Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen

Spilman Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LG 3  

The Ivy Bush Royal commands a spectacular position at the gateway to West Wales. Welcomes business and leisure travellers to this beautiful part of the country ... more

 

£ Rooms from £65 (≈ $114) per night
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8/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
9/10 Check-in process
8/10 Your room
7/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
8/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
8/10 Performance of staff
8/10 Overall experience
9/10 Overall value for money
  • 8/10 Karen ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Plymouth , GB  on  September 12, 2008

    the staff, especially the waiting staff were very friendly and helpful

    Rooms were very warm, even with no heating on

  • 8/10 ( Mature couple) 

    from Monmouth , GB  on  September 9, 2008

    "We enjoyed our stay all staff apart from the receptionist were professional and efficient. We are looking fro propertry in the area and so will possibly stay at Ivy Bush again. We hope another receptionist will meet and greet." (107148926)

    The hotel is one we have stayed in before. We found it clean and comfortable. The restaraunt staff were very good.

    On arrival we were met with a rather grumpy receptionist and a night's sleep did not improve her demeanour. As the first point of contact with customers, I felt that she really should learn to smile and be slightly less stern and grumpy

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 1, 2008

    "Very disappointing, although the receptionist was great." (108031280)

    Lady on reception was excellent when I rang to explain that we had been delayed by a cancelled ferry from Ireland and would be arriving very late at night. She arranged everything for us including a sandwich and milk in our room.

    As a result of arriving very late at night we did not get down to breakfast until they were almost closing. Everything was too much trouble, we were clearly an inconvenience having our breakfast so late. As we checked out it was very difficult to manoeuvre our luggage around the linen trolleys cluttering up the corridors - again, we felt that they could not wait for us to leave.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  March 27, 2008

    "Staff very helpfull, breakfast was good" (97015534)

    Very clean,hotel seemed in a good state orf repair

    Water pressure from shower head very poor

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 17, 2008

    Well laid out, clean and comfortable

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  February 28, 2008

    "Very good, room prices were slighty higher than expected." (97914345)

    rooms were very clean and presentable

  • 10/10 Glen ( Mature couple) 

    from Penarth , GB  on  January 30, 2008

    "A warm, friendly, hotel. The staff were, without exception,welcoming and highly efficient. The Bar was well stocked and well managed.There are acres of highly comfortable lounge areas all scrupulously clean and tidy. Daily newspapers were available in the lounge areas for the use of guests. We both felt that the highlight of our stay was the superbly cooked and presented Dinner. You also have an extensive,but not stupidly priced wine list. Well done the Ivy Bush." (97554823)

    clean, comfortable. everything worked !

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 11, 2007

    "Good stay, room clean but little dated, food good except eggs, loved the faggots. Staff very good all very friendly." (97773708)

    Very friendly staff.

    Fried eggs, left to cook under servery lights

  • 8/10 Sandra ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Exeter , GB  on  November 27, 2007

    "This is a hotel I have stayed in on more than one occasion over a number of years and choose to go back because of the good quality of accommodation and very friendly staff. I take the last visit as a one-off but the staff do need to remember other guests are just important as conference guests when they happen to book and stay at the same time." (97791823)

    The accommodation is well placed, good location and the staff usually are friendly and helpful. The hotel represents good value for money.

    On my last stay I just happened to be staying when a conference was also on. I found the staff more concerned with the conference event and particularly when dining was made to feel like I was in the way. The room I stayed in was a lovely room but I was obviously put over the disco and if I had not had ear plugs would not have got any sleep that night.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 4, 2007

    "Good standard of cleanliness and facilities. Courteous welcome." (99282351)

    Convenience to rail station

  • 8/10 Jeff ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Hengoed , GB  on  July 2, 2007

    It was reasonable value for money. It was convenient for my purpose. The room was comfortable and what I expected.

