2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Emma Gill)
It's not often you get a spa resort tailored around families, especially if yours includes a furry one of the four-legged kind. So it was quite a surprise that we could take not only the children, but also the dog along to Marian Resort and Spa in North Wales. Around 90 minutes from Manchester, it only opened in April and is the latest offering from Lyons Holiday Parks.
Home to 80 lodges, with a range that includes classic, premium, luxury with hot tub, accessible, or pet friendly, there's also a boutique hotel there too. The place even has its own resident peacock, who thankfully the dog didn't clap eyes on. Read more: Rural cottage retreat in the heart of Wales was a blissful autumn break It's not a huge site, so you don't have a huge stomp to get from your car to the accommodation and we were able to park just a minute's walk from ours - a three-bed pet friendly one with a cosy living space with comfy sofas and a digital TV.
There's a basic kitchenette, with a fridge, toaster and microwave, but these aren't really set up with self-catering in mind. The indoor heated swimming pool (Image: Marian Resort and Spa) That's because there's a large food offering on site, with options including the View Restaurant, Lounge Bar and more casual Sports Bar and Grill. Guests can choose from a selection of packages with either bed and breakfast; or dinner, bed and breakfast.
We sampled the full breakfast from the buffet-style set-up, tucking into delicious bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs and more, and there were plenty of other options from the continental buffet, including yoghurts, fruit, cereals and pastries. And the Sports Bar and Grill was ideal for one of our evening meals as, not only were there some tasty options for us all to choose from - including tasty burgers and toffee pudding for the kids - but it meant we could take the dog in there with us too. Some of the lodges have their own hot tub (Image: Marian Resort and Spa) Of course we weren't there just to eat, unless you count my teenage son who seems to hoover up anything in sight these days.
My daughter and I were looking forward to some serious pampering - and looking through the glass windows from the View Restaurant to the leisure facilities below, we were clearly in the right place. There's a indoor heated pool, with a little jacuzzi spa pool attached, as well as a steam room and a sauna. The site is set within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and offers stunning views (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) It also has a state-of-the-art gym and fitness suite if that floats your boat, but we opted for a more sedate experience with a facial and a back massage in the Serenity Spa, which is in its own stand alone building surrounded by lush greenery and with stunning coastal views.
My daughter was a little nervous, as she's only just old enough for a spa treatment, but the lovely staff there put her at ease and she soon realised that this is something to enjoy and not endure. Our time in the spa gave the boys time to explore more of what this site has to offer. At the back of it is an uphill woodland walk up to Graig Fawr, which was perfect for the dog to burn off some energy and offered spectacular views of the landscape below.
Set within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, there's lots more in the area for adventurous types, as it's adjacent to the colossal Moel Hiraddug and just a short distance from Dyserth Falls. It's just a 15 minute drive from the beach (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) We all ventured out together with a trip to Prestatyn Beach, which was just a 15 minute drive, and the perfect wide open space for the dog to run and swim and the kids to play football. We may have only been there for two nights, but we packed so much into our stay - and that was without even sampling the cocktail bar or nightly entertainment.
There aren't too many breaks where parents come home feeling pampered, but this is definitely one of them. Inside one of the lodges (Image: Marian Resort and Spa) The latest Lyons Holiday Park, Marian Resort & Spa, houses 80 lodges and luxury hot tub lodges, including some accessible lodges. The luxury on-site spa promises the ultimate rejuvenation experience for guests with a collection of treatments available, as well as an indoor swimming pool with sky views, sauna and steam room with hydrotherapy bucket shower, and a fully equipped 24 hour health and leisure club.
All overnight guests have unlimited access to resort entertainment. Lodges start at £99 and three nights stays start at £325. Visit the website for more details.
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