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Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

Tucked into the rolling Cheshire countryside just east of Chester, Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa is a smart choice for a UK golf break when you want variety on the course and a proper resort base. The headline is the Donald Steel-designed Championship Course, a strategic test where shaping the ball and picking the right side of the fairway matters. Alongside it, the Premier Course offers a different look for your second round, while the 9-hole Arderne is ideal for a warm-up loop, a quick extra nine or a mixed-ability group.

Off the course, Portal's big advantage is that you're not at the mercy of the weather. The on-site academy, billed as the largest indoor golf academy in Europe, gives you a reliable practice option, plus there's a well-stocked pro shop for last-minute kit and essentials. Following an £11 million refurbishment, the hotel feels modern and comfortable, with a spa that's well set up for post-round recovery and dining options that suit everything from a relaxed bite to a proper evening meal. It's a strong all-in-one option for a North West golf break, and a top pick for a quick England trip when you want great courses and proper resort facilities in one place.

Who is this for?
Groups who want a straightforward North West golf break with three courses on site, a reliable practice option and a spa to keep the non-golfers happy too.

Who is it best for?
Mixed-ability trips that want variety across rounds, plus low to mid-handicappers who'll enjoy the Championship Course as the main test.

Featured offer

Book with confidence - Best Price Guarantee

From £129
per person

1 Night, 2 Rounds

Free Places for Groups
  • Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
  • 1 round at Premier Course
  • 1 round at Championship Course
  • FREE! 12 TP5 Golf Balls (RRP £50) when you Book Online. Must use code HISTORY. (Groups 4+)
Speak with someone who's been there! Call us on 0800 043 6644 from 9AM Saturday

Top Offers at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

We found 3 offers that match your search. If you can't see the package you want, simply call 0800 043 6644 and our Golf Travel Experts can help.

From £129
per person

1 Night, 2 Rounds

Free Places for Groups
  • Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
  • 1 round at Premier Course
  • 1 round at Championship Course
  • FREE! 12 TP5 Golf Balls (RRP £50) when you Book Online. Must use code HISTORY. (Groups 4+)
From £219
per person

2 Nights, 3 Rounds

Free Places for Groups
  • Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
  • 3 rounds at Premier Course or Championship Course
  • FREE! 12 TP5 Golf Balls (RRP £50) when you Book Online. Must use code HISTORY. (Groups 4+)
From £299
per person

3 Nights, 4 Rounds

Free Places for Groups
  • Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
  • 2 rounds at Premier Course
  • 2 rounds at Championship Course
  • FREE! 12 TP5 Golf Balls (RRP £50) when you Book Online. Must use code HISTORY. (Groups 4+)

Golf Courses at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

Championship Course

The Championship Course at Portal is relatively unknown to a wide audience, but having opened in 1990, it is one of the best courses to be completed in England in the modern era. In fact, it was named ‘Golf Course Of The Year' in 1995, and is the star of Portal's golfing complex.

Designer Donald Steel has created a challenge that is characterised by unique and distinctive holes; expansive water hazards and cascading waterfalls are among the tests. The signature is typical of Steel's magnificent 7,041 yard layout - the long third tips the scales at 607 yards, with a green guarded by a beautiful lake.

Signature hole- No. 14:  Par 3, 136 yards (White), SI 17 (Men), 4 (Ladies)

The Championship signature hole plays to almost an island green, with water around the front, side and back of the green and a couple of waterfalls too. The best entrance would be straight down the middle, as this would avoid two large trees which overhang either side, and could easily rebound your ball back into the water.

Course Information

Par 73
Designed by Donald Steel
Opened for play 1990

Tees

White 7,041 yards SSS 75
Yellow 6,495 yards SSS 72
Red 5,789 yards SSS 73

Premier Course

While the Premier Course at Portal will always be in the shade of its award-winning sibling, it is a cracking course in its own right. Overlooking the Cheshire Plains, the par-71 parkland track is shorter than the Championship Course, measuring 6,582 yards, but benefits from the same stunning water and woodland backdrop.

Both courses are consistently maintained in immaculate condition, and together form the basis that has made Portal one of the best destinations for a golf break in the north west.

Signature hole - No. 15:  Par 3, 205 yards (White), SI 11 (men), 17 (ladies)

The 15th on the Premier is a breathtaking hole. Playing very high up, the elevated tee is almost on a cliff face and the approach has to be judged well, due to a sheer drop to the low-down kidney shaped green. Accuracy is paramount on this hole as there are trees which overhang on both sides and bunkers to the left and right of the green.

