Sylvia Thompsonstays at Quay Hotel and Spa, Conwy, north Wales
AS WE DROVE across the railway track into a newly built complex of houses, a marina and the Quay Hotel and Spa in the small town of Deganwy, I hoped that the low-rise bland building ahead wasn’t our hotel. However, first impressions aren’t always correct as we quickly realised that the timber-clad balconies facing the beautiful calm bay was the front of the hotel and bizarrely, you pass by the back entrance (including a half-filled skip) on your way to the car park – which also enjoys views across the bay to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the 13th Century Conwy Castle and town walls.
The wall-mounted awards in the entrance porch promise something special and the double height lobby with sweeping staircase up to the function rooms (where a wedding was in full flow while we were there) is stylish yet not over-fussy. There was a low-key local feel to the reception staff which nowadays is a nice change from the “pasted on” international smiles that often greet you in city hotels around the world.
The three-storey hotel is built in a U-shape with all the suites and penthouses facing the bay while many of the double rooms overlook a central courtyard garden with a long rectangular water feature, adorned with a sitting Buddha at one end. As it wasn’t possible to book two interconnecting bedrooms, we opted for a suite so that two of our girls could sleep on a fold-out couch bed and the youngest could sleep on a small bed that was brought into the spacious sittingroom.
After dropping our bags, we decided to go straight to the swimming pool before heading out to explore Conwy. To the side of the 15-metre rectangular pool was a small hydrotherapy pool with powerful water shoots and bubbly zones which was fun for both adults and children. Our teenage daughter also enjoyed the sauna and steam room. Pool times were restricted for children but during these times, there was a relaxed family mood.
We returned to our room refreshed and ready to explore what we could already see from our room – the walled town of Conwy, its newly developed marina and a beautiful coastal walk which we later discovered extended up into Coed Bodlondeb woods (a local nature reserve on the southern bank of Conwy estuary).
Back in our room later, the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors brought the outside in, and the wooden seats and table on the small patio encouraged us out in the air many times during our short stay.
The furniture and fittings were all that you would expect of a four-star hotel and the double bed was comfortable. The bathroom was quite small – as was the bath. I’m amazed that so many hotels don’t offer separate recycling and organic waste bins in the rooms as, even on an overnight stay, there always seems to be empty plastic drinks bottles, leaflets, newspapers to discard, etc.
Breakfast was in an open-plan room whose window seats offered views of the bay. There was the usual choice of Continental style (including Welsh cheeses and freshly baked local breads) and the traditional fry-up. The latter was surprisingly good – tasty bacon, freshly fried new potatoes and delicious scrambled eggs. There was also a very good selection of fruit salads and dried fruits to add to cereals. Unfortunately, neither the coffee nor the Welsh brew tea was of the same high standard as the food.
As well as the town walls and the castle, Conwy has lovely cobbled streets and a pleasant quayside walk. And, if you’re keen to explore further, the town of Betws-y-Coed is worth a visit. The starting point for many walks in Snowdonia National Park, it’s a popular spot and only a 40-minute drive from Conwy. The next day we drove across the mountains down into Llanberis and into Caernarfon, and were in plenty of time for the late ferry back from Holyhead to Dublin Port.
WhereQuay Hotel and Spa, Deganwy, Conwy, north Wales (quayhotel.co.uk or tel 00-44-01492564100).
WhatFour-star hotel and spa overlooking Conwy Bay
Rooms74, including suites and penthouses.
Best rates£110 (€132) for two people sharing a double with breakfast.
Restaurant and barGrillroom Restaurant serves dinner from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Lounge bar also has a light bites menu from noon.
Child friendlinessChildren welcome
AccessibilityAlmost all bedrooms are wheelchair accessible.
AmenitiesFree internet access and wifi, gym, pool, steam and sauna rooms.
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The Irish Times