The Belfry named ‘Hotel of the Year – Independent’ at The Cateys 2026

Securing its place among the best of the best of the UK’s independent hotels, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, in the Midlands, has been crowned 2026’s ‘Hotel of the Year – Independent’ at the industry-leading awards, The Cateys. 

Celebrating the finest operators in hospitality, the glittering award ceremony, which took place at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on July 7, recognised the pioneering businesses and exceptional individuals setting new standards across the industry.

Impressing judges with its robust financials and genuine people-centric approach, judge Andrew McKenzie, from the Donnington Group, described The Belfry as a “standalone hotel which has excelled in its class. Innovative and very well-run, it has regained its iconic status…”

A British icon and one of the UK’s most celebrated resort destinations, The Belfry has recently completed a transformative £85m+ expansion that has almost doubled the resort in size. Renowned for its rich sporting heritage, world-class hospitality and vibrant mix of leisure, golf, wellness and business experiences, The Belfry continues to evolve while staying true to the character and warmth that guests know and love. Designed to enhance every aspect of the guest journey and meet the changing needs of today’s business and leisure travellers, the development has modernised and elevated the resort with the addition of 149 stylish new bedrooms, The Masters Suite – a state-of-the-art events and conference venue, The Club – a cutting-edge fitness and leisure centre, and Woodland Adventures, an exciting outdoor play space for younger guests. Together, these additions strengthen The Belfry’s position as an all- encompassing destination where memorable experiences and exceptional service come together.

Highlighting why it clinched the top spot, judge Neil Kedward, from Seren Collection, explained The Belfry is “a hotel that has had an extraordinary journey in recent years under excellent leadership. Significant investment and a genuine focus on people have created an exceptional resort that delivers for its customers, financials, its people and true community.” 

The resort was also praised for its commitment to supporting long-term careers in hospitality, with numerous apprenticeship schemes, training programmes and professional development courses in place, and a comprehensive wellbeing and benefits package for all staff. This is as well as The Belfry’s dedication to creating experiences as sustainable as they are luxurious, with the resort achieving an EarthCheck Silver award and a BREEAM Excellence rating for The Club. 

Reflecting on this celebrated industry recognition, Chris Eigelaar, Managing Director at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, said: “This is an incredible honour and one that means so much to everyone at The Belfry. The award is a testament to the passion, dedication and care shown by our entire team every single day, and to the culture we’ve worked hard to build together.

“Over the past few years, we’ve invested in both our facilities, and our people and the experiences we create for every guest who walks through our doors. We’re grateful to the many guests who choose to return to us time and again, and whether someone is joining us for a family break, a championship golf experience, a spa retreat or a business event, our ambition is always the same – to create moments that stay with our guests long after they leave by bringing together exceptional hospitality, unforgettable experiences and a warm, personal service.”

Judging the award alongside Andrew McKenzie and Neil Kedward, the distinguished panel of industry peers also included Kevin Brooke, from the Jenners Building, Jonathan Raggett, from Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Claire Randall, from Bovey Castle Hotel, and Ed Burrows, from Wildhive Callow Hall.

To learn more about The Belfry, or to book a stay, please visit: https://www.thebelfry.com/. 

For more information, please visit www.thebelfry.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 1675 238600 | Email: enquiries@thebelfry.com

Instagram: @thebelfryhotelandresort | Twitter: @TheBelfryHotel |

Facebook: The Belfry Hotel & Resort | LinkedIn: The Belfry Hotel & Resort

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