Course Information

Par 71
Designed by Tim Rouse
Opened for play 1990

Tees

White 6,582 yards SSS 73
Yellow 6,293 yards SSS 71
Red 5,688 yards SSS 74

Arderne Course

The Arderne Course at the Macdonald Portal Hotel is a 9 hole par 30 golf course and is a fantastic test of your short game. The course comprises of 3 par 4’s and 6 par 3’s and has a total yardage of 1724. There are two sets of tee’s so this course can be played twice. The Lee Westwood Golf School use this course for practicing so you never know who you might catch a glimpse of!

Course Information

Par 30
Designed by Donald Steel
Opened for play 1990

Tees

White 3,472 yards SSS 30
Yellow 3,248 yards SSS 30

Accommodation at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

The accommodation consists of 85 rooms and 6 executive suites, all thoughtfully equipped for a comfortable stay. Every room comes with a minibar, internet access, tea and coffee facilities, an en suite bathroom, satellite TV and a proper work area if you need it. The executive suites take things up a notch with private balconies that look out over the beautiful estate, perfect for a morning coffee before your round or an evening drink after you've come off the course.

The £11 million investment touched every corner of the property, so the public areas feel just as polished as the bedrooms. From the moment you arrive to the moment you check out, you're in a space that's been designed with comfort and quality in mind, the sort of place where you can settle in properly rather than just passing through. The rooms are spacious enough to spread out your kit, the beds are comfortable, and the bathrooms are modern and well appointed. If you're staying for a few nights and playing multiple rounds, that level of comfort makes a real difference.

The suites are worth the upgrade if you're celebrating something or just want a bit more space and a view to go with it. Waking up to a view over the estate, especially in summer when the course is at its best, sets the tone for a good day's golf. The standard rooms are more than adequate for most trips, but the suites add a touch of luxury that rounds out the experience nicely.

Food & Drink

The Salt Brasserie is a genuine highlight, serving some of the best food in the region. The menu focuses on quality Scottish-bred beef and lamb, alongside fish sourced from the renowned Loch Fyne Oyster Company. It's proper dining without being stuffy, the kind of meal that rounds off a day on the course perfectly. The kitchen takes the estate-to-table approach seriously, and you can taste the difference in the ingredients. If you're after something more relaxed, the Lounge Bar overlooks the Cheshire Plains and is ideal for a drink or a lighter bite in more casual surroundings.

Leisure Facilities

The spa is where you'll want to spend any time you're not on the golf course. The facilities are impressive, built around a philosophy of proper relaxation and recovery. You've got a sauna, rock sauna, aroma steam bath, salt infusion suite and ice bath, all designed to soothe tired muscles after 36 holes. The 18-metre swimming pool is perfect for a few gentle laps, and the beauty treatment menu covers everything from sports massage to full spa days. It's the sort of setup that makes Portal feel less like a golf hotel and more like a full resort experience, particularly useful if you're travelling with non-golfers or just want to balance serious golf with proper downtime.

Macdonald Portal Hotel and Golf Club sits in Tarporley, 11 miles east of Chester. You're looking at roughly 27 miles from both Manchester Airport and Liverpool Airport, and about 20 miles from Winsford train station, so access is straightforward whether you're driving or flying in.

Address: Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire, England, CW6 0DJ

Features

  • Indoor Swimming Pool
  • Spa
  • Sauna
  • Beauty Salon
  • Gymnasium
  • Conference Facilities
  • Private Dining

Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Reviews

Overall rating: 8.4 / 10

Hotel reviews

8.4 8.4 / 10

Bar / Restaurant
8 / 10
Facilities
8.8 / 10
Location
9.4 / 10
Room comfort
9.2 / 10
Staff
8.6 / 10
Value for money
8.2 / 10

10 / 10

Service excellent. Food very good. Overall very satisfied.

Lionel Reviewed 17 Mar 2020

10 / 10

Great course, staff are really nice. Booking with golf travel was really straight forward to. Thomas sorted everything out and made the booking really simple. Would definitely book again.

Michael Reviewed 10 Mar 2020

10 / 10

Excellent. Very quiet - which was fine by us. Bar prices bit steep but food was good, staff very friendly, room warm, big beds.

John Reviewed 25 Jan 2020

10 / 10

Great hotel the rooms are fantastic the golf was brilliant the only thing i could say was they were under staffed so did take quite long for the food to come.

Darryl Reviewed 17 Sep 2019

10 / 10

Accommodation was clean and tidy. A funny smell on entering our room. The wardrobe door was broken.

