Cedar Cottage: Your Dream UK Getaway Awaits (Begell)?
Okay, buckle up buttercups and let's dive headfirst into Cedar Cottage: Your Dream UK Getaway Awaits (Begell)? Because honestly, after staring at all those categories, I'm ready for a getaway myself. Let's see if this place is actually dreamy, or just a pretty brochure. And you know, I'm not holding back. Expect some tangents, because that's just how my brain works, especially when faced with a list this long.
Accessibility: The First Impression (and It Matters!)
This is crucial. Accessibility. And the ad says, "Facilities for disabled guests," which is a decent start. But what does it really mean? Does it have ramps? Wide doorways? Braille signage? I'm dying to know. I'd be looking for specific details. If you're marketing this to someone who needs accessibility, you BETTER have the lowdown. (And Begell, if you're reading this, please make this information clear and upfront on their website. It’s a MUST). We’re gonna assume something.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Okay, another point for accessibility, or a test. Can you actually eat at the restaurant with a wheelchair? Can someone with limited mobility enjoy the bar? Let's hope.
Wheelchair Accessible: Hopefully it's not lipstick on a pig. I hope all buildings and areas are accessible. This is more than just a box to tick.
Internet: The Modern Necessity (and the Annoyances)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Okay, that's good, because these days, if your Wi-Fi sucks, you're practically ancient. And I've been in hotels where the Wi-Fi is slower than molasses in January. So this is a good start. "Internet access – LAN" exists. Old school. I suppose if you, like me, has your own Wi-Fi you can connect.
Internet Services: Hopefully, this includes tech support that doesn't sound like, "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" Because that's the bane of my existence.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Expected.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (and Reality Checks)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. This is where the "dream getaway" part is supposed to kick in, right? Let's see…
- Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath: Okay, yes. This is the "dream getaway" I was promised. Now, is the spa really a haven of tranquility, or is it a noisy, chlorine-smelling place? I need to know! And the quality of the treatments is CRUCIAL. Are the therapists skilled and attentive? Or do they just go through the motions? I need a review!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Great for those who feel motivated to do more than eat and drink. Me? Probably not. But good for others.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Pool with a view? Now we're talking! Preferably, the view is of rolling hills, not a parking lot. An outdoor pool during spring? I wouldn't say no.
Cleanliness & Safety: Because No One Wants to Catch a Bug (or Worse)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Deep breath Okay, this is great. I feel a bit safer just reading this list. Especially after the last couple of years. It shows that the hotel actually cares.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: YES! Lazy mornings in bed with breakfast? Sign me up. Though I’m always suspicious of how good the room service breakfast actually is.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient, but I still like to have a little cash on hand.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Essential. Peace of mind is priceless.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Culinary Journey (or Disaster)
This is where things could go horribly wrong (or deliciously right).
- Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar: Options are good. But are the restaurants any good? Let's hope there are some really good reviews on this.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, the variety is impressive. But is the food any good? I'm a sucker for a good buffet, but I've been burned before! And the Happy Hour… Gotta know what's on offer. Is it basic, or are we talking cocktails with little umbrellas?
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated. Especially the free ones.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Meaning? Vegans and food allergies are covered? That is what I want to know.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential. Especially in the UK.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: This is a long list. I'm all for convenience.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Food delivery: Excellent. Room service is great, but sometimes you just want a different option.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Family-Frustrated?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This matters if you're travelling with children. Are there age-appropriate activities? Is the babysitting service reliable? Is the kids' menu actually edible?
Access: Security and Peace of Mind
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: All the security stuff is great. Makes you feel safer. Especially the 24-hour front desk. Makes the rooms more appealing, if you're traveling as a couple, and if the room decor is up to par.
Getting Around: Easy or Exhausting?
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Free parking? Yes, please! Airport transfer? Also, yes, please!
Available in All Rooms: The Must-Haves (and the Luxuries)
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: A lot of amenities. I love a bathtub, blackout curtains, a coffee maker, and Wi-Fi. The mini bar and the robes are the luxuries. All of it is nice.
