Caerphilly, South Wales Bryn Meadows Golf and Country Hotel

The Spa treatment is truly amazing, really great and relaxing. The service though is average.

My sister picked Bryn Meadows Golf Club for her wedding over 14months in advance as it was a central location to our family and friends, it had a nice room for the evening entertainment and the hotel rooms were nice and along with the fab views it was ideal, however, throughout the build up to the wedding we were hearing nothing but bad feedback mainly the attitude from the senior staff and Manager! we mainly spoke to the wedding co ordinater who was fine but closer to our date we were still getting feedback from people who had experienced unneccassery bad attitude and service along with remarks about average food, we were just hoping that we would be ok as we are very easy going:)

Well there were a few issues during the day but the unfriendly attitude was certainly noticeable mainly from the manager! further into the evening we were greeted with the services we booked, band, chocolate fountain etc and they, although embarrased to involve me, were appalled by the managers attitude and repeatedly said that they have experienced anything like it before in 10years of business, one supplier is heavily involved with wedding forums and wedding networking and has vowed to put their own review of their experience, i would also struggle to recommend the venue because of him,

We then finished up with a buffet which was ok but nothing special

Nice clean beautiful venue but change your Management Bryn Meadows

I booked an overnight stay at Bryn Meadows as a package deal with spa treatment, in house movie and 3 course meal. The Spa treatment was very good and I did enjoy it - I have given the hotel 3 stars for that reason. However, the in house movie did not work and when reported to the receptionist she didn't seem to bothered and wasn't very helpful. There was no apology given and I didn't appreciate the attitude. The meal was ok, but nothing special at all. The room had a king size bed which was in fact 2 singles pushed together and not comfortable to sleep on. The staff did not make us feel special, we were just a room number. I would say it very much lacked the 'personal touch' and I would not go back.

I booked a weekend, dinner and golf on the hotel website in Dec, no response. I booked a weekend, dinner and golf on the hotel website in Jan, no response. I rand and talked to the duty manager - Angela Davis - she acted as if the website was nothing to do with her/the hotel, she could not quotes on the basis of what was on the website, she seemed surprised I was frustrated with their "slick" booking process. Simon read the manager was meant to ring. Never did. I booked another hotel 

I reckon this must be our fourth visit to Cardiff for a big football match, but previously, we have stayed in a small Guest House literally a stone's throw from the Millennium Stadium (The Anchorage, in Fitzhamon Terrace, which is pretty nice). This time, we were a little later in confirming our tickets, so the Guest Houses in the area around the Stadium were fully booked, so a wider search was necessary.

I used Laterooms to search for available rooms for the weekend and came up with Bryn Meadows Golf and Country Club. I couldn't find any reviews on this place, but visited the Website and it did look good: http://www.brynmeadows.co.uk/bryn.htm

We were in booked into one of the hotel rooms and we were given an upstairs room - there are just the 2 floors - and we were a little way from reception, but this is a positive thing for me, as I am a light sleeper and this would mean less passing 'traffic' and a better night's sleep.

The room we were given was simply amazing, to be honest. Very clean and tidy and well decorated, but without a smell of brand new! Also, being a non-smoking room (I think all the rooms are such); there was no stale tobacco smell, either. All the furniture was of a good quality, but not over-stated. There was an electronic safe in the bottom of the large wardrobe, which had plenty of hanging and shelf space. There was a flat screen TV, which also allowed Internet access as well as the usual hotel TV channels. This TV also allowed the viewing of your bill, any messages and the rental of films. There was also a nice, big and extremely comfortable sofa and the main feature, an enormous bed. No expense spared, to be honest, and you will need a map to find you way around this huge bed, which was also the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in! There were En Suite facilities, with the basin in a recess in the main room and a separate bathroom and toilet. The best thing, though, as a bit of a gimmick, was another TV in the BATHROOM! How spoiled? You could lay in the deep bath and relax with the TV on! For the smokers, though, there is a nice-sized balcony to sneak outside for a crafty drag!

All of the staff members were extremely helpful, friendly and polite. Nothing is too much trouble, but don't get me wrong, though. They were not over the top and too subservient, which is a really good point. Also, there was a Maid service every day to clean and tidy and the towels were changed as required. The bed was also made if you hadn't already made the effort!

Included in the price is the use of the leisure centre, which includes an 18 metre heated pool, spa, Jacuzzi, steam room and large, well-equipped gym. We used the pool and it was superb. There were lifeguards on duty and the water was warm and very clean. The changing rooms were clean, too, and clean towels provided. The only downside, so Donna tells me, was that the ladies' changing room was freezing cold and she was told by a regular member that this is always the case. Still, get changed quickly and you'll hardly notice! We didn't use the gym or other facilities, but all seemed pretty popular!

Outside, the surrounding area was immaculate, with teams going round every morning sweeping, mowing and tidying. As it is part of a golf and country club, obviously there is work being done on the course pretty much as soon as the sun is up, but we were not disturbed.

Food from the bar is simple but freshly prepared and tasty. Usual stuff, like sandwiches (toasted!), burgers, ham or sausage, egg and chips, baguettes, etc. Not too expensive, either. Staff friendly, if not a little cheeky!! The menu for the restaurant was a little broader, but as there was a dress code, we couldn't go in, as I only had jeans with me. Breakfast is a self service buffet, with the food replenished regularly. There are selections of juices, cereals, cooked breakfast (sausages, eggs, hash browns, etc) continental-style (croissants, meats, cheeses, etc.) and these are eaten in the conservatory, overlooking the side of the mountain on which the complex is located.

I would certainly recommend a stay here and I am sure we will be going back if the Multiplex don't get Wembley Stadium finished soon! I would also stay here if we were to return to the area for a nice, relaxing break. This time, although we were off to the Cup Final, we also wanted nice, relaxing weekend break. Access into Cardiff from Bryn Meadows is pretty good and takes around 20 to 25 minutes (ish) by car. I think there is a local train station with trains into the Welsh Capital, but we chose to drive. Top weekend!