The Hotel

Walking up to the hotel entrance with an old green rucksack slung over my shoulder, I felt throughly underdressed. Mirroring the exterior of an old manor house, it looked like the sort of place you’d catch Carrie Bradshaw sauntering around, swathed in Gucci and mink – and here I was in trainers. After checking in and denying the option for a porter at reception, I found myself led to the most gorgeous of open-plan rooms.

I’d landed the executive suite, and it was even larger than I’d imagined. The room followed a green and gold colour scheme, with high ceilings punctured with a crystal chandelier, and wide glass doors opening out to my balcony. With the light filtering in through the white voile curtains, my room was bright and airy. I immediately began to fill the massive wardrobe with an array of obnoxious outfits and popped open a bottle of sparkling water. It wasn’t hard to see why this place had such a high status.

The balcony was gorgeous, overlooking the gorgeous golf course surrounding the resort. Enveloped in my new matching robe and slippers, I ordered room service and sat outside snacking on sorbet – a stunning selection of raspberry, lemon, and apple cider, brought in on a silver platter.

It didn’t take long for me to understand the concept of a ‘staycation,’ where people book little holidays away in gorgeous hotels, spending the time relaxing and truly taking advantage of the services available. I spent a good hour lounged out on my massive and ridiculously comfy bed (which would easily have fit four people, with enough space for them to starfish), and chilled around the room for a while – taking it all in, reading, and drinking coffee.

The bathroom was pristine, with a massive bath and accessories from the White Company. It didn’t take long the massive bath was filled to the brim with scalding water and bubbles, where I submerged myself and lay uncontactable for hours. After, I slathered myself in the White Company’s moisturiser and dived into the millions of pillows of my bed, feeling truly cosy and cared for. With the help of my complimentary ‘sleep spray,’ I fell asleep easily.

The Food

As I made my way to the Vale Grill for AA Rosette dining, my heels clacked on the shiny reception floor. Walking into the restaurant surrounded by candles, flowers, and art, I was led to a table where my chair was pulled out for me and a napkin was placed over my lap. The chefs were visible at their assigned stations at the back of the restaurant, frying and sizzling and roasting. It didn’t take long for the place to fill up.

The food, as expected, was stunning. Having grown up in a household run by chefs, I pride myself in being able to spot good, high quality food – and the Vale Grill definitely lived up to standards. I sampled the salmon en croute with pea puree and watercress salad, with the pastry being perfect and the dish well-balanced. That was followed by pan seared chicken with crushed new potatoes, baby vegetables, and salsa verde, with a side of leek and spinach. The chicken was cooked flawlessly, although it could definitely have done with more sauce – especially as it came with a tower of potato, you don’t get a lot of moisture from the food itself. For dessert, I followed a recommendation from my waiter and went for homemade toffee cookie dough ice-cream and it was stunning – although, full from the rest of the meal, I sadly couldn’t even come close to finishing it.

In the same location you would also have your breakfast, which would come in the style of a buffet. With an abundance of fruits, cakes, and fry-up ingredients, you can fill yourself up for hours. Next door, you have the Vale Bar, where I whittled away several hours sat amongst the plush green and grey chairs, minding my own business as I wrote and sipped green tea. At some point the Welsh rugby team sauntered past my table, and I was reminded of the sort of company I was amongst.

Lunch was included as part of my spa day, so I headed to the Chai Cafe for food which again came in my favourite form of dining – a buffet. Helping myself to smoked salmon, falafel, tomato soup, meats, tarts, and an array of salads – from quinoa to Greek to classic veg – I ate a ridiculous amount. Due to the fact that it was all healthy, instead of feeling bloated I felt energised and ready for the afternoon ahead.

The Spa

I was taken on a tour around the spa (recorded to be Wales’ largest) prior to my treatment, and was shown around dozens of traditional and holistic treatment rooms and relaxation zones. They had a sauna, steam room, whirlpool bath, indoor pool, ‘slumber’ zone, ‘float’ zone (the best one), and a room where you could just sit back and rub a stone Buddha’s stomach for good luck. It didn’t take me long to realise that this was where I would be spending the majority of my down-time. After my tour, I was handed a branded drawstring bag – perfect should I had been better prepared and arrived with a book – and went into the dressing room to change into my robe and slippers. Surrounded by Hollywood-esque dressing tables, I felt excited at my upcoming treatment. Spoiler: it turned out to be amazing.

Having never had aromatherapy before, I didn’t have a clue as to what to expect when I went in for my treatment. As it happens, the basic idea is that you’re slathered in essential oils and then massaged for healing purposes. I’m not sure as to how much the massage actually healed my ailments – instead, I merely felt more relaxed than I ever had in my whole life. It felt surprisingly good to have my body go through a thorough kneading, and with the background music consisting of Chinese zen tunes and ocean waves, I very nearly fell asleep.