    It was a little noisy in that I was able to hear people moving and talking in the corridor. Breakfast was limited - for example I prefer scrambled eggs to fried eggs but this was not on offer as far as I could see.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  June 25, 2007

    Clean and quiet

    Totally inadequate shower facility

  • 6/10 Roger ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Montgomery, powys , GB  on  June 11, 2007

    "In general the staff were pleasant and helpful.More information about the restaurant and bar menu would have been useful.I could have sworn it said a Table D'hote menu was available at a cost of £17.50.This was not the case, but maybe I was mistaken.The food was well presented and very edible.My main concern is the TV, which for me is important.I am fed up with the lame excuse that the system is old and we cannot do anything about the reception.Surely in this day and age every hotel should have freeview available." (99249161)

    In general the standard of the room was OK except for see below.The A la Carte menu in the restaurant was limited although of good standard

    The television reception was virtually unwatchable on the 3 main channels, which for some bizarre reason was still analogue whilst others were digital.Sky sports 2 was advertised in the room but non existant

  • 8/10 T a ( Mature couple) 

    from Llandudno , GB  on  April 15, 2007

    Good.Housekeeping forgot to put tea.coffe etc in room but apart from that it was good.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  April 9, 2007

    "The Staff were outstanding but I was disappointed with my room. As a single room occupant I did not feel that it was up to the standard of a three star hotel." (99844889)

    The Staff were superb and the Hotel was very clean

    I was unlucky to have a room overlooking the main road. The noise was dreadful. I did not appear to have tea making facilities and the lavatory refused to flush. However I arrived rather late and did not register the last two complaints until the following day. I am sure these problems would have been sorted out if I had brought them to the attention of the Staff.Breakfast was only of the Tesco standard, but in mitigation the hotel was full and very busy.

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  April 3, 2007

    "Nice and quiet with comfortable, clean rooms. Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent food in the restaurant as always! I would wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to anyone wishing to stay in Carmarthen." (99525108)

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  February 4, 2007

    Spacious room.

    Rather noisy.

  • 10/10 Mary ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Middlewich , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 30, 2007

    "My room was very comfortable. The food was excellent." (99441890)

  • 9/10 Carole ( Mature couple) 

    from Diss , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 30, 2007

    "We had a very pleasant stay and would stay again. Bar food was good. Room was clean and comfortable." (99534995)

    Very friendly staff. Was able to book into room a bit early, after a very long journey, this was very welcome.

    Would recommend that guests read the information first as we took a while to find the tea/coffee facilities and the extra pillows which were put away in the wardrobe.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  January 23, 2007

    "This is a reliable hotel and one I have used often in the past. Very good value for the price. Food in the restaurant wasn't as good as previously. A little overcooked for my liking. Also, I would prefer it if waiters did not set up for breakfast whilst people are still eating dinner." (99489477)

    Clean, tidy, good facilities in room.

    Room quite small.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  January 15, 2007

    Location

  • 10/10 Les ( Mature couple) 

    from Spalding , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 14, 2007

    "Restaurant well worth a visit. Good value for money and plenty of it." (99489912)

    Clean, warm, modern. Excellent en suite

    Not the quiest

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  January 6, 2007

    Location

  • 6/10 Robert ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Paulton , United Kingdom;GB  on  October 19, 2006

    "My room was quite small, but generally OK. In hindsight I should have booked a double room for single occupancy, but it would have been nice if the opportunity to upgrade was offered. I ate in the Bar on the night of my stay because the restaurant was full of people from a tour. Whilst the food was adequate and reasonable value for money it was not spectacular." (3305469158)

    Nothing in particular, but the location of the hotel was convenient

    Creaking floorboards and fire doors that bang, especially when inconsiderate guests return at 2.00 am.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  August 23, 2006

    "OVERALL I FOUND IT TO BE AN ENJOYBLE STAY. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD WAS BEING DIRECTED TO THE DINING AREA NOT THE RESTAURANT TO HAVE THE BAR MENU." (3305150943)

    THE GYM FACILITY WAS FANTASTIC. FRIENDLY AND CLEAN GOOD CAR PARKING

    QUITE EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT MEAL

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 23, 2006

    Very clean, lovely room, good food in restaurant. Staff on arrival very pleasant.

    Shower was not working properly, staff on departure were rude (or shy?)

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  August 19, 2006

    "It is essentially a holiday hotel with activities for the young and more mature. No TV etc in bar to entertain the solo business traveller" (3305209790)

    clean and well presented

    the shower did not work well and the pop-up plug in the sink would not stay down. No atmosphere in the main bar

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Family with young children) 

    on  August 2, 2006

    "Overall, the service was impressive, and the food was superb. No complaints." (3305121228)

    The hotel was able to accomodate us in a triple room at a very reasonable cost. They were also able to check us in before the allocated time, which was very convenient.

