I stayed at luxury Welsh border hotel used by Ryan Reynolds to see if I'd get A-lister treatment
The moment you enter the grounds at Carden Park Hotel and Spa, you know immediately you've arrived somewhere extraordinary. Nestled amidst acres of verdant landscape, it has a tree-lined driveway accompanied by a meticulously maintained golf green and water features and swans. I even spotted swans.
Such a dramatic entrance ensures any worries are left behind well before you reach the main building. It's so exceptional that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively count it as their favourite spot when visiting Wrexham AFC, the football team he co-owns.
The couple can often be seen hosting their celebrity friends at this location. And in such a special place, who can blame them?
Located around nine miles from Wrexham, Carden Park boasts 197 exquisite bedrooms (currently undergoing significant refurbishment), including four luxury suites. There's a recently renovated leisure club, two championship golf courses and award-winning eateries such as The Vines, which serves a fine-dining tasting menu.
In addition, there's a vineyard and a new £10m spa featuring one of the UK's largest spa gardens, reminiscent of those found in the Maldives or Caribbean islands, reports Wales Online.
Following a swift and efficient check-in, we ascended to our room via the lift. During our stay, the ongoing refurbishment was noticeable in the upper corridor, where one side showcased bright, airy spaces with plush new carpeting and modern pale wooden doors, while the other half appeared slightly outdated.
Our renovated room, with a view of the sculpture garden at the front, was tastefully decorated in hues of blue, exuding an elegant yet cosy feel. The room boasted floor-to-ceiling curtains and an ensuite equipped with a spacious walk-in shower. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
It's often the small details that make a difference, and this was evident here. Alongside complimentary teas, coffees, and luxury toiletries, a plate of homemade chocolates accompanied by a welcome note had been thoughtfully placed on the side.
We decided to venture out, making Morgan's Bar our first stop. Here, one can savour a drink whilst catching up on sports on the large televisions.
There's also a terrace overlooking the front lawn, providing an ideal spot for people-watching. We took our drinks outside before strolling through the grounds, admiring the diverse collection of artwork from renowned sculptors in the sculpture garden and the vineyard - this yields up to 10,000 bottles of Carden Park Estate Reserve sparkling wine annually from two grape varieties.
Upon returning indoors, we quickly freshened up before heading to The Vines for our dinner reservation. Prior to their meal, guests can unwind in Goldie's cocktail bar opposite the restaurant, enjoying a drink and some nibbles while perusing the menu.
The setting is luxurious yet unpretentious, featuring comfortable chairs and sofas, a stunning golden ornate ceiling, subdued lighting, potted plants, and large windows leading onto a terrace. A pianist playing soothing background music in the corner further enhanced the relaxed atmosphere.
After a half-hour of unwinding, we were ushered into The Vines, which exuded a similar ambience to Goldie's. We were guided to a cosy corner where we would be savouring the tasting menu (with meat, fish or vegetarian options available), priced at £105pp, with an optional wine flight for an additional £90pp.
The Vines, boasting three AA Rosettes and offering private dining, is helmed by executive chef Graham Tinsley and head chef Harri Williams. It also presents an à la carte menu.
Upon being offered a selection of bread (I opted for olive sourdough), we dove straight into the first dish, Confit Carrot. This dish had a delightful little zing courtesy of its Asian dressing, while the miso cracker provided a satisfying crunch.
The second course was Chicken Raviolo with Morrel mushrooms, pea salsa, chervil and wild garlic sauce, which was likely my favourite savoury course. The salsa was smooth and silky, and the mushrooms added texture to the dish.
Following this was a Crab Tartlet, featuring Japanese seaweed Nori, cucumber, Carden gin, smoked crab emulsion, apple and marigold. Not only was it visually appealing, but it was also light and refreshing.
The fourth dish to grace our table was Welsh Hogget, served rare with asparagus, baby gem, black garlic puree, hogget belly bacon, crispy sweetbreads, sheep's yoghurt and a light jus.
My partner, not being a lamb enthusiast, opted for the Roasted Monkfish from the fish menu - a choice he declared his favourite of the evening. Accompanied by seared scallop, togarashi cauliflower and spring onion, the fish was tender and bathed in a delightful creamy sauce.
Why settle for one dessert when you can indulge in two? That's precisely what we did. The first treat was Raspberry and Amalfi Lemon - a lemon iced parfait with raspberry curd, lemon Madeline and raspberry sorbet, every bit as light and refreshing as it sounds.
However, my personal favourite was the Dark Chocolate Mousse, featuring a beetroot sponge, mascarpone, cocoa nib crumb and beetroot sorbet. Yes, you read that correctly - who would have thought this humble earthy vegetable could form the foundation of one of the most delicious puddings I've ever tasted? The pairing with the rich dark chocolate was simply exquisite.
For those with a penchant for cheese, there's an optional cheese board available for a £5 supplement or as an extra course for £17, boasting a selection of cheeses, grapes and celery with jam.
To round off the meal, you can savour a coffee accompanied by a selection of petit fours, identical to the ones left in our room, which we just about managed to enjoy after all those wonderful courses.
Whilst we feasted like royalty - or Hollywood elite - the following morning saw us rise early for the hotel's breakfast, offering both full English and continental options. After a brief respite, we made our way to the spa.
Situated in a new building just a stone's throw from the main hotel, the spa (exclusively for those over 18) is truly extraordinary.
From lavish interiors to a stunning garden equipped with hot tubs, a pool, relaxation pods and a sauna boasting floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Cheshire countryside, it offers the ultimate relaxation experience.
A range of treatments are available, including facials, foot and scalp rituals, and manicures. I opted for the Rejuvenating Ritual (£109 for 50 minutes), which combined a back, neck and shoulder massage with a facial. Pure bliss.
Before departing, we savoured lunch in the spa restaurant, which overlooks the gardens and offers a variety of healthy options including all-day brunches, sandwiches and wraps, salads and lighter bites.
Every aspect of Carden Park - from the bedrooms to the restaurants and spa - is exceptional, and the staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating.
After leaving the resort after our 24-hour stay, we felt relaxed, pampered - and certainly akin to Hollywood royalty. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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