The Belfry aims to host Ryder Cup again following £26m refurbishment

21 February 2014 by
The Belfry aims to host Ryder Cup again following £26m refurbishment

The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield has ambitions to host the Ryder Cup for an unprecedented fifth time following a £26m refurbishment of the 319-bedroom hotel.

Lynn Hood, general manager of the property, which is owned by American group KSL Partners and managed by De Vere Hotels, said that the new look hotel, combined with the championship golf course, has created a resort that should be able to once again attract major tournaments.

"The Belfry is regarded as the spiritual home of the Ryder Cup having previously hosted the event on four occasions (1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002) and it would be wonderful to welcome it here again," she said. "The aim is certainly to attract championship golf back to the Belfry."

Located within 520 acres of thenWarwickshire countryside with three 18-hole golf courses, the Belfry's former glory had faded under previous owner, Irish businessman Sean Quinn. Following the sale to KSL in summer 2012, the decision was taken to breathe new life into the hotel and create a fully-fledged leisure resort which would also attract large-scale corporate events and conferences.

"Starting with a new façade and entrance, we have created a wonderful sense of arrival which leads to a very elegant, stylish, comfortable hotel," said Hood. "The new reception provides guests with a wow feeling from the beginning, before their eyes are led to the opulent American-style Brabazon bar, forming the heart and soul of the property.

"Everything else spins off from the bar, including the Ryder Grill, which replaces the old-style hotel dining room, and the conference space where we can accommodate up to 325 for dinner in the largest of the 21 suites."

Chef director Glen Watson is overseeing the food and beverage across the resort, including the Ryder Grill, which has an open-plan kitchen serving signature dishes such at 28-day dry-aged steak from nearby 19 Gales Farm.

Pringle golf jumpers have provided the primary inspiration for the new-look bedrooms, which include 14 suites, with diamond-patterned wallpaper prevalent throughout.

Final touches to the some of the bedrooms, leisure club and spa are to be put in place over the next two months, with the entire refurbishment due to be completed by May.

The Belfry returns to the De Vere fold under a management contract >>

Lynn Hood to head refurbishment of iconic golf hotel and resort, the Belfry >>


De Vere looks to create golf resort division >>

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