When it ended I felt so relaxed that I may as well have just melted into a puddle on the table, and my masseuse brought me a glass of water as after aromatherapy it is really important to stay hydrated as the body releases toxins. I was led to the ‘float’ zone where I spread out on a heated waterbed in a candle-lit room, closing my eyes and feeling engulfed in pure bliss. With a mini indoor waterfall making soft noises in the middle of the room, I felt as if I were in a suspended state like that moment just before you nod off. With snoring lightly coming from the other end of the dark room, I didn’t doubt that that was exactly the feeling we all shared.

My stay at the Vale Resort was one of which I feel blessed to have experienced. Leaving the hotel, I felt thoroughly disappointed to be walking away from a life where I had other people bring food to my room and pull out chairs for me, to a place where I have to wash my own dishes. The Vale was an absolute dream – and I already want to return.

And so, would you guys consider staying somewhere like the Vale Resort, where you can just spend days on end feeling utterly pampered? Let me know in the comments below!

Situated in the stunning little town of Beddgelert, a place swathed in history and folklore, it posed as the perfect opportunity to get re-acquainted with my favourite country. After a long, winding drive from the South, sweeping up country roads and down mountain inclines, I finally arrived at the cottages. The host, instructor, and yogi – Rebecca – greeted me, leading me to the dining room to meet the others. The next hour consisted of us all getting to know each other, sitting in armchairs by the fire with mugs of our favourite drinks to warm us back up. Pretty quickly, I found myself surrounded by some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. “And so,” said Rebecca, as everyone finished settling in. “Let the weekend begin!”

THE FOOD

Honestly, the food was undoubtedly one of the best bits about the whole retreat. Being a massive foodie myself, knowing that I would be staying somewhere that offered an array of filling, hearty, homemade vegan meals, I was slightly ecstatic to tuck in.

Everything was inherently healthy – detoxifying us and rendering us ready for the day (or night) ahead. Plates filled with cuisine from all over the world, made from scratch right there in the kitchen. Chocolate cakes and apple crumbles were baked fresh for dessert – always with the option of seconds. Lunch consisted of a surprisingly gourmet “packed lunch,” with ingredients I had prior never thought would be delicious together. Not to be dramatic, but even the food itself was an experience.

Meal times at Morris Mountains are set out to be social – the whole group sits at their place at the dining table (unless it’s lunch, where you all gather around a waterfall), spending the following few hours just talking, sharing stories and anecdotes and secrets. For my time at the retreat, the ladies acted as a sort of psuedo-family – they were all excitedly supportive when I told them about this here blog, but all discouraging and fierce when I suggested the mere idea of war journalism.

We had more of an opportunity to learn more about one another whilst sat around this table than we could as we trudged up the mountains (possibly because we’d spend the latter trying to catch our breaths without looking like we were doing so). Everyone sat around me turned out to all be deeply interesting people – from the woman with the deadpan humour and endless stories of India, to the Bolton living embodiment of a pocket rocket who always had a funny quip at the ready, to the two friends that spent the whole retreat absolutely roasting each other, to the woman with the nose ring whose eyes glinted with mischievous intent. As we sat there for hours, eating good food and sipping lemon water and tea, we chatted like we’d known each other for years.

THE YOGA

The once- and twice-daily yoga sessions occurred in the local town hall, in the sort of place you could easily mistake for a Scout hut. With obscure – yet oddly relaxing – music playing in the background, we would start each day and end each evening with an hour of yoga. I’m one of the least flexible people in existence, so the prospect of having to shift my body into strange positions for an extended period of time was slightly daunting – however, Rebecca seemed to know what we all needed and when, modifying the routine as necessary.

Over the course of the weekend the poses became easier (although they weren’t particularly difficult in the first place – merely positions that were entirely foreign to my body), and after each session you definitely felt as if you’d achieved something. With a heavy focus on breathing and just simple mindfulness, the classes also aided as a subtle form of meditation. At the end of each class, I would feel  the tension slowly work its way out from the scoliosis in my back, and the effects would last for hours.

THE HIKING

As a group, you get to decide the level of strenuosity you want to undergo on the trips out. The days would start with a 9.30am hike (after yoga and breakfast), clambering up rock faces and trekking across hills. The views were unprecedentedly beautiful, with the mountainous backdrops and dramatic scenery aplenty. There were abandoned stone houses and old bridges made of large slabs of flint, with sheep dotting the land. It was exhausting and it was wet, but it was absolutely stunning.

These trips out into the wild side of North Wales were made up of the contrast between gasping for breath, and telling my hopes and dreams to anyone that was interested (which honestly was everyone – not a single person spent more than two minutes on their own in contented silence).  We’d break the hikes up with trips to cafes for cakes, or just to stop and admire everything around us. When we’d reach the top of a particularly challenging precipice, we’d all just slow down and stare out, feeling blessed and happy and – despite the winds – warm.

