Victoria Wells Forest Cabin Motel

24 readers found this review helpful

My Mum and Dad took myself, my daughter and dog to Victoria Wells for a 3 night stay. First impressions were that it looked like an army camp but we were pleasantly surprised when we went into the cabin, it was warm and very clean. The beds were comfortable, we did ask for 2 more pillows which were given to us straight away. The food was very nice, the breakfast in particular very filling. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff. It was quite wet while we were there and very muddy in the woods so taking wellingtons is a very good idea, but be careful not to loose them in the mud!!! The 3 donkeys were very friendly and didn't nap at you for food even though you could feed them, we bought some carrots for them and in the morning they seemed to know which cabin to come to and waited at the bedroom window. Having read some of the reviews it makes you wonder what some people expect, we had a wonderful stay and hope to go back again.

29 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at Victoria Wells for nine days in October for the second year running and had a wonderful time yet again.  This year the weather was very good and it was wonderful to see Wales in all its glory. We cannot fault the accommodation which is set in idyllic surroundings.  The cabins are warm and cosy which is more than can be said about the cabins where we stayed in the rockies in America!  Yes, there is a £1 slot meter - so what? It seems fair to me that we pay for the amount of electricity we actually use rather than have a blanket charge. This is stated clearly in the brochure so does not come as a surprise.Ella, the manageress, never seems to stop working.  She is always helpful, polite and considerate as are all the rest of the staff.  Nothing is too much trouble for anyone.  The cabins are cleaned every day and the food is nourishing and well cooked.We love the challenge of walking in Wales and if the weather isn't great, we just put on our waterproofs and go out in it.  Driving around is a pleasure too.  We never tire of the lovely scenery and it is very restful to be somewhere that is so quiet and unspoilt. We actually saw owls flying close by our cabins one evening.We had a most enjoyable stay and look forward to returning again in the future. 

28 readers found this review helpful

Who knew that when we decided to go to Victoria wells for 4 nights, that our lives would turn around. I,a single mum with a 12 year old son , and good old mum and dad in their 70's , mum who hasn't walked properly for 3 years, would be able to co habit in the rain that followed our sunny arrival to a cabin in the woods.
Well it was wonderful to say the least, even with the rain. Anyone travelling to the heart of wales should know that its lush forests and green grass in the height of summer comes from the ever expected summer rains. We arrived in the hot sun and was promptly greeted by 3 most gorgeous donkeys who rushed up to our cabin as we were unpacking. After spoiling them all with scratches and cuddles my son and I decided to take a swim in the relaxing pool surrounded by rockery and flowers of all descriptions and of course the beautifully plump smokey grey cat that came to say hello . Not forgetting to mention the view whilst swimming was across the forest and up to the mountains where the sun was beginning to set. Isn't that a medicine in itself? That's where you meet the other guests some leaving and some new.
and of course Ella the lovliest of all site managers who is forever present in her blue pinney and always willing to spend some time on you,the guest.

Yes it rained every day after that but if you like we could have gone home. Or we could have stayed and slowed down, heating on, magazines, snakes and ladders, loose women, card games and best of all Dad not cooking one single meal for Mum. She walked to and from the restaurant without sticks and not back before she polished off several Brandy and Gingers,Mum didn't need one single pain killer for the first time in years and slept pain free, could breath real clean air and just enjoyed being a family together. In a twist of fate we all benefitted without expectation from what Victoria Wells was offering. That is comfortable log cabins in the heart of the Breacons with good food and pleasant surroundings. Isn't that all we need to bring us back to life in this ridiculously busy world we all live in today? Thank you all at Victoria Wells for this short but refreshing experience and good luck with all you updating projets that were in full swing while we were there. Also great chef and superb service.

23 readers found this review helpful

We were very sceptical after reading other visitors reviews of the cabins, and wondered had we done the right thing in booking!
We were very pleased with the cabin, we did have the heat on at all times mainly because one day it was only 12o c (in July!!) and rained nearly every day we were there ( 5 days).
The place is very quaint, a lick of paint here and there wouldn't go amiss,and an information booklet in the cabin for local attractions would be good, but on the whole the site, cabin and facilities were very good.
Choice of menu was good, forget about diets, the portions were ample, choice of three starters, main meal and dessert. Bar prices not bad.
The staff are to be applauded for their work, always helpful and willing to please.
We found the cabin clean and tidy on our arrival, one fellow guest did leave after about an hour saying they found the cabin dirty and damp, thankfully this was not our experience.
For the cost of the break we found Victoria Wells excellent value for money.

20 readers found this review helpful

We have just got back yesterday from a 5 night stay and did not want to come back we should of gone for 10 days. We found the cabin to be very nice and only used £4 ALL WEEK IN ELECTRIC even had the digital tv on every night and the towel raidiator. Our dog loved it and became very fond of the 3 on site donkeys chocolate doughnut and tom tom. The heated pool was great for relaxing in after long days sight seeing, we went to Elan valley and the red kite feeding ground amazing. We walked in to the village with the dog to get papers and milk etc. The breakfast great full english or continental and every night a choice of 3 starters 3 main meals and 3 deserts yummy. The staff and waitresses all very helpful and efficient. We will hopefully go back and stay in the lig newly refurbished cabins we looked in yesterday before coming home. No complaints at all apart from our dog snoring all night.

