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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I spent a night at the luxury hotel where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds stay on Wrexham visits
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The minute you drive through the entrance to Carden Park Hotel and Spa you know you're arriving somewhere special. Set in acres of lush grounds, as you wind along the tree-lined driveway with a beautfully manicured golfing green beside you, as well as water features and wildlife (we spotted a swan and her babies), any cares will be relinquished long before you reach the building itself. In fact it's so special that it's a favourite destination for Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively when they visit the football team he co-owns, Wrexham FC - and they can often be seen entertaining their famous friends there too. And why wouldn't they? Carden Park is about nine miles from Wrexham and has 197 stunning bedrooms (currently undergoing a major makeover) including four luxury suites, a newly-refurbished leisure club, two championship golf courses and award-winning restaurants including The Vines which offers a fine-dining tasting menu. There's also a vineyard and a new £10m spa with one of the largest spa gardens in the UK, which wouldn't look out of place in the Maldives or on a Caribbean island. (Image: James Devaney, GC Imagesvia Getty Images) READ MORE:I tried a tiny restaurant overlooking a Welsh beach and discovered the best Asian fusion food for miles After a quick and seemless check-in we took the lift to our room. During our stay the ongoing refurbishment was evident in the upper corridor as one half was light and airy with plush new carpet and contemporary pale wooden doors while the other half was a little dated. Our refurbished room overlooking the sculpture garden at the front was elegant but homely in shades of blue with floor to ceiling curtains and an ensuite featuring a huge walk-in shower. (Image: Carden Park) It's always the little touches that count and as well as the complimentary teas and coffees and luxury toiletries, a little plate had been left on the side with a selection of homemade chocolates and a welcome message. (Image: Karen Price) We decided to explore and our first port of call was Morgan's Bar where you can enjoy a drink and watch sport on the large TVs. There's also a terrance overlooking the front lawn so we took our drinks outside to people watch before having a walk through the grounds, taking in the sculpture garden featuring a diverse collection of artwork from leading sculptors and the vineyard which produces up to 10,000 bottles of Carden Park Estate Reserve sparkling wine each year from the two grape varieties grown. (Image: Karen Price) Back inside we had a quick change before heading to The Vines where we had a reservation. Before their meal, guests can relax in Goldie's cocktail bar opposite the restaurant with a drink and some snacks as they look through the menu. The surroundings are glamorous but not stuffy with comfy chairs and sofas, a beautiful golden ornate ceiling, low lighting, potted plants and large windows opening up onto a terrace. A pianist was playing background music in the corner adding to the chilled vibe. (Image: Carden Park) After about 30 minutes of relaxing, we were called into The Vines, which had a similar atmosphere to Goldie's, and we were shown into a corner seat where we would be enjoying the tasting menu (you can go for meat, fish or vegetarian options), which costs £105pp and you can add a wine flight for £90pp. The Vines, which has three AA Rosettes and is available as a private dining venue, is led by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley and Head Chef Harri Williams and also offers an a la carte menu. (Image: Carden Park) After being offered a choice of bread (olive sourdough for me) it was straight onto the first dish, Confit Carrot which had a lovely little kick thanks to its Asian dressing while the miso cracker added a crunch. The second course was Chicken Raviolo with Morrel mushrooms, pea salsa, chervil and wild garlic sauce, which was probably my favourite savoury course. The salsa was smooth and silky while the mushrooms gave the dish texture. Next up was a Crab Tartlet which also featured Japanese seaweed Nori, cucumber, Carden gin, smoked crab emulsion, apple and marigold. As well as being as pretty as a picture, it was really light and refreshing. (Image: Karen Price) Fourth to arrive was Welsh Hogget served rare with with asparagus, baby gem, black garlic puree, hogget belly bacon, crispy sweetbreads, sheep's yoghurt and a light jus. My partner isn't a fan of lamb but he was able to swap for Roasted Monkfish from the fish menu - which he says