Cartref Hotel Fishguard Review
Reviewed by Helen Jiggins
We arrived at the Cartref Hotel, Fishguard in South Wales just after midnight fresh from the ferry from Rosslare, Ireland. We had three little children who unable to sleep on the ferry through sheer excitement of being on board (see Stena Line review here) were ready for a good night’s sleep. The hotel was less than a mile from the port and was easy to locate on the High Street.
We were greeted at the door by Kristiina, the proprietor, who was welcoming and friendly to a tired couple with overtired children. We were also met by her adorable little dog, Toby, who seemed equally enthusiastic to see us pitch up in the middle of the night! The hotel felt like a traditional British hotel, slightly old fashioned in décor, but comfortable and clean with a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.
We stayed right at the top of the hotel in a family room with its own discreet and lockable door, which consisted of three rooms, one containing bunkbeds, the second a double and a single and the third was a neat bathroom. The room was warm, scrupulously clean with crisp white sheets throughout. I took a little while to settle the children in new environment, but they all soon succumbed to a good night’s sleep. My husband and I also slept well.
We had arranged breakfast for 9am, but surprised both the proprietor and ourselves by being up and ready at least half an hour earlier. The children had slept well and seemed not to have been affected by their late night. In fact, they were all in very good and lively form, a testament to a good rest in a pleasant room.
We were offered a lovely full-English breakfast, with locally-sourced sausages, which was enjoyed by all. Kristiina was a very good hostess and was tolerant of our lively brood who were still in holiday mood. Kristiina, originally from Finland, told us all about her serendipitous arrival in the town when she and her husband couldn’t find a parking space in Dublin and decided to drive to Rosslare to get a ferry instead and ended up in Fishguard, where her husband, after an enjoyable evening at the local pub, decided they were to move there forthwith! They purchased the Cartref Hotel soon after.
After a good breakfast and enjoyable chat, we went for a walk around the very pretty town, taking in the rather spectacular tapestry commemorating the attempted invasion by the French via Fishguard in 1797 and the rather splendid deeds of a local woman, Jemima Nicholas, who single-handedly rounded up 12 French soldiers with the aid of a pitchfork.
Staying at the hotel was a Godsend for us travelling with three children under eight, especially arriving in the middle of the night. We were grateful for and delighted with our stay at the Cartref and recommend it happily to weary families in a similar predicament. We would love to go back and perhaps stay an extra night next time to explore the local area further.
Rating: 5/5
For more information or to make a booking call 01348 872430 or visit www.cartrefhotel.co.uk.
