Tenby's BEST Apartment: Seafront Luxury, Town Center Convenience!
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups and welcome to the most brutally honest, wonderfully messy, and utterly un-SEO-friendly review of Tenby's BEST Apartment: Seafront Luxury, Town Center Convenience! I'm talking unfiltered truth bombs here. Forget the polished brochure blurb, you deserve the REAL scoop. This is less a review, more an experience, a diary entry, a whole story. (And yes, I'll try to sprinkle some keywords in, but honestly, I'm more about the VIBES.)
First Impressions: The "Oh My Cod, This is Gorgeous!" Moment (and the Minor Hiccups)
Okay, so "Seafront Luxury" isn't kidding. Stepping into this apartment is like having a tidal wave of "WOW" wash over you. The view? Forget Instagram filters, it's RAW, breathtaking, and makes you want to actually live in the moment. Picture this: you waltz in, suitcase trailing, ready to collapse after the drive/train journey. BAM! Sunlight streams through massive windows, painting the sea a shimmering, inviting blue. You drop your bags and just…stare. Utterly mesmerized. (Okay, first, Accessibility – the website says “facilities for disabled guests”, but I didn't dive deep into specifics on that. I'll circle back if I hear more. And Check-in/out [express] was definitely not. It was friendly though, just the opposite of express.)
(Accessibility Alert: I also need to note, I'm not personally evaluating accessibility for mobility issues. But the website does list certain factors. I urge you do your due diligence and contact the apartments DIRECTLY to make sure it fits needs you have!)
Then you notice all the little details! The air conditioning is a godsend. The free Wi-Fi is FAST (a lifesaver for binging). The air conditioning in public area is also perfect for hot days. The decor? Chic but comfy. Not snooty, just…right. The complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker is much needed. But, there's ALWAYS a "but," right? I will get into the room sanitization opt-out available later.
The Location: Town Center Convenience – Is it REALLY?
Honestly? YES. Perfectly positioned. You're steps from the shops, restaurants, and the charming, winding streets of Tenby. It is super, super convenient. Car park [free of charge] – Score! One of the biggest wins, if you're like me, and don't do well in crowded parking situations. Car park [on-site] is available too, but I didn't use it. You can reach the beach in minutes, but maybe walk carefully if it's raining. You can also use the taxi service. Seriously, it's a win-win. But be prepared to do some stairs to get to the beach, a definite consideration if you need extra Accessibility.
So Many Things To Do, So Little Time (aka: My Brain is Overloaded!)
Tenby itself is a dream! The beach is stunning. Stroll around, get some of the best fish and chips in the UK. Things to do abound, from boat trips to simply wandering the harbor. Shops are plentiful. Restaurants are everywhere. Ways to relax: Sitting on the balcony with a drink, watching the sun sink into the sea, is pure bliss. Forget your stresses and enjoy the terrace. No pool with view, which is possibly the ONLY downside, but the sea is there anyway.
The Apartment Itself: Amenities Galore (with Some Reality Checks)
Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty:
The Essentials: Air conditioning? Alarm clock? Bathrobes and slippers? Check, check, check, and check! Bathroom phone? Who the hell still uses those?! (Honestly, I love it).
Techy Stuff: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! And like I said, it's fast. Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN? Fine. Satellite/cable channels? Essential for a lazy evening. On-demand movies? Yes, if you can be bothered to figure out how they actually work! (I'm old school, give me the telly, please).
Comfiness: Blackout curtains – praise be! Slept like a log. The extra long bed was a life-saver for a person who needs a lot of space. Seating area? Perfect for lounging with a book (or, let's be honest, scrolling through Instagram). Sofa is spacious and comfy.
Kitchen & Bathroom: Coffee/tea maker, refrigerator, mini bar? The necessities. Also, additional toilet and a safe box is super helpful. Separate shower/bathtub? Excellent for a good soak after a day of exploring. Hair dryer, of course.
