chill out when we want to. It’s been a great success story since it started and the Wales players are pleased to be based here.

“It’s also a great central point just off the M4, so for players like me based in West Wales it only takes just over an hour to get here which is a real plus.”

Irish football international Stephen McPhail of Cardiff City FC added: “The Vale is a top-class venue for us, there is no better facility around that I’ve seen. It’s all kitted out, we have everything we need in one place and it makes such a difference to have all these great hotel facilities on site – a few of the boys enjoy rounds of golf, it has some top-class courses - others use the leisure facilities. It does make you feel more relaxed and comfortable.”

Australian rugby international Sam Norton-Knight, who joined the Cardiff Blues from Super 14 side the NSW Waratahs has seen training facilities across the globe. He said: “Coming to work at a facility like this, with everything the hotel can offer as well, takes any anxiety out of training because you have a world-class home and you know you are going to get the most out of every session. It doesn’t compare to anything I’ve seen before, it’s phenomenal.”

Ben Danielsen, General Manager of the Vale Resort said: “This is an exciting landmark for the Vale hotel and gives us the chance to celebrate what we have achieved in the past decade.

“Hospitality is all down to teamwork and we have a great team here who we will look to develop further to ensure we consistently provide a high quality customer experience.”

The Vale Resort at Hensol nr Cardiff is celebrating another industry accolade after receiving news that it has achieved a Gold Award from Visit Wales as a leading tourism business.

Announced today (Thursday 24th September 2009) by Heritage Minister, Alun Fred Jones, the Vale is the largest hotel resort to have been included on the Visit Wales Gold Award List of accommodation for 2009/2010.

The aim of the Gold Award is to recognise and reward outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality in the serviced accommodation sector in Wales.

The Heritage Minister congratulated the tourism businesses which have been listed, and said: “The gold award businesses exceed customer expectation and are first class products in all respects. These businesses are making an exceptional contribution to the quality of the Welsh tourism product and they are to be commended for their efforts. The introduction of this award signifies that Wales is serious about raising the quality of its tourism product.”

The award is based on independent mystery shopping experiences, training and staff development, independent quality and accessibility assessments and through the Visit Wales grading scheme.

It has been a winning year for the Vale Resort which is flying the flag for Wales’ hospitality industry after receiving a top AA score and new AA rosette for its Vale Grill restaurant earlier this year (May 2009). The Resort achieved an 82% AA merit rating out of a maximum 85% within the four star rating band, with its contemporary Welsh restaurant the Vale Grill achieving its first AA rosette.

Ben Danielsen, General Manager of the Vale Resort said: “This is another great accolade for the Vale Resort and recognises our efforts and focus on providing an excellent and individual customer experience.

“Hospitality is all down to teamwork and high on our agenda is the development of colleagues to ensure they reach their highest potential and that we consistently provide a high quality customer experience.

“We are delighted to have that recognised by Visit Wales and credit should go to everyone working here at the Vale in helping achieving this award.

“As one of the largest hotels to ever receive the Gold Award, it also underpins our aim to connect on a personal and individual level with our guests as well as the quality of the accommodation and surroundings here at the Vale. Too often large hotels do not put enough emphasis on all important personal service – we want guests to have a great experience that is custom made for them as individuals.”

The Vale is also one of the largest hotels to be part of the “Croeso Cynnes Cymreig – A Warm Welsh Welcome” programme aimed to strengthen a distinctive Welsh culture, food, language, history and landscape in Wales’ hospitality industry.

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort said: “Our aim at the Vale is to consistently perform at the top level and in world-class company.

“We are encouraged with recent performance and there are certainly signs that the market is improving; with a healthy forward order book for weddings and local and national corporate events in 2009/2010, our results are looking pretty good at present. We have invested widely in our leisure facilities with a £500,000 refurbishment completed earlier this year, which has in turn boosted the recruitment of our leisure club members.

“A big part of our success is linked to the wide range of facilities we have here with hotel, spa, conference golf, leisure products and as well as the major sports investment in training facilities here for the WRU, FAW, Cardiff City and the Cardiff Blues.

“This summer we launched our new Hensol Castle Park apartment development which has been a great success. We do not want to stand still, we are constantly evolving, however as part of that we must keep a watchful eye on ensuring we maintain the best quality standards.

“We are delighted with this award because it recognises that regardless of the size and scope of this Resort, we are still able to offer a very personal, high quality experience for our guests and that our commitment to employing great people will stand us in good stead for years to come.”

The Vale Resort, nr Cardiff has announced the launch of an exclusive new residential development based at Hensol Castle Park, which neighbours the current four-star world-class hotel, golf, spa and leisure facility.

The luxury apartment scheme is part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the grade one listed 17th century Hensol Castle and its grounds into one of the most prestigious boutique hotel, spa and residential schemes in Wales.

The Hensol Castle Park development, costing an estimated £35m, will see the stunning Hensol Castle transformed into a 50-bed exclusive five-star hotel with an adjoining residential spa as well as the conversion of a number of buildings within the grounds into of 59 spacious design-led apartments.

Set within 150 acres of spectacular and historical parkland setting, phase one of the apartments is set to be officially launched at the end of this month (July 25/26th 2009).

The scheme is being developed and released by the owners of the neighbouring Vale Resort, the Leekes Group – an independent, family-run group of leisure and retail businesses owned by group chairman, Gerald Leeke OBE. The Leekes Group purchased the Hensol Castle Estate in 2003 and is responsible for the entire development and is managing construction, redevelopment and marketing of the location. Ten mansion buildings set in the Castle grounds will all be extensively redeveloped and refurbished to create the spacious apartment collection. A show home and marketing suite within the development are now open.

