Saint Cadfans Lodge

I wasn’t looking forward to trying self-catering, especially sharing the kitchen, bathrooms and toilet, but it turned out to be a really good experience. We barely noticed the other guests, and housekeeping seemed to come daily to check the basics, like a clean bathroom and toilet paper. The setup was very professional and accommodating. Our room was lovely, tidy and comfortable.

There are plenty of places to go nearby, but if the weather’s rainy you could happily stay here all day. It’s centrally located and easy to reach however you’re travelling. You get your own room, plus a fully equipped kitchen and two proper bathrooms. For the price of a youth hostel, it felt like staying in a real four-star hotel, a handy place to crash for a few days and enjoy being somewhere different.

Everything was clean, and the kitchen worked really well, with everything I needed. My little room was sunny, cosy and felt safe and friendly. Just the right size for me.

There’s a lot of helpful information on local things to do, including leaflets and maps. St Cadfans Church is across the road, and is said to hold Cadfan's Stone, the oldest record of the Welsh language, dating to around 550 AD. The picturesque local cinema is just around the corner, with The White Hall pub opposite. Street parking is limited, but there are two free car parks down the side street between the church and cinema. I was in Room No.1, which was decorated to a high standard and had a fridge and tea-making facilities. It overlooks Church Street, so there was some traffic noise in the early evening. The private bathroom is directly opposite, but you need to keep it locked, as other occupants might use it if you leave it open. The separate kitchen had excellent cooking, storage and fridge-freezer facilities, with a small dining room opposite. Highly recommended for a short stay.