Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park, The Shamrock Way

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what caught me off guard about Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park? The name makes it sound like some cheesy family resort with mini golf and arcade games, but honestly, it’s got this unexpectedly charming boutique vibe that most people completely miss. I stumbled across it while driving down the Rhyl Coast Road – and I mean literally stumbled, because GPS kept trying to send me to the main Rhyl seafront instead of this quieter stretch in Meliden.

The thing is, this place sits in that sweet spot between the touristy chaos of Rhyl proper and the peaceful Welsh countryside. When you’re checking in, you can actually hear the sea if you listen past the occasional car heading toward the coast, which is pretty lovely first thing in the morning. The staff here seem to genuinely know the area – not just the obvious tourist traps, but they’ll point you toward that little bakery on High Street in Prestatyn that does incredible Welsh cakes, or tell you the best time to hit Offa’s Dyke Path before it gets crowded with weekend hikers. What I really appreciated was how they handled the whole “holiday park” expectation thing. Look, it’s not trying to be some fancy resort with marble lobbies and doormen in top hats. Instead, it’s got this laid-back, almost residential feel that makes you want to actually relax instead of posing for Instagram photos. The rooms are thoughtfully done – nothing flashy, but everything works properly (you’d be surprised how rare that is), and there’s decent soundproofing, which matters when you’re dealing with families on holiday.

Parking was straightforward, which honestly deserves a mention because anyone who’s tried to park near the North Wales coast in summer knows it can be a nightmare. The location really grows on you too – Meliden itself is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it villages, but you’re close enough to pop into Rhyl for the pier and arcades if that’s your thing, or head the other direction toward the Clwydian Range if you want proper hiking. I ended up staying an extra night just because it felt so refreshingly normal after bouncing between overly precious boutique places and soulless chain hotels. The whole experience reminded me why I prefer places that don’t try too hard – sometimes you just want somewhere comfortable that doesn’t feel like it’s performing hospitality at you, you know?