aug29 rockliffe

Rockliffe Hall Hotel, golf and spa resort has appointed one of the UK hotel and leisure industry’s most sought-after figures as its managing director.

Nick Holmes, who is a multi-award winning operator in golf, hotel and leisure sectors, is taking up  the post at the luxury five-star resort being developed in Hurworth, near Darlington in County Durham.

Holmes, who has been in charge of some of the most prestigious venues in the UK, will officially take his place in the hot seat later this year once he has relocated to the North East.

The 51 year old, who is originally from the Wirral, said: “Rockliffe Hall has been the talk-about new destination in the UK leisure industry over recent months. To be considered for this post is an honour for me. This is going to become the new standard-bearer for quality resort experience in the north of England.

“All the hard work which has gone into getting Rockliffe Hall to this stage makes my new role an immediate joy as so much has been put in place already. The next 12 months until we open will be crucial in ensuring all the planning and development is translated into the very finest quality across golf, hospitality and leisure.

Holmes was most recently was managing director for Branston Golf and Country Club in the Midlands, a luxurious location which saw Nick and his team scoop a number of industry awards, including the prestigious FLAME fitness award for UK Club of the Year  on two separate occasions

Before that, he also opened The Bristol Golf Club, a 250-acre upmarket golf facility in South Gloucestershire, and was also instrumental in the opening and development of five-star Cameron House on Loch Lomond in the early 90s.

Rockliffe Hall Golf is due to open in June 2009, with the opening of the five star standard hotel and luxury spa due to open later on in the year. The exclusive resort is being constructed with the existing 18th Century country house at its core, with sympathetic restoration and extension of the hall to create a 63-bedroom hotel and luxury adjoining spa.

The 7,800 yard 18-hole course will be one of the longest in Europe. And the accompanying amenities will make it one of the best golf facilities in the UK, with top class practice facilities and a stunning new 18,000 sq ft clubhouse.