Group Accommodation Apartments In Wales

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• David - Verified booking

  I’ve had to look at the definition of luxury whilst writing to just to see if it can in any way be applied to this property, it can’t.

  The Cambridge Dictionary states- great comfort, esp. as provided by expensive and beautiful possessions, surroundings, or food, or something enjoyable and often expensive but not necessary: [ U ] a life of luxury. I also examined use of the noun Lodge and whilst this is less clear both words add a degree of gravitas and respectability to the property and increase the likelihood mugs like us will be persuaded to part with our hard earned cash to spend a few idyllic days here. I would advise that the advertised description is altered to reflect the reality so customers can approach this and not be disappointed like we were. It should read ‘6 berth g/f/f decorated in the classic student bedsit style of rarely if ever cleaned and never maintained. No outdoor space save for a hot tub that may be clean and safe when you arrive but this cannot be guaranteed.’ The small print could add ‘Sleeps six but only accommodates 4 in the dining area, the lounge area and hot tub. If six occupants are present then apart from sleeping everything else is done in shifts. The ‘kitchenette’ consists of a small combination microwave/grill with no instructions on use, a fridge and a sink. No chopping boards, serving or food preparation tools and no microwavable dishes. To be fair the advert does mention restricted cooking facilities but there is no food preparation equipment at all. We booked for a three night stay in August and our route took us through narrow country lanes with rolling fields and hills all around and covered in sheep. A little surprised when we entered through the side gate which is opposite a builders merchants. Even more surprised to see the main entrance is on a busy main road. First impressions were that the grounds are reasonably well maintained with mown grassed areas and tidy walkways. Nice welcome at reception and then off to number 46.The lodges are all close together and we didn’t notice any outdoor seating areas. The ‘lodge’ next to ours had put dining chairs out the front to take in the sun. Number 46 has seen better times and the first thing we noticed was the porch light was covered in cobwebs and the kitchen window sill was rotting away. The front door and rear patio door were insecure and all windows were wide open. Inside the smell was just a little stale and the lounge/diner walls were badly marked and scarred from where posters/pictures/fixings etc had been removed or replaced and paint had come off and not been touched up. Both toilet seats were up and evidence of a previous user of the en suite had not been cleaned away. The most notable feature however was the amount of cobwebs with occupants of various sizes. It is no exaggeration that every ceiling corner in the main bedroom had at least one. They were under shelves, under sinks and in the showers. It was clear that this ‘lodge’ had not been subject to any sort of clean for weeks as these spiders had not come in overnight. The hot tub cover was absolutely plastered in birds mess and from the amount I would guess the resident peacock may be involved. Again this was not all new and my thoughts that this had also been neglected was confirmed when I removed the cover and saw the mess in the water. The very small rear outdoor area consists of a hot tub and a small patch of weeds sparsely covered with decorative bark. There is no outdoor seating apart from the tub and we didn’t notice any on the site but this may be due to the fact that the ‘lodges’ are quite close together. So off we go to reception. We explained the mess and were told it would be dealt with immediately. We decided to have a look around the main building and have a drink to celebrate our arrival and the start of our short break. Two hours later were went back and found that the clean had consisted of pouring blue liquid down the toilets and hosing off the tub cover. All spiders and webs remained in place. I then started taking photographs and those I have are all taken after the first clean! Next I phoned Sykes who we had booked through. I spoke with a very understanding agent who understood our problem but said I had to send photo’s before they could help in a meaningful way. I tried several times but the email failed due to wi-fi or my phone. I called again but unfortunately photo’s are necessary in these circumstances. So off we go to reception again. Different team now and I showed them my photo’s at which I’m told to go back and someone would call up. Ten minutes later the lady from reception came in with a vacuum and many cleaning products. I won’t name her as I don’t want to embarrass her or highlight her unless she wishes. She expressed her shock at the dirty state and spent about 30 - 45 minutes vacuuming and cleaning as best she could. A pool person came and cleaned the muck out of the tub and tested the water quality. When they’d finished it was a little better but the premises need a really deep clean over several days both inside and out. Decoration would be an idea but by someone who can professionally paint rather than whoever did it last time. Curtains need washing, one in the main bedroom had red stains on that could be blood. There are signs of squashed insects on walls, the woodwork inside and out is filthy and dusty, headboards are dusty, our duvet cover was ripped, the shower heads are covered in dust and limescale and many spiders remained. I’d earlier had a beer in the site bar and a glass of wine back at the lodge otherwise we’d have packed up there and then and gone somewhere else or even driven the 220 miles home. My wife was by now distressed and in tears. We had an hour in the hot tub on our one and only evening staring at the metal fence just past the tub, the very tall trees, the weedy patch, about a couple of square metres of sky and a neighbouring lodge that had lost several roof tiles. It was very romantic and brought home to us how lucky we were to be in a ‘luxury lodge’. Unsurprisingly we didn’t sleep too well and were up at 5:00am. We decided to have one more good look around and on the evidence found decided that we couldn’t face another day here despite paying for two more nights. At 7:00am we were packed and starting the long journey home. Our message is clear, don’t book this under any circumstances. Apart from one person on reception the local response was underwhelming so much so that I wonder if this is a regular complaint to them and that they don’t take that much interest any more. This has spoilt a short break special occasion after we had looked forward to a few days in North Wales where we had been a few times before (not at Marian Resort & Spa). It is two days of our lives that we’ll never get back plus £433 and fuel to drive 450 miles there and back. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

