The Quay Hotel and Spa, a four-star establishment, offers stunning sea views, the grandeur of a neighbouring castle, and proximity to one of the UK's most picturesque national parks, all within an hour's drive. The 80-room hotel provides a range of room types to cater to every guest, set in a beautiful location whether you're visiting Conwy Castle, Eryri (Snowdonia), or the smallest house in Great Britain. The island of Anglesey is also just a 40-minute drive away.
The hotel houses a tranquil spa offering a variety of treatments and packages, The Cove Bar for light refreshments, and the Ebb and Flow restaurant. The latter overlooks the historic castle, providing guests with the finest Welsh cuisine, service, and ambiance.
The rooms
The hotel offers a selection of comfortable rooms, including Luxury Suites, Executive Rooms, Luxury Penthouse, Superior Rooms, and Cosy Cove Rooms. The 80 bedrooms are decorated in soothing coastal colours, creating a peaceful haven away from daily life, reports the Express.
Cosy Cove Rooms, overlooking the Zen courtyard, feature a double bedroom, with prices starting at £129 per night. Superior Rooms offer serene views of the Marina or Zen courtyard, ranging from private outdoor spaces to Juliet balconies, with prices starting at £169 per night.
Dogs are also welcome in the ground-floor Superior rooms for an additional £25 per night. Executive rooms provide breathtaking panoramic views of the Conwy Estuary, extending to Conwy Castle. Rates for these rooms begin at £209, and most feature a private balcony or terrace area equipped with cosy seating.
Each room comes with a spacious en-suite bathroom fitted with a bath and shower (or just a separate shower) and complimentary toiletries. Guests also have the option of booking one of the fourteen Luxury Suites, starting from £249. These suites are ideal for families as they include a lounge with a double sofa bed.
Some suites even offer a small dining area. The Luxury Penthouse boasts a separate lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame a stunning view of the castle. This penthouse also features a private balcony, with prices commencing at £349.
During my stay, I was accommodated in an Executive Deluxe Room, which offered a private balcony with seating where I could enjoy the beautiful sunset over the water. The room provided 24-hour room service, coffee and tea-making facilities, complimentary bottled water, an in-room safe, a fridge, and ample wardrobe space. The seating area overlooking the view added a nice touch and served as a relaxing chill-out zone.
The bathroom boasted a walk-in shower and separate bath, along with a large sink that offered views of the estuary. Although a vanity kit, shower cap, and bubble bath would have been appreciated, given the hotel's spa status, the shower gel provided had a delightful scent.
The reception team were extremely accommodating when I found there was no hand soap in my room, delivering it promptly. This was undoubtedly one of the most pleasant hotel rooms I've experienced, largely due to the hotel's fantastic location.
Food and Drink
The Cove Bar provides drinks and lighter fare such as sandwiches, salads, soups, and burgers. The prices are quite reasonable, and the staff were friendly and helpful, particularly when ordering cocktails which weren't clearly listed on the menu. The bar transitions into the hotel's main dining area, The Ebb and Flow Restaurant.
The award-winning Ebb and Flow restaurant serves up delectable dishes featuring local produce and seasonal menus crafted by their acclaimed chef, which was certainly a highlight of my stay. The menu is predominantly British, with occasional Asian or Moroccan influences. Starters included rosemary focaccia with balsamic dipping oil, classic French beef onion soup, and minted Welsh lamb koftas served with giant Moroccan couscous.
Main course options included a delightful apricot and sage stuffed roast belly pork, pan roast chicken in sage butter accompanied by a mini chicken and leek pie with new potatoes, and a vegan chickpea, lentil and celeriac wellington encased in puff pastry served with crushed new potatoes and greens. However, the standout dish for me was from the night's specials: slow-cooked beef that simply melted in the mouth, complemented by carrots, greens, red cabbage and tenderstem broccoli.
The dish also came with thick-cut chips and a rich brandy jus for the beef, making it one of the most delicious meals I've ever had. The waitstaff were also well-versed in wine knowledge and were extremely helpful in selecting the best pairings.
For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of desserts on offer, such as banana and caramel banoffee tart and steamed orange sponge pudding. I opted for the apple crumble Jersey cream cheesecake served with a mango sorbet. Not only was the presentation impressive, but the taste was phenomenal, perfectly balanced with the tangy sorbet.
The Spa At The Quay
Following an extensive refurbishment, the New Spa at the Quay is now open, boasting a steam room, infrared sauna, traditional sauna, and a Himalayan salt sauna, along with a pool and hot tub. The spa was not crowded and provided a tranquil and serene environment, with guests thoroughly enjoying the pool and sauna rooms.
I found that there were only six beds around the pool, which were all occupied by the time I arrived in the morning. This is a common issue I've encountered at spas across the UK due to limited space for large loungers.
Consequently, I couldn't fully unwind and relax in the spa as I had hoped, but I still enjoyed my visit, particularly the wellness area and foot spa. The Himalayan sauna stood out for me. It boasted several benefits and was the largest of all the saunas, providing a very comfortable and relaxing environment with pleasant dim lighting.
The spa also offers a range of treatments. I chose a 25-minute back, neck and shoulder massage, which helped me de-stress and release a lot of tension. The proficient therapist customised the massage to my specific needs using products from the Welsh beauty brand Oskia.
After the treatment, I relaxed in the spa cafe, where I savoured a ham and cheese croissant, followed by a fruit salad and a selection of cereals, yoghurts and fruits. These are included in some of the packages. This was a delightful conclusion to my spa morning, a feature not commonly seen in many spas. The Spa At The Quay provides a variety of different spa packages, including overnight stays and spa days, offering guests value for money.
Final thoughts
My stay at the Quay Hotel and Spa was nothing short of relaxing, and I'm eager to return for the breathtaking views, scrumptious food and cosy rooms. The hotel's popularity is evident all year round, yet the spa, bar, and restaurant never seem overly crowded at any time.
I would strongly suggest a visit to the hotel and spa, whether for an overnight stay or just dinner - it's definitely worth the journey. The location is ideal for anyone touring Wales, and I wouldn't hesitate to make the four-hour trip back there.
Prices fluctuate depending on the season, day of the week, and type of room. To reserve a stay at Quay Hotel and Spa, click here.
For bookings through Booking.com, click here.