Gailo Reviewed 15 Sep 2019

8 / 10

Nice hotel,unfortunately they are short on staff.The food was fantastic,unfortunately due to staffing levels.It took 1hr 50mins in the restaurant.I had to ask 3 different people to finally get the bill.

Darren Reviewed 21 Aug 2019

6 / 10

Disappointing slow service in restaurant Saturday night, meals that came out were not as per menu, carrot and ginger soup was actually carrot and coriander and when enquired waitress said would get bank to us and never did Also dessert said with custard and cane with ice cream, again didn’t come back to us after enquiry

Peter Reviewed 20 Aug 2019

10 / 10

All staff were exceedingly friendly andaccommodating during our stay.

Karen Reviewed 18 Aug 2019

8 / 10

The rooms were very comfortable with 2 king size beds and room to move around. The bathroom had a bath and shower cubicle. The food over the three day was without fault with three choices for each course, the breakfast was one of the best I’ve had with mushrooms that tasted like they had been picked in the field not soggy and tasteless, sausages that had flavour and eggs fried with firm white and soft yolk. The bar was buzzing with a wedding party and unfortunately there were not enough staff but those that were there worked well under pressure. Prices were reasonable and with the help of 20% off and a £10 drinks voucher we survived !! Would recommend and return.

Keith Reviewed 30 Jul 2019

10 / 10

i had read recent reveiws on the hotel saying pricey lack staff but we had a fabulous time here and would recommend to anyone

Anita Reviewed 3 Jul 2019

6 / 10

Room was a bit stale need a good airing and no free water surprising for a Macdonald. Overall site was well kept. Service was prompt and smiling. Excellent breakfast choices

Chris Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

10 / 10

Brilliant hotel, staff very helpful & polite

Nia Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

10 / 10

The hotel was the best this group had stayed in during our last seven years. The staff were friendly and helpful, nothing was to much. The rooms were outstanding Not one adverse comment was made of my party of 96. Very happy to return again.

Keith Reviewed 26 Jun 2019

6 / 10

It’s a basic hotel. Rooms we were allocated were ground floor and smelt of damp.they were adequate for the purpose of one nights accommodation. Food was very disappointing. Our evening meal was booked by ourselves as YGT forgot to book our meal time. Dinner was poor. A choice of 3 starters,3 mains of gammon, salmon or vegetarian pasta. All plated before hand and served canteen style. Not enough food. We asked for extra veg. But this was not forthcoming. Breakfast was buffet style. Overall pretty poor would not go again. We walked into the village in the evening and had a pleaser evening in the local pubs. A couple of pubs served food. Which helped a number of hungry golfers.

Brian Reviewed 20 Jun 2019

10 / 10

The hotel is very nice, the bar prices was a bit steep. The food was very nice.

John Reviewed 17 Jun 2019

8 / 10

The reception staff were very friendly and helpful. The bar staff are fantastic adverts for this hotel,great fun and very helpful. the restaurant staff are very nice and again very helpful. Its a real shame that a complex with such beautiful golf courses dont seem to know anything about golf as the Tee times are crammed in and the pace of play is appalling.

Andrew Reviewed 12 Jun 2019

8 / 10

Bradley Reviewed 11 Jun 2019

10 / 10

Hotel and the facilities provided were excellent. Spacious room. Breakfast was a good standard. Evening meal meant 3 courses from a set menu or £25 off the a la carte. We had the second option which gave you 2 courses and the food was top notch. Bar prices were expensive so we took a 5 minute taxi ride into Tarporley on our two nights and found the pubs warm and welcoming. The only down side was despite being given our 4 tee times by YGT, when we arrived at the course, none of these times were reserved, nor were any other times. This is the 5th time I’ve booked with YGT and never had this problem before so I put it down to a hiccup rather than an on going problem. The pro was very good however, and sorted us out so we didn’t miss any golf

David Reviewed 6 Jun 2019

10 / 10

A first class hotel, I cannot fault a single member of staff, everyone was friendly, charming and helpful.

David Reviewed 25 May 2019

10 / 10

We had one problem, on the first night the dining room was terribly understaffed and they had split us into 2 separate tables. I told the overworked and very stressed manageress that I had agreed with the hotel manager, during my visit in March, that we should have 1 table each night. She sorted it out entirely to our satisfaction.

Mike Reviewed 21 May 2019

8 / 10

General experience very good, staff were very friendly and helpful. Only issues were .. the Bar ran out of Beer (Bitter) each night (3) we were there. (Wasn't us Gov' we were only 4) Plus each evening there was 1 or 2 items on the Menu unvailable. However, Good Food.

