It is my last week of maternity leave so the Hubby and I decided to make the most of it and enjoy some family time. As well as visiting family we booked a 1 night stay in North Wales, returning to a hotel we really enjoyed before becoming parents: Ruthin Castle.
I was a bit apprehensive about staying in a hotel with a 3 month old baby. Although Archie is overall a good baby I was conscious about managing any fussy moments he had, midnight feeds and eating in a restaurant with a small baby (he is still too small for a highchair).
I needn't have been worried. Archie was very well behaved and the hotel were amazing.
The Hotel & Rooms
The hotel itself is steeped in history, with a castle being recorded on the site in 1277. The grounds are just beautiful and we always enjoy lazing around on the terrace while the peacocks wander around us. We have visited three times now, every time in the summer, and have been lucky enough to always get good weather. So we always take a few hours to relax in the grounds, walking around or enjoying a cream tea or drink on the Terrace.
The rooms are designed in keeping with the history of the castle, with a lovely mix of old and modern. On this occasion we stayed in a Castle Room but on previous stays we upgraded to a Suite. Our personal favourite out of the rooms we have stayed in is the Suite in the "tower" over looking the gardens... I can't remember the name, but I think it was the Patsy or Jennie Suite.
In addition to the above, the beds are all amazingly comfortable and we always get a good nights sleep.
Staying with a Baby
The hotel were great about us staying with a baby. When I called to book I made sure that it would be okay to bring Archie and take him to dinner as well. I did tell them he was a good baby, which he quickly proved me wrong about by screaming as we checked in (luckily he was good for the rest of the stay). The lady I booked with even said if we needed any help while having dinner to let them know. I thought this was a lovely gesture.
We also decided to request a cot in the room, to save on boot space, and they had that all nicely set up for him. It was comfortable and when I booked they made sure to place us in a room that could comfortably accommodate a cot.
At dinner we took Archie with us, we dined in their Bertie's Restaurant, and all the staff were great about us having a baby with us. As he isn't big enough for a high chair we took him in his car seat. The relaxed setting, with gentle music and lighting was perfect for putting Archie to sleep. So we managed to enjoy a meal while Archie slept. One of only 2 meals since he was born that I have been able to eat without having to interrupt the meal with mum duties.
Archie was also a big fan of bath time in the large roll top bath!
The Food
We always really enjoy eating at the Bertie's Restaurant at the hotel. The food is lovely, I really enjoyed my goats cheese and asparagus starter on this occasion. But what really makes this restaurant great is how attentive the staff are, the perfect mix of friendly and professional.
Things To Do
The hotel is perfectly located for visiting lots of local attractions but we always like to go north and spend some time by the seaside. About 40 minutes away are some of the best Welsh beaches; Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Gwynedd. On this occasion we spent time on Llandudno beach to dip Archie's toes in the sea... Needless to say he wasn't a big fan of paddling in the sea.
The hotel also has a spa on site, which I have used in the past, but I didn't get a chance to use this time. I am hoping that on future visits that I can sneak a massage while the Hubby is on "baby duty".
I am so glad we had a short break away as a family before I return to work, and staying at Ruthin Castle has put my mind at ease about hotel breaks with a baby!
Here is a link to Ruthin Castle's website: http://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/
This is not a sponsored post.
I was a bit apprehensive about staying in a hotel with a 3 month old baby. Although Archie is overall a good baby I was conscious about managing any fussy moments he had, midnight feeds and eating in a restaurant with a small baby (he is still too small for a highchair).
I needn't have been worried. Archie was very well behaved and the hotel were amazing.
 |
| Castle Grounds & Peacocks |
The hotel itself is steeped in history, with a castle being recorded on the site in 1277. The grounds are just beautiful and we always enjoy lazing around on the terrace while the peacocks wander around us. We have visited three times now, every time in the summer, and have been lucky enough to always get good weather. So we always take a few hours to relax in the grounds, walking around or enjoying a cream tea or drink on the Terrace.
The rooms are designed in keeping with the history of the castle, with a lovely mix of old and modern. On this occasion we stayed in a Castle Room but on previous stays we upgraded to a Suite. Our personal favourite out of the rooms we have stayed in is the Suite in the "tower" over looking the gardens... I can't remember the name, but I think it was the Patsy or Jennie Suite.
In addition to the above, the beds are all amazingly comfortable and we always get a good nights sleep.
Staying with a Baby
The hotel were great about us staying with a baby. When I called to book I made sure that it would be okay to bring Archie and take him to dinner as well. I did tell them he was a good baby, which he quickly proved me wrong about by screaming as we checked in (luckily he was good for the rest of the stay). The lady I booked with even said if we needed any help while having dinner to let them know. I thought this was a lovely gesture.
We also decided to request a cot in the room, to save on boot space, and they had that all nicely set up for him. It was comfortable and when I booked they made sure to place us in a room that could comfortably accommodate a cot.
At dinner we took Archie with us, we dined in their Bertie's Restaurant, and all the staff were great about us having a baby with us. As he isn't big enough for a high chair we took him in his car seat. The relaxed setting, with gentle music and lighting was perfect for putting Archie to sleep. So we managed to enjoy a meal while Archie slept. One of only 2 meals since he was born that I have been able to eat without having to interrupt the meal with mum duties.
Archie was also a big fan of bath time in the large roll top bath!
 |
| Cream Tea on the Terrace, Baby Cot & Dinner |
We always really enjoy eating at the Bertie's Restaurant at the hotel. The food is lovely, I really enjoyed my goats cheese and asparagus starter on this occasion. But what really makes this restaurant great is how attentive the staff are, the perfect mix of friendly and professional.
Things To Do
The hotel is perfectly located for visiting lots of local attractions but we always like to go north and spend some time by the seaside. About 40 minutes away are some of the best Welsh beaches; Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Gwynedd. On this occasion we spent time on Llandudno beach to dip Archie's toes in the sea... Needless to say he wasn't a big fan of paddling in the sea.
The hotel also has a spa on site, which I have used in the past, but I didn't get a chance to use this time. I am hoping that on future visits that I can sneak a massage while the Hubby is on "baby duty".
I am so glad we had a short break away as a family before I return to work, and staying at Ruthin Castle has put my mind at ease about hotel breaks with a baby!
Here is a link to Ruthin Castle's website: http://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/
This is not a sponsored post.
Glad you guys had such a great time. Archie seems like such a cute baby, especially because he was so well behaved. The hotel looks amazing, love the fact that it is drenched in history. Castles always make me feel like thrown back into time. Glad to hear they also had a spa so you could enjoy and relax!
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