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• Samara - Verified booking

  You can't park next to your lodge, you have to leave your car in a car park and walk up to your lodge, which wasn't ideal with a baby and having to carry all of our stuff with us.

  A maintenance van also parked behind us in the car park one morning so we were unable to get out. The place really isn't very baby/child friendly at all. There was a big step up to our lodge, so we struggled getting the pram in and out each time we went anywhere. The lodge itself was clean, but lacked in facilities etc. there's no oven (just a combi microwave/oven, which isn't ideal to cook in). There were hardly any surfaces to put things on, like no coffee table so we had to put drinks on the floor (again, not ideal when you have babies or children with you). There was only a soap dispenser in one bathroom. The shower in the smaller bathroom leaked water everywhere, so wasn't really usable, which was fine for just 2 of us but wouldn't be ideal if more people were staying. We requested a travel cot and high chair, but the travel cot didn't have a mattress with it. When we asked about this, we were told the mattress was with it, which was just the hard bit that goes in the bottom of the cot, so the baby couldn't sleep in that. It should be stated that you need to bring your own mattress (although adults aren't expected to bring their own mattresses so it shouldn't really be expected for babies either!) This lodge is right at the back, so the hot tub area isn't the best, as it just backs out onto an overgrown area with a metal fence. We also weren't provided with robes for the hot tub. The whole lodge just feels a bit unfinished, and like it needed a bit more thought put in. The restaurant (The View) was lovely, and the food was good! We booked a table but when we arrived the man who greeted us decided to move us to another table, in the corner furthest away from everyone else, as he saw we had a baby with us. All the other staff were lovely and accommodating to us having a baby, but the whole thing had made us feel very uncomfortable and like we shouldn't have been there, so we didn't return. The pool facilities are nice, and would be lovely if you were there by yourself, as a couple, or with friends etc. however, again, it wasn't child friendly even though they do have time slots for when children can be in the pool. To get to the facilities you have to go downstairs, so we had to leave our pram at reception and carry everything down. We hadn't been given a fob to get into the facilities so had to go back up to reception for them to let us in. Changing areas are quite small, so I struggled with getting the baby sorted on the changing table and there were only 2 other people in there. People in the actual pool and around the pool very obviously moved away from us several times because we had a baby with us (who was extremely well-behaved and didn't cause any disruption whatsoever). I felt very unwelcome and uncomfortable for most of the stay, and definitely wouldn't return / wouldn't recommend, especially to anyone with children.

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• Kay - Verified booking

  The Marian resort is newly refurbished and the facilities are great.

