ST MELLION SETS A NEW CONTEMPORARY STANDARD
St Mellion International Resort highlights Cornwall’s position as a world-class visitor destination

With the launch of its brand new four-star standard hotel, significant investment in its two championship golf courses and extensively refurbished dining, leisure and conference facilities, St Mellion International Resort is breaking the mould and setting a new contemporary standard for tourism and business in Cornwall.

Crown Golf has invested £20m in a major redevelopment over the few years that has seen the former golf and country club transform itself into a state of the art golf and leisure resort that combines top class visitor accommodation with the Nicklaus Signature Course, one of the best championship golf courses in the country, complete with superb conference suites, a choice of dining experiences, full-scale health and leisure club, indoor pool complex and a luxury spa.

With the credit crunch, a strong euro and new transport links providing a much-needed boost to the Westcountry tourism industry, Crown Golf’s Chief Executive, Stephen Lewis, is very confident in his company’s St Mellion investment.

‘We are already seeing the benefits,’ he said. ‘The resort is set in 450 acres of beautiful Cornish countryside, close to the beaches, villages and attractions for which the county is famed but also within twenty minutes drive of Plymouth and its airport and railway station.

‘A lot of our customers will bring their own cars to the resort but, for those wanting a short break without the hassle of driving, there are now very good transport links in place to make the journey as easy as possible. We are working in partnership with Air Southwest, Ocean BMW and other local companies to ensure that, together, we can offer visitors the most efficient, comfortable and hassle-free service possible because in today’s fast-moving world that is what they want and what they have every right to expect.

‘I am personally delighted with all that St Mellion is now able to offer. From luxurious air-conditioned hotel rooms with fabulous views over the Nicklaus Signature Course, to smart function rooms capable of seating up to 400 people with all the latest IT infrastructure to support them and from championship golfing to the finest relaxing spa, St Mellion has it all. And that can only be good – not just for Crown Golf but, just as importantly, for Cornwall, Devon and the South West as a whole.’

Penny Woodman, Interim Head of VisitCornwall, said: ‘St Mellion International Resort is a credit to Cornwall. Its unique mix of a quality accommodation, tantalising restaurants, luxurious spa facilities and championship golf courses firmly puts it in the international spotlight and highlights Cornwall’s position as a world-class visitor destination. In light of the current economic climate the opening of a brand new four-star hotel just in time for the summer is a clear and positive message to visitors that Cornwall is still very much thriving and sets the scene for 2009 being an exciting year for Cornish tourism.’

Stephen Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Golf
Tel: +44 (0)1344 300200
Email: s.lewis@crown-golf.co.uk

Sue Bradbury, Sue Bradbury PR
Tel: +44 (0)1872 863863. Email: sue@suebradburypr.com

Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners
Tel: +44 (0)1780 757461. Email: andy@hiseman.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT ST MELLION INTERNATIONAL RESORT
(www.st-mellion.co.uk)

Tel: +44 (0)1579 351351. St Mellion International Resort, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6SD

St Mellion International Resort is a surprisingly stylish and modern resort with a great golfing heritage. Following a £20m redevelopment, completed in 2009, the resort now includes a four-star standard 80-bedroom hotel, with extensive leisure and conferencing facilities, plus two 18-hole championship golf courses including the Nicklaus Signature Course, the first design by Jack Nicklaus in the UK, which hosts The English Open on The European Tour from 2011.

ABOUT CROWN GOLF
(www.crown-golf.co.uk)

Crown Golf is the UK’s largest golf club owner/operator with 33 properties and almost 60 golf courses in its portfolio. With pride in customer service and innovation, it aims to provide an outstanding golf experience for its members and visitors, tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and needs of a wide range of golfers.

ABOUT AIR SOUTHWEST
(www.airsouthwest.com)

Air Southwest offers regular flights into Plymouth City Airport from eleven airports across Great Britain & Ireland. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plymouth-based Sutton Harbour Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market. The group owns and operates Plymouth City Airport and its interests span regeneration and transport.