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3.5
#1 of 1 hotels in Cwmtaf
Location
Rooms
Value
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Sleep Quality
The Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel, Bistro and Spa is a contemporary inn in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. You could not find a more ideal location for your short break or business trip with highlights including: 33 individually designed bedrooms, extensive grounds with two rivers for the summer, blazing log fires in the winter, a bustling bistro and an intimate bar, extensive menus specialising in game and fish dishes with great puddings, a state-of-the-art health spa with 18 metre pool, gym and spa pool, a treatment centre offering a wide range of health and beauty treatments, attentive staff at all times and all at great value prices. The Nant Ddu Lodge is also a great place to base yourself while exploring the Beacons and the Valleys of South Wales with Cardiff being just 30 minutes drive. Unfortunately we are not able to accept PETS.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to VisitWales.
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Nestled amid scenic vistas suitable for outdoor aficionados, Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa is often celebrated for its location. However, guests have called out the need for a significant overhaul of amenities, including the spa, and an update to the hotel's atmosphere, which lacks the expected charm. Rooms are routinely criticized for appearing tired and poorly maintained.
While staff interactions can be pleasant, there are notable concerns regarding service inconsistency and maintenance issues. Travelers are divided on the hotel's value, with some finding it reasonable and others disappointed by the offering compared to the cost.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tired
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
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We are regular visitors here, due to family problems we haven’t been able to visit for a while. The first impression was poor, no fire lit on a cold frosty night, the tables were dirty and the cheap nasty table clothes look like a greasy spoon. However the food was as good as ever, so the problems could be solved with a bit of cleaning, ditch the table clothes and light the fire on cold nights.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Simon Daniel, General Manager at Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa
Responded 3 Apr 2020
Thank you. Simon Daniel - General Manager
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Firstly, the food is delicious and really well presented. Food alone would get a 5* review. The spa is okay, there aren't enough spa loungers so day guests arriving late don't have anywhere to lie down and have to sit on a bench. It sound niggly, but also the jacuzzi is so crazily noisy its hard to relax in there when its on, it sounds broken noisy rather than bubbly noisy. Place was spotlessly clean throughout, but generally could do with some TLC, shower heads replacing and that sort of thing, and ceiling repainted where there has been damp or leaks in the past. Overall, good value for money but not a luxury spa, the food makes up for this though!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Simon Daniel, General Manager at Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa
Responded 21 Feb 2020
Many thanks for your constructive comments. We will address the problems you had. Simon Daniel - General Manager
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My partner and I stayed for two nights in August as a base for walking.
The Stay:
First off, the location is pretty good, right around the corner from Pen-y-Fan and in good position to access the rest of the Beacons. The hotel itself is on a road which you can hear from the garden for a drink but it didn’t bother us particularly.
The overall service at the reception was very friendly, we were warmly greeted and each interaction was pleasant. However, unfortunately the hotel itself didn’t stand up to the warms of the service. The carpets throughout the property are stuck down with gaffer tape,tables and chairs are all really tired and the general feel of the property is that it needs an update. In particular the spa facilities need a good clean and the safety tape on the hand rail should just be dealt with by fixing it ASAP as it just gives the place a really neglected feel.
When reaching our room we were greeted by a similar feel. It was tired, cleanish but not spotless. There was a card on the bed implying that due to covid the room would not be turned down during the stay but this could be requested. I’m not sure why properties continue to use this excuse to provide a lower quality of service (or probably to reduce costs or cover up for staff shortages?)but it’s starting to wear a bit thin.
The breakfast was good on both days, service was quick and friendly and the breakfast itself clean and tasted good.
The restaurant:
We ate in the restaurant on the first evening and were shown to a table in the adjoining room. We ordered drinks and looked at the menu, the drinks arrived and the server said she would return in a moment to take our order. We had been seated at 7:45 and when it reached 8:15 I asked at the bar if we could order. Our order was taken, 2 prawn starters, slow cooked lamb and a sirloin steak. We received the starters in about 20 minutes and we both enjoyed them. The table was cleared about 20 minutes later and about 15 minutes after that our main courses were delivered. My partner enjoyed her lamb but unfortunately my steak, which I ordered rare, was medium-well. The server, returned to the dining room on a few occasion but I was unable to get their attention so was forced to visit the bar and explain the situation. The steak and sautéed potatoes (just fried potatoes not sautéed at all) were replaced, this time the steak was closer to medium but I ate it rather than returning for a second time. The steak dish itself was £26 and served with a baked mushroom, a few roasted tomatoes and the fried potatoes. Overall, I would say it wasn’t anything better than you would be in a standard pub menu and not worth the money we paid for it.