Peter Reviewed 19 May 2019

4 / 10

the hotel ruined the break by over booking the meal booked for 6.30 a year ago they changed it 2days before our trip to 9.15 not good aparty of 24 only 16 dined as it was to late for some hotel not intrested over 100 diners in the room and 1 bar staff same in the lobby bar no good enough for a 4 star the staff were great though not go thier again and not recomend it ruined my trip for me as i had organised it

Chris Reviewed 1 May 2019

10 / 10

Lovely large bedrooms with 2 comfy armchairs. Elemis toiletries a very nice treat too. Breakfast and dinner both excellent with hot plates and v nice presentation. Spa area and swimming pool fabulous

Lynda Reviewed 1 May 2019

6 / 10

The hotel is very well appointed and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Very good beds and showers. It is let down badly by the standard of catering. We had a party of 16 booked in the restaurant and we were then told it was a buffet. On arriving in the dining area our table was taken by a number of other people watching the Masters. The buffet had obviously been laid on to cope with the Masters event however the quality of the food was appalling. Many other groups were also complaining. Breakfast was only slightly better although this was in the proper restaurant.

Ray Reviewed 17 Apr 2019

4 / 10

Our trip was a bit of a nightmare from start to finish. The place was completely overbooked, overpriced, they kept trying to charge us for stuff when we had already paid for everything, had to argue to get into the restaurant which we were told we had and then spent 2 hours in there for a 2 course meal, then they tried to charge us for someone else table, had to come off the golf course because it took 2 of us 3 hours to do 9 holes because it was so busy and slow. I could go on all day about how poor the experience was.

Chris Reviewed 9 Apr 2019

10 / 10

This was a lovely hotel with lovely staff food and rooms. Golf course on site was lovely and the site up the road was also very good but sadly very inclement weather on day 1 meant we only really got one full round of golf so missed out on the first day due to heavy storms and bitingly cold winds. Hope to return for the full experience sometime. Can recommend.

Sandra Reviewed 8 Apr 2019

4 / 10

We were disappointed with the condition of the Hotel. Thread bare carpets in the Bar area etc. This Hotel was advertised as having a Multi Million pound refurbishment but there was no evidence of this. The temperature in the Hotel was always very cold. The reception staff were quite rude when I asked to take a swipe of my debit card instead of a credit card, they did not allow this, which I found peculiar. The food in the Restaurant was very poor, both for dinner and breakfast. We even had to serve our own Tea and Coffee from thermos flasks, these drinks were luke warm as was the buffet breakfast, the foreign staff were unhelpful and unpleasant. This Hotel was nowhere near its 4 Star Accreditation in my opinion. We will not be returning.

Raymond Reviewed 1 Apr 2019

8 / 10

Ok

Jack Reviewed 25 Oct 2018

8 / 10

EVERYONE IN OUR GROUP THROUGHLY ENJOYED OUR WEEKEND. THE STAFF WERE GREAT AND FOOD IN RESTUARANT WAS EXCELLANT. HAD GREAT NIGHT IN THE BAR, BUT PRICES ABIT STEEP

Keith Reviewed 17 Oct 2018

10 / 10

Hotel has excellent facilities with a great choice of food and drinks.

Chris Reviewed 12 Oct 2018

10 / 10

Great hotel. Everything was spot on, nice rooms, nice food, friendly staff and a good atmosphere around the hotel.

Steven Reviewed 10 Oct 2018

10 / 10

Lovely welcome, very nice hotel, clean accomodation, staff giving good service, food excellent, 2 good golf courses well maintained. only down side was the weather on one of the days. Really fabulous 2 days which we all enjoyed and recommend to anyone.

Kenneth Reviewed 5 Oct 2018

8 / 10

Lovely hotel, but the sign on the main road was covered by a hedge where the arrow shows left, but because we couldn't see this we went right for 4 mins then decided to turn round, we were also asked if we had booked our time slot for eating, we didn't know about that either before the trip

Joanne Reviewed 3 Oct 2018

8 / 10

Staff very helpful, very clean and rooms were comfortable.

Marlene Reviewed 28 Sep 2018

8 / 10

Martin Reviewed 18 Sep 2018

Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Frequently Asked Questions

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is at 14:00 and check out is 11:00

Is there parking on site?

Yes

What are the leisure facilities at the resort?

There is an indoor pool, gym, and a bundle of Spa packages which can be bought including thermal facilities and luxurious ELEMIS treatment.

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