The US-based owners of Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa are to invest £2.4m in refurbishing the hotel, expanding the spa and health club and improving its golf facilities.
Ideally situated within almost 200 acres of parkland, the hotel is renowned for its four-star facilities, and the high standard of its golf courses and PGA Golf Academy, which bring visitors from all over Europe.
HIG Capital, the hotel’s owners, are planning major phased improvements which will see a new look for the hotel’s restaurant and bar, along with redecoration of its 62 bedrooms and the creation of 14 extra loft luxurious bedrooms.
The health club and fitness studios, which currently boast state-of-the-art gym equipment, will have the heated swimming pool extended, three new treatment rooms have been added and the luxury spa and dedicated bistro will be completely revamped.
“There’s already been significant investment into the golf side of the resort and behind the scenes at the hotel within the first year of HIG Capital’s ownership, now we’ve moved on to the first phase of refurbishment and expansion,” says Andrew Pyle, general manager at Formby Hall.
“The Resort has been a success since it opened in 2008, building a loyal following who use all the Resort’s facilities, and it is time to refresh it and give our guests something new.”
As one of the country’s leading destinations for golf breaks, Formby Hall has established a high-profile reputation for hosting elite events and attracting golfers of all abilities from across the UK and Europe.
Existing facilities include the challenging 72 par 18-hole parkland championship Old Course, a links style nine-hole Woodhey Dunes course, floodlit weatherproof driving range and the north west’s only PGA Golf Academy.
Significant investment will enhance the estate’s top golf resort status by adding a new Mizuno teaching studio within the golf academy’s instruction school and developing the Kids Coaching Academy.
Mark Williams, golf manager and head professional, says: “Formby Hall already has a great reputation but the new owners are keen to take us to a new level. We’re really trying to stand out from our competitors. People increasingly prefer to stay at destinations in the UK rather than going abroad – the exchange rate has played a big part in that – so we want to give them additional reasons to stay here.
“I’ve worked and played in Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal, and that’s how I see our facilities, as more of a lifestyle club than just a traditional members-only golf club – we have men, women, children, all ages playing together and dining together in the clubhouse.”
The first phase of refurbishment is on schedule to be completed by the end of May.
