James Place @ Pontmorlais

We were very happy with our stay overall. The room was clean and cosy, with lovely decor, fresh bedding and towels. Tea, coffee, sugar and some nice Welsh cakes were there too. A couple of things made it less comfortable: we couldn't get the heating on, so the room felt chilly, and the parking was tricky on the main high street with no space assigned to the property. We could also hear everything from the people upstairs, which felt awkward with our two children there.

The kitchenette had plenty in it, and the basics were all there for an overnight stay: a normal bathroom, TV, table and chairs. It was clean and warm, and the owner had left Welsh cakes, two little bottles of milk and chocolate eggs among the towels. There were bunk beds too, so I can imagine it being fun for a family. The place has a full-on log cabin look, with animal skins on the floor, fake grass, pine cones, wood on the walls, a metal bucket sink and a fake stuffed animal head. Arriving on a rainy, dark night in Merthyr, I found it a bit too novelty for a one-night work trip, though I'd consider another of James's places if I had the chance. The bedroom is down two fairly steep steps, and I nearly fell going both down and back up. They really need clearer markings. The bed can split into twins, and as a double there was a ridge in the middle. It also shifted around, and without a headboard my pillows kept slipping into the gap behind it, making it awkward to sit up and read.

My father stayed in James's apartment while his house was being renovated. It was spacious, clean and fantastic. When the builders ran over schedule, James was very accommodating and arranged another apartment for my dad. I can't praise him or the apartments enough.

James is a lovely guy, easy to talk to and quick to help. The property was very clean, and the instructions made it simple to find and get inside. Brilliant stay, thank you 😊