AttractionsTravel

Celtic Manor Resort Newport Review

CelticManorResortCeltic Manor Resort
Newport

www.celtic-manor.com

Reviewed by Debbie Lowndes

The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport may not be the first place which springs to mind when planning a luxury family break but is definitely worth it. Celtic Manor Resort is set in more than 2,000 acres of magnificent parkland within the beautiful Usk Valley. You will find this enhancing resort just off the M4 (J24), only 90 minutes from London Heathrow, 45 minutes from Bristol and Cardiff-Wales International Airport and 5 minutes from the Severn Bridge. The resort located close to the rail network at Newport, with many direct trains to Cardiff, London Paddington, and Birmingham. So wherever you are expecting to travel from I am sure it will be easy accessible for you.

Celtic Manor is a five star resort which offers the most amazing landscape on the gateway to Wales. This resort has two hotels on offer, the luxury resort hotel or the smaller 19th century hotel. The resorts offers two very exceptional spas, two state of the art health clubs (with very modern equipment), fishing, adventure golf, treetop high ropes course, lower level rope course for the younger generation, tennis courts, mountain biking, walking trails along with more family activities, the list is endless.

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The resort offers a complete package/experience for business, leisure and golf travellers. There is a vast choice six restaurants which include the fine-dining Terry M, The Grill (located at the Manor Golf Club), Merlin’s Bar and the Newbridge on Usk, a separate country inn with six bedrooms. The resort also offers a number of ‘Hunter Lodges’, these are located a short distance from the main resort complex. There is no need for you to use your own transport to access the main resort hotel and the golf club. There is a regular transportation available which runs every five to ten minutes to and from the main resort. This service runs through the daytime and evening.

The Resort will appeal to all golf players as it offers the challenge of three 18-hole championship golf courses, including the Twenty Ten course, the first course in history to be designed and built specifically to host The Ryder Cup.

We travelled by car from Derbyshire for our stay, we found the resort well signposted and very easy to find. We drove to the main reception area, my family waited in the car whilst I nipped into reception to find out where we needed to park our vehicle etc… I was greeted by the most pleasant and helpful receptionist who advised me to take our vehicle to the valet and they would park the car and remove our language. We saw the valet/concierge and they organised for the parking of our vehicle and the removal of our luggage. They agreed to store our car keys in their secure safe. Both the valet and concierge service are professional and efficient. We returned to the reception desk to check in. The receptionist proceeded to advise that our room would be ready around 4pm. She took my mobile number and advised that she would contact me as soon as the room became available.

We had an itinerary set for our overnight stay so we were keen to make a start on this. As it was not quite lunch time we decided to work up a bit of an appetite and made our way to the outdoor adventure golf.

Activities – Adventure Golf
The outdoor adventure golf was set over two courses both of which offered nine holes. Adventure golf costs £30.00 per family. It is great fun and definitely gets your interacting with each other and other families. We collected our putters and golf balls from the friendly attendant at the kiosk, who also offered us a score card and pencil. The adventure golf course was attractively landscaped with small streams, water fountains/features, flower beds, shrubbery, statues and sculptures. The two courses had been named ‘ Celtic Challenge’ and the ‘Kingdom of Legends’. We started with the ‘Kingdom of Legends’. The number for each hole was clearly marked and there was a display board at each hole indicating the number of pars required to sink the ball. As we are very amateur golfers we did not manage to work to the par numbers. However, we did have a huge amount of fun and entertainment. The rules for the golf course were displayed on the back of the score card. They were also available within the booking kiosk. We spent a couple of hours on the adventure golf courses. This is good for families, especially in today’s society when mobile phones and iPads prevail. I must admit though my 14 year old and her friend could not resist taking some selfies and posting them on social media! The course incorporated a clever ride on a raft along a small stream from one hole to another one. You pulled yourselves along on a raft, it was a very clever idea and everyone appeared to be enjoying this feature.

