The Belfry Hotel & Resort has been crowned Hotel of the Year – Independent at The Cateys 2026, one of the UK's most prestigious hospitality awards, recognising excellence across the hotel, restaurant and events industry. The award highlights the resort's continued investment, operational excellence and commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences.

Presented during a ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, the judges praised The Belfry for its strong commercial performance, exceptional leadership and people-first culture. Andrew McKenzie, one of the judging panel, described the resort as a "standalone hotel which has excelled in its class", recognising the significant transformation it has undergone in recent years.

The recognition follows the completion of the resort's £85 million expansion, one of the largest investments in its history. The development has almost doubled the size of the property and introduced 149 additional bedrooms, the state-of-the-art Masters Suite conference and events venue, a new leisure and fitness club, and enhanced guest facilities designed for both business and leisure travellers.

For event organisers, the investment has further strengthened The Belfry's position as one of the UK's leading residential conference destinations. Alongside its internationally recognised golf courses, the resort now offers an even broader range of meeting and event spaces capable of hosting conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, product launches and corporate retreats, all supported by extensive accommodation and leisure facilities.

The judges also recognised The Belfry's commitment to developing its people through apprenticeship schemes, professional training programmes and staff wellbeing initiatives, alongside continued investment in sustainability. These achievements demonstrate that the award is based not only on the guest experience, but also on the long-term strength and management of the business.

Receiving a Catey is regarded as one of the highest honours within UK hospitality, making this a significant milestone for The Belfry. The accolade reflects the resort's successful transformation into one of the country's premier destinations for conferences, meetings and corporate events, while reinforcing its reputation for delivering exceptional experiences across every aspect of the business.