Mini break in South Wales: a review of the Vale Resort, Hensol

Back in September last year, tickets for The Script went on sale and I managed to secure two for their Cardiff leg of the tour. The occasion presented itself as the perfect opportunity to have a mini break in South Wales so I set about finding the perfect hotel for us to have some quality mother-daughter time.

The Vale Resort, South Wales – 4* Golf, Spa and Leisure Hotel |A review

The Vale Resort didn’t take me long to find once I started inputting some criteria into the internet, and as soon as I found it, I knew it was the place for us. The resort has parking, it’s located just outside Cardiff but still in perfect distance to access the city, and it has leisure and spa facilities.

I rang the Vale Resort a week before our stay to enquire about use of the leisure facilities around check in/out times. I was informed that we would be welcome to rock up to the resort after midday to use the spa facilities before official check in (which is at 3pm), and continue to use the facilities after check out.

This was perfect! My mum and I live at opposite ends of the country so to be able to relax together in and around check in/out was exactly what we needed.

On the day, having poetically met on the Severn bridge (we couldn’t have timed our car journeys better), Mum and I arrived at the Vale Resort about 1pm ready for our mini break in South Wales. We were very warmly welcomed at reception and we were able to be checked in early.

Room with a view 

Our room was on the first floor and was one of the newly renovated rooms in the hotel. As you’ll see from the photos, the room was spacious, clean, bright, beautifully decorated and had a stunning view out on the golf course.

Whenever mum and I have traveled together, we always end up sharing a double bed even if a twin room was booked (I’m looking at you New York City!) so to have booked a twin room and actually got a twin room was brilliant.

The beds were unbelievably comfy. After returning back from seeing The Script in Cardiff, mum and I curled up in our respective beds and honestly, had we not needed to get up the next day for breakfast, we wouldn’t have had any issues staying put until check out.

Funny story: Not long after checking into our room before we unpacked, we suddenly heard voices approaching from outside the room and before we knew it, the door opened and in came one of the Welsh rugby chaps who quickly looked as surprised as we did upon seeing each other.

Of course my Mum and I saw the funny side of this but the hotel staff were mortified and we were quickly called and apologised to. When we returned later that night from Cardiff, I found a bottle of wine on the table with two glasses and a card; it was a kind gesture for a minor error.

The View

Without a doubt, the most amazing aspect about our room for our mini break in South Wales, was the view out on to the golf course. Double doors opened out onto a small balcony with a small table and chairs; it was a shame we weren’t visiting during warmer weather.

A walk around the grounds

Set among 650 acres of private estate, the grounds really are beautiful and had we not had to go out into Cardiff late afternoon, we would have gone for a longer walk around the grounds of the Vale Resort.

A Welsh breakfast

I love hotel breakfasts, I don’t always love having to wake up to ensure we don’t miss the time-slot, but I do otherwise love a hotel breakfast.

The breakfast* at the Vale Resort was delicious; I had fresh coffee, apple juice, porridge made with soya milk, followed by a plate of hash browns (my weakness), mushrooms, beans and tomato.

Mini break in South Wales: Summary

Everything about our mini break in South Wales and the Vale Resort was amazing. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and clearly love working at the resort.

The hotel was very easy to get to -a well signposted short distance from junction 34- and loads of parking.

I can 100% confirm that my mum and I will return to the Vale Resort in the future as it’s the perfect mid-way destination for us to have some quality mother-daughter time. Next time we wouldn’t plan anything for Cardiff so we won’t need to venture away from the resort during our stay.

Can you recommend any other destinations for a mini break in South Wales?

Until next time x

*The Vale Resort were kind enough to provide complimentary breakfast for my mum and I in exchange for a review of the hotel. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.