Managing Director of the Vale Resort and the new Hensol Castle Park, Stephen Leeke said: “We know that these apartments will have huge appeal from a wide cross-section of buyers. We have already drawn-up a reservations list and interest has been wide-ranging. We already have a thriving golf and leisure membership here at the Vale as well as the sports teams who have their training bases here. In addition to our existing customers expressing interest, we have had enquiries from a number Welsh people living in London and other parts of the UK who want a desirable second home in South Wales for weekend and mid week business visits.

“Add to that the number of sports stars that are interested in having a home at Hensol Castle Park, and we have every belief that this residential scheme will be a huge success.

“The concept behind these apartments is that they offer contemporary living within a picturesque rural location and with it a unique lifestyle choice - living next door to extensive luxury leisure, golf and spa facilities as well as the capital city within 20 minutes drive.

“We are well aware of market conditions but know that this development has a definite X factor and something very valuable to offer in terms of its fantastic location and setting. And the interest that has been shown so far makes us feel optimistic.”

The group’s retail business (Leekes), which specialises in interior design and has more than 100 years track record designing and furnishing homes is responsible for the interior design of the new homes which will have the latest designer kitchen and bathroom fittings guaranteed to impress.

Prices start from £290,000 up to £400,000.

The neighbouring Vale Resort was established more than 10 years ago and during that time has established itself as one of the UK’s leading independent four-star resorts with a thriving golf and leisure membership.

The Vale is one of the top golfing venues in the UK, with two championship courses the Wales national and The Lake both of which have received industry accolades. The Vale has hosted annual European PGA Tour events for the past four years and is playing host to a SWALEC European Challenge Tour event 23 – 26th July. The Wales national opened in 2003 and is one of Europe’s newest championship golf courses and at 7,433 yards off the championship tees is one of the longest outside America.

The Vale Resort is also home to the WRU, FAW, Cardiff City and the current EDF Energy Cup winners, Cardiff Blues RFC - all of whom have their training bases (including the WRU’s indoor arena) located at the 650-acre resort site.

Features of the new Hensol Castle Park apartments include:

• Two storey apartment buildings (10 buildings in total - each circa 8,500 sq ft and spaced throughout the park)

• Spacious apartments range from 1200 sq ft to 2000 sq ft in size on ground and first floors.

• Designer bathroom suites including wet room design

• Rokpunkt designer German kitchens

• Full wifi and integrated sound and vision throughout

• High efficiency air conditioning

• Natural materials – hardwood floors

The Vale Resort at Hensol is flying the flag for Wales’ hospitality industry after receiving a top AA score and new AA rosette for its Vale Grill restaurant.

The Resort has achieved an 82% AA merit rating out of a maximum 85% within the four star rating band. And its contemporary restaurant the Vale Grill achieves its first AA rosette under the supervision of Head Chef James Bumpass who has set out to source only Welsh ingredients in his menus.

The Resort’s General Manager, Ben Danielsen joined the Leeke family owned resort just over a year ago from the award-winning Donnington Valley hotel & Spa in Newbury and has built an experienced senior management team to set high standards throughout the resort.

Mr Danielsen said the Vale had taken very significant steps forward in the past year: “We have moved from a 74% rating up to 82% which is significant as the maximum merit score for four star hotels is 85% - so we are at the very top end of this market.

“The first hallmark of quality will always be day in day out consistency and that is exactly what we seek to provide at the Vale and is ratified by these top ratings.

“It is an acknowledgement from the leading independent quality assessor that we are doing great things at the Vale and gives a boost at a time when the news pages are filled with stories about a distressed economy and the impacts of the recession.

“Our aim is to provide a personal and excellent service and connect on an emotional level with our guests. Too often large hotels do not provide that – our aim is for guests to have an experience that is custom made for them as individuals. With the scope and range of facilities here – we can do that well.”

Ben Danielsen added that the Vale’s new Grill restaurant was going from strength to strength.

He said: “We are particularly delighted with the awarding of an AA rosette for the Vale Grill thanks to the quality and creativity being infused into our food offer here under the guidance of head chef James Bumpass.

“In the last year, we have focused on using locally sourced Welsh products and to keep our menus and food service, simple, fresh, mouthwatering and only using high quality ingredients. We want to be part of the growing food culture in Wales and by supporting Welsh producers can be help promote the very best that our nation has to offer.

“James and his team have worked hard to secure consistency in the kitchen and credit must also go to the highly professional service team in the Grill who ensure guests enjoy good food and wine in a contemporary and comfortable setting.”

The Vale’s General Manager also congratulated his team of dedicated staff who he said, “deserve the most praise”.

He added: "Hospitality is all down to team work. Without the fantastic efforts from the team in front of house and back house, from reservation to administration, from housekeeping to kitchen porters this would not have happened. The decision was made early last year to create an individual experience for the guests and together the team has delivered this and we are all delighted.”

Key report comments from the AA included “excellent leisure choice and facilities”, “good use of fresh ingredients and dinner was positive, accurate cooking by James Bumpass”, “staff were smart, interactive with all guests and more proactive”, “an assured management organisation which has seen an uplift in the quality of hospitality and service”, “all areas demonstrated very good attention to detail”, “service demonstrated a professional approach by all”.