We booked the Celtic Manor for a Valentine's weeke...

We booked the Celtic Manor for a Valentine's weekend away. When we arrived we could not use the pool because it was full, there was a huge queue, that was not moving and no way we would be able to keep our toddler entertained whilst waiting.

Back in our room my wife ran a bath for our daughter before we went for dinner and the water was luke warm at best. There was no toilet roll holder in the bathroom, just a broken bracket on the wall.

We went for dinner as early as we could at 18:00, because of our young daughter. So when we arrived at the Rafters restaurant we were pretty much the only ones there. Despite it being quiet it is was 2 hours later by the time we got our deserts, by which time we were on borrowed time with our daughter. We ordered a glass of wine each and had to remind the staff about our drinks, which took at least 45 minutes to turn up! It was not even that busy.

I went to the bar at about 22:00, it took 20 minutes to get served and it felt more like I was at Butlins or a cattle market than a supposed 5 star hotel! With many of the people being really drunk and nowhere to sit, it was not a pleasant experience.

To top things off there were then young children running up and down the corridors screaming until gone 1 in the morning. So we did not sleep well.

There was a huge queue to check out and it felt like we were at a Travel Lodge. I complained to the staff who checked us out, who gave a half hearted apology.

The quality of the food was good and the staff were very nice and friendly. But that does not make up for everything else, which was way below par.

It was my third stay at the Celtic Manor, but this was the first time I have stayed there for about 8 years. The standards have definitely slipped and I am in no hurry to return! Very poor.