Ivy Bush Royal Hotel by Compass Hospitality

7.8
Very Good
(815 reviews)

11 Spilman St, Carmarthen SA31 1LG, United Kingdom

+44 1267 235111

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Hotel Description

Nestled in the heart of Carmarthen, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel by Compass Hospitality offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort. Located at 11 Spilman St, Carmarthen SA31 1LG, United Kingdom, this hotel is within easy walking distance to several local attractions, making it a great choice for both leisure and business travelers. Just a 5-minute stroll from Carmarthen train station and only 6 minutes from St. Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre, guests will find themselves surrounded by vibrant shops, dining, and cultural sites. A little further afield, at just 3 miles, the Gwili heritage railway awaits those interested in a nostalgic rail experience. The hotel is set in a beautifully painted 2-storey building, exuding a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere that suits both short stays and extended visits.

Inside, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel offers a variety of rooms, all designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. Rooms are equipped with satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Many of the rooms boast traditional charm with four-poster beds, while upgraded rooms feature luxurious touches like whirlpool baths. Guests can enjoy the added convenience of room service and access to the hotel's restaurant/bar, which serves up regional cuisine and a popular Sunday roast. Whether you're seeking a simple retreat or a more indulgent stay, the rooms provide a perfect setting for rest and rejuvenation.

For those seeking extra amenities, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance your experience. Start your day with a traditional cooked breakfast, which is complimentary with your stay. Other amenities include a fitness center, sauna, and several conference rooms, making the hotel ideal for business travelers. Families will appreciate the hotel’s kid-friendly atmosphere, with facilities that cater to both younger and older guests. The hotel also offers concierge services to assist with your travel needs and ensure your stay is as seamless as possible. Public areas of the hotel are smoke-free, creating a comfortable and clean environment for all.

Accessibility is a key feature at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, with convenient public transport options nearby. The hotel is just a 7-minute walk from Carmarthen Railway Station, making it easy to explore the surrounding areas. Cardiff Airport is about 1 hour 25 minutes away by taxi, providing quick access for international travelers. Additionally, several bus and walking routes are nearby, offering further convenience for guests looking to explore the town or head to nearby attractions.

Health and safety measures are a priority, with a commitment to guest well-being throughout your stay. The hotel maintains a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene, and all safety protocols are followed. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, the hotel offers a peaceful and secure environment for your stay.

When it comes to things to do, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel offers a central location with plenty of options for entertainment and sightseeing. Guests can visit the nearby National Botanic Garden of Wales, just 14 minutes away, and enjoy a walk through formal gardens, lakes, and woodland. For a more historic experience, the nearby Gwili Steam Railway offers antique steam train rides, perfect for a leisurely outing. You can also explore Castell Cydweli / Kidwelly Castle or Carmarthen Castle, both just a short distance from the hotel. Art lovers can visit the Oriel Myrddin Gallery, a mere 7-minute walk away, to enjoy local art exhibitions.

Dining options are abundant near the hotel. Within a short taxi ride, guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines. Florentino’s, an Italian restaurant, is just 3 minutes away by taxi, while GRAIN - Carmarthen, located only 1 minute away, offers a modern dining experience. For a more relaxed dining atmosphere, The Warren and Dexters are also within 5 minutes by taxi. Whether you're craving Italian, regional fare, or a casual meal, there are plenty of choices nearby to suit all tastes.

In conclusion, the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel by Compass Hospitality offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and charm, making it an ideal choice for your stay in Carmarthen. With its central location, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, it promises an unforgettable stay in this charming town. We invite you to experience all the hotel has to offer and enjoy your visit to Carmarthen in comfort and style.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Walking distance to Oriel Myrddin Gallery and Carmarthen Castle

