Review: The Quay Hotel & Spa, Wales

Quay Hotel & Spa

First impressions

The first thing I see when I reach The Quay Hotel is the outline of Conwy Castle and the surrounding hills across the estuary. I walk into the hotel and I immediately notice the chic and sophisticated décor all underpinned by earthy colours (a prevalent theme throughout the property). For someone who has just battled massive traffic on the M6, the use of plants, wood, mirrors and natural hues in the spacious lobby is immediately calming.

Even though we are late for our dinner reservation, the staff are extremely accommodating and adjust our booking time, giving us plenty of time to unwind. This is just the beginning of the excellent service we experience at The Quay. I am handed a little bag with information about all I need to know about hotel and I finally feel like I can start to relax.

Enjoy views of Conwy Castle
DestinationConwy

Ideal for…

A weekend getaway for couples.

The room

We are booked in one of the 11 executive hotel rooms, all of which face the estuary and come with either a private balcony or terrace. The room is spacious complete with a seating area and reflects the same earthy tones and sophistication seen throughout the hotel. The bathroom is equipped with all the necessities, like luxury Aromatherapy Associate toiletries, big fluffy towels and a rather comfortably sized bathtub.

Waterfront setting
Quay Hotel & Spa

Our late night arrival means there are no views to be had, although this makes waking up next morning an even more memorable experience.The magnificent castle is right across from us and the hills that were a mere outline the previous night are now proudly cloaked in gorgeous autumnal hues.

Best room?

In my opinion, the best rooms are the estuary-facing executive rooms offering great views and facilities from £125 per night, equalling great value for money. However, families may appreciate the hotel suites (from £145) offering space for four people and a separate lounge area which features a leather sofa bed.

Eating and drinking

Dining is where The Quay tanks up on a whole lot of points. Its in-house restaurant The Grill is simply fantastic and it alone makes a trip to Conwy well worth it. For starters, I order a roulade of Conwy goats cheese and red pepper, pistachio nut crumble, chive crème fraiche, bloody mary jelly and gazpacho shot. The result is a delicious explosion of flavours and I would have easily ordered another had I not had my massive main course to worry about.

My tarragon infused breast of Ruthin corn fed chicken along with all its accompaniments is perfect in taste and texture. My companion’s steak however was a tad overdone but I am confident that must have been a one off because the rest of our meal is astounding. I will even go as far as saying the dessert I ate that night: coconut panna cotta, mango sorbet, pineapple two ways combined with a warm chilli and sweet basil infused soup, might just have been amongst the best I have ever eaten.

Extras...

The hotel has a spa, sauna, swimming pool, gym and Jacuzzi, all of which are inclusive facilities.

Room for improvement...

The hotel’s spa almost feels like an afterthought, let down further by an entranceway definitely in need of a face lift and treatments that didn’t match my expectations.

The hotel offers spa treatments
Quay Hotel & Spa

I opted for the Top to Toe massage (£60 per person), which is a 50-minutes back, head and foot (or hand) massage. I felt the treatment was a tad rushed and that it didn’t respond to what my aching muscles needed, even though it’s described as a “bespoke” service. On the plus side, the staff, decor and Meditation Room, where you can relax before and after your treatment, were lovely. Provided you don’t make the spa the purpose of your stay, but instead treat it like a bonus, you’ll probably appreciate it a lot more than I did.

Out and about

The hotel’s location in the beautiful town of Conwy makes it a perfect getaway for both those looking either to relax or be active.

We were after a bit of both so we booked a guided walk through the surrounding valleys with Active Terrain organized by Barry and Simon, who know the area like the back of their hands. We walked through valleys filled with wild ponies and waterfalls where fairies are said to live, and saw ancient, crooked bridges and chapels.

Conway Castle, the 800-year-old rectangular stone castle with imposing walls and turrets, is also definitely worth a visit.

Details

Quay Hotel & Spa,
Deganwy Quay, Deganwy, Conwy
Phone: 01492 564 100.
Website: www.quayhotel.co.uk

Prices start from £105 per night for a classic room with breakfast (based on two sharing). For more information on Conwy, visit the Destination Conwy website (www.visitllandudno.org.uk).