The Cedar Cottage Experience: A Stream-of-Consciousness Rant!
Okay, so I’ve read all the descriptions. Is it a perfect stay? It has the potential. The real test would be the feeling – does it feel like a dream getaway, or just another cookie-cutter hotel experience?
I want to know about one thing. The spa. Let's dive deeper. I need to know if the spa is worth it.
I see "spa" and I see "dream." I want to imagine
Escape to Paradise: Tower Court Motel Hervey Bay Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to Cedar Cottage, Begelly, and we're going to do it my way. Which, let's be honest, is usually a glorious, chaotic mess.
The Cedar Cottage Crusade: A Guide to Mild Mayhem (and Hopefully Some Tea)
Day 1: Arrival That Almost Didn't Happen (And My Love-Hate Relationship with GPS)
- Morning (ish, because let's be real, I'm not a morning person): Arrive at Bristol Airport. God, I hate Bristol Airport. It always feels like some weird purgatory of overpriced coffee and stressed-looking families. Anyway, finally make it through customs (after nearly losing my passport – AGAIN. It has a way of disappearing in the black hole that is my handbag).
- The rental car saga: Okay, so the GPS. I'm always convinced it's going to get me killed. I'm navigating the winding lanes, clinging to the wheel like my life depends on it. Oh, and the rental car? A tiny, tin-can of a vehicle that I'm convinced is powered by pure hope. And the worst part? It's a stick shift. I haven't driven a stick shift in 15 years. Cue the stalled engine, the panicked honking of other cars, and me muttering under my breath like a loon.
- Late Afternoon: Finally, finally arrive at Cedar Cottage. Let me tell you, the sat nav tried to take us to the middle of a sheep field, but after some very colorful language and a few U-turns. Found the actual address. It's quaint. Really quaint. Like, picture-postcard quaint. And small, which is a bit of a shock after the mental trauma of the car ride. The garden's lovely! Now, where are the keys? Oh, they're in the bloody lockbox. Well, duh. After 10 minutes of searching, find the key and immediately drop it. Perfect.
- Evening: Unpack (mostly). Settle in. Get slightly obsessed with the kettle. Because, priorities. It's all about the tea. Seriously, if I don't have a good cup of tea, the whole world stops making sense. I decide to visit the local pub, 'The Begelly Arms'. It's a real proper pub, warm, and smells of beer and history. One pint of ale and I was made. And then went back to the cottage for bed.
Day 2: The Beauty of Begelly and the Quest for the Perfect Scone
- Morning: Wake up feeling slightly disoriented. The bed's comfy, which is always a plus. Make a pot of tea (told you it was important). Stare out the window at the charming little garden. Decide I should take a walk.
- Mid-Morning: The walk! It's meant to be a "gentle stroll," but I end up wandering for ages. The countryside is gorgeous. Rolling hills, sheep everywhere (they just stare at you, those sheep), and ancient stone walls. I get lost, naturally. But hey, at least I get to see more of the countryside! Someone should tell the locals that GPS isn't always up to the job. Get back to Cedar Cottage and drink more tea.
- Afternoon: The Scone Apocalypse (and a Near-Death Experience with Butter): My mission: Find the perfect scone. This is SERIOUS business. I hit the local bakery. The first scone? Dry as a desert. The second? Crumbly and sad. The third, finally, success! Fluffy, buttery perfection! But, I might have gone way overboard with the clotted cream. And the jam. And I dropped some butter on my shoes and almost ended up in a spectacular faceplant.
- Evening: A visit to the seaside town of Tenby. Walk along the harbor, gazing at the colorful houses. The sea air is invigorating, but the wind is brutal. I almost lose my hat about four times. Dinner in a little fish and chips shop. A perfectly battered cod. Just perfect. Drive back to Cedar Cottage feeling deeply content.
Day 3: The Castle, The Coast (and a Meltdown in the Art Gallery)
- Morning: Breakfast in bed – a repeat performance with the scones. Then, off to Manorbier Castle. This is actually a genuine castle, a proper one with towers and everything! Wander around, imagining knights and dragons and all that jazz. Get a bit overwhelmed by the sheer history of it all.