    The bathroom could have done with updating. The entire lounge area smelled of stale cigarettes

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 16, 2006

    "Excellent service from reception. Very helpful and efficient" (3304998101)

    Comfortable clean and quiet

    nothing

  • 8/10 Christina ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Peterborough , UNITED KINGDOM;GB  on  July 15, 2006

    "It is a comfortable hotel not noisey. A outside balcony overlooking garden and car park from the bar. Clean reastrant and plesant staff." (3305010239)

    Having a small gym to use

  • 6/10 Dennis ( Mature couple) 

    from Kingwood , United States;US  on  June 15, 2006

    "We were unlucky in that our stay coincided with two large coach parties. Our dinner reservation was for 7.30, but when we came down, the large assembly of coach passengers made it clear that we would be in for a long wait in very noisy and crowded company. We abandoned the restaurant and were pleased to find space in your very attractive lounge overlooking the garden. Unfortunately the other guests were all smokers and we do not enjoy second hand smoke. We eventually found refuge in the bar where the barman arranged a very good fish and chip supper for us and treated us very well." (3304718769)

    The initial room was dark and dismal, however the duty manager found us a much better room and he handled the matter in a pleasant and courtious manner

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  May 18, 2006

    "Everything from check-in to departure went smoothly. There was a smoking lounge as well as non smoking. There were parts of the hotel where there were steps to negotiate but fortunately our room was in a wing where there were only 2 steps to negotiate." (3304273377)

    It was central, the staff were all very friendly and helpful and the fod was good.

    Nothing

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Family with older children) 

    on  May 6, 2006

    "The directions to the hotel from arriving at Carmarthen from the A40 were misleading - I had to phone from the car to find the hotel." (3304621016)

    Lovely clean bathroom and comfy/warm single beds. Great breakfast.

    room numbers could be signed better - I got lost a couple of times.

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  May 3, 2006

    It had a homely feel. It was not like the sanitised chain hotel where one could be dtaying anywhere. Food was very good too.

    Nothing

  • 10/10 Patricia ( Mature couple) 

    from Machen, , United Kingdom;GB  on  April 30, 2006

    "The food was well presented,well cooked and the staff were friendly and very professional,the reception staff were very helpfull and the domestic staff were efficient and unobtrusive. We had four very enjoyable days and three good nights sleep." (3304212937)

    We stayed in the Merlin suite which was the most comfortable that we have ever stayed in

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  April 10, 2006

    "We did enjoy our stay and the hotel was clean and modern, I would recommend this hotel again but I would also advise them to ask about how far it was to the room and hope help with luggage was available, this really let the hotel down ." (3304070442)

    Although in the town centre it was a quiet room and we had car parking facilities. Food was very good,and staff very pleasant

    We are not a young couple and this is fairly obvious but the receptionistdid not offer any form of help with luggage and the room was a long way from the lift and up and down several sets of stairs, it would have been good to have been made aware of this.instead of taking all our lugge in one trip we could have made two. I did ask where the room was and only told first floorand not about the long and complicated corridor , we were in room 136.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 19, 2006

    "Late arrival meant too late for dinner but an excellent choice of sandwiches was arranged and sent to my room. Early breakfast was tasty and plentiful." (3304365281)

    Easy to find. Clean comfortable room. Excellent bathroom.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  February 28, 2006

    The room was cold - but the weather was exceptionally windy.

  • 9/10 Stanley ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Warrington , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 22, 2006

    "The hotel's standards of cleanliness and quiet efficiency were excellent. The hotel is handily placed in the middle of town yet relaxingly quiet." (3304123659)

    It was probably the quietest hotel room in which I ghave stayed in the past two years

    Not all of the radio channels worked!

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 15, 2005

    Bathroom was very clean.

