Lyons Robin Hood , Rhyl

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about the Lyons Robin Hood? It’s got this wonderfully quirky character that you just don’t find in those cookie-cutter chain places. Sitting right on Rhyl Coast Road, it’s literally a stone’s throw from the beach – I mean, you can hear the waves from some of the rooms, which is either brilliant or slightly annoying depending on how light a sleeper you are. The building itself has this sort of vintage seaside charm that feels authentically Welsh coast, not like someone’s trying too hard to recreate it.

What really sets this place apart is how it embraces being a bit different. There’s no stuffy star rating system here – honestly, I think that works in their favor because it lets them focus on personality over ticking corporate boxes. The owners clearly know their stuff about hospitality, and you can tell they’ve put thought into the little things that actually matter when you’re traveling. The rooms have proper character (some might say eccentric, but I’d call it refreshing), and there’s this genuine warmth to the whole experience that you don’t get at those sterile business hotels. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward – no endless forms or upselling, just friendly people who seemed genuinely pleased you’d chosen to stay.

Being right in Rhyl means you’re perfectly positioned for everything the town offers, from the decent restaurants along the front to those slightly mad amusement arcades if that’s your thing. Parking’s actually manageable here, which anyone who’s driven around North Wales seaside towns in summer will appreciate. The hotel strikes this nice balance between being lively enough that you feel connected to the seaside buzz, but not so hectic that you can’t properly relax. I’d say it’s particularly good if you’re looking for somewhere with genuine character rather than bland perfection – the kind of place where you might actually have stories to tell afterward, you know? It’s not trying to be something it’s not, which in the world of boutique hotels is surprisingly rare and rather refreshing.