Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

Make sure you pack your trainers! Gym bunnies will be in their element at the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club. The newly-upgraded gym comes fully stocked with state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio, functional and free weight equipment – and it all syncs to your phone via the Life Fitness Connect app.

If you thrive on group energy you’re spoilt for choice. The wellness studio has been upgraded with ambient lighting, perfect for pilates and yoga classes, while the spin studio is kitted out with 25 spin bikes. The fitness studio has pump bars, assault bikes and SkiErgs and hosts a variety of classes including step, BodyPump, Zumba, boxercise, circuits, stretch, abs and kettlebells.

There are three golf courses for sports lovers, but if you prefer a walk, head 10 minutes down the road to the spectacular Delamere Forest. This sprawling woodland is Cheshire’s largest area of greenery and serves as a fantastic natural obstacle course. You’ll get a serious leg workout hiking up to Old Pale Hill for panoramic views over seven counties, navigating the winding forest trails, or tackling the elevated rope bridges at the on-site Go Ape course.

It wouldn’t be a spa break if you didn’t get to dine on something delicious – and the award-winning lineup at Macdonald Portal Hotel ensures you stay beautifully well-fed and watered…

Salt Restaurant

Holding a prestigious AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence, this flagship venue pairs panoramic views over the Cheshire countryside with a menu packed with modern British flavours. Sink your fork into PGI-accredited Scotch beef aged on the bone for 21 days, or sample wild white fish caught sustainably and delivered fresh to the kitchen every morning. 

Lounge & Bar

If your vibe leans more towards a lazy afternoon in a plush armchair, the Lounge & Bar is your go-to sanctuary. The ideal spot to unwind over a freshly brewed coffee (or a crisp glass of wine), the menu keeps things laid-back, serving up casual light bites, classic club sandwiches and comforting mains.

St Andrews Sports Bar

Inspired by the legendary home of golf, the newly revamped St Andrews Sports Bar boasts comfy booths, large screens for the latest sporting action and even a unique eight-foot sloping indoor putting green to keep your short game sharp! Expect a crowd-pleasing menu with gourmet burgers and loaded pizzas, alongside an excellent selection of single malt whiskies from Loch Lomond. 

Seeking poolside serenity? Get that robe on and walk this way! At the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa, your water-based wellness journey unfolds around a sleek, 18m heated indoor swimming pool, flooded with light courtesy of dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows that frame breathtaking views.

Flanked by comfortable poolside loungers, it’s the ultimate, grown-up sanctuary. But once you step out of the refreshing waters, the self-care continues in the rock sauna and aroma steam room, for a blissed-out circuit designed to leave you feeling utterly pampered from head to toe.

Tempted to turn a spa day into a spa stay? You’re in luck. The resort features 85 bedrooms that blend traditional countryside decor with modern comforts. Every room is kitted out with large beds, flat-screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms, plus a generous supply of Elemis toiletries.

If you want to pull out all the stops for a memorable retreat, upgrade to a Deluxe Room or a Deluxe Suite. These offer significantly more living space and private balconies and patios. 

Staying overnight? Check-in starts from 3pm, giving you plenty of time to unpack before you hit the spa. When it’s time to say goodbye, check-out is by 111am so you can enjoy a leisurely morning before heading home.

If you’re here for a spa day, arrival times vary depending on the pamper package you’ve booked. Be sure to check your booking confirmation so you don’t miss a single second of poolside lounging!

It’s right in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, just on the outskirts of the charming village of Tarporley. But although it’s the ultimate rural escape, you’re just 11 miles from the historic city of Chester if you fancied a spot of shopping or sightseeing. 

If walking’s more your thing, Delamere Forest is just a ten-minute drive, while history buffs can take a short drive to explore the medieval ruins of Beeston Castle. Alternatively, you can spend a lazy afternoon wandering through Tarporley itself. This well-to-do historic village is famous for its boutique shopping and has the UK’s oldest field sports club.

Travelling with your mini-VIPs? The hotel offers spacious Family Rooms along with children’s menus to stop little tummies from rumbling. Kids can swim between 9am and 11am and again from 3pm to 6pm each day, while nearby Delamere Forest has a Go Ape course that’s great for burning off energy. Alternatively, you can pack a picnic and head 15 minutes away to the Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre to get up close with the gentle giants.

Yes, it is, with accessible bedrooms that feature lowered switches, emergency pull cords and wide doorways, along with roll-in showers, grab rails, shower chairs and lowered washbasins. Dedicated accessible parking bays are positioned close to the reception doors to ensure a smooth arrival.

Over at the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club, level access connects the adapted changing areas directly to the gym floor, thermal suites and the main indoor pool. While the poolside surroundings are flat and easy to navigate, entry into the water is via standard integrated steps – and the hotel doesn’t have pool hoist.

Time to pack the squeaky toys! Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa is fabulously dog-friendly and costs £15 per dog, per night. Your pup is more than welcome to join you for a relaxing meal in the Lounge Bar, while the resort’s sprawling grounds make for wonderful walkies.

The clue’s in the name with this one. Golf fans hit the jackpot at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa as it has not just one, but three spectacular courses to play on. 

The Championship Course has 18 holes that take you through mature trees and eye-catching water hazards – including a cascading waterfall that will truly test your focus. The Premier Course is a stunning 18-hole track designed by European Golf Design with some seriously challenging undulating greens. Finally, the Arderne Course is a picturesque nine-hole layout that’s perfect for a fun round with friends.