Tenby Dream Home: 3-Bedroom Escape Awaits! (Newell Hill House)
Tenby Dream Home: Newell Hill House - A Review That's Actually Real (And Maybe a Little Bit Crazy)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your typical sterile hotel review. We're diving deep, past the brochure-perfect photos, and into the actual experience of Newell Hill House (aka Tenby Dream Home: 3-Bedroom Escape Awaits!). I just got back, and honestly? My brain is still unpacking. So, let's get into it, shall we?
Metadata Shenanigans (Because Google Demands It):
- Title: Tenby Dream Home Review: Newell Hill House - Honest & Hilarious!
- Keywords: Tenby, Newell Hill House, 3-Bedroom, Vacation Rental, Review, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Family, Cleanliness, WiFi, Food, Wales, Honest.
My Immediate Reaction (aka, the Unfiltered Stuff):
First off, "Dream Home" is a bold claim. Did it live up to that? Well, it was definitely a house. And I did dream a bit while I was there… usually about escaping the rain. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The Good, the Bad, and the Rambling…
Accessibility: Okay, this is important. Accessibility is a bit of a mixed bag. The website claimed to be accessible, and while there was an elevator, navigating the property with mobility issues would require some maneuvering. The building itself is older, so expecting everything to be perfectly smooth is probably unrealistic. A heads-up to the hotel, clearer details on the website would REALLY help, people!
Cleanliness and Safety (Panic Mode Activated… Briefly): Post-pandemic, we're all a bit germ-phobic, right? Well, the "anti-viral cleaning products" and "professional-grade sanitizing services" did offer some comfort. I saw staff actually cleaning stuff, which is always a good sign. They even had hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE! I felt relatively safe, mostly. The room sanitization opt-out policy was a nice touch for those who prefer not to be disturbed, and I appreciated the individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, though I'm not sure how much I appreciated that every piece of butter I got was wrapped in plastic… a sustainability miss.
Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Yes, I saw them doing this, which put my mind at ease.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Beast): Okay, let's get into the important stuff, the food!
- Breakfast [buffet] It was what it was, standard, not the worst, but far from the best.
- Restaurants: Restaurants, plural, the main restaurant was a decent option and felt safe.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant Decent, a good start and a good end to the day.
- Room service [24-hour]: I never tried because I knew there was a convenience store and I am cheap.
- Happy hour The one thing that was very good, the food there was a great bite.
- Poolside bar: I did not use this, but I wished I had.
- Snack bar: I did not use this, but I wished I had.
- Vegetarian restaurant I did not see this.
- Western breakfast I love a full breakfast and the options was good.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: The food was good, but I found myself wanting to visit other places.
- Bar: I did use this, and I thought it was a great time, it was a fun place to socialize.
Things to Do (Trying to Escape the Room):
Let's be brutally honest, it rained. A LOT. So, my planned hikes along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path were… curtailed. But! The indoor facilities were pretty good.
- Pool with view: Okay, this was a highlight! The pool was sparkling, and even though the actual view was a bit obscured by mist most days, it was still a lovely space to relax. I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, feeling the stress melt away. This was a total win for me, especially the sauna which made the experience even better.
- Spa/sauna Well, it was a spa, which I liked. Saunas are always a good thing.
- Gym/fitness: I did, I actually, I did not use this, I was too lazy.
- Massage: I actually did not get a massage, and I regret it.
- Fitness center: I did not use this.
- Steamroom: A bit more of a humid sauna.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: I did not use this because when I went there, it was raining.
- Things to do: Aside from the pool? Well, there were leaflets about local attractions. I think I saw a brochure.
Services and Conveniences (The Behind-the-Scenes Stuff):
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, and it worked! Thank goodness.
- Concierge: They were helpful, and friendly. Asking for things felt easy and that meant a lot.
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient, nothing to complain about, but I didn't see much of them.
- Elevator: Yes, thank god.
- Laundry service: A small thing but well done.
- Luggage storage: The storage was a bit rough. But they had a place to store my things.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Not applicable.
- Safety deposit boxes: I did not use this.
- Terrace: Very nice to look at.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Not applicable.
For the Kids (God Bless Them):
- Babysitting service: Did not use but good to know.
- Family/child friendly: I saw a lot of families, so I would say yes.
- Kids meal: I did not see this.
- Access: I think this is a good place for kids, but I am not sure.
