Quay - Conwy

My partner and I stayed at The Quay Hotel Spa over the Valentines weekend this year. This was a trip that we had booked long in advance via Secret Escapes a pac... read more My partner and I stayed at The Quay Hotel Spa over the Valentines weekend this year. This was a trip that we had booked long in advance via Secret Escapes a package trip which provided both accommodation and use of the spa over a 3 night stay. Unfortunately, while there was plenty to praise during our stay, there were also lots of issues that fell short of what we were expecting. First, I 'll start with the positives The staff at The Quay were generally exceptional during our stay. All of the people that we spoke to in different settings were warm, welcoming, polite and as helpful as they were able to be. Likewise, the hotel and spa were both beautifully clean and maintained. Uncleanliness is a real bug bear for me in a hotel, but The Quay was spotless throughout. The housekeeping staff do a great job. We stayed in a superior room , and it was bigger than I 'd expected. The large (superking? bed provided a wonderfully comfortable nights sleep. The bathroom was again very roomy and had a good shower with decent pressure. The breakfast was decent and I looked forward to it every day an all you can eat selection of cereals, fruit, pastries, juices and so on, and a choice between something like scrambled eggs on toast or a full English to start the day. Breakfast time was always busy, but the service was always prompt, efficient and came with a smile from the hardworking staff. So, on to what wasn 't so good. Our package was advertised as including (and I quote spa access, per person, per stay . But the day prior to arrival I received an email from The Quay stating that complimentary access to the spa was available only between 6:30am 9am and 5pm 9pm. Access between 9am and 5pm would come at a cost of £25 per person per day. I was informed that this was an error made by Secret Escapes. The hotel did kindly allow us to access the spa from 3pm each day. Better, but still, a far cry from what was advertised at the time. Secret Escapes have since corrected the listing. Our deal came with a 50 minute spa treatment of our choice. Following the booking being made, I received no further information on the topic, from either Secret Escapes or the hotel directly. Again though, just a day prior to our arrival I received a call from the hotel where concern was expressed that we hadn 't booked out treatments. I was told that the spa should have sent something out to me soon after the reservation was made and an apology was offered. But there was only one possible timeslot remaining mid morning on the day we were leaving, post check out. When the time finally came for our treatments, we headed to the spa and were met by Ria and Sofia. My partner and I had both chosen back massages and we were led to a shared room where this would take place. We were both impressed with Ria Sofia they were professional and attentive, and the massages were fantastic. However... there was building maintenance work taking place on the other side of a nearby wall. The serene and calming ambience of the room was regularly interspersed with 3 or 4 minutes of what sounded like someone trying to enter via hammer drill. Ria and Sofia were clearly a bit embarrassed and asked if we 'd been told that this maintenance would be taking place we hadn 't been. Service in the restaurant in the evening on the single evening we ate there was a bit lacking. After being seated it was 20 30 minutes before someone took our drinks order. Once we did order, I was then brought the wrong drink (I ordered a non alcoholic cider and was brought the standard variety . No one took our food order until around 45 minutes after we had been seated. The staff were lovely as usual and our waiter was very apologetic about the drink mix up. They all appeared to be working hard. Maybe this was just an off night? We did enjoy our time in Conwy, but our stay at The Quay was unfortunately marred by a few things that should never have taken place. Rooms: Spacious, clean, warm in the cold weather. Big, comfy beds. Roomy bathrooms with a good shower. Nearby activities: Conwy Castle is a wonderful slice of history and very interesting if you like that kind of thing. Plenty of tales to read about as you make your way around. The town is pretty and has lots of nice cafes, restaurants and coffee shops to fill up in. Walkability: The Quay is set over 3 (or 4? floors, but there are lifts to get you up and down if you can 't manage the stairs. Double doors appeared to be present between all areas, though I didn 't notice any buttons to open them automatically for wheelchair users. The corridors to rooms are quite long, but no more so than many other hotels. The hotel resides on the opposite side of the river to Conwy town it 's about a 5 minute drive, but you could likely walk there in about 15 20 minutes if going at a steady casual pace. There 's not much in the way of infrastructure or activities immediately around the hotel, just residences. Food and drinks: The on site restaurant and bar at The Quay is attractive and comfortable and food can be ordered in either. The breakfast consists of a buffet of cereals, pastries, fruit and so on. There is also a menu offering a Full English or other options, though these are set and are not offered from the buffet. I enjoyed all of the food that was on offer in the mornings! It gets very busy, but the table service was really top notch. The evening meals are tasty enough. We only ate there on one evening, and unfortunately service wasn 't as hot as it had been in the mornings. Noteworthy details: If you 're intended to use the complimentary spa access after 5pm, then be aware that it gets very busy with families brining their children in to play in the pool. There are only about 6 8 loungers, so it can be difficult to get a spot to relax even before this. But the facility is pleasant and offers a steam room, two saunas (1 traditional, 1 infra red , an aromatherapy room, and foot baths. The main pool can accommodate about 3 or 4 people swimming lengths. There 's a smaller relaxation pool which you can sit in, but the water wasn 't very warm in either when we were there. Rooms: 4 Service: 3 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Great view

I enjoyed the weekend away with my partner , receptionist was so helpful as I have messed up my bookings peaceful and enjoyable , overlooking the water. We stay... read more I enjoyed the weekend away with my partner , receptionist was so helpful as I have messed up my bookings peaceful and enjoyable , overlooking the water. We stayed at the penthouse and it was marvellous! Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Great view, Romantic

Spa is nice bit very busy and people reserve loungers so you have to wander round with your book looking for somewhere to perch. One person can get there and re... read more Spa is nice bit very busy and people reserve loungers so you have to wander round with your book looking for somewhere to perch. One person can get there and reserve a lounger all day by putting a towel on it. They even go to lunch but staff not interested when you ask Rooms: 1 Service: 1 Location: 5

Rooms: 4 Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Great view, Quiet read more Rooms: 4 Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Great view, Quiet

Absolutely couldn’t fault this place Breakfast service was spot on, and had Lesley very attentive and good at her job, stood out for waitress service. Spa area... read more Absolutely couldn’t fault this place Breakfast service was spot on, and had Lesley very attentive and good at her job, stood out for waitress service. Spa area spotless and a great chill out area Will go back Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5