- Mid-Morning: Then, a drive along the Pembrokeshire Coast. The views are mind-blowing, honestly. Cliffs dropping into the turquoise sea, hidden coves, rugged beauty. I pull over a dozen times just to stare.
- Afternoon: Artistic Angst and the Great Escape: Visit the Oriel y Parc gallery. This is supposed to be a calming activity, right? Wrong. The art is… well, let's just say it's thought-provoking. And by thought-provoking, I mean it makes me feel completely and utterly inadequate. I start questioning my life choices, my sense of style, and my ability to appreciate abstract art. I feel like I'm getting a lecture from the great art gods. Get there, and it just made me more angry. Need a cup of tea. Now. And then escape.
- Evening: A quiet evening at the cottage. Reading a book, drinking tea, and reflecting on my day. Trying to calm down, after the art gallery experience.
Day 4: A Day of Rambling and Reflection, or, The Day I Almost Adopted a Sheep
- Morning: A slow start. More tea. Consider never leaving Cedar Cottage. The tranquility is just what I need.
- Mid-Morning: Drive to a little isolated cove. Just sit on the sand. Stare at the horizon. Breathe. Feel the stress melting away.
- Afternoon: Sheep-Spotting and a Moment of Madness: I spend hours wandering around the countryside and decide to go for a walk. And then I saw them. Sheep. Adorable sheep. I start to get a weird idea. The idea of maybe getting a sheep. My mind starts racing with possibilities. I would name it… well, I hadn't thought that far. But it wouldn't be a sheep, it would be a friend. This is a terrible idea. But the idea wouldn't leave me, the sheep are adorable, and I would need to calm myself.
- Evening: A final hearty breakfast at the cottage, a last cup of tea, and then it's time. Time to pack. Time to leave. Time to head back to the chaos of real life. But with a heart full of memories. And a deep, deep appreciation for the simple joys of a good cup of tea.
Day 5: Departure (and a vow to return)
- Morning: The drive to the airport. Say goodbye to Cedar Cottage and the beautiful Begelly.
- Afternoon: The flight home.
- Evening: Back in my own bed, thinking of the trip and when I could travel back to Cedar Cottage.
Final Thoughts: Okay, so this itinerary wasn't perfect. I got lost, I nearly died from butter-related injuries, and I had a minor meltdown in an art gallery. But it was my adventure. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Cedar Cottage, you were a delight. And I'll be back. Eventually. After I’ve saved up for more tea.
Witness the Big Five: Unforgettable Simba Safaris Adventure in South Africa!
So, Cedar Cottage... Sounds idyllic. Is it really *that* perfect? Because honestly, I'm picturing Instagram, and I'm not sure I trust that anymore.
Okay, deep breath. "Idyllic"? Hmm... Well, it *can* be. Look, I’m going to be real with you. My first trip to a Cedar Cottage-type place? Disaster. Pure, unadulterated, rain-soaked disaster. I mean, I envisioned rolling hills, a roaring fire, and maybe pooping butterflies welcoming us. What I *got*? A damp mattress, a dodgy lock on the loo, and weather that could curdle milk. Seriously, the wind was a *character* in this unfortunate play. This wasn't Instagram, this was… *real* life. But, BUT... After the initial shellshock, and after I'd wrestled with the ancient radiator that sounded like a dying walrus, I started to actually appreciate the imperfection. That wonky charm? It grows on you. Especially after a few glasses of wine and a decent board game. So, perfect? No. Charming in its imperfection? Absolutely. Just pack spare loo roll, okay? You'll thank me.
What's the deal with the location? Is it truly 'remote' or just cleverly marketed? Because I'm not trying to be stranded.
