The Deganwy Quay Hotel and Spa has Christmas (and me) all wrapped up!

• Tags:
• www.quayhotel.com

Posted by Samantha Castle on December 16, 2008 8:24 PM

WHEN Tony Riley, General Manager at the Deganwy Quay Hotel and Spa and his staff read in my blog how utterly terrible I was doing with my penny pinching due to the credit crunch, they decided to bestow me some festive cheer.
I was invited to spend an overnight stay in one of the hotel's 74 stylish bedrooms, suites and penthouses and sample their Spa facilities and Christmas menu during my stay, how could I refuse such a generous offer?
Meticulously designed throughout, the luxurious Quay Hotel epitomises cool sophistication. Set in an idyllic waterside location with views over Conwy Marina, Conwy Quayside and the Conwy Castle, the hotel is a perfect coastal retreat.
Myself and *loml packed our overnight bags and made our way along the A55 to the hotel last Friday for a blissful nights stay in a suit that I can honestly say was actually bigger than our little beachfront flat back home in Llanfairfechan!

As well as a large double bedroom with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets and deluxe bathroom, overlooking Conwy Marina we also had the added luxury of our own dining room and sitting room with French windows leading onto a long balcony over looking Conwy Castle.

Our suite was situated across the hotels serene courtyard, which on finer days looked like a peaceful place for quiet contemplation. However, during our stay it was blowing a gale with torrential rain showers- if only I'd know beforehand that the reception can provide you with a brolly on such occasions!

Anyway, as guests we had complimentary use of the hotels fitness suite and swimming pool, which I have to admit, did look absolutely beautiful and very inviting after a long day in the office, but unfortunately myself and *loml got so carried away just enjoying our hotel suite and the sumptuous Christmas menu that we forgot all about the Spa- maybe next time.
Although I did notice the Spa has got some amazing winter offers on right now including a winter warmer pamper and polish package which includes five treatments, complimentary drinks and full use of the other leisure facilities, all for just £60 (that's a massive saving of £60 off the normal price!) They are also offering tailor-made Spa packages where you can choose either three or five treatments for £49 or £79, valid until March 31.
But my favourite Spa package, which I want to book for myself and my sister to enjoy sometime soon, is their amazing two for one offer which includes a nourishing body wrap, light lunch, use of the swimming pool, whirl pool, steam and sauna rooms all for £80 for two.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Deganwy Quay Hotel and Spa, and came away feeling pleasantly stuffed like a Christmas day turkey after what can only be described as one of the tastiest Christmas lunches I've ever tasted (sorry mum!) Before we left we were treated to the hotels festive Christmas lunch which consists of four yummy course, including coffee and mince pies- all for just £19.95pp. An ideal location and price for a work Christmas meal or party.
If you are dreaming of a white Christmas without all the hassle why not spend it at the Quay Hotel?
Spend this Christmas in North Wales and enjoy the Quay Hotel and Spar's three night house party from just £345pp. The hotels Christmas break package is based on two people sharing a classic twin or double room and includes all your meals and snacks.
For further information and details of special offers, visit www.quayhotel.com or call:01492 564100.

• add or read comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Groundhog Day- only worse.

Posted by Samantha Castle on December 3, 2008 2:35 PM

DURING this past month I have woken up nearly every morning feeling very sorry for myself. Its mainly due to the state of my finances, although you would of thought I was on top of my money worries after a year of penny pinching but thanks to the dreaded credit crunch, economic downturn or recession- whatever you want to call it, I am no better off for all my scrimping and saving over the past 12 months.
As you are all probably painfully aware everyone is feeling the pinch right now- what with Christmas just round the corner, the raising cost of living and it not being reflected in our wage packets.
But you have to feel sorry for all those people, and there are thousands of them, who works for a company that has just announced its either in administration, has already closed or going through a restructuring programme resulting in redundancies. It's happening everywhere, it's like a cancer crippling not only the local economy and national economy too with almost everyone knowing someone who has been effected by it. So feel sorry for me too because I am one of those people directly effected.
As you may or may not be aware Trinity Mirror, my own employer, publicly announced on Thursday that a total of 59 journalists' jobs and a further 19 non-editorial roles are set to go in North Wales, Liverpool and the North-West as a result of a "major restructure".
No job is safe anymore, not even my own.
Everything seemed to come to a head for me on Monday when I accidentally went over my £700 overdraft limit by £4, I rushed out to the Halifax on my lunch brake and withdrew the last £20 out of my savings account and paid it straight into my depleted current account. But alas, I was still informed today, by a smug letter that floated onto my doormat, that I will be charged 35 extortionate English pounds for my error. And I've still got two weeks until pay day and at least three Christmas parties to attend. Luckily I already have all my Christmas presents as I tend to purchase things in the January sale and store items away in the back of my wardrobe- along with the shoes I've allegedly had for years!

• add or read comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit