“Brilliant Property!”
My wife and I are frequent visitors to Trearddur Bay and have stayed in many different properties there over the years. Now that our children are grown up and it is just the two of us we needed a fairly small property but somewhere that was near to the centre of Trearddur. 24 Isallt Lodges certainly ticked all the boxes for us!
When you arrive you will find there are plenty of parking spaces and the first-floor apartment-style flat is easily accessed by outside steps.
Inside you will find three good-sized bedrooms, all with ample storage. Two are doubles and the other is a single. The single room would be more suited to a child than an adult as the hanging space is not really suited to adult-sized clothes. The beds were very comfortable and everywhere was very clean (except a little bit of the bathroom - see below!). The towels and bed linen were included in the price.
The kitchen/lounge/dining area are all in one room, but the room is of sufficient size for it not to feel cluttered. There is a dining table and chairs for 5 people, plus two roomy leather sofas and a comfy chair. There is a great flat-screen TV, plus free WiFi and a Blu-Ray/DVD player (there is also a CD player but we didn't use it). The kitchen is very well-equipped, with fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and oven/hob (the washer/drier is in a cubby-hole in the hall), and all the usual crockery/utensils/pots and pans. We were also supplied with tea and coffee, dishwasher tablets, tea towels and dishcloth, kitchen roll and washing-up liquid.
In a cupboard in the corner of the lounge there are clothes airers, iron/ironing board and a few games, but I was surprised there was no hoover; although we don't come on holiday to do housework, inevitably there will be sand and crumbs and such like on the carpet that we always like to vacuum up before we leave. But never mind - one less thing to do on your final morning!
The bathroom was a good size, with bath, electric shower, toilet, sink, vanity unit, shaver points and extractor fan, but if anything this was the room that for me was a little disappointing. There was only 1 toilet roll (so you will most likely have to buy some more) and the shower curtain was only just long enough to stop water going on the floor (either the rail needs dropping a couple of inches or they need a longer curtain!). The pipework and skirting board needed a good dusting, and there was no bath mat, so take care when you are in the shower - it's not dangerous, just something to be aware of. However these are very minor things that in no way spoilt our stay.
Around Isallt Lodges there are some communal lawns, but to be honest if you want to be outdoors (and who wouldn't in Anglesey?!) just walk 5 minutes down the road to the terrific Blue Flag beach. For those not familiar with Trearddur Bay there is also a Lifeboat Station, a selection of fab restaurants (including a Chinese) and a couple of shops. Holyhead is just up the road with a Tesco and a Morrisons for your shopping, plus a golf course, leisure centre and various takeaways. There is also the marina and the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead Mountain, and a short drive away is the stunning South Stack lighthouse (which you can buy a ticket to go up, but be warned - there are LOTS of steps to go down to the lighthouse and to come back up again!). South Stack is great for bird watching, so don't forget your binoculars.
We booked this property through Sykes Cottages and got what we felt was excellent value for money. Please note there are no pets allowed at Isallt Lodges (but there are a few very friendly cats in the vicinity!). All the locals are very friendly too.
As I've said this ticked all the boxes for us, and we will definitely be booking for next year. If you are a couple or a small family and are looking for a comfortable, clean and well-located property that isn't over-sized or over-priced, this could tick the boxes for you too.
A brilliant property - can't wait to go back!
Brian and Claire Parker.
- Brian P, May 2017