The "Meh" Factor: I didn't need the ironing facilities, and honestly, I didn't even look at the desk or laptop workspace. Towels, linens, toiletries? All there, but I'm not overly fussy. Umbrella? Didn't need it, but good to have.
…and more details!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Adventures (And My Personal Struggles)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, I love to eat. Tenby is a foodie paradise! The restaurants are plentiful. The apartment itself doesn't have an on-site accessible restaurants / lounges. But don't worry, there's room service [24-hour]! I didn't use it, but it's a great option. Here's the tea:
- Cafes and Restaurants: The town is overflowing with choices. The salad in restaurant are so fresh! The soup in restaurant are hearty, perfect after a day on the beach. You can find the Asian cuisine in restaurant too. I didn't dig into it because I am not into Asian food, but if you are, you are in luck.
- Inside the Apartment: The bottle of water that was left for me was amazing. Also, the breakfast in room is available.
- Food for specific diets: there's a vegetarian restaurant.
- Snacks: The convenience store is close. The happy hour is also so much needed.
Services, Conveniences, and Random Bits (Because Life is Messy!)
- The practical stuff: Daily housekeeping was efficient and unobtrusive. Loved it! The concierge was helpful. Cash withdrawal is available.
- Businessy stuff: I did not use the business facilities, the meetings or the seminars.
- Extras you may not need: There is a shrine which is a bit of a surprise!
- Safety and Security: CCTV in common areas, CCT out property, front desk [24-hour] and security [24-hour]!
Cleanliness & Safety: The "Do the Anti-Viral Cleaning Products Actually DO Anything?" Question
Alright, let's get real about the whole COVID thing. Anti-viral cleaning products were the norm. I think the staff were trained. Rooms sanitized between stays. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Hygiene certification, I'm sure. Honestly, I just went with the flow and washed my hands a lot. The safe dining setup feels pretty standard these days. Daily disinfection in common areas seems like the bare minimum. Overall, felt safe enough.
For the Kids (Because, Let's Face It, I'M Still a Kid at Heart)
Didn't have kids with me this trip, but the apartment is family/child friendly, with options like room service and easy access. Babysitting is provided, which is super neat.
The Quirks, The Imperfections (Because They Make It Real!)
Okay, here's where I get properly honest:
- The slight creak in the floorboards: Nothing major, but old buildings have character, ya know? (And sometimes, they have ghosts. Just kidding… probably.)
- The view from the window: The view is mostly stunning.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I'd ask the cleaning staff about the room sanitization opt-out available and learn more.
The Emotional Stuff (My Personal Takeaway)
You know what? This place isn't just an apartment. It's a feeling. It's the feeling of waking up to the sound of the sea, the salt air on your face, the freedom to wander. It's the feeling of being completely relaxed. I left feeling refreshed, recharged, and already plotting my return.
The Verdict: Should You Book It?
YES! Unless you are a princess, then you should probably look for something new, and no, I will not be sorry for you!
**The Price is Right
Escape to Paradise: Family Cabin with River Views in Pereira, Colombia
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is my crack at a week in Tenby, staying at the "Top Sail Apartment – Close to Town and Seafront." Let's see if I survive… mentally, at least.
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious, Slightly Overhyped, Sunset (and a Burger Regret)
14:00 - Arrival & Apartment Shenanigans: Okay, so the key handover was smooth. The apartment itself? Honestly, it's… functional. Sea view? Technically, yes. Sea adjacent might be a more accurate description. But hey, the beds look comfy. My immediate reaction? "Thank God for free WiFi!" because, let's be honest, a vacation without Instagram is a complete waste of time, right? (kidding, mostly). Unpack, discover the complimentary tea bags and contemplate a biscuit.
