From the desk of Penelope Alice, Britain’s most fabulous PA: Belfry Hotel relaunch party

It certainly is a gutsy decision to plan an outdoor event in early March, what with the UK’s notoriously unreliable weather, but Midlands golf resort the Belfry Hotel won me over with its open-air launch party regardless. Thank goodness Mother Nature has blessed us with a bit of warming sunshine recently.

The idea behind the event was to bring the Belfry to London in the form of a VIP Routemaster double-decker bus kitted out in the style of the property itself (pictured above). The team couldn’t have found a better location than the picturesque Bernie Spain Gardens at South Bank. The heaters were cranked up just in case it got too cold, but I managed to stay away from them most of the night thanks to the mild temperature and the fact that I was wearing my winter coat – always be prepared, as they say.

Chef Glen Watson was in attendance to deliver some scrumptious canapés – tiny smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich squares, guacamole, ham hock with homemade apple and green tomato chutney and mini black pudding with a quail egg on top.

I was also treated to a fantastic head, neck and shoulder massage, perfect to relieve the stress of the day. I was tempted to have a go on the golf simulator, but I decided against it when I saw some of the other guests display their superior swings. I’ll skip the risk of embarrassing myself entirely, thanks all the same.

The Belfry has been around for a while, but it recently underwent a massive refurb costing a whopping £26 million. From the pictures on display, it looks to me like the money was well spent; not a room in the place has been left untouched. The new Brabazon Bar looks like something out of a movie, with its stunning art deco design and central glass copula. Check it out for yourself at thebelfry.co.uk.

The spa is the last project in the massive overhaul and is set to be complete in May. I’m thinking a trial stay – purely on behalf of my venue-finding services for dear Mr P – may be in order this summer.

This blog originally appeared on the PA Life Club site. To read more of Penelope Alice’s blog entries and get access to a range of fantastic benefits, including discounts and special deals at dozens of selected retailers and venues, as well as exclusive monthly competitions, networking events and 50% off PA Life’s new training courses, click here: palife.co.uk/pa-life-club