The imposing hotel housing nearly four hundred rooms towers above the Usk Valley. This is Welsh hospitality on a very North American scale. Sweeping views from the rooms take in the golf courses, the Severn estuary and rather unfortunately, the M4. Still, as we discovered, this does have its benefits. Less than five minutes after exiting the motorway you can be in the vast lobby, checking yourself in.

Arriving in our spacious room we found a view overlooking one of three top class golf courses that have made The Celtic Manor a golfer’s paradise – including the stunning new Twenty Ten course designed and built specifically for the Ryder cup. Non golfers needn’t feel left out though – the range of other facilities means pampering and relaxation are never far away and it wasn’t long before we headed to the Forum Spa for a full body massage in one of the 16 private beauty treatment rooms.

After an hour of manipulation by a very attentive masseuse it was easy to understand why The Forum Spa has been nominated in the spa of the year awards. Feeling suitably relaxed we headed to the swimming pool – a little on the small side for a hotel of this size but after purging our skin in the sauna and steam room it was back to the room to shower in the luxurious marble bathroom and relax with a pre-dinner drink.

With three AA rosettes The Crown is the hotel’s flagship fine dining venue and a partnership with the Michelin-stared South Wales restaurant, the Crown at Whitebrook. The intimate ambiance, exciting food and attentive staff made for a fantastic evening.

Waking early we couldn’t resist a dunk in the icy cold plunge pool before getting some muscle therapy in the Jacuzzi – just the ticket to work up an appetite before a hearty breakfast. There was the option to order from the menu but the popular choice was clearly centred around the buffet, and who were we to disagree? We attacked the cooked breakfast with gusto. Providing fresh and well cooked food on such a large scale is a challenge that was handsomely met.

With typical efficiency and the friendly service that we received throughout our stay it was time to leave. Wales might be a small nation but with luxurious and ambitious places such as the Celtic Manor Resort it’s punching well above its weight. Bring on the Ryder Cup 2010…