We finished our meal and then waited in front of our dirty plates for a further 15 minutes or so. Eventually I went to the bar and asked for a last drink each and the bill. The total bill came to £96, which isn’t that expensive, is probably overpriced for the quality of service and the food we received. Overall it feel like it’s a restaurant that thinks it’s a bit better than it is and could do with concentrating on the fundamentals of food and service to get up to a basic standard.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On a positive, the staff here were lovely and tried really hard to make our stay pleasant and the negative aspects of the stay are beyond their control. The hotel has seen better days and is in need of a much needed refit and a lot of TLC. The rooms were basic, fixtures and fittings were ancient and the carpets were engrained with dirt simply because they were so old. Everything in the room was well past being serviceable. It was simply not good enough for a spa hotel. We did not use the spa as there were only 1 hour bookable slots and we had planned on having a leisurely afternoon and not rushing. This was due to covid but it would have been good to have been told this at time of booking. Finally the issue with the bath water running brown really needs to be looked at. As the room had no shower there was no other option but to bath, but on a spa weekend you would expect not to be bathing in brown water. So much potential here in a beautiful location. Such a shame it didn't live up to expectation.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stopped here a few times for a drink when in the area and have said we would like to take the time to have a meal as it’s always had such a good reputation and the menu has looked amazing so when we went out of our way to include an overnight stay with an evening meal here on our road trip I was really looking forward to it , however.... The suite we stayed in just wasn’t up to scratch, the carpet was worn out at entrance and snagged in a few places it looked shabby, whoever hung the pictures should be hung themselves as they were obviously done by eye (and not a level one) ok not so important but then the bathroom had its fitments done by the same man as the the toilet roll holder and the shower taps and soap dish were all on the slant, the shower taps were hanging out of the wall, there has also been a need to regrout the tiles around the bath which has been done in a different colour the the rest of the bathroom tiles, the shower itself was dreadful but I have it on good recommendation that the bath was ‘lovely’ . I just get the impression that someone’s gone in and decorated then quickly solved issues and done a slap dash job and said “that’ll do”. Now because of the covid regulations and the lack of use of a lot of the facilities our nights stay was only £84 inc breakfast so taking that into consideration it was reasonable enough but if you consider the usual price would be £158 per night I think I would be most unhappy about the standards as they are poor. On the good side , it was spotlessly clean and there was plenty of space, and was comfortable even to eat . Our meal was very welcome because we had travelled all day and were very hungry but again I’m sorry to say although adequate was nothing special and rather overpriced for a 8oz steak and less than 10 chips with one mushroom and two cherry tomatoes for the grand sum of £25 , the other meal consisted of a starter of belly pork, which quite honestly was one of the strangest dishes I’ve ever had tasting of nothing but soy sauce and did not have the consistency of meat. Main course was chicken in a Stilton sauce, served with the same chips and some pasta ribbons tucked under the chicken , odd combination but tasty enough. The dessert was treacle tart and very nice . This came to a total of £53 , not massively expensive but I feel overpriced, and not anything like the standard I expected and considering there’s such a limited menu I feel a restaurant with the outstanding reputation this has could have done an awful lot better. In the interests of fairness this is a lovely looking building in some beautiful grounds, the private entrance to the suite was great and with parking right outside also very convenient . The two members of staff that we came in contact with were both outstandingly helpful and polite and a credit to the business. But as stated I found the stay as a whole disappointing and I’m sorry to say we are unlikely to return.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Simon Daniel, General Manager at Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa
Responded 13 May 2021
I am sorry you were unhappy with your stay
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Am sad to leave a bad review for this hotel as visited few years ago and had a much better experience. I have emailed the hotel with some polite feedback but they haven't even had the courtesy to reply so I now feel the need to leave this review.
Stayed in room 30, the family room. Very poor attention to detail, particularly to decorating standards throughout. plug sockets loose and falling off, toilet roll holder falling off wall, poor paintwork etc. Mildew stains in bathroom. Leaking shower, multiple stains on carpets, broken lamps. Ceiling in main breakfast room leaking, not redecorated. I could go on.
We paid £125 for one night. I have stayed in places for £25 and £45 a night with better standards than this. To go away is supposed to be a treat and this certainly wasnt. Especially for a hotel with a spa! I understand they are currently in the process of renovating the rooms, great,but if I were the manager I just simply would not let out the rooms in their current state, especially not at full price. They are going to ruin their reputation fast if they continue this.
The food however was very good even though slightly pricey but no vegetables or salad with the main course, just meat and potatoes which I find odd!! Which for £117 for 4 of us (with one bottle of wine in that) I would expect a few peas even maybe.
