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Review: Celtic Manor Resort, Wales
Celtic Manor Resort
Coldra Woods
The Usk Valley
South Wales NP18 1HQ
01633 413 000
www.celtic-manor.com/
'You have to take a look at this,' my husband said, motioning me down a hallway at Celtic Manor Resort. He wasn't pointing out the view over the glorious greens (the sight from the floor-to-ceiling windows in our room) or the sprawling pool and 50-person hot tub in The Forum spa. Instead, he led me to a playroom with stacks of bright plastic toys and a kiddie 'cinema' (soft stadium seating in front of a TV). Next door was a room with plastic balls to wallow in, then yet another room with more plastic balls, a soft castle to climb over and a curved slide. We were soon to discover that Celtic Manor Resort's five-star promise extends to children as well as adults.
My husband, daughter and I spent two days at this sprawling resort, owned by Welsh millionaire Sir Terry Matthews and set in 1,400 acres near Cardiff in Wales. The resort has made its name as a top-notch golfing destination - in 2010 it is host to the prestigious Ryder Cup - but its appeal extends far beyond birdies and golf clinics. It was the location of Lisa B's hen party and is the planned site of a summer celebrity golf tournament organised by Ant and Dec (golfers Robbie Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and Catherine Zeta Jones are potential duffers).
Set above a massive roundabout just inside the Welsh border, the hotel's location at first seems more Travelodge than five-star resort. Because there is no sign for the hotel on the confusing roundabout, twice we chose the wrong exit, which led us 10 minutes out of our way each time. (Hint: Take the exit for the A48 to Newport.) But once you're in the hotel's grounds, you start to get a sense of its scale and beauty. Lawns climb up the hill and spread out behind the 330-room hotel. Inside, an airy atrium houses a lounge, check-in desk, concierge desk, two restaurants and a bar.
The hotel's grandeur initially made us wonder whether our 15-month-old daughter - who has a habit of finding shelves to empty and metal fittings to lick - would be out of place. We decided to pop into the pool first for a family swim before dropping her with the Hideaway Club creche (which we had booked, per policy, at least 24 hours in advance).
The pool had a special area perfect for tiny tots - shallow with a sloping entry. When we entered a little girl and her parents were playing there with water toys. Lily was delighted to paddle about in the enormous 50-seater hot tub, which was warmer than the main pool and big enough for us to help her complete a few 'laps'. So often it seems that hotels boast marvellous pools that turn out to be mouldering ill-kept caves. Celtic Manor Resort's is a cavernous room lined with windows on two sides, a perfect sunny space to get some exercise.
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