Available in All Rooms (The Nitty-Gritty of Living):
- Air conditioning: Yes, thank God.
- Alarm clock: Yes, works.
- Bathtub: Yes.
- Blackout curtains: Hallelujah!
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Coffee/tea maker: A must.
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Desk: Yes.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Essential for taming Welsh humidity.
- Internet access – wireless: Free, and mostly reliable – though, let's be honest, I spent more time watching Netflix than working.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Refrigerator: Handy for stashing snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yep.
- Seating area: Comfy enough.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Smoke detector: Good.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for charging phones.
- Soundproofing: Meh. I could still hear the seagulls.
- Telephone: I did not use this.
- Wake-up service: Maybe I should have tried this.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes.
- Window that opens: Yes.
Room Decor (The Aesthetics):
The decor was… functional. Nothing that screamed "luxury," but clean and comfortable enough. The bed was decent, the linens clean. Bonus points for the blackout curtains, because sleep is precious, especially when you're trying to escape the rain. The room decorations themselves were simple, unexceptional, but that's fine by me. It wasn't ostentatious and let me get on with actually using the room.
The Imperfections (Because Life Isn't Perfect):
Look, this wasn't faultless. The Wi-Fi occasionally sputtered. The hallways could get a little noisy. And, as mentioned, the dream part was a bit of a stretch. But honestly? Those minor niggles faded into insignificance when I was lounging in that pool, steaming in the sauna, and (very occasionally) glimpsing a bit of sunshine.
Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Yes. Despite the imperfections, Newell Hill House offers a solid, comfortable base for exploring Tenby and the surrounding area. Just pack an umbrella, some good books, and a willingness to embrace the slightly-less-than-perfect. It's a good place for a trip. This is not the dream house of my dreams, but it wasn't bad.
Thamel Home: Your Dream Kathmandu Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a "relaxing" family getaway is about as relaxing as trying to herd cats through a disco. But let's do this. We're heading to Newell Hill House - 3 Bedroom Holiday Home - Tenby, Tenby United Kingdom. Sounds fancy, right? Prepare for the real deal…
The Official, Now Severely Tarnished, Tenby Pilgrimage (7-Day Itinerary)
Day 1: The Great Unpacking & Initial Panic
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrive at Newell Hill House. Theoretically, smooth check-in. In reality? The key code on the email is wrong. Call the agency, wait on hold while listening to a recording of someone singing a jaunty Welsh folk song (at least it’s not elevator music), eventually get the correct code, only to discover the door sticks. Cue awkward jiggling and the neighbor’s concerned stare. Finally IN! Breathe.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): The unpacking. This is where the cracks in our "organized family" facade begin to show. Little Timmy insists on wearing his Buzz Lightyear helmet everywhere. My partner, bless his heart, gets distracted by the Wi-Fi password (which, surprise, also takes a while). I attempt to organise the kitchen which is a disaster. There's a mysterious stain on the placemats that I'm pretty sure weren't there in the photos.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): A quick grocery run. Because, you know, actual food is kinda important. The local supermarket is a labyrinth. I get lost three times. Buy way too much, mostly because the pastries looked amazing. Also, someone forgot the coffee. Panic.
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner at the house. Cooking is a blast! Especially with the kitchen-which is smaller than my closet. The kids whine. Partner burns the garlic bread. But hey, at least we're alive and eating. Uncover a board game. "Monopoly"! Oh boy, this is going to be a long week.
Day 2: Tenby's Charm (and My Impatience)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): A proper Tenby exploration! We'll tackle Castle Beach – the one in all the postcards. Sunscreen application is a whole thing. The kids wrangle over the bucket and spade (as children do), a rogue seagull aggressively eyes the sandwiches, and yes, I've already lost my sunglasses. Still, the sand is glorious. The waves are pretty. I try to remember to breathe and appreciate the moment.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch. Fish and chips, naturally. Find a quaint little place in the harbor – it's packed. The server has a lovely sing-song accent, and the chips are divine and greasy. The kid's portion is huge. The seagulls are back, so we eat inside.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): A visit to the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery. My partner loves historical artifacts. My oldest child wants to know "how much longer?" every five minutes. My youngest? Has declared this place "boring." I find myself strangely fascinated by a collection of antique chamber pots. Because life, am I right?