was his favourite dish of all. Served with seared scallop, togarashi cauliflower and spring onion, the fish was succulent and covered in a delicious creamy sauce. (Image: Karen Price) Why have one dessert when you can have two and that's what you got here. The first offering was Raspberry and Amalfi Lemon which was a lemon iced parfait with raspberry curd, lemon Madeline and raspberry sorbet and every bit as light and refreshing as it sounds. But my favourite was the Dark Chocolate Mousse which had a beetroot sponge, mascarpone, cocoa nib crumb and beetroot sorbet. Yes you read that right - who would have thought the humble earthy vegetable could be the basis of one of the best puddings I've tasted. The combination with the rich dark chocolate was simply delightful. There is also the option of a cheese board for a £5 supplement or as an additional course for £17 featuring a selection of cheeses, grapes and celery with jam. To finish off, you can enjoy a coffee with a selection of petit fours just like the ones that were left in our room, which we just about managed after all those lovely courses. While we dined like kings - or Hollywood royalty - the next morning we were up early ready to sample the hotel's breakfast, which features full English and continental choices, and after a little breather we headed to the spa. (Image: Carden Park) Housed in a new building a stone's throw from the main hotel, the spa (strictly for over 18s) is quite literally out of this world. From elaborate interiors to a breathtaking garden that features hot tubs, a pool, relaxation pods and a sauna with floor to ceiling windows looking across the Cheshire countryside, this is chilling at its best. There's also a variety of treatments on offer, from facials to foot and scalp rituals and manicures. I chose the Rejuvenating Ritual (£109 for 50 minutes) which combined a back, neck and shoulder massage with a facial. Bliss. Before heading home we enjoyed lunch in the spa restaurant overlooking the gardens which offers a selction of healthy options including all day brunches, sandwiches and wraps, salads and lighter bites. All of the facilities at Carden Park - from the bedrooms to the restaurants and spa - are exceptional and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Leaving the resort after our 24-hour stay we felt relaxed, pampered - and definitely like Hollywood royalty.
Buzz Feed
14-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
27 Budget-Friendly Wayfair Finds For Home Makeovers
A set of refrigerator bins so every time you open your fridge, you're greeted with soothing organization instead of loose produce rolling around your shelves and random boxes crammed in the back. Promising review: "Love how my items are more organized and neatly and able to pull them out with the handle opening. Must have in your home for those of us who love to be organized." —EvelynPrice: $23.99 for a set of eight A pair of floor planters to show off the successful efforts of your green thumb and all the plant babies you've helped thrive in your home. Promising review: "Just what I needed to get my plants off the ground and love the style. Good quality." —ZaniaPrice: $72.99+ (available in two colors) A bamboo caddy you'll wonder why you didn't get sooner. It will make bath time even more relaxing because it has room to hold a book, tablet, your favorite beverage, and more. Promising review: "We just remodeled our bathroom, which is perfect for our new tub. Love that I can put a drink in there, my cell phone, and balance my laptop to relax and watch Netflix." —KarenPrice: $31.99 (originally $69.99) An espresso machine so you can make barista-worthy coffee drinks any time of day. There's an attached milk frother to let you perfect your latte art skills for when guests come over. Promising review: "I have had this machine for almost two years and I love it so much. It produces a really nice little cup of espresso with a layer of crema on top. It's held up perfectly since I've had it. The wand works great. No complaints!" —GretchenPrice: $149.95 (originally $199.95) An arched floor lamp for brightening an otherwise dark corner. It has a sleek design that makes it a decor asset even when it isn't helping give the living room a warm glow or lighting up your favorite recent read. Promising review: "Great corner light that makes a modern fashion statement. Great quality! Would definitely buy another one!" —KelseyPrice: $134.99+ (originally $150.99, available in four colors) A 16-piece set of speckled stoneware dinnerware in cool pastel tones that will elevate the look of all your meals whether you're an amateur chef or semi-professional takeout orderer. