Guest Reviews & Comments
Rat Trap Hotel near Newport: Newport Hotels
1 Business Trip - 21/03/08	90%
Further Comments: I was greeted very warmly even though it was 10pm. I was delighted that I was still able to have dinner which was served in the bar/lounge area. After an exhausting drive from London I was able to kick back in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. I particularly loved the soft jazz which only helped to relax me further. Breakfast was delightful. I would readily recommend this hotel not just as a staying guest but as a restuarant too.
2 Family with older children - 05/03/08	60%
Good Points: Breakfast was quite good
Bad Points: The bed was very uncomfortable
Further Comments: The Rat Trap is a small country hotel just outside Usk; it looks as if the main business is the attached restaurant. The rooms are pleasant enough and seem to have been renovated quite recently - but using the cheapest possible furniture. Most disappointingly, the old 'use an expensive bed-spread and they won't notice the cheap bed' did not work for us; we found our bed very uncomfortable. The en-suite was shower only, though I believe some rooms did have a bath. However, the breakfast was good and the atmosphere friendly.
3 Business Trip - 22/01/08	90%
Good Points: Everything was clean and comfortable. Food for dinner and breakfast was excellent although slightly pricy, but didn't mind the cost as the quality was so good.
Bad Points: The room was a little bare and didn't have much in the way of character. The dining room had obviously been recently redecorated and was full of character, it was just a shame this was the case in the rooms. Could also have done with double glazing on windows facing the road as it was quite noisy in the room when cars went past
Further Comments: Generally a good stay, with excellent value for money on the room, and excellent food.
4 Business Trip - 22/01/08	90%
Good Points: Everything was clean and comfortable. Food for dinner and breakfast was excellent although slightly pricy, but didn't mind the cost as the quality was so good.
Bad Points: The room was a little bare and didn't have much in the way of character. The dining room had obviously been recently redecorated and was full of character, it was just a shame this was the case in the rooms. Could also have done with double glazing on windows facing the road as it was quite noisy in the room when cars went past
Further Comments: Generally a good stay, with excellent value for money on the room, and excellent food.
5 Mature couple - 28/11/07	60%
Good Points: The staff were friendly and helpful
Bad Points: The bathroom was at best 'functional'.
Further Comments: The surroundings were dated. The room was basic, although the property had recently changed ownership and the new owner was aware and actively updating the jaded feel. I think that the experience would be transformed in a few months time as the new owner stamps his mark on the update.
6 Mature couple - 28/11/07	60%
Good Points: The staff were friendly and helpful
Bad Points: The bathroom was at best 'functional'.
Further Comments: The surroundings were dated. The room was basic, although the property had recently changed ownership and the new owner was aware and actively updating the jaded feel. I think that the experience would be transformed in a few months time as the new owner stamps his mark on the update.
7 Group of work colleagues - 23/11/07	80%
Good Points: It was local to were I was working and was clean & friendly
Bad Points: Nothing really. Hotel had just changed ownership and was under renovation which would update the bathroom which looked a little tired.
Further Comments: Overall, food and drink were very good and the staff are only too happy to help. I would stay there again if in the area.
8 Young couple - 03/11/07	70%
Good Points: Warm, good-sized double room. Hotel was quiet and 'off the beaten track'. Friendly, quick service and nice meals.
Bad Points: We were disappointed with the en-suit shower, which was dirty and had black mould around the bowl. Hence we could not use it.
Further Comments: This was a warm, friendly and nicely run hotel, with decent quality food and beer (Theakston's Lancaster Bomber was good). It was value for money, although the cleanliness of the shower let it down.
9 Young couple - 03/11/07	70%
Good Points: Warm, good-sized double room. Hotel was quiet and 'off the beaten track'. Friendly, quick service and nice meals.
Bad Points: We were disappointed with the en-suit shower, which was dirty and had black mould around the bowl. Hence we could not use it.
Further Comments: This was a warm, friendly and nicely run hotel, with decent quality food and beer (Theakston's Lancaster Bomber was good). It was value for money, although the cleanliness of the shower let it down.
