The Celtic Manor Resort, near Newport, has been awarded the prestigious AA Hotel of the Year 2000 award for Wales, just 12 months after completing a £100 million expansion programme.

The resort came top of the bill for the AA, who were impressed with the combination of world class facilities and outstanding service. In July, the resort was awarded AA five star status after matching the highest international standards across a range of criteria including luxurious accommodation, flawless service, elegant interior design and high restaurant standards.

Set in 1400 across of parkland, just 5 minutes from the Severn Bridge, the resorts offers a 400 room, 32 suite luxury hotel with 4 restaurants and 3 championship golf courses and 2 health clubs and a spa.

During its assessment for AA five star status, inspectors believed that in terms of scale and facilities The Celtic Manor Resort had few peers. In their report they commented that it was enormously impressive, boasting luxurious and well equipped leisure provisions, eating options and bedrooms.

Last month the resort staged the PGA Cup Matches and earlier this year hosted the inaugural Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open golf tournament. It has been recognised by the PGA as an official candidate venue for the 2009 Ryder Cup.

The Celtic Manor Resort's other most recent award was for The Forum Health Club and Spa, which was given a specially crated accolade at last month's British Beauty Awards, when it was singled out as "Highly Commended", an award never given before.