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Once we had finished we took the short walk back to the resort and located the Merlin’s Bar for a spot of lunch.

Merlin’s Bar
Merlin’s Bar was modern, welcoming and offered a relaxing atmosphere, even though it was busy and only a few seats spare. Due to the weather being sunny and us wanting to make the most of it we decided to sit outside on the raised terrace. We located a seat and the girls sat at the table while my husband and I proceeded to the bar. We were greeted by a polite and friendly staff member who advised us to locate a table and they would we be with us shortly to take our order. We sat back down with my daughter and her friend (both aged 14) and shortly after the waiter arrived to take our order, we ordered drinks and four meals. The drinks arrived promptly along with condiments in preparation for our lunch. My daughter and her friend were intrigued by the fact that the ketchup was in a jar, they kept handling the jar and unfortunately whilst doing so one of them accidentally spilt their drink all over the table. Staff members were soon on hand to mop up the mess and clear the table, we apologised for our clumsiness. The staff clearing the table did not appear to be annoyed by this and took it in their stride. They offered another drink to replace the one spilt. A new drink arrived and immediately after out meals arrived.

All of the meals were served together and were very well presented. I ordered a fresh salmon and cream cheese sandwich, the menu stated this was on rustic break the waiter gave me the choice of rustic brown or white, I optioned for brown. My daughter and her friend both had chicken strips and chips and my husband had a smoked chicken salad. Every single of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The chunky rustic chips were a big hit with us all. The meals were priced in the range which you would expect for a resort at the higher end of the marketplace. Following the meal I indulged in a latte. This was once again was delicious and there was an added bonus as the latte came with a small complimentary caramel shortbread, yum yum.

The outside seating area on the terrace is stunning, you can see for miles and in the distance you can see the sea. The seating on the patio terrace was a wide selection of sofas, tables and chairs. Again inside the bar there was a range of seating, tables, plush chairs and sofas, all of which complemented the relaxed environment. It was a lovely place to wind away your afternoon if you wished to do so.

Next on the itinerary was the forest high ropes for the girls and a facial for me. At this point we decided to check if our room was available. It was about 14:30 and the receptionist advised that our room was ready. We were taken up in the lift to first floor level and then escorted to our rooms.

Hotel Rooms
We had adjoining rooms (identical in layout etc…) with massive oversized beds. These were fantastic! Both rooms had a homely feel and were so welcoming. The rooms were attractively decorated with matching bed linen, curtains and co-ordinated cushions. We had small balcony, a deck chair was available to allow you to sit outside. Our room was positioned at the front of the hotel and the balcony offered a view of the activity area and landscaping. The room was equipped with a writing desk for business use, dressing table, wardrobe (with robe and slippers) and table housing the kettle, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and milk. The TV was housed on a set of drawers. As well as the TV offering all normal channels and Sky it also offered you the option of viewing your bill and checking your e-mails. I was impressed as the TV was used as welcoming tool also. It displayed my name and wished me a pleasant stay. Both of the rooms were equipped with a hairdryer, iron, ironing board and safe. There was also the option of having a laundry and ironing service.

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The mini bar in the room was clearly priced and well stocked with beer, wine, coke, water, gin etc…  It also offered things like chocolate raisins, chocolate bars, crisps and jelly beans.

The bathroom was spacious and had shower cubicle, bath, luxurious sink with a great mirrored area plus a toilet. A clothes line was also available within the bathroom. The towel rail was heater, keeping your towels nice and dry and warm. I have to say the hotel towels were nice and white and very soft, you do not get this in many hotels! The bathroom was stocked with Elemis toiletries such as soap, shower gel, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner. There was also a shower cap. The shower temperature and flow of water was great too, this is not always the case in hotels, but you could not fault this shower in anyway.

We only stayed overnight for one evening and during our stay housekeeping knocked once on Saturday evening and asked if we wanted our bed turning or if we require more water. This was a nice touch.