Oh, location. The ultimate gamble. "Remote" can mean anything from "ten minutes from a village" to "you might need a Sherpa to get groceries." Depends on *which* Cedar Cottage we're talking about, of course. Remember, I got rained on for DAYS for my initial experience! I'd suggest doing your homework. Really good homework. Check the maps. *Street view the hell out of it.* See how far the nearest pub is. (Pub proximity is crucial, by the way. Cru. Cial.) And honestly, read the guest reviews. They'll tell you the truth. If they're all going on about "peace and quiet" and "disconnected from the world," then maybe pack a satellite phone and learn Morse code. Just in case. But, I'm going to be honest, I am *always* drawn to the remote. There's a magic to being away from the world, a stillness that helps you wind down. Just don't forget the aforementioned loo roll.
Are the cottages actually cozy? I'm picturing those sterile Airbnbs with zero personality.
Cozy... it's the *dream*, isn't it? The roaring fire, the thick blankets, the smell of… well, hopefully not damp. Okay, this is crucial. You want a cozy cottage, not a showroom. Look for things like:
- Exposed beams. Bonus points if they're wonky.
- A functioning fireplace (or, at the very least, a log burner).
- Books! Actual, real, dog-eared books.
- And maybe… just maybe… a slightly threadbare armchair. That’s the *mark* of a good cottage.
Okay, let's talk practicalities: Wi-Fi? Phone signal? Because I need to 'unplug' sometimes, but I can't *completely* disappear.
Ah, the modern dilemma. The siren call of the unplugged retreat, versus the crushing weight of emails. Sigh. Most of these places *should* have Wi-Fi these days. Read the reviews, though! They'll tell you if it's a reliable connection or dial-up circa 1998. As for phone signal... again, depends on the location. Expect patchy service in rural areas. Embrace it! It’s forced digital detox! You'll be *forced* to enjoy that countryside! Though, honestly, if you *really* need to stay connected, maybe consider a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. You might lose the "disconnected" badge of honor, but at least you won't miss a phone call. I remember one trip where my phone died, and I felt utterly useless. Then I went hiking! The beauty of the place made me utterly useless, and I loved it even more!
Can I bring my dog? Because my furry overlord is coming with me!
Bless you, fellow dog-lover! This is a *crucial* question. Always, *always* check the pet policy *before* you book. "Dog-friendly" can mean anything from "dogs welcome, but not on the furniture" to "dogs welcome, but only if they promise to make a pot of tea every morning." Read the fine print. Check if there's a fenced garden (essential!), and if there are any specific dog restrictions (breed, size). And for the love of all that is holy, clean up after your dog! No one wants to step in a… you know. And if your dog is prone to barking at squirrels at 5 AM? Maybe consider some, ah, *training* beforehand. Or earplugs for you, and anyone else who is attempting some shut-eye. You *will* need it!
What's the kitchen situation typically like? I'm hoping to do some actual cooking, not just boil water.
The kitchen... the heart of the holiday! (And let's be honest, sometimes the *source* of all arguments. "Where's the cheese grater?"). This is another one where checking the details is key. Is there a decent oven? Are there enough pots and pans? (Because I've been stung before. One tiny saucepan? Seriously?). Does it *actually* have a can opener? (This is a deal-breaker for me). Some places provide the bare essentials, others are kitted out with everything you need for a gourmet feast. (And maybe even a blender for those questionable smoothies!) Remember to ask about things that matter to you: a coffee machine, for instance, or a specific type of cooking tools. Oh, one last thing, if someone tells you that they have a fully stocked kitchen: double check the seasoning! You do not want to arrive and then discover a single jar of generic salt.
Let's be brutally honest: what are the biggest potential pitfalls? What should I avoid?
Oh, the pitfalls. Let me regale you with tales of woe!
- **Damp.** That insidious, soul-sucking damp. Avoid cottages with clearly visible signs of it (musty smells, water stains).
- **Bad reviews.** Heed the warnings! If multiple reviews mention dodgy plumbing or a grumpy owner, trust the internet.
- **Hidden costs.** Read the fine print. Are the utilities included? Is there a cleaning fee? (I once got stung with a cleaning fee that was *more* than the rent itself!)Stay ScouterCedar Cottage Begelly United Kingdom
Cedar Cottage Begelly United Kingdom