    Decoration starting to look a little tatty and dated.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 6, 2005

    "Good value for money and clean comfortable room. Helpful and friendly staff." (3304009280)

    Friendly and helpful staff

    None that I can think of

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 5, 2005

    Conveniently positioned. Good breakfast. Very clean

    Evening meals too expensive

  • 7/10 Geoffrey ( Mature couple) 

    from Keerbergen , Belgium;BE  on  October 3, 2005

    "This is a Hotel where you are made to feel welcome,and in which you can feel at home. Hotel accepted my Dog and were very friendy towards him. Good ,safe Parking. Excellent Staff.Spacious lounge areas.Very close to centre of Town and amenities without being noisy I had a very nice room, but it was above the Kitchen. There was no problem with this except the swing doors between this and the dining Room made a lot of noise. This was pointed out to the management, and I am sure they will act upon it." (2729660)

    Hotel accepted Dogs. Good ,safe Parking. Excellent Staff.Spacious lounge areas.Very close to centre of Town and amenities without being noisy

    Bathroom Maintenance

  • 10/10 John s. ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Destin , United States;US  on  October 1, 2005

    "A charming, historic hotel but lacking internet access either in the rooms or in a business centre. Good food and efficient, friendly staff. Clean,comfortable, modern rooms with ensuite facilities. Some rooms situated over a ballroom and disco music can occasionally be very disturbing until 1am. No room service which would be appreciated after a long and busy day. Parking often difficult because of the number of events at the hotel. All in all an enjoyable experience despite the hopefully objective comments above and certainly the best hotel in Carmarthen." (2453762)

    Friendly staff, clean, comfortable rooms.

    There is no room service and more importantly no Internet access either in the rooms or in a business centre. Have to go to Public Library and queue! Often very difficult to park and once my car was damaged by a hit and run motorist.

  • 10/10 Antonya ( Mature couple) 

    from Abingdon , United Kingdom;GB  on  September 14, 2005

    "The Ivy Bush Royal in Carmarthen is still privately owned. The efforts of the owners are clear to see - much has been spent on upgrading/refurbishing rooms and public areas. While there still are scheduled improvements to be made, the hotel provides a warm welcome and very comfortable surroundings." (2379966)

    This was a very well equipped and comfortable room in a 3 star hotel that deserves 4 stars!

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  September 2, 2005

    "Our rooms were at the front of the hotel, and we were subjected to a great deal of noise from inebriated revellers returning home from night clubs in the town at around 0245 in the morning... this went on for more than an hour before it abated. I understand this is a regular occurrence on Friday and Saturday nights, so unless you can get a (well sound-proofed) room at the rear of the hotel, I wouldn't advise staying here on those days !" (2620164)

    The rooms were generally excellent, but this was spoilt by the high level of outside noise.

    Staffing: during our visit, a wedding party was in progress and a full tourist coach arrived. The staffing levels were wholly inadequate to cope with the (surely anticipated?)demands on their ervices. The selection of evening meals available seemed very limited for such a large and prestigious hotel, and the meals themselves were not of particularly high quality.

  • 7/10 Henrik ( Mature couple) 

    from Cirencester , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 31, 2005

    "Very expensive at the £95 price point. £80 or so rack rate with breakfast would be far more realistic for this end of the country. Surly breakfast room staff, breakfast buffet disappointing - hard scrambled eggs, cheap and undercooked sausages. Reception charming but inefficient. Generally OK, but not a first choice and I doubt we will return." (2634864)

    Well-designed, good ergonomics.

    Water pressure in showers; staff training in breakfast room.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 31, 2005

    "On arrival outside we were thinking not very nice.The reception area is small but welcoming.The staff are friendly.We ate in the restaruant and the food is lovely.We had to ask for a smoking room as we had been given a no smoking room.We didnt know they had both.We enjoyed our stay." (2653012)

    The room was large and spotlessly clean.Bathroom was large and decorated lovely.

    Our veiw was horrible but not hotels fault its next to a carpark on an industrial unit.

  • 7/10 John ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Kingston upon thames , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 17, 2005

    "In view of the disturbance on Saturday night, I would have appreciated knowing that there was big wedding with many guests staying. Being woken at 3am by the sound of insane hammering on a door in the same corridor was unfortunate in a hotel at the prices charged. To hear the shouted swearing at another guest who complained about the noise was unacceptable. Then to be re-awoken at 3.30 am by children running amok has ensured that I will not return. A great pity as the staff and food were of the highest standard." (2581174)

    Friendly Staff in the Bar and Dining room. Excellent food.

    Controlling the behaviour of drunken wedding guests

  • 8/10 Roddy ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Bridgeton , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 13, 2005

    "Only there for 2 nights but it is one of the better hotels I have used this year." (2591398)

    Clean, spacious, good shower

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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