21 readers found this review helpful

Having read the comments on this site after I had booked I might add, I was wondering if I had done the right thing! However, we have just come back from spending a lovely week there. Yes the cabins are a bit tired but we saw that they are being re-painted.Some cabins are detached which obviousely are bigger than the semi we had which was one room that contained the bed, 2 easy chairs, a fridge, kettle and television on a shelf but it was clean and so was the bathroom which had a shower that worked fine. The bedding was spotless and the bed and pillows fine. We were lucky with the weather and were out every day but we only put £3.oo in the meter and we had showers every day, the heating on in the evening plus the television and had the towel rail on all night.
We found the breakfast was ample, a choice of 3 juices, 3 cereals, full breakfast ( you can alter it to suit yourself with no problem, as I did ) or continental,toast and tea or coffee. We did find the pot of tea weak and asked if we could have an extra t-bag which was no problem and found that it was added every day as well !
The evening meal was an ideal time at 7.00, the bar was open from 6.30 so you could have a drink beforehand.The dinner menu was on your table at breakfast for you to make your choices from 3 starters, 3 main with a choice of vegetables or salad and 3 sweets which included cheese and biscuits .
The only negative comment we could add would be that the sign that welcomes you to the site is in need of repair and a coat of paint and perhaps some benches could be placed outside the bar area as the evenings were nice and would be in summer more.
We spoke to many people there and found some who have spent New year there and said it was fantastic and some who had been several times before as well so it can`t be that bad can it !
We didn`t take our dog but wished we had now as there are some lovely walks around and about.
In all, a very peacefull, relaxing holiday and glad we went and would reccommend it.

14 readers found this review helpful

What a great holiday. The weather was not kind to us but we loved the holiday. The location was beautiful and the staff very friendly. We found the meters did not use much of our money though i had read previous reviews so was pleasantly surprised.
The cabins were basic but i found them comfortable. My only complaint would be the damp smell in the shower room but i can live with this.
The food was very good and what i expected. The choice was good and the children ate well from the childrens meal of the day.
As a family we enjoy forests, walking, pretty scenery, good food and peace and we got all of these things. We will definitely be returning as felt so relaxed!
The children loved the donkeys and walking in the streams running through the forest. They played pool and darts and swam and can't wait to return.

6 readers found this review helpful

Sadly the bitterly cold and wet weather spoilt out stay at the Motel anyway and although we booked a week we left after three days. However I am not sure we would have stayed much longer anyway even if the weather had been kinder. I have to agree with previous feedbacks with regard to the state of the 'cabins' which are really not much more than lined out sheds. They are damp and cold, poorly furnished, hard beds (fitted with pillows to match!) and the idea of an electricity meter which needs constant feeding is antiquated and probably a rip off as a £1 token didn't seem to last any time at all. The site itself is unattractive and poorly presented.
The breakfast offered was very good and the serving staff excellent, attentive and helpful. However the choice of evening meal left a great deal to be desired. The chef seemed to be relying very heavily on frozen food and the presentation was extremely poor.
I think it should be emphasised that unless you like hiking, bog snorkelling, pony trekking etc there is very little to do in the area that doesn't involve a long drive.

5 readers found this review helpful

We booked this accommodation for a family of 4 for 2 nights over a weekend. We arrived at about 9.30pm Friday night, not exceptionally late as we had travelled from London.
We found our cabin cold and damp. Awful . You have to pay for electricity and none had been put on prior to our arrival. We could not wash. The cabin was dirty, old & shabby. The beds were cold and the bedding was old. The extra blankets provided were stained. The bathroom was damp.
The breakfast was OK, nothing more but the evening meal very uninviting. You had to order before hand & so we went elsewhere. If you’re a vegetarian you have one choice.
The location is good but that it all it has going for it. The cabins are neglected & the owners are only worried about taking your (substantial) money. Once they have that they really don’t care what their customers get. Any complaint will be fobbed off. I note on review sites the staff have been described as ‘defensive’.
I also note others in their reviews have bemoaned the complaints procedure. I complained by letter and was fobbed off in the first page, then the second and third pages misquoted case law by saying said it was all the responsibility of the customer to ensure that defects are put right, not theirs. At this early stage they were already using the language ‘plaintiff’ and ‘defendant’. A bit early for talking in those terms perhaps and a standard letter? Clearly they send lots of these... I found it a boorish attempt at intimidation.
I responded and then Victoria Wells resorted to lying, claiming that they had heated the cabin water prior to our arrival but it must have cooled as we were so late. 120 litres cooled in a maximum of 6 hours? Obviously a lie. Shameful. They then used the ‘no one else has complained’ line that I see on reading other reviews, that they have used before. They went on to say it couldn’t have been too bad as we stayed for 2 nights, and had the front to suggest we should have sought alternative accommodation after one. That was their answer. No apology. No attempt to put it right, just belligerence.
They shame the hotel trade, not only with their poor quality accommodation for an inflated price but in their shameful lying. bullying and complete disinterest once they have your money (all required well in advance of course).
In rural Wales there aren’t many alternatives. My advice to you, fellow travellers is to take Victoria Wells own advice and find alternative accommodation. Don’t go there.
On the upside I have learned the worth of holiday review sites & will always check before I go in future.

12 readers found this review helpful

I spent 4 nights in Victoria Wells. The food was good, I liked having a set time for meals, a reserved table and choosing our evening meal at breakfast. All these things meant no hanging around or hearing that what I wanted had run out.
Although basic, the cabin met the needs of myself, my 11 year old son and our large dog.
I found the rate for electricity reasonable and the staff were all friendly and helpful.
Other reviews mention cost but I feel that the price I paid was fair for what we had.
My son, who is a football, tv and computer fan said he would love to go again even though the weather meant he could only get in the pool once!