Review – North Wales's Quay Hotel and Spa 'perfect place'

With the release of new spa treatments at the 4-star venue in Deganwy Marina, between Conwy and Llandudno, I took the chance to not only sample those, but to also stay a night.

Turning onto the Marina, I was struck how it felt like a private island which, in effect, it is, with private accommodation and homes.

I was immediately blown away by the view next to the wharf – to my left Conwy Castle and to my right, the Irish Sea.

I wasted no time and headed to the spa, starting with some lunch – Parisienne ham with lettuce and tomato on a baguette which was very filling.

The Parisienne ham, lettuce and tomato baguette at the Spa at the Quay. (Image: Newsquest.)

This was as part of the Spa at the Quay Wellness Experience at around £59/69 running from 1.15pm to 5.15pm with a two-course lunch.

Wandering down the stairs, I ventured into the general spa area that is open to hotel guests and paying members too, enjoying a steam room, sauna, infra-red room and Himalayan Salt sauna.

A treatment room at the Spa at the Quay. (Image: Newsquest.)

But it was time for the £70 Quay Serenity Ritual – one of the new treatments on offer from the spa, focusing on back, neck and head with facial treatment too.

I was met by Chloe, who has been there for around a year, and after a thorough assessment of what was needed, she got to work.

Having settled together on her doing what she does normally, I was soon thinking of nothing but how good this massage was.

All pre-conceptions of a spa massage were blown away when Chloe’s elbows were put to work on my shoulder blades.

I’m not paying lip service when I say this, but it was the massage you dream of when your back is bent double on rubbish seating in court.

The courtyard at the Quay which was beautiful. (Image: Newsquest.)

Or hunched from driving miles and miles from job to job.

It’s the massage you’re feeling the impact of almost immediately, with the sense of Chloe taking every knot personally and ironing them out.

The environment was incredibly professionally and thought out, music not too loud but enough volume to relax you while Chloe finished with a touch of ASMR style light touch.

Then came the facial – I don’t know how it’s possible to almost fall asleep while your face is getting probably the first real looking after it’s been given in life but I managed it.

A variety of products were applied to my face and hair and when it was time to come around, I didn’t want to.

A cream tea at the Spa at the Quay. Cream, jam and then some leftover cream. (Image: Newsquest.)

I wanted to stay there forever with my face glowing from such a wonderful treatment.

The aftercare too was excellent, with advice on what to do plus a small amount of sorbet to help hydrate.

It was into the relaxation room for recovery where there were wicker long chairs with blankets and cushions, and a chance to sleep if you wanted.

One could get used to this life.

After my second course of a cream tea (superb), I eventually made my way back downstairs to use the hydrotherapy pool, main pool and the sauna/steam room.

In conversations post treatment, I heard two people describe what they had and it’s clear the Spa here at the Quay doesn’t trade on its reputation but instead, it reinforces it.

It was time to check into my room and I was given an executive deluxe with estuary view and frankly, it was fantastic.

It was on the ground floor, so gives you a feeling that you’re staying in your own private villa, with patio space that overlooks the wharf. Even with the tide out, rowing crews were navigating the channels as the cox barked orders.

My start of a crispy duck salad with vermicelli noodles at the Quay Hotel. (Image: Newsquest.)

A seagull became a little too fixated on my crisps but in line with a high-quality 4-star hotel, respectably kept its distance and eventually flew off.

The Ebb and Flow restaurant was full of hotel diners and with its coastal siting – albeit with a lack of sun when I was there – gives you a southern Spain or eastern Mediterranean feel.

Slow cooked blade of beef with brandy sauce in the Quay Hotel's Ebb and Flow restaurant. (Image: Newsquest.)

I ordered a crispy duck salad with vermicelli noodles for my starter (from the normal menu at £12) and a 24-hour slow cooked blade of beef in a brandy sauce with tender stem broccoli and hand cooked chips from the specials menu (£29).

It washed down with a pint of lager brewed in nearby Llandudno, Bucsskin from the Wild Horse Brewing Company.

From my seat I could see people eating from a bar menu – burgers etc – and while my crispy duck was tremendous, the bar menu options gave me ‘fomo’. Can you have ‘fomo’ and satisfaction at the same time? Well I could.

My main was not overly huge and yet – and yet!! – I needed to go for a two-mile walk because I was stuffed.

The beef was sensational, slow cooked and melting in the mouth. I opted for no dessert for two courses but the options were good.

The hotel sits on the water and if you walk further up to Deganwy, it opens out with the Great Orme on one side and Anglesey via puffin island on the other.

There was one last litmus test – breakfast!

It’s not a buffet breakfast as such, though you can choose your own cereals, pastries and toast.

Breakfast at the Quay Hotel. (Image: Newsquest.)

However, I realise that having someone else control my volume of food is a good thing and the food was excellently done.

For people in North Wales, the Quay is not a hidden gem but for those further afield with the means may not know about it.

I was asked if I would ever come back when checking out and the speed of my answer surprised even me – a resounding yes.

For all prices and details including the spa, head to quayhotel.co.uk