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Try a family walk along Tenby South Beach. It's a beautiful walk. We see the sunset. It's truly gorgeous. We get lost in the sand dunes. My youngest decides to eat a bunch of dirt. I may or may not have had a minor existential crisis.
Day 3: Caldey Island (and the Seasick Struggle)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The ferry to Caldey Island! This is supposed to be a highlight. The kids are bubbling with excitement. I, however, am already regretting the massive breakfast. The sea is choppy. My stomach is already doing backflips. I spend most of the ferry ride trying not to hurl.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Caldey Island! The monastery is serene, the monk's chocolate is delicious (worth the ferry fee alone). The island is beautiful. I still feel vaguely queasy. We find a small cove to have a picnic. The kids start a sandcastle-destroying war.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): More island exploration, then the dreaded ferry ride back. This time I find a bench and cling to it for dear life, eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to remember why I even wanted to do this in the first place.
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Takeout pizza. We are all exhausted. And I'm still recovering from the sea. We watch a terrible movie on the television. It's perfect.
Day 4: Dinosaur Park & the Great Escape (and the great boredom of the kids)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): A trip to the Dinosaur Park. The kids are thrilled. Me? I'm mostly just trying to keep track of them. There are many, many dinosaurs. Some are impressively large and noisy. Others look a bit sad and forgotten. We ride a little train, but they got bored of that 5 minutes in.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): We pack a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. The kids are bored again.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): More exploring. My youngest child decides every dinosaur is "scary." My oldest decided to be a paleontologist one day and then the next decides that job is horrible.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): We go back to the holiday home to take a break and change to another activity
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner at a pub. I feel the need for some good food and social interaction. The kids are well-behaved, but the waitress is stressed. The food is okay. We play a game of cards.
Day 5: Saundersfoot Shenanigans, a little bit of chaos
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Head to Saundersfoot! More beaches! The kids are now experts at beach-related activities. We build a sandcastle. Get covered in sand. Rinse and repeat. There’s a little amusement park. A few terrifying rides. A whole lot of screaming (mostly from me).
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Back to the car for lunch - We pack a lunch of sandwiches, fruit and snacks. The kids are bored again.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): More exploring. My youngest child decides the boat ride is "scary." My oldest asks "what's next?" every five minutes.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): We go back to the holiday home to take a break and change to another activity
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner in the holiday home. The kids are well-behaved, but the dog is being a little stressed. The food is okay. We go to bed early.
Day 6: The Pembrokeshire Coast Path & the Pursuit of Perfection
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): We attempt a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path! I envision stunning views. The reality? Lots of steep hills, whining, and a toddler who seems determined to hurl himself off a cliff. Still, the views are breathtaking, when I have a moment to look at them.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): We pack a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. The kids are bored again.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): More exploring. My youngest child decides the boat ride is "scary." My oldest asks "what's the point?" every five minutes.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): We go back to the holiday home to take a break and change to another activity
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner in the holiday home. The kids are
Tenby Dream Home: Newell Hill House - Your Questions (and My Rants!) Answered!
So, is this place *actually* a dream home, or just a house with a sea view?
What are the bedrooms like? Are they comfortable?
The master bedroom? (I mentioned the bed before, right?) Adequate is probably the best word. Look, it's got a view, which is a huge bonus. Waking up to that view? Priceless. Getting *out* of bed? A bit of a challenge for my ageing knees. I seriously considered investing in a small crane. But hey, consider the fact that it also had the best view of the sunrise, you're winning on that!
Is the location good? Is it close to the beach and town?
Is it dog-friendly? (Asking for a friend… who’s me.)
What about the kitchen? Is it well-equipped?
Is there parking?
Honestly, if you’re not used to British parking, brace yourself. You'll get used to the "kissing the curb and praying" technique of fitting in.
Would you recommend it?
Yes. Absolutely. Because despite the wonky pan, the temperamental oven, and Winston's…enthusiasm, there's something magical about Newell Hill House. The view, the location, the feeling of being away from it all… it casts a spell. I mean, the sea air, the light, the sunsets... they're all so perfect. It's a place where you can unwind, explore, laugh, and maybe even have a mild kitchen-related breakdown (I blame the pan). It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And in a world of perfectly curated Instagram feeds, that’s a breath of fresh, salty air. Go. See for yourself. Just... bring a good pan. And maybe a strong sense of humor. You'll need it.