The rooms were luxurious, elegantly decorated and very spacious.  I would not hesitate to stay for a week or more in one of these rooms.

Forest Jump/High Ropes
The high ropes are reasonably priced at just £10.00 per person. This is a great activity to test your nerves and conquer your fears. It also provides you with a real sense of achievement upon completion of the course. My daughter and her friend took on this challenge. Prior to taking on the challenge of the higher ropes they practised on the low ropes in order to get an idea of what was in store. Following the practice they were both secured into harnesses and they embarked on their quest to conquer the more nerve racking course. The climbed to the higher lever which compassed a range of challenges from ropes, walkways, zip wires and obstacles. Their faces were an absolute picture with a mixture of expressions of fear, fun, excitement and pain. I must admit it was amusing to watch and fun listened to them chat, when they weren’t too scared. The course offered a great range of obstacles to combat from moving to log to log at heights to walking in a thin wire, then speeding down zip wires etc… When they changed from section to section they had to hook off and on with the harness. Safety was at the fore front of their minds and the instructors regularly checked that they had done this. After the challenge we discussed how they felt doing the activity my daughter really enjoyed it, she admitted that she did find it scary at times. She also said that she would definitely like to do this again. Her friend was not as positive she found the whole thing a little bit too scary, she did say that she was delighted that she had completed the activity and conquered all the challenges. However she would not like to do it again as it is not her thing and she was happy just to stay she had completed the course. My daughter did say that it takes quite a bit of upper body strength to move around in the air etc…

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I saw from the resort literature that they offer corporate days, this would be an excellent venue for a corporate day and I think the Forest Jump would be a good activity for big kids. It would definitely be competitive and enjoyable for team work and banter. It is also a great family activity as you can encourage and support your children through the activity. In order to overcome any fears etc…  Just think about the sense of achievement they experience upon completion.

Forum Spa
Whilst everyone was climbing and jumping from trees I was allowed some peace and quiet. Therefore as part of the itinerary I was treated to a facial at the Forum Spa. The Forum Spa located within the resort hotel on the lower floor. It has 16 beautiful therapy rooms. Upon entering the spa area you are instantly wrapped in serenity and tranquillity. I was greeted at the desk by one of the therapists. I advised that I was booked for an Elemis Modern Skin Facial. The lady on the desk called for my therapist (Bobbie). She then escorted me to the therapy room where we completed a quick consent form and she answered the odd question which I raised. The actual therapy room was welcoming, relaxing, calming with mood lighting and aromatic scents. This definitely helped you to receive the maximum from the treatment. Bobbie advised that she would leave the room whilst I got myself ready for the treatment, she advise once ready to get on the couch on my back and to cover myself with the towel to above my bust area. The couch was heated which instantly helped your to relax. Bobbie returned to the room and my treatment began. The facial was a great experience, I had many sensations across my face from refreshing, calming, warmth to tingling. We spoke for a little while during the facial, our conversations gave me an insight about the facial itself and I also became aware that many celebrities have also had facials with Bobbie. This made me truly feel special and honoured to know that I have received the same treatment as celebrities. I could tell that the facial utilised a range of products from the differing sensations I was feeling on my face. I felt a mask be peeled from my face. Bobbie also incorporated the neck and chest area within the facial. She conducted a head massage too. The whole experience was great and truly indulgent and relaxing. The facial lasted for 50 minutes and I have to say it really did not feel like 50 minutes. I guess this must have been due to the fact that I was being well and truly pampered and the time flew by. This is my very first professional facial experience and I felt rejuvenated, restored and relieved for my stresses. I didn’t even have to wear makeup that evening as my skin looked that good, I felt and looked younger too.