THE ACCOMMODATION

Imagine finding yourself tucked away in the heart of Wales, in a cosy little cottage that has been passed down from generation to generation – with each new owner adding a quaint detail here, a small feature there. You’re surrounded by tearooms and ice-cream parlours, and the vast, unchanged beauty of Wales. The antiquated atmosphere tempts you into relaxing back in a plush leather armchair with a glass of wine, fat wax candles flickering away on the dining table. Your new psuedo-family surrounds you, as Rebecca’s mother, Hillary, cooks up food in the open-plan kitchen. Dinner is served at the large oak table – which, of course, overlooks nearly eight acres of tamed woodland.

With fluffy rugs and wooden everything contrasting the flat screen television, you’ll feel as if you’re in both a medieval lounge and a contemporary home at the same time. Honestly, with us all in our assigned rooms in the evening, bumping into each other when we snuck out for tea or a late night read on the sofa, it felt like I was in some kind of sorority house.

The bathrooms come as either en-suite or shared, with the largest offering a ginormous bathtub styled from a 60’s interior decoration magazine, with plush stairs leading up to the basin. It was quirky, it was kitsch, and the floorboards creaked. I loved it.

THE TREATMENTS

Hillary is a woman with many talents, trained in the likes of reflexology and Indian head massage, amongst others. She offered treatments during the stay, and I was more than just merely excited to try one. I’d heard about the benefits of reflexology in regards to people like me (i.e. people with Crohn’s), and here was someone who could both knead out the weariness of seven-hour-long hikes and offer a temporary fix to my ailments.

The whole thing was super relaxing and I felt incredible afterwards – and not just because of the free life advice I was handed at the same time. Having an absolute stranger believe in you wholeheartedly and offer suggestions for your ideas is one of the most pure, and inspiring, things that a person could witness. Definitely an unexpected feature, but wildly appreciated nonetheless.

Considering the fact that the whole business has only been up and running for two years, it’s quite remarkable what Rebecca has been able to achieve with it all. She’s expertly trained in all things mountain and yoga, and literally built the whole business from scratch through sheer willpower alone. Despite innumerable setbacks with it all, she’s managed to plan and create this whole retreat. Amazing.

This weekend was awesome, and I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to experience it. I would 100% go back, and met the loveliest people whilst clambering across the North Wales countryside. I am deeply thankful to the team at Morris Mountains for offering me a chance to witness all that they get up to, and am excited at the prospect of eventually visiting again in time.

Have you guys ever been on a retreat such as this, or want to try Morris Mountains out for yourselves? Let me know in the comments below!

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THE ACCOMMODATION

After reading out the wrong directions so that we accidentally ended up driving the whole course of the resort and glimpsing other lodges, chalets, and little houses that hyped me for the week to come, we found it. Our gorgeous wooden chalet greeted us, featuring an open plan kitchen, living room and dining room, all adorned with high Tudor oak ceilings. We had enough bedrooms to accommodate a whole family – but considering there were just the two of us, the wide open space was perfect.

After unpacking, we believed it too late to try and cram in some activities, so we decided to spend some time relaxing. We sat back on the veranda in the dwindling sunset, chatting excitedly about potential plans as we sipped our fruit teas from the kitchen. We ended up spending several evenings like this, at the little table of our lodge between the trees.

Throughout our stay, returning back to the lodge almost became like a return to the safehaven, away from the havoc and constant flow of activities outside. In the evening, we would return from dinner and just lounge back in the living room, comfy and warm and exhausted. We also had a wetroom, which was perfect for when we would come back from a swim and wanted to indulge in our luxe mini-spa.

The kitchen was fully equipped, which meant that we could cook up some eggs in the morning or throw a salmon in the oven if we couldn’t summon the energy to go out for a meal at night. It was like a little kitsch temporary home, and it was pretty divine. Honestly, I felt just like a proper chalet girl.

THE SURROUNDINGS

As you walk out of the lodge, you’re immediately confronted by the wildness of Wales – overlooking a lake, or a forest, or distant mountains. With local excursions such as many famed beaches, wildlife, and historical places like cathedrals and castles, there’s a lot to do both on the park grounds and beyond.

Within Bluestone, there’s a really cute provincial “village,” which houses cafes and souvenir shops. You can stop for a hot coco by the park, or just wander around the pastel-coloured houses. It’s got an old English vibe to it, which completely contrasts the strong Welsh patriotism evident in the dishes, the first-language of staff, and characters in the shows which the resort puts on.

My favourite parts about the surroundings of Bluestone were the trails – the endless routes of forestry of which you could explore. Wandering amongst the wildlife, there are two main walking routes that you could take – both of which leading to wild rabbits and remote streams and just limitless greenery. It’s such a gorgeous national park, I’m lucky to have remotely been based right in the middle of it.

