The Vale Resort at Hensol has further established its reputation as a UK leader within the hospitality industry after receiving maximum points in an AA review for the second year in a row.

The resort’s rating remains at 85% - the highest possible rating for a 4* hotel – and with the average score being 76.7% for 4 star hotels this result puts the Vale Resort at the very top end of the hotel and leisure industry.

The report describes the inspection at the £50million resort as “very positive” and highlights the strengths of the hotel as “clearly in service and hospitality received from a dedicated team”, both of which were assessed as being of 5* standard.

Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of the Vale Resort, said: “We are all delighted with this latest industry accolade. To have retained the highest possible rating is an extremely proud moment for us once again.

“Our vision is to be recognised as one of the finest resorts and members club in Europe,  providing an excellent level of service, quality dining and helpful and professional staff and, through doing that, ensuring that everyone who stays here, be it on business or leisure, has a fantastic experience.

“The fact that we scored such high scores on every aspect of the inspection really shows that we are achieving that vision – and it is undoubtedly all down to the incredible teamwork that we have here at The Vale. Without the efforts of everyone from our housekeeping and reception teams working front of house, to our reservation and administration teams, our food and beverage teams and kitchen porters working behind the scenes, this simply could not have been achieved.”

In addition to the excellent service and hospitality, The AA report picked out a number of other key areas within the hotel for praise including the quality of food, spacious bedrooms and high standards of housekeeping.  The report also made note of the “very good, impeccably presented, friendly staff that interacted well with guests.”

Of the extensive external areas, the report said “grounds including golf courses and leisure facilities are most impressive”

The Resort’s Vale Grill retains its AA Rosette under the guidance of Head Chef Daniel James. Of the food, the report stated that the “food offer was very good with consistency throughout the courses. Dinner was the highlight.”

An inspection from Visit Wales last month also resulted in another excellent report for The Vale Resort. The hotel was once again awarded at 5* rating in the “hospitality and friendliness” category, along with the restaurant and the exterior and leisure facilities.

Celebrity guests to the Vale Resort include the Manchester United team, Matthew Rhys, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Church, Jamie Oliver, Westlife, Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger. The Resort is home to a £4 million WRU National Centre of Excellence training facilities for the Welsh rugby team and also boasts training facilities for the Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City FC and the Welsh FA.

Photo Caption: Stephen Leeke, Managing Director of The Vale Resort with Andrew Rees, Hotel Operations Manager at The Vale Resort