  You get a fob to access the pool etc anytime (restricted times with children). Restaurant and bars are all lovely. The site is conveniently located to access lots of things to do - we would recommend Talacre beach and the Beach Hut cafe near Prestatyn serves amazing food and is right on a lovely sandy beach. The accommodation is nice, although more suited to short stays. The lack of a kitchen does limit food choices but we prepared for that and planned to eat main meals out. Don't go expecting the usual Sykes well stocked utensils as this property has the bare minimum (we had to buy a sharp knife, bottle opener and corkscrew). Beds were very comfortable and clean - we all slept well. 2 large comfy sofas and big screen smart tv suited the 4 of us but if 6 people stayed it would be a bit cramped. On arrival the lodge wasn't as clean as I would expect and we wiped down the surfaces in the bedrooms which were very dusty. The floors werent hoovered either - (i am sure it would have been rectified if we reported it as the reception lady was amazing but we wanted to get on with our holiday).There were a lot of spiders and webs throughout, including in wardrobe spaces. We did find througout the week that there is a constant need to remove these (not ideal if you're phobic) but felt it should have been done prior to our stay. Storage was a bit of an issue with just one open wardrobe space in each room. Not really enough for a week but perfect for a short stay. It was quite noisy when there was someone in the property above and I think the listing could be clearer that there is an upstairs property. The lounge area lacks a coffee table which would make having drinks and snacks easier. The hot tub was clean and stayed fresh all week. The hot tub is screened off but not enclosed and only hard standing on one side. There are overhanging trees which means the area looks messy and gets dirty quickly. We didn't get robes but if they aren't provided the staff are lovely and am sure would sort them. We were blessed with amazing weather and this property lacks somewhere to sit outside. Other people had taken picnic chairs which I would recommend if the forecast looks good as the views from the property are lovely and the sun sets over the sea are great. A welcome pack with instructions for what to do with rubbish, how to work the combi microwave etc would be helpful. The pack in the lodge only provides menus and info for the restaurant and bars. We found the staff on site to be very friendly and helpful. Towels are provided at the desk for use in the pool and lockers are available in the changingcrooms which also have shower cubicles. On the whole a lovely site but just slightly missed the bar in the luxury promised in the accommodation.

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• Barbara - Verified booking

  A nearly perfect stay but there are one or two observations: Really liked the chamfered wooden furniture.

  The beds in the master bedroom and double bedroom were very comfortable Very useful to label all the remotes Where we think improvements could be made 1. The lighting in both bedrooms is poor particularly the bed side lamps. They are no use for reading. These lamps are for ambient lighting and not functional lighting. The lamp next to the bevel mirror in the master bedroom is also poor, difficult to see to put on make up. 2. There was no instructions in the guest pack regarding disposal of rubbish, bedding, how to use the tv the fridge freezer and telescope(didn't use it for fear of breaking it) 3. The TV is quite technical particularly if one is not used to a SKY TV and SKYQ box. There were no instructions on how to use it. I would have expected at least, to have a link to a website that takes you directly to a manual (not a general page) 4. Similarly with the heating system. Again no instructions As a minimum a website that takes you directly to a manual (not a general page) 3.There is not a thermostat/control in the master bedroom and access to the radiators is not possible so one cannot turn the heating up or down. 4. I think there needs to be few more easy chairs to enjoy the view - particularly in the tower areas - lounge and main bedroom. 5. Whilst the listing for the property stated there was no washing machine, I would have expected an iron and ironing board. 6. FYO - 2 bulbs need replacing in the chandelier above the first landing and the door bell does not ring. A lovely property is a lovely place to chill out and watch the changing light, the clouds and activity on the straits. We did enjoy out stay.

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• Rebecca - Verified booking

  On arrival, we found staff helpful and friendly and this the same throughout our stay.

  When we reached our lodge, we were disappointed by the level of cleanliness. There was toothpaste spray on the en suite mirror, hair that had obviously been cleared from the shower and put in the bottom of the bin in the kitchen, without a bin bag, which therefore smelt whenever you opened the bin and meant we had to remove it ourselves. The lodge seemed lovely at first but could definitely have done with a deeper level of clean. There is a lack of storage in the lodges and felt it could do with some drawers or shelves to put things in/on. The menu options were very similar in both the sports bar and the view restaurant, for example if you wanted the 2 course offer in the view, these were the same main menu options in the sports bar. Some other, healthier options would have also been great. There were some good offers mid week in the sports bar but we were really disappointed on the Thursday evening, when we were going to take advantage of the "Thirsty Thursday" offer in the cocktail lounge. We were told this was not on as there was a private function on and none of the other bars could do the offer, not what is expected when it's advertised and a number of people had asked the same. Use of the pool included each day was good, especially for the kids as there wasn't really anything else for them to do on site. Changing facilities are minimal and again, cleanliness not always at the expected level. We stayed for a week but felt a long weekend would have been enough. We felt we could see the potential for the venue but there are definitely some things that could be improved to really elevate it and help it reach it's potential.

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