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four soup bowls, and four cereal bowlsPromising review: "This is a gorgeous set and it gives my neutral-colored kitchen a pop of color. Well-made, nice size and they load into the dishwasher well!" —HeidiPrice: $69.99 (originally $79.99) A rectangular floor mirror that will instantly brighten up your room and make it look bigger and brighter with minimal effort. Plus, it gives you a place to double-check your entire outfit from head to toe so you don't walk out of the house with mismatched shoes (always a risk with mirrors that cut you off at the waist). Promising review: "Great mirror! Looks pretty in a corner, good size and price. I love the simplicity, but it still adds a little bit of glam." —RachelPrice: $132.99+ (originally $249.99, available in two finishes) A freestanding wine fridge to turn all those bottles of wine you keep buying and shoving in the back of your regular fridge into a ~curated wine collection~. It can hold up to 12 bottles and keep them at just the right temperature, so they're ready whenever you feel like enjoying a glass. Promising review: "We loved our purchase, the size is perfect if you have a small space. As for champagne bottles, you won't be able to fit two next to each other, but for regular wine bottles, it works great. Delivery was fast." — $199.99 A five-piece bamboo bathroom accessory set that will make you feel like you walked into a fancy spa or hotel bathroom because everything will be neatly hidden away instead of scattered across the counter. The set includes a soap dispenser, cotton swab box with lid, toothbrush holder, large wastebasket, and towel holder review: "This set is REALLY NICE. The bamboo is sturdy, good quality, and makes the bathroom look fancy!" —LauriePrice: $49.99 (originally $57.99) A SodaStream so you can enjoy refreshing sparkling water whenever you feel like it. Add your favorite flavors or fresh fruit and you've basically got artisanal beverages right at home. Promising review: "It's great! Much improved over the first SodaStream. The installation of the canister and the bottle are easy and time-saving! More bubbles in the water, too!" —JudyPrice: $99.99 (available in four colors) An abstract area rug to help bring a cohesive look to your room and make it look like you have it together. Plus, it protects feet from freezing cold floors! Promising review: "I love this rug!! It's beautiful and exactly like the picture. After I rolled it out, it only took a day or two for it to flatten out on its own. I've received many compliments on it." —HaileyPrice: $37.99+ (originally $49.99+, available in 14 sizes and 11 colors) An upholstered pouf made with recycled yarn that will make for a great accent piece in any room. You can also use it as an ottoman, footrest, or side table — it's that versatile. Promising review: "Nice pouf, nice size for a small room, and goes well with the chair. A wee bit firmer than I was expecting, but overall happy." —AnonymousPrice: $73.99+ (originally $195, available in six colors) A roll of botanical print peel-and-stick wallpaper so you can enjoy your own trendy statement wall. It will up-level all your photos with a tropical vacation background. Promising review: "This wallpaper is fantastic! It turned out even better than I was hoping and entirely transformed a small, dark, boring hallway into a beautiful, colorful, botanical focal point! I love that this wallpaper is peel-and-stick; it was so easy to put up after I primed my walls. I liked how I was able to adjust the paper easily if it wasn't aligned perfectly without losing any of the stickiness." —LauraPrice: $33.99 per roll A super sleek and slim trashcan you can fit it in narrow spaces in your kitchen, and even if you can't, it won't be an eyesore. It has a step so you can toss garbage in without using your hands, and the lids closes quietly. Promising review: "I ordered this trash an in white. It is shiny and sturdy. It tucks right into a narrow space in my kitchen. Beautiful in aesthetic and quality. I love it!" —KimberlyPrice: $99.99+ (available in three colors) A sleek blanket ladder that will give you a minimalist and stylish way to hold your extra throw blankets so they're not just bunched up on top of your couch. Promising review: "Great price and exactly what I was looking for to clean up the pile of blankets I had in my living room. Fits virtually anywhere and looks great with almost any room aesthetic. Easily accessible as well. Highly recommend it!" —JustinPrice: $66 (available in three colors) A swivel accent chair so you can be a part of any conversation happening in the room. It also gives you a cozy place to read a book or watch your favorite TV show. Promising review: "This chair is so cute. I have a small living area, and this swivel chair is the perfect addition. I am going to get another to complement it. It was easy to put together, literally