Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa

Gym bunnies will be in their element at the newly upgraded Vital Health & Wellbeing Club. The gym here is air-conditioned and fully stocked with Life Fitness cardio, functional, and free weight equipment – and it all syncs to your phone via the Life fitness app. 

If you thrive on group energy, there’s a packed weekly schedule featuring everything from Les Mills Bodypump and Spin to fast-paced Metafit and Boxing circuits. And when you’ve finished getting your pump on, head straight to the sauna and steam room to boost your recovery.

If your idea of fitness involves a fairway, pack your clubs for a day on the greens. Perfect for those who like to pamper and par, there are two professionally designed courses waiting right outside the door – the challenging Emerald Course, or the shorter, faster-paced Sapphire Course. 

Prefer a walk? Head 20 minutes down the road to the spectacular Hawkstone Park Follies. This rugged woodland park is a fantastic natural obstacle course. You’ll get a serious leg workout climbing the 100-foot monument steps, squeezing through narrow cliff chasms and hiking across steep, rocky trails.

Aqua Fitness sessions in the pool every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am until 11.45am

For a laid-back bite, head straight to the cosy Denby Lounge. Flooded with natural light, huge windows look right out over the fairways, making it the ultimate spot to settle in and watch the golfing action outside. Open from mid-morning until late, you can tuck into a classic afternoon tea, or drop by post-spa for a crisp glass of wine.

When evening rolls around, book a table at Borders Restaurant where chefs champion fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a magical menu of modern British dishes. In the mood for something spicy? Choose a rich, aromatic curry from their signature ‘Flavours of India’ menu, designed in partnership with twice Michelin-star awarded Atul Kochhar.

There is! Open from 6.30am until 10pm on weekdays (and 7am to 9pm on weekends), the tranquil 20m indoor pool is incredibly inviting, thanks to uninterrupted views directly across the golf course. Take a dip to clear your head or grab a lounger by the window to while away the hours with a good book.

There is, and with 80 bright, spacious bedrooms, overnight stays will always be a temptation. Elegantly designed for a superior night’s sleep, all room categories feature sumptuous bedding, flat-screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms stocked with luxury Elemis toiletries. If you upgrade to a Feature King or Super Deluxe room, you’ll enjoy extra luxuries, including fluffy bathrobes, slippers and private, ground-floor furnished patios.

It’s on the fringes of Whitchurch, a historic market town on the border where Shropshire meets Cheshire and North Wales. The golf course runs alongside the idyllic hamlet of Grindley Brook, a charming spot famous for its three-chamber canal staircase lock. 

But while you may feel like you’re miles away from anywhere, you’re just a five-minute drive from the medieval timber-framed buildings of Whitchurch town centre, and a scenic 30-minute drive from the historic Roman walls of Chester. 

Here on an overnight stay at the hotel? You can check in any time from 3pm, while check-out time is 11am. For spa packages, arrival times vary so do check your booking confirmation. 

Yes it is, featuring spacious bedrooms with rollaway or sofa beds, plus a children’s menu packed with family favourites at the Denby Lounge and Borders Restaurant. Although spa packages are for those aged 16 and over, mini hotel guests can splash in the pool between 9am and 11am, and then again from 3pm to 6pm each day. 

High-energy little ones will love Alderford Lake with its inflatable aqua park and paddleboard hire, while the magical treehouses and zip lines of BeWILDerwood Cheshire offer an immersive outdoor adventure. You can also head over to Hawkstone Park Follies to climb cliffs and explore real caves.

Yes, it is. The hotel has accessible bedrooms, and they’re thoughtfully designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Rooms include wet‑room roll‑in showers, grab rails, emergency pull cords and lowered amenities, and there are accessible parking bays right outside the main entrance for easy arrival.

The Vital Health & Wellbeing Club is also step‑free throughout the changing areas, gym floor and spa treatment rooms. The poolside area is flat too, but there isn’t a mechanical hoist for pool entry – access to the water is via integrated steps.

Their little tails will be wagging because the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa is exceptionally pet-friendly! The hotel welcomes up to two well-behaved dogs per room, with a personalised welcome letter and a few tasty pet treats to help them settle in. There is a standard pet fee of £15 per night, and dogs are welcome to join you in the main reception areas and the Denby Lounge.

The clue’s in the name with this one! Macdonald Hill Valley is a Shropshire golf destination with not one, but two 18-hole courses, designed by TV golfing legends Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas. For a serious test of your skills, take on the challenge of the championship-level Emerald Course. But if you prefer a faster, more relaxed round, the shorter Sapphire Course is a highly enjoyable alternative that is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to practice their short game.