1 Night, 2 Rounds
Surrounded by tranquil Cheshire countryside, Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa is a fabulous resort that boasts two of the very finest courses in the North West.
The Championship Course is the headline act, designed by the legendary Donald Steel, it remains one of the best hidden gems in the country. Alongside the 18-hole Premier Course and 9-hole Arderne Course, Portal is completed by the largest indoor golf academy in Europe.
Terrific resort facilities match the courses to provide one of the most sought-after golf break destinations in England. Following the completion of a ₤11 million investment, the hotel at Portal is a real delight and is a golf break destination where you can truly relax and unwind. Some of the best features include the state-of-the-art spa and the delightful Ranulf Restaurant.
With a choice of three great golf courses, and facilities including the largest indoors-golfing academy in Europe, and a fantastically well stocked pro-shop, The Portal Hotel has established itself as a world-class championship venue, ideal for all standard of player.
* Where applicable, the relevant promotions will be applied during the booking process. T&Cs may apply.
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
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.
| Par | 73 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1990 |
| White | 7,041 yards | SSS 75 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 6,495 yards | SSS 72 |
| Red | 5,789 yards | SSS 73 |
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.
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Tim Rouse |
| Opened for play | 1990 |
| White | 6,582 yards | SSS 73 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 6,293 yards | SSS 71 |
| Red | 5,688 yards | SSS 74 |
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!
| Par | 30 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1990 |
| White | 3,472 yards | SSS 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 3,248 yards | SSS 30 |
The accommodation consists of 85 rooms and 6 executive suites, all of which are complete with a mini-bar, internet access, tea/coffee making facilities, en suite bathroom, satellite television and a work area. The suites boast private balconies, which afford fantastic views of the beautiful estate surrounding the hotel.
The investment scheme encompassed the entire property, and as such, the public areas are equally as plush as the deluxe bedrooms, ensuring that your golf break at Potal will be comfortable from the first moment to last.
The Salt Brasserie is among the region's best - choose from the finest Scottish-bred beef and lamb, or the fish, sourced from the famed Loch Fyne Oyster Company. For something more laid back, unwind with a drink or snack in the Lounge Bar, overlooking the beautiful Cheshire Plains.
Indulgence is the buzz word in Portal's state-of-the-art Spa. The relaxing tranquil environment will soothe mind, body and soul, and is complemented by the sauna, rock sauna, aroma steam bath, salt infusion suite and ice bath. In addition to the 18-metre swimming pool, the complex offers a fantastic range of beauty treatments.
Macdonald Portal Hotel and Golf Club is located in Tarporley 11 miles east of Chester, approximately 27 miles from Manchester Airport and Liverpool Airport and 20 miles from Winsford train station.
Address: Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire, England, CW6 0DJ
Philip
✓20 May 2026
Great stay really didn’t think the food was very good there was 4 of us but there was only 1 burger left when it was finally served to me it was cold
Morton
✓18 May 2026
Excellent
Jeremy
✓18 May 2026
Had a great weekend, excellent facilities
steve
✓14 May 2026
Mark
✓14 May 2026
Geof
✓9 May 2026
Daniel
✓4 May 2026
Excellent staff very friendly and polite, waiting staff were a joy to be served by
George
✓29 Apr 2026
Simon
✓28 Apr 2026
Hotel, food, room and gym ace. Staff not that great, if it was busy id be worried about being forgotten.
IEUAN box
✓24 Apr 2026
Amazing stay comfy bed, stunning food great golf
Philip
✓20 May 2026
Much better than the pramier
Philip
✓20 May 2026
Played this course a lot of times over the years but it wasn’t in the best of conditions
Morton
✓18 May 2026
Lovely course but slow play
Morton
✓18 May 2026
Too slow
Jeremy
✓18 May 2026
Course played really well, greens were excellent. A very enjoyable weekend.
Jeremy
✓18 May 2026
Greens need work. Course played nicely. 15th is enjoyable
steve
✓14 May 2026
A very long course which didn't suit the ladies in our group. The greens were slow for the time of year, but this aside, we enjoyed ourselves and some of the views were outstanding. There were some outstanding holes - particularly the 15th on the Premier- which would lure me back again. A shame the bar at the course closed so early (4.30pm)
Mark
✓14 May 2026
Much better round as we were out early morning the course was in very good condition as they were preparing for a junior competition the next day
Mark
✓14 May 2026
The course was very busy we had a pm tee time and it took over 5 hours to get round there seemed to be too many groups sent out at too short an interval we had to wait on every tee and at one point had 3 groups waiting on a tee
Geof
✓9 May 2026
slow greens
Check-in is at 14:00 and check out is 11:00
Yes
There is an indoor pool, gym, and a bundle of Spa packages which can be bought including thermal facilities and luxurious ELEMIS treatment.