five minutes. Definitely a great buy for the money." —JenniferPrice: $217.99 (originally $599; available in four colors) A wooden storage bench to keep your entryway clutter-free and welcoming. You can use it to store your (and your guests') shoes and decorate it with some flair. Promising review: "Wanted a nice-looking shoe rack for my back door dining area. Was tired of the ugly pile of shoes and this has made the spot a million times more attractive. I plan on getting some small plants to put on top to make it even nicer." —MelissaPrice: $225.99 A reed diffuser to fill your room with calming scents to keep your mind at ease. You can choose various scents like lavender, grapefruit, citrus, and more, and each scent will last up to six months. Promising review: "It's a great addition to my space. Scent [is] very distinct yet subtle. Definitely would recommend." —Jason Price: $36 A rope basket that provides a stylish way to put away all the random things you don't want lying on the floor, whether that's books, toys, blankets, or extra pillows. Promising review: "Love this basket! It came folded up and easily unfolded with no wrinkles or crinkles. Stands up straight with structure but not overly rigid. Handles are sturdy. Perfectly holds the items I intended and makes my room look less cluttered. Great value." —ShelleyPrice: $33.99+ (available in three sizes and colors) A set of two nightstands in case your current bedroom situation is just a bunch of books, cables, water bottles, and other random things on the floor next to your bed. This has a breezy boho vibe and a drawer to keep your things tucked away. Promising review: "LOVE THEM!!! Very easy and clear directions, they look so perfect in my bedroom. Very happy with the purchase!!" —KimberlyPrice: $127.99 A kitchen island to instantly give you extra counter and cabinet space in your home. You can use it to do prep work or store your growing collection of chef tools as you chase your Top Chef dreams. And it's on wheels so you can move it wherever is the most convenient. Promising review: "Love it! Needed extra counter space, this is more than enough." —DayanaPrice: $135.99+ (originally $143.99+, available in five colors) A bathroom cabinet because you're running out of counter space for all your countless beauty products in your multi-step skincare routine. This will keep your bottles sorted and out of sight. Promising review: "Pleasantly surprised at the quality of these little storage drawers for the price! Love the color too!!!" —AnonymousPrice: $64.99+ (available in four colors) A shoe cabinet that not only holds up to 10 pairs of shoes but hides them so stylishly so you don't have to stare at dirty sneakers whenever you go in and out of the house. Promising review: "Cute! Good value for the price. It did take me (and my dog ) a solid two hours to put together but it honestly wasn't hard. I love it and it's keeping the dog from eating shoes." —CarolinePrice: $82.99 (originally $89.99) A set of floating shelves you can use to fill up empty wall space in a cool and useful way. You can finally have a place to show off your favorite travel souvenirs, photos, or small plants. Promising review: "Love these shelves! I got the gray ones, and they are perfect for my bathroom. Easy to install if you watch the video first!" —CarolynPrice: $59.99+ for two (originally $64.99+, available in three sizes and six colors) A shower organizer with adjustable shelves to hold bottles of all sizes, plus extra soaps and accessories so everything can be within arm's reach instead of piling up at your feet. Promising review: "This thing is a dream! Fits everything I had on my corner four basket one but isn't in the way! High quality so don't let the price dissuade your decision." —MelissaPrice: $59.99+ (available in four sizes) A modern jewelry stand to hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings so you can see everything at once and don't have to spend hours of your life untangling chains and trying to find matching pairs of things. There's even a tray at the bottom to hold other small items like rings or pins. Promising review: "Love this jewelry stand. It's tall and sturdy, very nice quality with a bottom tray for rings or glasses, etc." —MaryPrice: $44.99 (originally $49.99) A pedestal dining table so you have a dedicated place to eat meals (or do work) that's not your couch. It has a clean profile that will add a modern touch to your home. Promising review: "This table is exactly what I wanted. It doesn't feel cheap, the tabletop is thick and feels very supported on the base. I was looking for a smaller size to fit this nook in my kitchen, but it fits four comfortably if you need to. Ideal for a small kitchen or couple!" —ShannonPrice: $115.99+ (available in five colors and sizes)