2. 7 min walk to nearest train station

3. One of the few hotels in the area with room service

4. One of the few hotels in the area with a 24-hr front desk

5. Guests mentioned bars 46 times

6. Guests mentioned 'roasts' 14 times

7. Complimentary traditional cooked breakfast for all guests

8. Pet-friendly, dogs and cats allowed

9. Kid-friendly with family-oriented facilities

10. Fitness center, sauna, and conference rooms available

11. Smoke-free property with clean, healthy atmosphere


8.4 Excellent

Location rating

Top sights

National Botanic Garden of Wales
14 min
Gwili Steam Railway
6 min
Castell Cydweli / Kidwelly Castle
19 min
Carmarthen Castle
3 min
Castell Talacharn / Laugharne Castle
21 min

Nearest locations

GRAIN - Carmarthen
1 min
Stag & Pheasant
1 min
Dexters
2 min
Cofio Lounge
2 min
Florentino’s
3 min
Cegin Myrddin
3 min
Sloppy Joe's Streetfood
3 min
The New Curiosity
4 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating8.4
Nearest airportCardiff Airport
Travel time to airport1 hr 25 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $75

    Bluepillow.com

    $79

    ZenHotels.com

    $80

    Agoda

    $95

    Best Hotel Deals

    $90

    Booking.com

    $104


Location

11 Spilman St, Carmarthen SA31 1LG, United Kingdom

Airports:

Cardiff Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 25 min

Transit: 2 hr 18 min

Transit:

St Peters Church

Walking: 2 min

Carmarthen

Walking: 7 min

Walking: 6 min

Council Offices

Walking: 1 min

Carmarthen Railway Station

Walking: 7 min


Nearby locations

8.4

Excellent Location

Set in a 2-storey building with a painted facade, this straightforward hotel is a 5-minute walk from Carmarthen train station, 6 minutes from St. Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre and 3 miles from the Gwili heritage railway.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

Pet-friendly

Dogs allowed

Cats allowed

Parking & transportation

Parking

Services

Front desk

Baggage storage

Concierge

Full-service laundry

Elevator

Wake up calls

Housekeeping

Languages spoken

English

Accessibility

Accessible

Accessible parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Table service

Room service

Breakfast

Breakfast buffet

Wellness

No spa

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Bathtub in some rooms

Shower

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

5.8

10 reviews

Wonderful
3
Excellent
1
Good
2
Below Average
0
Not Good
4
LB

Linda B

5/5
My Mum and I spent a couple of nights at the hotel while we visited family in the area. Sian at the desk was so welcoming and we were upgraded to a family room which was very much appreciated.  …

DD

Dorothea D

4/5
Let's set the record straight. I have just come back from a group holiday at this lovely hotel. The previous reviews do not do this hotel justice. …

V

Voyage22055921319

3/5
The Hotel was clean, the staff friendly and welcoming, the food was plentiful, delicious, and well presented. This is the positive review of our 4 day coach stay at this hotel. …

CS

Chris S

5/5
We paid just under £80 for our room including breakfast for two, which seemed like very good value. The room was comfortable with all the amenities you would expect. There was an excellent selection of hot and cold food for breakfast and a large free car park. The staff were very friendly and made us feel very welcome.

Cover Image for Cheri Stephens

Cheri Stephens

5/5
Had our wedding at the Ivy last Saturday, the whole day was fantastic !From start to finish, everything run smoothly and on time. The room was decorated beautifully ( unfortunately I didn’t take a picture )😢the food was delicious, compliments to the chef!Thank you to Jack and his team for making our wedding day perfect.Richard and Cheri Murrell

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Colin Jones

3/5
In urgent need of an update. Carpets in some areas leave a lot to be desired. ( they are black not the intended colour). Food not too bad. Some rooms on the small side. Most staff helpful and friendly.

Room 3

Service 4

Location3

Cover Image for Brent Knoll Tadpoles

Brent Knoll Tadpoles

1/5
So disappointed. Booked as a stop after getting off the ferry and although we're able to check in after midnight we wished we carried on driving. On arrival there was no one at reception, although we were able to walk straight in! Eventually we were checked in. Told breakfast was 7.30 am til 9 and left to find our oom in a maze of corridors and stairs and mini flights of steps.The room was really old, tired, dirty and unappealing. Who hangs pictures with water stains along the bottom, pictures of close ups of headboards? All the lampshades were askew, cleaning was awful ( tops of plug sockets had a really thick layer of grime and the bathroom grout was in urgent need of redoing.Add to the lack of mattress, duvet and pillow protectors the disgusting stain mattress made us further regret our visit.The room was hot and stuffy but at least the holey, moth eaten curtains allowed movement of air through!The only drinking water( from the bathroom tap was either hot or warm?? No cold water came through.Would definitely recommend giving this a miss ( but like when you say good morning to the receptionist and she ignores you)

