Once a grand Victorian manor house, today Lanelay Hall is one of Wales’ most popular spa hotels. Following an extensive renovation in 2017, the house was fitted with luxurious spa facilities, and its doors were flung open to guests seeking rest and relaxation. Six years on, I travelled down to see how the experience measured up.
Hotel
At first glance, Lanelay Hall’s location seems rather curious. A stone’s throw from the town of Talbot Green, the manor house sits on the banks of the River Ely, with the forested hills of Smaelog Woods a short drive away. Yet while the manor house can trace its origins back to the 16th century, today it sits beside a distinctly modern housing development.
However, once you step inside and walk along the garden path, with the historic house in front and colourful flowers and trimmed trees on either side, you’re transported into a different world. It’s quiet and tranquil; there’s no sound of passing cars or people, just the chirp of birds and the faint murmur of guests in the garden.
Inside, a sense of history pervades the building. From the thick stone walls to the sweeping staircases and exposed wooden beams, it’s not hard to conjure up images of the well-heeled families who once lived here. In spite of its age, the house never feels dark or oppressive – mainly thanks to the high ceilings, huge windows, and bright skylights.
The feeling of history is juxtaposed with the contemporary styling, and in the entrance hall, a large table is laid out with a lavish flower display. Bold, jewel-coloured velvet chairs dot the lounge, where golden Art Deco-style mirrors hang on geometric-patterned walls, and statement light fittings and glistening chandeliers drip from the ceiling.
Room
Upstairs, there are 19 bedrooms and suites, each with their own individual style and sleek, modern bathrooms. Classic rooms are contemporary and stylish, with bright pops of colour, while deluxe rooms are more muted but larger, with striking antique furniture, super king beds, and Chesterfield sofas.
But it’s the suites that are most special. Each has a freestanding bath, a large ensuite bathroom, plus comfortable super king beds spread with top-quality sheets and cloud-like pillows. All rooms come with luxury toiletries, cosy robes, slippers, TVs, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. We were lucky enough to stay in the master suite, which was every bit as luxurious as you’d expect.
What I liked best, however, was that it possessed a quality that’s rare to find in many high-end hotels: a sense of fun. The huge bath in the centre of the room was positioned between the bed and turnable TV, so you can enjoy a relaxing soak watching a film, while chatting to your companion on the bed. The blue lights bordering the bath also give a fun, slightly kitsch look; this is a hotel that’s refined, but not stuffy.
Food and drink
Breakfast is served in the breakfast room or outside, looking onto the lawn. In the open kitchen you can help yourself to a delicious buffet spread that includes croissants, muffins, yoghurts, cereals, and fresh fruit, then sit down to order a cooked breakfast. Choose from traditional dishes like French toast, eggs Benedict, smashed avocado on toast, or kedgeree, or go all out with a grilled breakfast – either classic or vegan.
In the evening, you can experience some fine dining in the beautiful Drawing Room. There’s a focus on local ingredients, and there’s plenty of variety on the menu, too: served up during our stay were starters like gazpacho with shallots, ricotta, and lemon; dressed crab with brioche and lobster sauce; and scallops with pork belly, cauliflower and apple.
Mains included roasted garlic gnocchi with cauliflower, truffle, stilton and walnuts, roasted duck breast with charred hispi, plum, and mustard, and fish with tenderstem broccoli and langoustine bisque. Desserts include all the classics, and more. Choose between chocolate fondant, cheesecake with strawberries and cream, honey parfait with caramelised bananas and peanut brittle, or a selection of Welsh cheeses.
If you’re in the mood for a simpler meal, or just some snacks, you can choose from the bar menu, and enjoy a more relaxed meal in the Terry Edwards bar. Dishes include Moroccan spiced lamb croquettes, fried chicken with homemade ketchup, whitebait with lemon mayonnaise, a variety of sandwiches, and nibbles like olives and focaccia.
Spa
Lanelay Hall is a spa hotel, so unsurprisingly, the tRiBe Spa is a main draw. The atmosphere is relaxed and tropical, with leafy garlands hanging from the ceiling, and natural woods giving off Scandi vibes. Outside, there’s a heated vitality hydrotherapy pool, where you can enjoy a balmy 38°C soak, and after, you can dry off on the lounges on the sunny terrace.
Inside, there’s a relaxation pool surrounded by tranquillity pods, which are perfect for curling up in after a swim. The spa has a wide range of treatments, from facials to massages. I went for the hot orbs massage, a full body massage that uses hot orbs to relax the muscles and work at a deeper level. It was, to my surprise, one of the best massages of my life, and I spent the following hour in a blissful daze.
The spa therapists Keeley and Holly were outstanding, although service was excellent all round. The staff, while mostly very young, know their stuff, and are just as skilled at suggesting wines as they are at recommending spa treatments. Callum, the reservations manager, was especially personable; hotel stays are always more enjoyable when the staff seem to actually like their jobs, and this was definitely the case at Lanelay Hall.
In a nutshell
With classy rooms, a luxurious spa, charming staff and delicious, fresh food, Lanelay Hall is an excellent choice for spa break. Luxurious yet laidback, refined yet relaxed, and only a short drive from Cardiff, it’s a must for anyone looking to treat themselves to an indulgent break that won’t break the bank.
Factbox
Deluxe suites with bed and breakfast start from £219 per night.
Address: Lanelay Lane, Talbot Green, CF72 9LA
Phone: 01443 558 309
Website: lanelayhall.co.uk
Photography courtesy of Lanelay Hall Hotel and Spa.
