Solar Strand Express Hotel

There was a tea, coffee and biscuit tray in the room, and the shower was very good. The place is unmanned and no-frills, but comfortable and very clean. Check-in was a little awkward until we got some help by phone. There was no TV remote in the room, though we were offered a room change. If we're back in the area, we'd be happy to stay again.

The rooms were clean and perfectly fine, with comfortable beds, just what you need for somewhere to sleep. I liked the self-service idea, and there wasn't anything major wrong with the hotel, but it could do with someone circulating to help guests. As first-timers, we found the arrival process confusing. The front door used a touchscreen where you put your palm on the device and enter numbers. Luckily, someone leaving helped us. Then we spent around ten minutes trying to open the key boxes on the wall. It felt like an escape room challenge. When we left during the night, we pressed the service button. A man came out of one of the rooms in full pyjamas, and I couldn't tell if he worked there or was a guest. Breakfast was self-service and I wasn't keen on it. A sign said to ring the bell for help, but no one came when we did. We looked around to see what was available, but I'd have preferred a fully cooked breakfast, so we left.

For a fair price, it's a fair hotel, basic but clean. Breakfast was very basic too, but it filled us up for the trip home, so I could live with that. The owners could give guests a bit more information about taxis, buses and trains. We had to walk to the local pub in Risco, where a very helpful young woman arranged a taxi to Caerphilly for us.

My partner and I stayed here, and neither of us found the welcome particularly friendly. The room was basic, and the food was poor, especially the standard of the meat. We definitely won't stay again. The place may not be shabby, but basic is the right word for it. Bookers is a cash and carry, not a quality butcher. And yes, we did stay here, so I don't need to give you my name.