Thornhill Road, Cardiff, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Housed in an attractive 18th-century country mansion
Hillside setting means superb countryside views
20 minutes' drive
from the Cardiff city center
Excellent dining offered in both the restaurant and lounge bar
Many of the spacious rooms have nice views
Fully-licensed
and well-equipped for weddings
Modern fitness
room has up-to-date equipment
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Some rooms feel a bit dated
Weddings can be
noisy
Restaurant is
small
The New House
Country Hotel is part of the Best Western family and bares the hallmarks of both an elegant
period mansion and chain hotel in equal measures. While the property's ivy-clad
facade and gardens are particularly picturesque, some of the rooms look a
little generic and a few could use a refresh. The dining is outstanding, though
the snug restaurant can get cramped when busy. It's the views, however, that
sell this place more than anything, and what also makes it hugely popular
with weddings -- which can be disruptive to non-wedding guests, so its a good idea to check if one's
been arranged before you book.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
This charming 18th-century country is retreat popular with weddings.
Visitors turn off
the main road and into a well-maintained private drive that leads to the
picturesque and charming scene of an ivy-clad country mansion and ornamental
fountain overlooking pretty gardens and sweeping verdant panorama. The protected
heritage building was constructed in the 1730s by the Lewis family -- wealthy
landowners who could trace their lineage back to the Welsh royalty. Since then
more modern architectural add-ons include a guest-room block
completed in the 1990s and a large suite for events (which are almost exclusively
weddings). Inside the ambiance is more traditional and homey than grand, with
antique-styled furnishings and a wash of patterned wallpaper, carpets, and
drapery -- as well as plump floral couches and wingback armchairs. While during
the week the mood is relaxed and rural, with little but peaceful views and
chirruping birdlife, during the weekends the hotel often becomes a hive of activity with
wedding preparations and celebrations that go on into the night.
Location
Set on a hillside with scenic views and just 20 minutes from central Cardiff
The hotel is nestled
on a hillside overlooking the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan and the city of
Cardiff to the south. The surrounding area is a patchwork of rolling hills,
fields, and woodland with little within walking distance besides the pretty
countryside itself. Cardiff city center is around a 20 minutes drive from the
property, while the M4 motorway is about 10 minutes by car and connects to
Swansea in under an hour.
Rooms
Traditionally-styled rooms come with decent amenities, but some have tired decor.
The hotel has 37 spacious
rooms, most of which are a blend of traditional decor with chain-hotel styling, and a mixture of modern and old-fashioned furnishings; some look more tired than others. However, some more recently renovated rooms have pretty
patterned wallpaper, more contemporary touches, and a fresher feel. Standard
in-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, and
flat-screen TVs, as well as hairdryers, irons, and ironing
boards. While most bathrooms
are clean and well-maintained, a few are lagging behind and could use
renovating. Rooms close to the wedding suite area are prone to noise when evening
festivities are taking place. Most rooms, however, have lovely views over the
gardens and countryside beyond.
Features
Excellent dining and full-service wedding facilities
A cooked-to-order
and buffet breakfast (not included in the standard rates) is offered in the hotel's pleasant restaurant, with some tables giving views over the garden and
beyond -- though the room is small and can get crowded. The Sequoias Restaurant
is also open for lunch and dinner, and provides excellent set and a al carte
menus; it's also popular with the locals (meaning making a reservation is sometimes
necessary). Food in the hotel's bar and lounge are also good quality with a
decent range of drinks. The hotel being licensed to perform civil ceremonies
means it's particularly popular as a one-stop-shop for weddings and receptions,
with a dedicated marquee and marriage suite. There's also a small but solid fitness
room with a good selection of up-to-date exercise machines.