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A bell sounded to highlight the therapy was complete and Bobbie advised that she would leave the room to allow me to dress and she would then meet me outside the door with a glass of water. I met Bobbie outside she escorted back to the main spa area. She then handed me a leaflet detailing the product range on sale. She had highlighted the products which would be suitable for my personal use. She explained there was a 10% discount for me due to having a facial and advised how I could find the prices etc… on the display if interested. She then left me at leisure to look and decide if I wished to make a purchase. I would like to point out there was no hard sell in relation to purchasing the products, it was purely optional. The spa also offered free tea, coffee and water. There are many other treatments on offer at the spa forum and they seem to be priced on a par with other spas in a similar calibre. The complex itself offers two spas, one spa is located at the resort hotel and the other one is located and the Manor Golf Club.

I left the Spa and went in search of my family who were still tree climbing. When they finished we had refreshments on the terrace and then we decided to have a further look around the hotel. We peered into the gym and had a wide range of the latest gym technology and plenty of equipment on hand. On the wall there was a timetable for fitness classes. There was a variety from spinning classes, step, body sculpt, yoga etc… We then quickly when to the desk at the health club to check family swimming times etc… Staff at the health club desk were very accommodating, helpful and friendly. They even noted the times down for family swimming at both pools (Resort Hotel and Manor Golf Club). As time was ticking on and we had our evening meal at seven we decided to return to our rooms to freshen up and change for the evening ahead.

The Grill
Once we were ready we went to the concierge desk to request transport up to the Manor Golf Club. Our transport arrived promptly and the door was opened for us to jump on board, we were dropped off outside the main door and the driver pointed us in the direction of The Grill Restaurant. I spotted the fact that there was no shortage of golf buggies at the club there must have been in the region of at least 50. We proceeded to The Grill Restaurant. We advised the staff member that we had a table booked for four at 7pm, we were immediately escorted to our table. The waiter took our drinks order, my husband and I requested wine for the meal, the waiter brought the wine and asked us to taste. He then proceeded to pour the wine for us. We were provided with the menus to make our selection. We were left at our leisure to study the menu. I took a moment to observe the surroundings we were next the window which provided a fabulous view over the golf course. The grill had a feel of a fancy country pub, the décor was modern, rustic and impressive. The table and chair seating was rustic and chunky in design, the table mats were wooden. These tied in well with the other décor attire.

The waiter returned to see if we were ready to order. My husband and I had three courses and my daughter and her friend optioned for just two courses. All our food was very well presented, hot, arrived prompted and everyone’s courses came together. Staff regularly checked we were happy with the food and if we required any more drinks, condiments etc… My husband and I both opted for steak as our mains and we both agreed that it has to be one of the best steaks we have ever eaten. The standard of food at The Grill is that of a Michelin star restaurant. The food must have been good as even the girls cleared their plates, which is usual. The menu offers a wide choice of dishes, the prices are relevant to that of a five star venue. Service within The Grill is second to none. Even though the Manor Golf Club itself was catering for a large birthday party that evening it did not reflect on service levels being delivered within The Grill restaurant. The Grill was busy, I cannot recall seeing any empty tables. If you need a special meal then I highly recommend that you visit The Grill. We spent a good three hours at The Grill relaxing in the lovely surroundings and then we venture back to the resort in the transport provided.

Once back at the hotel the girls retired to their room and my husband and I had a drink in the Merlin’s Bar. Merlin’s Bar had entertainment on offer it was a live signer with his guitar, he was good and the atmosphere was great. We then retired to bed too ready for the day ahead.

It was my intention to get up early the following morning to try out the gym, but I did not make this as the room was such a lovely environment and the bed was so comfortable.

Olive Tree Restaurant
We went for breakfast at the Olive Tree Restaurant. We joined the small queue of people prior to being escorted to our table. There was a lady playing a large harp as we were queue. I have never seen this before in a hotel, this was exquisite and special, you do not encounter this experience in your everyday hotel. This hotel definitely lives up to its five star rating. The breakfast was a buffet style offering cereal, cooked breakfast, fruit and yogurt, cooked meats, selection of breads, cheese, fruit juice etc… Just too much to mention. All of the food we ate was delicious. The waiter and waitresses regularly asked if we wanted anything and offered top-ups of tea and coffee. The good thing about breakfast was that in order to avoid queues there were two breakfast stations offering food. One in the main restaurant area and one in the adjoining garden room. Again you could not fault the restaurant or the breakfast buffet.