10 Family with older children - 26/10/07	90%
Good Points: The hotel and room were spacious and had a welcoming appearance.The furnishings were attractive and comfortable. Comfortable atmosphere.
Bad Points: Nothing. The room was a little too hot during the night but remedied by opening a window!
Further Comments: The pre-booking information was good and accurate. The hotel and room were excellent and the furnishings were of a good standard. The staff were excellent and attentive throughout. The food was as excellent as the staff, so much so that we returned to the hotel after booking out simply to eat there. If anything the website does not do justice to the qualities of the hotel. We will use this as a base for future visits to the area.
11 Business Trip - 23/10/07	50%
Good Points: The food in the restaurant was particularly good and the service friendly.
Bad Points: Uncomfortable and noisy bed. No bath, just a shower. No phone in room.
Further Comments: The bedroom was average. The bed was uncomfortable. It looked a bit dated in the decor. It would have been useful to know that there was only a shower and no bath. There was no phone available in the room. However, the refreshments in the room were above average and the food for dinner and breakfast was very good indeed and the staff all very friendly. Overall a good stay but the rooms need updating.
12 Business Trip - 23/10/07	50%
Good Points: The food in the restaurant was particularly good and the service friendly.
Bad Points: Uncomfortable and noisy bed. No bath, just a shower. No phone in room.
Further Comments: The bedroom was average. The bed was uncomfortable. It looked a bit dated in the decor. It would have been useful to know that there was only a shower and no bath. There was no phone available in the room. However, the refreshments in the room were above average and the food for dinner and breakfast was very good indeed and the staff all very friendly. Overall a good stay but the rooms need updating.
13 Mature couple - 04/10/07	60%
Good Points: bed was comfortable
Bad Points: Room was very small, 4 poster took up most of the space. heating made room very hot but traffic noise meant it was impossible to keep window open.
Further Comments: Hotel was quite a way from Usk on a main road - quite noisy all night with traffic.
14 Mature couple - 04/10/07	60%
Good Points: bed was comfortable
Bad Points: Room was very small, 4 poster took up most of the space. heating made room very hot but traffic noise meant it was impossible to keep window open.
Further Comments: Hotel was quite a way from Usk on a main road - quite noisy all night with traffic.
15 Mature couple - 13/07/07	60%
Good Points: QUITE ROOMY
Bad Points: DECOR COULD DO WITH A BIT OF A PAINT DAMP PATCHES SORTED OUT
Further Comments: A VERY COMFORTABLE STAY STAFF VERY HELPFULL
16 Mature couple - 13/07/07	60%
Good Points: QUITE ROOMY
Bad Points: DECOR COULD DO WITH A BIT OF A PAINT DAMP PATCHES SORTED OUT
Further Comments: A VERY COMFORTABLE STAY STAFF VERY HELPFULL
17 Leisure Visit - 10/07/07	90%
Good Points: Excellent value, friendly staff, quiet hotel. Useful to have lunch & evening meal available.
Bad Points: Wallpaper old & shabby
Further Comments: If staying in the area in the future I will seriously consider staying again.
18 Leisure Visit - 10/07/07	90%
Good Points: Excellent value, friendly staff, quiet hotel. Useful to have lunch & evening meal available.
Bad Points: Wallpaper old & shabby
Further Comments: If staying in the area in the future I will seriously consider staying again.
19 Leisure Visit - 30/06/07	90%
20 Mature couple - 25/06/07	90%
Good Points: Our room was very nice it overlooked the hillside. The bathroom was a little dated but we didn't mind as it was clean and comfortable.
Further Comments: A very good weekend. We thoroughly enjeyed our stay. The staff were very nice and accomodating. The food and service was excellent and would recommend it to family and friends. The food that was served was excellent quality and very good value for money. The atmosphere allowed us to relax and that is exactly the reason we went away. We will go again. Many thanks
If you are unable to book a room at Rat Trap Hotel then the nearest UK hotels around the Newport area are: The Newport Lodge Hotel Review, : The Riverside Hotel Review,