Cover Image for Peak

Peak

1/5
1. Unfriendly guy at the front desk, no smile or friendliness whatsoever.2. We booked 2 rooms, which were 2 floors apart. Use your common sense and make sure you allocate rooms within close distance.3. Rooms were dirty as hell, I have stayed in many hotels this is by far one of the worst. The cups weren't washed properly.The housekeepers were friendly and smiley, and the staffs handling breakfast was also friendly. Breakfast was decent, but won't be returning back.

MG

Mavis G

1/5
Our recent experience at Ivy Bush, was anything but unbelievable. This isn't the first time we have stayed at this hotel however our latest visit was overshadowed by an unwelcoming service and a room not fit for purpose - Room 110. …

Cover Image for BeccaD

BeccaD

1/5
Complaint submitted 29/09/24Dear Mr Yeates,I should like to make a complaint. My friend and I had lunch in the bar yesterday (28/09/24). We ordered, and I paid by card. Sometime later my friend went to the bar and ordered more tea, for which she paid, and the barman asked her to pay for the lunch. She explained that her friend had already paid. When we left we found we were being pursued by one of the barmen. We stopped and he said accusingly “You haven’t paid!” There were many ways he could have broached this diplomatically and politely, for example, “I’m very sorry but we don’t seem to have kept track of whether you have paid, may I just check?” However, he chose to accuse us of not paying, therefore, accusing us of attempted fraud, without any possibility that it was your staff who may have made a mistake.I stated that I had paid. He then demanded: “who did you pay?” and I, a little taken aback, said “well the man who was behind the bar at the time.” He said: “I messaged him and asked and he said you didn’t”. “Well I did” I replied. This was getting embarrassing, so I turned and walked back into the hotel foyer to sort it out in a more appropriate place.As I walked across the foyer I was accosted by another member of your bar staff, a large man, who blocked our way and also accused us of not paying. I repeated that I had paid. He asked me to prove it. I asked whether he could not check on the till and he replied: “We have, and it isn’t there”. This was happening in the foyer where we were surrounded by other guests coming and going. He demanded that I go onto my banking app and prove that I had paid. I had to open my bank account, in the foyer, where your staff, my friend and anyone passing by could see my private banking information, including how much I have in my bank account. I had no wish to share this information.I proved that I had indeed paid, at which point the first barman who had accosted me, disappeared without a word. I said to the larger barman who was still standing over me, “this was badly handled, and in an accusatory manner!” He began to argue with me, telling me it had not been accusatory although, firstly, he had not been present outside during the first accusation and therefore, was not in a position to comment on that, and secondly, did not understand that the statement “you have not paid” is an accusation. It was not at any point done in a friendly, diplomatic or non-confrontational way. There was no question, in either of their approaches, that the mistake may have been on their part. Neither of them apologised.• Your staff embarrassed and humiliated me very publicly, forced me to expose private information and offered no apology when I proved that I had paid.• I had not been given a receipt by the bartender who took my payment. What would I have done, in those hostile circumstances, had I paid cash? I would not have been able to prove it.• Why did your staff tell me they had checked when they clearly hadn’t? They could have checked the payments on the card machine, instead of demanding to see my bank account. (There had been plenty of time for them to do this, we were there a long time).• I suffered a sleepless night following this treatment. I have dined in many cafes and restaurants over the years; I have never been treated like this before.I should like to know what your policy is in such a situation and whether you train your staff at all to deal with these issues, as it would appear they have no training and poor manners. Not only did they deal with it in an offensive way, as stated, they did not even have the common courtesy to apologise.I would also like to know whether you consider this sequence of events acceptable and a good reflection on your hotel.I look forward to your response,