For the first time in its history, the four-star Vale Resort in Hensol, South Wales, has been crowned as both Wales’ Best Golf Hotel and Best Resort Spa three years running by an international awards body that recognises excellence in tourism.

The resort was named Wales’ Best Resort Spa 2019 at the fifth annual World Spa Awards, for the third year running, at the World Spa Awards in the Armani Hotel Dubai, situated at Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest tower.

It also retained its crown of Wales’ Best Golf Hotel 2019, also for the third consecutive year, at the sixth annual World Golf Awards, where this year’s ceremony was held at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

It is the first time the Vale Resort has retained both titles for the third year in a row.

The two ceremonies are organised by the World Travel Awards to recognise the best in travel and leisure, which have been described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’.

In both awards, votes are cast by professionals working within each industry and by members of the public.

The Vale Resort fought off stiff competition to win the title of Wales’ Best Golf Hotel 2019 from the Celtic Manor Resort and Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel & Spa, while the Vale Spa also triumphed over the Forum Spa at Celtic Manor and the Spa at Corran Resort to scoop the title of Best Resort Spa.

Stephanie Metson, marketing manager at the Vale Resort, said:

“The World Travel Awards are recognised on a global scale and are an industry-wide benchmark of quality, so to meet its high standards this many times is a huge accolade.

“We’ve consistently fought off strong competition and to win both awards not once, not twice, but three times, is testament to the hard work our entire team put in day in, day out.

“We recently also announced a craft gin distillery which is opening in the new year in the cellars of Hensol Castle. Spa goers and golfers 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.”