We recently stayed at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, and it was a really enjoyable experience, with just a couple of small things to mention that could make it even better.
The first thing to highlight positively is the location! What a spectacular setting!
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Room
Our room was definitely another one of the highlights. We had a large room with a balcony overlooking the lake, and the view was absolutely incredible. We looked “down” the full length of the lake. It was the perfect spot to relax and take in the scenery, especially at sunrise and sunset.
The room itself was spacious, with a comfy four-poster bed and a little seating area by the window, as well as seating out on the balcony – which made it a great place to unwind. TV signal was a bit spotty but passable and was made up for with a big bath which we used instead!
It was warm, likely because we were above the spa, which was lovely, although on the smaller side. It has a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and ice shower – but just note there’s no swimming pool. That said, the hotel manages the number of guests in the spa well, so it never felt too overcrowded.
Hotel
The hotel itself has a bit of an old-world charm to it. Some people might call it a bit dated, and that’s fair, but for us, it just added to the character of the place. There’s lots of art on the walls, old Chesterfield-style chairs, and carpeting as well as little nooks and crannies to sit in and chill out.
The focus on the lake is obvious, and it’s clear the stunning views are a big part of the overall experience. For example, the restaurant has seating arranged so that pretty much every table looks out over the water. It’s a nice touch that really makes the dining experience feel special.
One of the standout parts of our stay were the staff. Jess, who served us during our first dinner on arrival, was absolutely lovely. He was friendly, made us feel really welcome, and even took the time to chat with us about our stay. It’s small things like this that really make a difference and added a personal touch to our experience. He also led the breakfast service on both mornings so we got to see him a few time across the two night stay.
Out and About
When it comes to things to do around the hotel, there’s no shortage of nature to explore. We took a lovely walk around the lake, which was peaceful and offered stunning views the whole way. We even made it to the waterfall at the far end of the lake (towards Bala) which was a beautiful spot to stop and take in the surroundings. Closer to the hotel, we also came across a sculpture park, which was a nice surprise and added a bit of culture to the walk. If you’re up for it, there’s also the impressive dam that holds back the lake, and walking across it was a cool experience with great views of the area.
Food and Dining
The food was overall pretty good but is the area we’d focus on picking up a bit to really elevate the experience.
Breakfast had a good variety and was filling, but the croissants weren’t warm. I also had three glasses of wine during our stay, and none of the glasses were completely clean, which was a little disappointing. The Welsh cheese board was a nice touch, but I think they could’ve mixed it up a bit. There were three hard white cheeses that seemed to be from the same dairy (all had wax truckle coverings) and it would’ve been nice to see a blue or goat’s cheese for some variety. These are small things in the wider context, but they do make a difference when you’re at a four-star hotel.
That said, we did have two lovely dinners there, and both were excellent. The meals focused on local ingredients, which was great, and it was clear that the chefs take pride in using produce from the area.
Summary
All in all, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa is a lovely place to stay, with beautiful views, comfortable rooms, and great service. For us, there are a few little things that could be improved, but these didn’t take away from the overall experience. It’s a great spot for a peaceful getaway, and we’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to relax and enjoy the stunning Welsh countryside.
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