Would not stay here again or recommend! Disappointing.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Simon Daniel, General Manager at Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa
Responded 24 Feb 2020
Thank you for your comprehensive feedback. We are in the process of refurbishing our bedrooms. I am sorry that you were unhappy but this will be addressed. Simon Daniel - General Manager
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Very disappointed with our stay at the Nant Ddu! No hot water so I could not wash my hair for dinner after spending the afternoon in the pool my hair was full of chlorine (it now feels like straw). No relaxation, the jacuzzi is old and noisy and I had some guys feet by my head when lying on the beds as they’re that close. The toilet in the room would only flush after 10 attempts of the flush and we woke up to no electric or water the next day... the electric trip was down to the weather which I understand but as a business where is the storage tank for back up water? Rooms Need a serious freshen up!! I did not enjoy the oven chips for dinner and the service at breakfast was shocking. I have sent an email of complaint over 24hrs so I will look forward to the reply!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Simon Daniel, General Manager at Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel & Spa
Responded 21 Feb 2020
I have addressed this directly with you. I am sorry that you felt we didn't do enough during the very bad storm and power cut. I felt our team did a good job under terrible conditions. I sorry did not. Simon Daniel - General Manager
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What should be a wonderful experience given its in the Brecon Beacon national park was just a sad, neglected unloved hotel. It's set in beautiful grounds with amazing views, it was clear that this is now a owner managed hotel or has anyone with hotel experience to lead a team. The staff are friendly the food good. Where do I start with the hotel itself.
Inside it's in need of a makeover, it was mishmash furniture in the rooms all walls throughout are scuffed. Lacked any personal touches and void of an area to sit comfortably just peeling leatherette chairs. The rooms were bland, light bulbs missing, bathrooms need grouting, lack of shower head holder you had to squad in the bath to shower. All rooms have dark furniture again all different types of wood and the varnish was peeling on the tables. Outside, the plant pots at the patio entrances are full of weeds no flowers, the wooden tables benches in the garden are dry and peeling no sign of any treatment. Where a wooden window was deteriorating they had stuck a piece of upvc into the gap. Bird mess down a drainpipe and on the floor next to where you would eat on the outside patio. I could go on!
Come on Nant Ddu, the proprietor needs to send a team in here an give Nant Ddu and its staff the love the hotel requires in this beautiful part of the world. It gets the clientele due to its location to the Beacons but their experience at this hotel should leave them wanting to come back to stay.
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Date of stay: June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I honestly hate leaving bad reviews but we were so disappointed by our trip to Nant Ddu, especially when we were spending a lot of money and had driven all the way from London for a much needed break. The bad experience started when I called ahead to find out if there was somewhere quiet I could go for an important meeting on Zoom. Everyone was really unhelpful and vague and I was told I could maybe just sit in the restaurant. I managed to find some chairs in the corridors to do the meeting as our room wasn’t ready but it was just the fact that no one seemed interested or wanted to help. Our spa treatments started late and finished early, our food wasn’t great and the rooms really need some TLC - especially the bathroom. It was really run down. And it was really noticeable that the building hadn’t had a deep clean in a long time. The spa facilities were really not very nice either sadly, with the changing rooms a bit of a state. The location is so wonderful and this could be a great stay but sadly it wasn’t. Thank you to Molly on reception who was a welcome happy face each day and who really tried to be helpful. The bed was also really comfy and the walks round the area amazing. As I say, hate leaving poor reviews but we were just so disappointed.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So much wrong with this place. It’s like they’ve invested money in making their restaurant nice and their swimming pool at the expense of everything else. The rooms are dirty, damp, have useless showers and are lacking the basics.
4 of us stayed here after some walking in Wales. Of the 4 rooms, 3 of them were so awful we complained and got some money back.
* No shower curtains * No shower head holders or hooks * No shower gel in any room * Not even a bar of soap * Mouldy bathroom and black skank all the way round the bottom of the bath * Shower pressure was so poor that I had to sit in the bath and hold the shower head above my head to wash !! * Damp, black carpets * Damp on curtains * One of the four rooms was so damp, that it affected my friends asthma. He woke at 4am having a reaction and needing his enhaler * Complimentary bottle of water in the room which is nice. However one of us went to pick up ours and it had already been opened and some had been drank already !! * Water cooler by the “spa” totally empty of water * Wet/dirty towel trolley just left out in full view overnight and the next day
Their advertising claims a “state of the art spa”. The reality is a tired sauna and steam room. No spa staff all the time we were there. Empty water cooler, poor showers. There is nothing state of the art unfortunately.
We stayed in rooms 9, 10, 13 & 14 suggest you absolutely AVOID these rooms when you check in. Our rooms were £108 which is unacceptable for the rooms and the experience we had. If we’d paid £50 maybe the damp, dirty and frankly hopeless rooms lacking the basics may have been more understanding but for over £100 this hotel should not allow themselves to let people stay in these rooms.
We all felt this hotel would be better selling less rooms and making them at least habitable. We’d never come back to this place. They desperately need some work. Such a shame as could be a really lovely place.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:AVOID rooms 9, 10. 13, 14
Take your own towel to the “state of the art spa” that doesn’t provide...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Cwmtaf area.
PRICE RANGE
RM 433 - RM 727 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
nant ddu hotel cwmtaf, nant ddu cwmtaf, nant ddu lodge hotel
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomWalesSouth WalesMerthyr Tydfil CountyCwmtaf
NUMBER OF ROOMS
33
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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