Log Cabins & Lodges in Wales

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Melanie - Verified booking

  This Spa could be so much more.

  I really don't know where to start. My stay consisted of myself, husband child of 12 and 2 elderly parents (in their 80s). After a speedy, courteous check in we were shown by map where our lodge was situated, (note to anyone with a disability the parking can sometimes be a distance from the car parking area to you lodge) was even more of a headache when you have to unpack and make 10 journeys with all you luggage!! Initial look of the lodges and surroundings were really lovely, and well presented. However when we started to unpack and put things away, we immediately noticed that the kitchenette, that is advertised is merely a micorwave/cooker toaster and kettle (how you are supposed to prepare a meal in this was mindboggling), that said there were insufficient plates, bowls etc, no larger bowls to cook anything in microwave/cooker, no chopping boards, sharp knives, wooden spoons, even a tea towels was none existent etc you get the picture like nothing!! I asked reception for these utensils - response was microwave was solely for warming food up?! I did state that it was a microwave/cooker but was informed that they didn't have anything like this, we were given more crockery, and they tried with larger pasta bowls but that was it. We then noticed we didn't have any robes to use the spa, so again went to reception and asked, housekeeping did bring some along and apologised stating they would bring some of the slippers the next day, this never happened! The lodge looked dirty cobwebs in the shower areas, cigarette butts where the hot tub is (at the back of the lodge), there was a brush and dust pan no hoover to clean any spills up. I asked housekeeping how did we get our towels changed I was informed that we had to ask for housekeeping and they would sort this. This never happened. In my parents room there was no blind/curtains at their bedroom window - not what you want when undressing etc - again went to reception this was rectified the next day. The mess from the drilling on the wall was never cleaned away bits of brick dust etc on the floor and nothing to clean it away with again asked for housekeeping never came. Now into day 2 of our 7 night stay and we had a blocked drain in our walk in shower room, the water was pouring into the lounge area, which we had to mop up with towels, my husband spoke to 4 members of staff over 2 days to ask for this to be rectified, and for all the dirty towels to be removed and given clean ones - shower drain was eventually unblocked however the towels were simply pushed into the other corner of the bathroom and no clean ones replace nor did the housekeeping clean the bathroom from the dirty water!! I had to carry all the dirty towels to reception collect clean ones and raise my concern that this was not good enough! We again spoke to staff that they was a leak on the kitchen sink and the en-suite bathroom sink no-one came, and to be honest got sick of going back and forwards to ask for clean towels. At no one given time did any member of housekeeping refresh clean towels, mop the floors hoover around or remove the rubbish ( I may add that there was nowhere to place you household rubbish so once again my husband had to carry and find a larger kitchen bin which was situated around the kitchen area of the spa)!! At the end of our stay another visitor had disposed of there household rubbish pizza boxes etc was strewn all over the lawns in front of us and seagulls and birds were feeding at a frenzy! There was ants and on our 5 night stay when looking at how bad the leak was under the kitchen sink, noticed we had had a visitor in the form of a mouse!! The spa itself was lovely and so were the staff we had encountered, however our stay was really spoilt due to the lack of cleanliness, and constant back and forth with reception. Would never return no would I recommend.

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• Maria - Verified booking

  I booked this cottage for a week of relaxation, comfort, and luxury over Christmas with my partner and my two friends.

  It delivered in all three aspects and on every level. The cottage was finished to the highest specification and beautifully decorated throughout. The owners had gone to exceptional trouble to prepare the cottage for Christmas with a tree not only inside but also outside in the extensive garden. As soon as we entered, we felt so festive. The porch and utility room has plenty of storage, a washing machine, and a sink. This is an excellent area to clean off your muddy boots and your muddy dogs! The kitchen was equipped with absolutely everything we could have wanted. It was extremely useful to have two ovens especially as we were there for Christmas and cooking a traditional dinner. Not only was it well equipped, but everything in it was also of the highest quality. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting around the dining table and looking out through the bi-folding doors at the spectacular views over the Welsh countryside. The log burner made the sitting area so cosy and inviting in the evenings (and of course the excellent hosts left a copious supply of logs) and it was fantastic to have access to Netflix as well as prime, so we had a wide choice of films to watch. The addition of an upstairs toilet was so convenient. My friends were thrilled with the two rooms on the ground floor level. The beds were super comfortable, and the ensuites were beautifully fitted and decorated. And what can I say about the main bedroom on the lower level? It was beyond luxurious, and the bed was exceptionally comfortable. The bathroom was stunning, and it was great to have the choice of a bath or a shower. The shower had so many different options, from rainfall to jets on the sides. I was so surprised and delighted to open the cupboard containing the coffee machine and extra wine fridge downstairs. It really was five-star luxury. We thoroughly enjoyed using the hot tub and the views it afforded over the surrounding hills was stunning. The hosts were welcoming before we had even left home. Carol sent me an extremely informative email of all the things it was possible to do in the area so that I was well prepared before I even arrived at the cottage. They were always available should we require any help and we felt extremely welcome throughout our stay. Both Carol and David are excellent hosts, and nothing was too much trouble. They left a beautiful welcome pack for us on our arrival and set the tone for what was to be the most amazing Christmas ever. I cannot recommend this place nor these hosts highly enough.

