Cateys 2026: Hotel of the Year – Independent: The Belfry Hotel & Resort

The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield was a stand-out winner in the Hotel of the Year – Independent category, thoroughly impressing judges with its robust financials and genuine focus on people.

Over the past year, the property completed an £85m refurbishment programme that was first announced in April 2024 following its sale to Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Cedar Capital Partners in 2021.

The transformation prompted an uplift in total revenue, with the addition of 149 bedrooms leading to increased demand from the corporate and groups market, resulting in more than 10,000 extra room nights in 2024. Its new Masters Suite events venue is also attracting numerous bookings, while the Club, a new fitness destination elevating the resort’s wellness credentials, is enjoyed by 3,000 members.

During the period, the hotel also welcomed Woodland Adventures, a new animal-inspired play area for families consisting of slides, frames, zip wires and more. This was particularly popular during the holiday season and resulted in an additional 395 family rooms being booked year-on-year over October half-term.

In order to support the significant expansion, the Belfry was tasked with hiring more than 250 new staff, but this was not done at the expense of its existing team members. Staff were promptly placed onto its career pathways programme to train them into management and specialist roles, which meant that two-thirds of these positions were filled through internal promotion, showcasing the hotel’s continued commitment to development.

The Belfry also came 16th in The Caterer’s Best Places to Work 2025, for which it was praised for its values-driven environment and people-centric approach. Meanwhile, apprenticeships and partnerships with education providers and charities, such as Springboard, Hospitality Connect and University College Birmingham, delivered more than 300 work experiences and placements in the past year.

Sustainability remained high on the agenda for the Belfry, too, with the hotel achieving major energy efficiencies through smart heating controls, LED lighting and harvesting rainwater for irrigation across its extensive golf facilities.

All in all, the Belfry has had an exceptional year and, as judge Andrew McKenzie put it, has truly “excelled in its class”.

What the judges said

“A standalone hotel which has excelled in its class. Innovative, very well-run and it has regained its iconic status after a few years in the wilderness.” Andrew McKenzie 

“A hotel that has had an extraordinary journey in recent years under excellent leadership. Significant investment and a genuine focus on people have created an exceptional resort that delivers for its customers, financials, its people and true community.” Neil Kedward

The shortlist

• The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield
• The Grand, York
• The Tawny, Stoke-on-Trent
• Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall

The judges

• Kevin Brooke, the Jenners Building
• Neil Kedward, Seren Collection
• Andrew McKenzie, Donnington Group
• Jonathan Raggett, Red Carnation Hotel Collection
• Claire Randall, Bovey Castle hotel
• Ed Burrows, Wildhive Callow Hall