On Target
On Target offers an exhilarating outdoor experience perfect for family adventure and fun.

Archery
Our itinerary then led us to our final activities – archery and laser clays. It was a shame the weather had turned and it was raining. Fortunately the archery was partly undercover. We arrived at the kiosk and we were greeted by Leon who was very welcoming, encouraging and friendly. He took time to explain how to use the archery equipment. Then he ran through how to shoot etc… and the games planned for us during the archery session. This was a great family experience and Leon (the instructor) assisted in bringing out our competitiveness as a family. It was great fun even in the rain. Part of the archery venue is undercover so the rain did not spoil the activity in anyway. This activity is reasonably priced at £15.00 per person and it lasts for 45 minutes. This venue is also good for corporate events and children’s birthday parties. I would recommend this activity for bonding as a family and creating special memories.

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Laser Clays
We had the opportunity to try our hand at shooting laser clays. The rain did spoil this activity for us as it was not undercover and we did get wet. However, we still had fun, but we would have had a better experience if the weather had been fine. This is a state-of-the-art activity in which you use a laser-adapted rifle to shoot clays as they speed through the air. The clays can travel at up to 65mph depending upon the wind direction. There is a score board which electronically records individual scores, this adds a competitive edge to this high speed shoot out. Once again a great family activity.

All of the activities experienced at the resort were fantastic activities to get you communicating and interacting as a family. They were also great fun. I think they are a must if you are on a family break as they bring your family closer as you participate and compete.

We had a coffee to warm up and dry out at Merlin’s Bar. Then we fulfilled our appetite at The Olive Tree Restaurant with Sunday lunch. Whilst we were in the queue waiting to be seated we enjoyed the music which was been played by the band. The saxophone player was remarkable. Once again we were quickly seated, the restaurant environment was pleasant and relaxing. Service was good. The Sunday lunch was three course buffet style. There was an area designated to starters with a wide selection to choose from.  Another section for mains, this area offered freshly carved meat beef and turkey and a wide selection of vegetables and other pre-cooked meats. The final selection was desserts, once again this had a wide selection to choose from. Our Sunday lunch experience once again could not have been any better.

Prior to leaving we took the opportunity to use the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi at the Manor Golf Club. The Health Club supplied our towels and the receptionist was helpful, informative and friendly. The pool itself was quiet and a relaxing environment, the sauna was great as was the steam room. The Jacuzzi was spacious and relaxing. All of these areas were clean and hygienic with showers regularly dotted around the area allowing you to regularly rinse your body. The changing rooms had individual showers cubicles which was great, once again these were very clean. There were individual changing rooms as well as a communal one. The changing room offered hairdryers too.

I could not fault our stay in anyway at this five star location. We have had a truly amazing experience at the Celtic Manor Resort. We take away with us many special family memories – thank you for this Celtic Manor and all its staff. The resort is a true credit to its owner and definitely lives up to its five star rating. I hope to be given the opportunity to visit again one day. I would love to visit the Hunter Lodges at some point within my lifetime. I am sure these will be truly remarkable and sheer luxury.

Full costs of rooms, escape plans, activities etc… are available on the main website at www.celtic-manor.com.

This is the place to be spoilt and create special memories to last a lifetime!!!

Rating: 5/5 thumbs_up

For more information or to make a booking for the hotel or to buy an activity pass call 01633 413 000 or visit www.celtic-manor.com.

The Celtic Manor Resort. Coldra Woods, The Usk Valley, Newport, South Wales, NP18 1HQ

5Star

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