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• Jeanette - Verified booking

  I absolutely loved my week staying at Claerwen, it was so comfy and cosy.

  The view was amazing and it was so peaceful and quiet. The hut felt like it was completely in the middle of nowhere but within 30 mins you could be in Rhyader, Builth Wells or Llandrindod Wells. There is also a petrol station with a well stocked shop just 10 mins away. I visited Elan village as well as spending the day up at Claerwyn Reservoir both were great days out and again not far from to go. The bird live was wonderful, I saw woodpeckers, kites, buzzards, goldfinches and swifts from the hut and also saw a couple of redstarts when in the Elan valley. The hut is on a sheep farm so plenty of sheep to see as well as a couple of highland cows. The facilities were good and as you would expect from a small compact space, wifi was brilliant and the bed was really comfortable. For information the fridge is 40L in size, useful to know in advance if bring food with you. I did a click and collect at Tescos in Llandrindod Wells on my arrival journey. Finally I have to say a huge thank you to Alun, the point of contact for the owners. Despite being a very busy farmer he always replied to my questions, and was very approachable and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. As you may be able to tell, I would fully recommend Claerwyn (and Elan) to anyone wanting to get away from it all, in a cosy shepherds hut to enjoy the peace and quiet of the beautiful Welsh countryside. I can’t wait to go back.

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• Phillie - Verified booking

  The concept is amazing, and the views incredible.

  However, so many things let the place down and therefore would not return. I am sorry I hadn't read previous reviews that all say the same. Unfortunately Sykes make it very difficult to view more than one review on the place. The windows and door frames were caked in black mould and were soaking wet, the cupboard housing all electrics had water gushing out of it and did not look safe. Nowhere to store clothes, food or wet clothes/towels after the hot tub. We were given two manky old towels for 5 people, I called the owner to ask for more and no response, rang again and left voicemail but noone called back. The system of entry whereby you turn up and ring them for the key code seems ludicrous when they don't answer the phone for 30 minutes or ring you back. The front door didn't close properly and assume why the whole frame is covered in mould, the doormat soaking wet, flooring was all lifted up, creaky and all slanted. The house was not flat but all leaning. The pipework underneath meant that when you had the heating on, it was scolding hot in certain places and could not walk bear feet. Our hot tub and WIFI stopped working, I assume they turned everything off thinking people had gone home (at one point we were the only ones there). Like I say, the concept is great, but sadly owners don't seem to give two hoots once they have your money about answering phonecalls and rectifying issues.

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• Vicky - Verified booking

  We booked this as a last minute short break to visit family.

  Nice location and holiday park; loved the pool on the one day it was sunny enough to use it! Let down by an overwhelming smell of damp throughout the property. The inside of drawers & cupboards smelt very strongly of damp, for example in the kitchen glasses had to be washed before using to get rid of the smell and I didn’t unpack as I didn’t want my clothes to smell of it. We did leave windows and doors open all time we were in, but it didn’t help. There were air fresheners but they just masked the smell and faded quickly. No extraction fans in bathroom or kitchen. Generally poor cleaning throughout, lots of dirt and dead bugs in corners, shower didn’t drain very well, clearly not been properly cleaned in a long time, this was the end of the school summer holidays. Beds were comfortable but let down by really cheap duvets and covers. There was a 2 seater sofa (not very comfortable) and 2 small armchairs, would be a real squeeze for 6 people. No hairdryer. Has everything else you’d need for a short break and would be lovely if cleaned and the damp sorted out.

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