15:00 - Town Exploration (and the Great Ice Cream Debacle): Right. Tenby. Gorgeous in pictures. Let the record state that the town itself genuinely is charming. Cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, the sea air… But…the ice cream shop. Every ice cream shop in Tenby is packed. I joined a ridiculously long queue, and after I finally got to the front, I was forced to make a split-second flavour decision. I went for something called "Unicorn Sparkle". Let's just say the sparkle was more artificial than magical, and I ended up ditching half of it in a bin. Ice cream fail.
18:00 - Sunset Hunt (AKA, the Bittersweet Golden Hour): Everyone raves about the Tenby sunsets. I’d seen the Instagram shots and thought, "challenge accepted". Armed with my camera and a ridiculous sense of optimism, I lugged myself down to the South Beach. The light was indeed incredible, but… the beach was crowded! Finding a decent spot was like trying to find a decent date on Tinder. But you know what? The sky did explode with colour. It was beautiful, even if I accidentally photobombed three proposals.
19:30 - Burger Betrayal: Post-sunset glow, the hunger hit. I'd heard whispers about a burger place up near the harbour. “Best burgers in Tenby!” they promised. I was lured in. But oh, the disappointment! The burger was… well, let's just say it tasted suspiciously like a hockey puck. I ate it anyway, because I’d walked a mile after the sunset, and I was starving. The feeling of the bad burger in my stomach made me feel slightly betrayed by the place.
21:00 - Collapse and Contemplation: Back in the apartment. Gutted by the burger, full of regret. I’m starting to think I’ll be eating nothing but biscuits.
Day 2: Castle and the Sea (and a Brush with a Seagull Bully)
09:00 - Breakfast Blues: The biscuits. Breakfast. The only thing I managed to make myself was a cup of coffee. I seriously need to buy cereal.
10:00 - Castle Exploration: Tenby Castle! It's postcard pretty, and the views from the top are stunning. The climb was a puff, but the reward was worth it. The sea looked incredibly alluring. I had a moment of genuine, unadulterated joy, looking out at the view and feeling a little bit small in the face of the amazing power of nature.
12:00 - Beach Time and Seagull Tyranny: South Beach again! Sun, sand, gentle waves… pure bliss. Until the seagulls arrived. These aren't your cute, friendly seagulls. They're apex predators with a taste for anything edible. I was terrorized. I have a vivid memory of one absolutely enormous one attempting to steal my sandwich. Then it swooped down and stole it. I swear the damn thing gave me a knowing glance as it flew away with my lunch. I spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in the shade, convinced I was being stalked.
15:00 - Coffee Shop Rescue: I sought refuge in a tiny coffee shop, clinging to the last of my sanity. Coffee and a pastry. Maybe I’ll win the lottery and this whole day will be erased from my mind.
19:00 - Fish and Chips Redemption: Tonight’s mission: find the best fish and chips in town. I'm determined to do better than last night's burger experience. I had one place in my sights, a local favourite, recommended by a lovely lady I met whilst running for my life from the seagull bully. It was delicious. The batter was crispy, the fish was flaky, and the chips were perfect. At last, some gastronomic redemption.
20:30 - The Seafront Stroll: Tenby at twilight is undeniably romantic. I walked along the harbour, watching the boats bobbing in the water. A little peace and quiet.
Day 3: Caldey Island, Chocolate, and the Dreaded Sunburn (and the Seagull's Revenge)
09:00 - Ferry Time: Off to Caldey Island! A day trip to a monastery sounds… interesting? I'm not religious, but hey, a boat trip and a change of scenery is always welcome.
10:00 - Caldey Island Discovery (and the Chocolate Obsession): The island itself is gorgeous. The monks? Quiet, serene… and they make amazing chocolate. I bought a lot. Like, a ridiculous amount of chocolate. I might have a problem.
12:00 - Beach Again (and the Sunburn of Doom): Despite my best efforts (and the advice I was given about proper suncream), I managed to get a serious sunburn. My shoulders felt like they were on fire. And yes, the seagull did make a reappearance, seemingly delighted by my suffering.
