Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
About Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Set in the rolling Cheshire countryside, Macdonald Hill Valley is a proper all-rounder for golf trips that want quality golf, comfortable accommodation, and the option to switch off once the clubs are back in the boot.
The resort is home to two championship golf courses - the Hawtree and the Mackintosh - offering a good test without being overly punishing. Both courses are well laid out, playable for mixed-ability groups, and ideal for multi-round trips where variety matters. Expect generous fairways, well-protected greens, and a layout that rewards sensible course management rather than brute force.
Off the course, the hotel delivers exactly what you want from a golf stay. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room to spread out after a long day on the fairways. The bar and restaurant areas are relaxed and sociable, making it easy for groups to gather, replay the day’s best shots (and worst decisions), and settle into the evening.
The spa and leisure facilities add another layer to the experience, particularly for mixed groups or longer stays. Whether it’s a recovery swim, a spa treatment, or simply a quieter afternoon off the course, Hill Valley gives you flexibility without ever feeling like golf is an afterthought.
For Golf Sherpa trips, Hill Valley works especially well for group golf breaks, society weekends, and corporate trips. Everything is on site, logistics are simple, and the overall experience is geared towards golfers who want good courses, a comfortable base, and an easy, well-run stay from check-in to the final putt.
Courses at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Emerald Course
The Emerald Course at Hill Valley offers a more forgiving and accessible golfing experience, making it a popular choice for society groups, mixed-ability golfers, and relaxed rounds during a golf break.
Set within the wider resort landscape, the course features open fairways, gentle undulation, and straightforward hole layouts that encourage confident play from the tee. While it doesn’t demand constant precision, it still rewards good course management and tidy short-game work, particularly around the greens.
For Golf Sherpa trips, the Emerald Course works well as a warm-up round, an arrival-day tee time, or as part of a Ryder Cup–style weekend where pace of play and enjoyment matter just as much as difficulty. It complements the more testing course on site and helps keep a multi-round itinerary balanced.
Sapphire Course
The Sapphire Course is Hill Valley’s shorter layout and is set up as the ideal option for beginners to build confidence—while still keeping better players honest. It’s a par 66 measuring 4,801 yards with an SSS of 64.
Despite the lower yardage, it’s not a “roll up and win” course. The design puts the emphasis on positioning and control, with undulation that can quickly turn a comfortable hole into a proper scramble if you’re out of place.
For Golf Sherpa itineraries, Sapphire works perfectly as:
- an arrival-day warm-up round,
- a quick extra 18 when you’ve got time in the afternoon, or
- a format round (pairs / matchplay / Texas scramble) where pace and fun matter as much as score.
Whereabouts
