Ploony Hill Lodge — Hotel in Great Britain

The Lodge is more spacious than it appears on line. It is well equipped throughout.

The Lodge is completely overlooked by Ploony Hill Cabin at the top of the hill (with the hot tub in full view) and is actually surrounded by the three other holiday homes here, all in close proximity. If you look at the comparison between the older photos of the Lodge's exterior, seen on the booking portals, and some recent photos in this review posting, you will see numerous discrepancies. Not least the above, and the fact that the exterior of the Lodge looks tired and in need of TLC.

We experienced poor communication in the run-up to our stay here (a polite question was completely ignored by the male owner). Unfortunately Sykes Cottages was the only portal via which the booking could be made, so I would have lost the whole cost if I'd cancelled the holiday at that point.

I was waiting for a parcel to arrive. Actually some bird feed, because there was none here. The female owner dropped the parcel in to me 24-hours after it was delivered to her cottage. It could have been something vital.

As I write, somebody suddenly appeared at the back window - an unannounced visit by the owner - to clean the hot tub. Quite a surprise, I have to say. She rapped on the window and her first words were "Control your dog," who at that time was sitting down indoors and had barked once at the sudden intrusion.

In fact this was all either of the owners had to say to me, aside from the female owner following up "Control your dog," with the usual cover-your-backside "Is everything all right" and "Do you need anything." I wasn't about to strike up a conversation. I just wanted to put the rudeness behind me.

You will be sharing the broadband's basic-speed bandwidth allocation for the complex with the three other holiday homes, so expect barely useable broadband at peak activity times.

The heating has been set to be barely warm. I have been cold in the living and sleeping areas from start to finish. Among the many diktats in the information pack, the owner actually says "Don't touch the heating."

Another odd thing: in the arrival instructions, one is told to "Hoover up (sic) thoroughly before departure," with the insinuation you may lose your housekeeping bond otherwise. Complacency has many faces; this particular one is not very pleasant.

I have found this whole experience depressing. This is not what a holiday should be like. Thank goodness the owner of the place I am going next is communicates and conducts business in a civilised manner.

Foot note: The revealing photos, that show how the lodge is not appointed quite as well as suggested, have somehow been blocked .......

Ploony Cottage We first visited Ploony Cottage over a decade ago and my now very grown up children insist on us all meeting up there once a year. We love the location and peacefulness of the area combined with the beautiful cottage itself. Wonderful for us townies to watch the sheep go by when they decide to change pasture or to catch sight of the Red Kites hunting above the woods. If its a cold night then the log-fire in the cosy living room soon warms you up, if its a warm night then a BBQ outside is on the cards underneath a breathtaking clear night sky. When its not too cold, keep your window open a crack at night to hear the owls on their dusk and dawn calls. The walks direct from your front door are fantastic, reach the top to be met with Middle Earth like views or jump in the car for the Radnor Forest a few mins away. The owners are lovely and very much hands on should you need them, Darren very kindly pointed out a route across his land that ends up at the Greyhound Inn - a fun-packed journey in the Land Rover that ends with some very nice pints indeed (with designated driver of course). Lindsey goes out of her way to make sure you’ve everything you need and instantly sorted me out with some fishing lakes when we inquired. Top tip: if you are staying with another couple, be gracious and offer them the bigger bedroom - they will have all the space but you will end up with the Super King Size bed which is to die for!

Look forward to seeing...

We stayed at ploony cottage next to the lodges. The lodges and cottage offer a relaxing getaway in the heart of the randorshire countryside. The location offers stunning views down the valley with the sounds of streams and wildlife, uniteripted by the noise of traffic adding to the tranquility of this location in the hills of Bleddfa.

To top it off Lindsey and Darren couldn't be more kind & helpful setting the tone for a super relaxing, stress free getaway.

The fun of the track on the way up to the cottage helps to set a slow pace to the holiday.

The cottage and it's garden offer the opportunity to cosy up inside or make the most of the amazing aspects the garden offers, with direct access to the lower and upper parts of the track, where walks and hiking up the bridleway offer stunning scenery and viewpoints once you pass through the gates and past the campsite to the side of the bridleway.

We took our young Vizsla pup with us, and she couldn't have been more relaxed.

If you're looking for somewhere peaceful in the heart of the countryside, then I'd highly recommend a stay at...