Harley Young spends a peaceful weekend at this North Wales destination
When you think of the rugged North Wales coastline, your mind probably instantly pictures the quaint and cosy market town of Conwy - and why wouldn’t it? With its impressive castle walls that you can walk along high above the cobbled streets below and its old-timey chippies and sweet shops with that nostalgic seaside appeal, it’s a place that many Northerners will have fond childhood memories of.
But you’d be forgiven if the words ‘tranquil spa retreat’ don’t simultaneously pop into your head while picturing it - because they didn’t pop into mine either.
That is, until I was invited for a stay at The Quay Hotel & Spa.
Checking in
The hotel is situated at Deganwy Quay, surrounded by peacefully idyllic scenery and views looking out to Conwy Castle. With its modern facade and palm trees surrounding the perimeter, you almost forget you're on the Welsh coast and feel like you’re in the Caribbean instead. On entering the hotel itself, you’re greeted by a bright and airy, spacious lobby with a grand piano in one corner and signs directing guests to the spa, restaurant and rooms in the others.
As soon as we stepped foot inside, we were acknowledged by the reception team who welcomed us with a smile and swiftly checked us in, giving us a full rundown of the available facilities, their opening times and handing over a nifty FAQs card along with our room key.
The Junior Suite
We had the pleasure of staying in one of the hotel’s brand new Junior Suites; a sleek and stylish space complete with its own lounge area, large bathroom suite with rainfall shower and, of course, a supersized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets.
Each room comes with all the modcons and amenities you could need for a short stay, including high-end H2K toiletries, an iron and ironing board, desk, coffee station, freeview TV and free WiFi.
If you’re travelling with family or little ones, the Junior Suites can also accommodate an additional adult or child thanks to a convenient pull-down bed which has been integrated into the room’s fixtures.
The best part though, was our suite’s own private balcony, providing exceptional quayside views. All of the junior suites have one of these, or their own private terrace if located on the ground floor.
Once we’d settled in and spent a while boat-watching over the bay, we donned our robes and headed down to the spa to see what relaxing facilities they had on offer.
Unwinding in the spa
By mid afternoon, the spa was a nice level of busy with around eight other guests indulging in the facilities. A large, room temperature pool with hydrotherapy jets takes centre stage, surrounded by a neat row of sun loungers, while around the corner sits a tiled bench with a series of foot spas.
As well as hydrotherapy elements, including a thermal experience shower, there’s an infrared sauna, steam room and a decent-sized Himalayan salt sauna which jets out warm Himalayan salt-infused air for combating stress and releasing toxins.
We cycled through each of the facilities a couple of times then flopped on the loungers for a snooze until it was time to head for a late lunch back in the spa restaurant upstairs; here lighter bites are served, including salads, toasted sandwiches and wraps, and small desserts such as orange cake or cream tea for one.
Not too long after I’d finished my cream tea, it was time for my treatment; the Bespoke Radiance Renewal Facial using premium products from OSKIA’s skincare range. The treatment started with an in-depth consultation with one of the expert in-house spa therapists, before I enjoyed an hour-long facial, neck and head massage, using products specifically designed to complement and soothe my skin.
I left feeling totally renewed and almost nodded off a few times, so decided to retreat back to the Junior Suite for a lie down on the plush king-sized bed until it was time for dinner in the restaurant.
Dinner at Ebb & Flow Restaurant
The Ebb & Flow restaurant has been tastefully themed in keeping with the hotel’s surroundings, incorporating elements like a sea blue colour palate and decorative rope dividers replicating that of the boats that are docked at the quay.
The theming continues with the menu, which features an array of seafood dishes including the spiced John Dory with saffron and cardamom fondant, coconut lime sauce and crispy rice.
I was enticed by the trio of pork; pan roast pork fillet, sticky belly pork, caramelised onion pork bon bon served with apple and sage mash, glazed carrots and calvados jus - a blooming marvellous plate of rich flavours.
My partner opted for the 24-hour slow-cooked feather blade of beef served in a brandy cream sauce with sticky red cabbage, tender stem broccoli and hand cut chips - again, a fantastic dish.
Rounding off the meal in style, we shared an indulgent sticky toffee pudding with honeycomb ice cream while watching the most glorious sunset illuminate the quay in a fiery shade of orange.
Time for breakfast
After a day of lounging, great food and an excellent night’s sleep, we awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and content - our moods instantly made even brighter when we threw open the curtains to the glorious sunny view outside.
A brew on the balcony later, it was time to bid a reluctant farewell to our gorgeous room, but not before delighting in a full cooked breakfast back in the restaurant downstairs, setting us up nicely for a day of exploring the rest of what North Wales has to offer.
If you’re interested in experiencing a tranquil stay at Quay Hotel & Spa for yourself, you can find out more and book here.
The Quay Hotel & Spa, Deganwy Quay, Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9DJ
Fact file
- A stay in one of the hotel’s new Junior Suites starts from £249 per night.
- Spa day packages, including lunch, start at just £129 per person.
- You can reach The Quay Hotel & Spa from Manchester in an hour and 40 minutes via car.
- Alternatively, a train from Manchester Victoria takes two hours and 15 minutes, with one change in Chester.
- A taxi from Conwy station takes about 5-10 minutes or, for those looking to take a scenic route, a walk along the coastal path takes roughly 25-30 minutes.
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