15:00 - Ice Cream Round Two (The Revenge): I did it. I went back to the ice cream shops to take revenge on my first horrible experience. I found a new place, and the ice cream was actually pretty good. I had a triple scoop of something fruity, and as I licked the final dregs, I felt like I'd somehow won the day.
19:00 - Pizza and Netflix to Soothe the Sunburn: The only way forward: pizza, and a night indoors, covering myself in soothing aftersun.
Day 4: Kayaking, Bad Decisions, and a Near-Drowning Experience
10:00 - Kayaking Adventure (or Misadventure?): I decided to be adventurous and rent a kayak. I'd pictured myself gliding gracefully across the waves, like some sort of nautical goddess. The reality? More like a clumsy, slightly terrified seal, battling the wind. I accidentally capsized at one point (note: I don't know how to swim). Safe to say, I am now somewhat traumatized by the sea.
12:00 - Regretful Lunch and Regretful Choices: I managed to get back to the shore somehow. Shaken, sunburnt, and slightly smelling of seawater, I went in search of lunch. And I made another bad choice. This time, it was a greasy kebab. The only saving grace was the chips, which were pretty good.
15:00 - The Aftermath (and Buying a Rubber Duck): I spent the entire afternoon sitting in the apartment, replaying my near-drowning in my head. I needed something to cheer me up. I ended up buying a ridiculously large inflatable rubber duck from a souvenir shop, because, why not?
19:00 - Steak Night (Finally, Something Decent): Tonight, I'm treating myself to a proper steak dinner at a slightly fancy restaurant. I deserve it, after all the stress!
Day 5: Coastal Path Walk and Emotional Turmoil
09:00 - Breakfast, followed by a panic: The thought of leaving the apartment to go on a coastal walk made me slightly anxious. Am I really the kind of person who likes walking in nature? I don’t think I am. I think I'm more of a hotel-and-room-service person.
10:00 - Coastal Path (and the Unexpected Beauty): Actually the coastal path was… surprisingly amazing. The views were breathtaking! I actually started to enjoy it.
12:30 - Beach Again (but different): A different beach this time, and it was quieter. This time it was a lovely experience. Peaceful.
15:00 - Tea and Cake: I found a wonderful little tea room. Cake is always the answer to everything, right?
19:00 - Reflection and Planning: I’m starting to feel a little less like a shipwrecked fool and a little more like… a person on holiday. The apartment? It's growing on me. I even started to appreciate the "sea adjacent" view. Maybe I really will survive this holiday.
Day 6: Last Day Shenanigans and the Ephemeral Joy of Departure
Okay, spill the tea! Is this "luxury" stuff for real at Tenby's BEST Apartment? I've been burned before.
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because I'm about to be brutally honest. The "luxury" claim? Yeah, it's mostly legit. Think plush towels you could practically sleep in, a kitchen that's actually *nice* to cook in (unlike that grotty rental I had in Devon last year – the pans were older than my grandma!), and a view... oh, that view! Seriously, sitting on that balcony with a glass of wine, watching the waves crash... pure bliss.
Now, the caveat? It’s not *palace* luxury. It’s not like they’re hand-feeding you grapes. There was a slight mishap with a wonky plug socket in the bathroom (which, let's be honest, is par for the course in a rental – the curse of the dodgy plug!), but they sorted it within hours. And the internet? Sometimes it coughed like a chain smoker. But hey, I was on holiday! Supposed to be disconnecting, right? (I lied. I still checked emails. #sorrynotsorry)
So... yes, luxurious. Mostly. Don't go expecting a royal butler, but you're going to feel pretty darn pampered compared to a Travelodge. Definitely a step up from the hostel experience I tried a few years back. Never again.
Location, Location, Location! Is it *really* in the town center, or just 'sort of' near it? Because I hate walking miles after a seafood platter.
Okay, this is where this apartment *slays*. Seriously, it's unbelievably close. You stumble out the door, and BAM! You're practically tripping over the shops, the pubs, and the restaurants. The smell of fresh fish and chips? Oh, it's intoxicating!
