For the third year in a row, the four-star Vale Resort in Hensol, South Wales, has been named Wales’ best resort spa by an international awards body that recognises excellence in tourism.

The Vale Spa, located in the four-star hotel and leisure venue in the Vale of Glamorgan, was named Wales’ Best Resort Spa 2019 at the 5^th annual World Spa Awards. 

The resort is no stranger to accolades and also retained its crown of Wales’ Best Golf Hotel 2019, completing a hat-trick of winning both awards three years running. Last year, it also featured inside the Lonely Planet’s first Wellness Escapes guide, a global list of the best places to experience total wellbeing and relaxation.

The ceremony was organised by the World Travel Awards to recognise the best in travel and leisure, which has been described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’. This year’s ceremony was held in the Armani Hotel Dubai, situated at Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest tower.

The Vale Spa fought off stiff competition from the Forum Spa at Celtic Manor and the Spa at Corran Resort to win the title again. Votes are cast by professionals working within the spa industry and by members of the public. 

Stephanie Metson, marketing manager at the Vale Resort, said: “To have won this award not once, not twice, but three times, is testament to the hard work our entire team put in day in, day out.

“The World Travel Awards is recognised on a global scale and is an industry-wide benchmark of quality, so to meet its high standards more than once demonstrates our commitment to offer the best quality service. 

“We believe our spa, which is Wales’ largest, offers a warm welcome and access to plenty of bespoke relaxation spaces, in addition to indulgent treatments, and that sets us apart from other hotels with spa facilities.”

The Vale Spa has 19 treatment rooms and five bespoke relaxation zones. These include the ‘chill-out’ zone with leather sofas and magazines, the ‘float’ zone, with water beds and water feature, and the ‘slumber’ zone, with low lighting and quilts. The resort’s spa and leisure facilities also include a 20-metre pool, whirlpool bath, steam room and sauna.

Ms Metson added: “We recently also announced a craft gin distillery which is opening in the new year in the cellars of Hensol Castle. Spa goers who want to add a little something extra to their stay or day will be able to add on a tour of the distillery with tastings or even distil, bottle and take home their own bespoke bottle of gin. 

“And if that wasn’t enough, this summer we’re investing in a major spa refurbishment, which will include expanding our spa’s wet facilities, further evidence of how we continue to invest and raise the standard in our spa offer.” 

Media enquiries to:

 Yasmin Akbari at Freshwater on 029 20 545 370 Yasmin.Akbari@freshwater.co.uk or

Stephanie Metson Marketing Manager on 01443 667731 smetson@valeresort.com

Further information and updates about The Vale Resort

Spa

The Vale Spa has 19 treatment rooms and five bespoke relaxation zones. These include the ‘chill-out’ zone with leather sofas and magazines, the ‘float’ zone, with water beds and water feature, and the ‘slumber’ chamber, with low lighting and quilts. The resort’s spa and leisure facilities also include a 20-metre pool, whirlpool bath, steam room and sauna. 

The Vale Resort is also partnered with a host of luxury brands including Clarins and Temple Spa.

Golf

The Vale Resort’s two championship golf courses have been host to a number of PGA and European golf tournaments over the years.

The Wales National, at 7,433 yards off the championship tees, is one of the longest courses outside America. The Lake course, slightly shorter at 6,436 yards, is just as challenging, and aptly named with water coming into play on 12 of its holes.

Hensol Castle Distillery

The cellars of the castle will now be converted into a craft spirit distillery, bonded warehouse, gin school and visitor experience as part of its redevelopment scheme. Visitors will be able to tour the distillery or even distil their own bespoke bottle of gin made to their own specific taste in the gin school.

About the Vale Resort

The independent 4-star Vale Resort is owned by the Leekes family and includes a 143-bedroom hotel, 13-suite conference facility, restaurants & champagne bar, award-winning golf courses, leisure and sports facilities, and a five-bubble spa. It is set in 650 acres of Welsh countryside, just six miles outside Cardiff City Centre and only two hours from London. It has retained its AA Rosette awards for its signature restaurant, the Vale Grill, for the last six years and has retained its Gold Award from Visit Wales for 2017/18.