There are plenty of little restaurants and food places at Bluestone which you can dine at, each with their own quirks. The best by far is Smokey’s, a little old lumberjack shack hidden behind a heavy canopy of trees. They offer plenty of vegetarian options (perfect for my restrictive Crohn’s diet), and they serve the most insanely gorgeous home-made lemonade. They also have an open woodland fire protected by a grill where you can roast marshmallows – a highlight for sure.

THE ACTIVITIES

The most appealing aspect of Bluestone is the fact that you’re able to choose exactly what sort of holiday you want. Fancy a relaxing retreat? Spend your time getting a manicure, basking in the sauna, sitting back in the hydrotherapy room, or visiting the sea salt cave or candle lit sanctuary. Or do you want an action-packed week filled with endless activities? If so, there’s a massive bundle of options to choose from – from zip wiring to axe throwing, rock climbing to kayaking.

Another one of the best parts of my time at Bluestone included a full day lounging about Blue Lagoon – the Bluestone water park. The outdoor slides were the most incredible, due to the fact that they attach to intermediate pools with heavy currents that throw you about until you land in a warm tub of water, high up in the trees with the backdrop of forest life.

I feel like at Bluestone you’re able to discover the type of traveller you are and what sort of holidays work for you. Are you an explorer, always craving hidden woodlands and adrenaline-filled adventures? Or are you a more of a sit back and read a book by an open fire sort of person? I for one found out that my dream itinerary is that of a six-year-old, swinging from trees and spoiling my appetite by snacking on smores all day.

I had a wonderful time at Bluestone, and am honoured that I was given the opportunity to be a #BluestoneBlogger and spend such a perfect week in the best part of the UK. I only live an hour from the resort, but found that other guests had travelled from the other side of the world just for a cosy little retreat in the heart of Wales. I have to say that I completely understand why – I’ve never fallen in love with a home-away-from-home this deeply.

Have any of you guys ever visited the area, or even stayed at Bluestone itself? Let me know in the comments below!

BUT BEFORE YOU DO – WHY NOT SHARE THE LOVE AND PIN THIS POST?

Having just returned from a gorgeous hostel stay, I’ll be the first to admit that my mindset in regards to travel accommodation used to be that they’re just places to rest, and can be as low-quality as they like. After all, I have stayed in rotting rooms in Dublin, pest-swarmed hotels just out of Istanbul, and windowless holes in Warsaw – and couldn’t have cared less. Or at least, that was until I decided to lay down in a luxury hotel, having been swept in with the promise of spa treatments and a panoramic view of the capital.

Trailing a room with windows thrice as long as the super-king-sized bed, with my own dining area and large nude-coloured washroom with a deep-set tub and glass shower, I had stepped into a world unimaginably different to what I was used to. Laying back in my armchair with the option of pastries and desserts brought to the door, I felt like I could happily spend my days exploring the chambers of the hotel – if only I could summon the intent to leave the room.

The rules of day-to-day life seem to disappear upon entrance to the hotel – think mid-morning cocktails in the luxury lounge and casual dips to the Hammam. Arise greeted by charming staff serving breakfast sourced from local farmers, located less than five minutes away from the main shopping district. Easy city links surpass the hotel, with the calm pace of Welsh life awaiting the front door step.

Everyone knows that I’m inexplicably in love with Wales, and so it’s no question that the capital is one of my favourite places to venture to. The bustle of city life intertwines with the laid-back nature of the country, and comes together in a mix of welcoming locals, endless places to explore, and Welsh cakes. The hotel is located within easy travel distance to Cardiff Castle, the Wales Millennium Centre, and Cardiff Bay – and for any Gavin and Stacey lovers out there, a trip to Barry Island is not off the table.

The hotel restaurant is an expert in “bistronomy” – French fine dining with an unpretentious twist. The casual atmosphere and waiters with a genuine interest in their guests renders a dining experience that is worth more than just food – and with luxe decor and design, every aspect of taste is catered to.

I would arise each morning swathed in pristine bedsheets with the sun falling on me through the silky blinds, opening my eyes to the Victorian architecture and early-risers bustling outside. How would I begin each day – a trip to the spa, a dip in the pool, a French breakfast brought to the dining area of my room?

Starting with the base rate of £97 per night, the Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa makes a luxe stay affordable. The spacious rooms, Jacuzzis, and opulent room service are features I have missed out on during so many trips away, but my opinion has now definitely been altered.

Now, over to you guys – what’s your mindset on hotels? Do you think you could ever be swayed? Let me know in the comments below!

To find out more about some of the best ways to spend a weekend in Cardiff, check out my friend Amber’s post on her recent trip to the city!