I swear, one evening, I ate the MOST incredible seafood platter at The Mooring (a must-try, btw). I waddled (yes, waddled) back to the apartment, and I think it took me about five minutes. Five! That's the kind of convenience you crave after a mountain of scampi and a few too many pints of local ale. No long hikes involved. Glorious.
The only downside? Sometimes, the noise from the pubs spills over into late evening. It's not a dealbreaker, especially if you're a heavy sleeper (like me after a seafood platter!), but light sleepers might want earplugs. Just a thought. I, generally, just yelled for more beers from my balcony and joined the party.
The Seafront. Tell me about the view! Is it actually *on* the sea?
My god, the view. It's... well, it's the reason I booked it. It's right there. On the sea. Not 'sort of' near the sea. You throw open the balcony doors, and the salty air slaps you in the face. The crashing waves? The screeching seagulls? It's pure therapy.
The best part? The sunsets. Oh, the sunsets! I spent nearly every evening on that balcony, glass of wine in hand (yes, I seem to be obsessed), watching the sun dip below the horizon. One night, a pod of dolphins swam past! I nearly choked on my Pinot Grigio from excitement. It felt like a David Attenborough moment. I’m still not over it. Honestly, worth the entire rental price just for that view.
Now, be warned, the view also means it can be windy! And the sound of the sea *is* pretty constant. But honestly? It's magical. If you like the sound of the sea, this place is perfect. If you don't like the sea… well, I'm not sure why you’re going to Tenby, but maybe it's not for you.
How are the facilities? Is there a washing machine? Dishwasher? Am I expected to hand wash my holiday clothes?
Alright, let's talk practicalities! Yes, thankfully there's a washing machine. Thank the heavens, because after all that delicious seafood, you’re going to want to wash your clothes (and, let’s be honest, probably your regrets too). And a dishwasher? Yes! Praise be. Because, let's face it, nobody wants to do dishes on holiday.
There's also a fully equipped kitchen. And when I say fully equipped, I mean you can actually *cook* a proper meal, which is great if you want a break from eating out. I managed a halfway decent pasta dish. Success! The kettle was awesome. The fridge was ample. It even had a teeny tiny ice machine which was perfect for my Gin and Tonics. It really does have everything you need, and none of that 'one saucepan and a wooden spoon' nonsense you often get in rentals.
Parking? Is there parking? Because parking in town centers is a nightmare.
Right, parking. This is a bit of a mixed bag. There is *assigned* parking, which is a godsend in a town like Tenby. No circling around the block like a vulture! But... the space is a little tight, and getting into it felt like solving a Rubik's Cube at times. I, may or may not have bumped into a wall once (no damage, thankfully!).
However, knowing there's a guaranteed spot is a huge relief. You can ditch the car and explore on foot – which, honestly, is the best way to see Tenby. So, tight parking? Yes. A small price to pay for peace of mind and a killer apartment, in my opinion.
Is it family-friendly? Or more suited for couples/solo travelers?
Okay, let’s break this down. Family-friendly? Hmm... it depends. The apartment itself is lovely and spacious. There's plenty of room. The location is fantastic, with the beach and shops just a stone's throw away. That's a huge plus with kids.
However, and this is a big HOWEVER: the balcony is *amazing*, but it's also quite accessible. So, if you’ve got little monkeys that like to climb, you'd need to be ultra-vigilant. And the proximity to the pubs... well, let's just say it might not be ideal if you’re after super early nights. So, families with older kids? Probably great. Families with toddlers who like to fling themselves off things? Maybe not.
For couples? Perfect. Romantic getaway? Absolutely! Solo travelers? Also brilliant. I went solo and loved it. More space for ME! I had the whole apartment to myself. Pure bliss. Quiet, peaceful, and with that view! I could read on the balcony for hours. It was glorious. No one to steal my book! (Or my wine!)
What about the cleaning? Is it spotless, or does it need a good scrub when you arrive?
