Solar Strand Express Hotel Newport NP11 7BY

"This is an unmanned hotel and is a no frills establishment. Comfortable, very clean. Check in was a little tricky but with a bit of help by phone we made it in. There was a tray with tea, coffee and biscuits. Downside was that there was no TV remote control in the room but we were offered a room change. Shower was very good and if we ever come back to this area we would be happy to stay here again."

"I liked the concept of the hotel being self service, but when you've never been there before then it can be a little mind boggling. The front door is touch screen, so you put your palm against the divice and punch in numbers but thankfully someone who'd just left the hotel helped us out. Then to get your keys there were boxes fixed to a wall but spent a good 10 minutes trying to open them! It felt a bit like an escape room challenge. When leaving the hotel in the night the service button was pressed and thinking nothing of it a man had appeared from one of the rooms in full pyjamas, I don't know if he was a member of staff or someone staying at the hotel. The rooms were perfectly fine, they were clean, beds were comfy, great for having somewhere to lie your head. The breakfast I wasnt particularly fussed on, which again was self service but had a sign to say 'please ring bell for assistance', so we did and no one showed up. We looked around then for what was for grabs but I would've rathered a fully cooked breakfast, to which we left. Overall it was a nice hotel, I haven't got anything major to complain about but maybe if there was someone just circulating that would be helpful."

"Was a remote hotel that didn't send the door codes until 3hrs after arrival. They claimed it was the fault of the telecom company but we were exchanging SMS frequently. The entrance is not a good introduction but the rooms have undergone extensive renovations making them very up to date and convenient. Why they don't upgrade the outside and the grounds is a mystery. They do themselves a disfavour also with the poor entrance and breakfast room. Breakfast was by remote also said someone would be in attendance during breakfast hours but never saw a person until checking out on last day when a lady was collecting the laundry and a man was sitting on the overgrown side porch. There was also a Basil type character dressed in a white singlet who sat around but gave the impression he was perhaps a slow working non motivated maintainance man. The grounds sure showed his lack of work with old materials strewn around,overgrown vines and walkway block by overgrown vegetation. The photos show the sad story."

"It‘s sufficient, hotel is clean and easily accessible. The car park had more than enough spaces so we were happy with our stay. Continental Breakfast is included and did even offer cappuccinos :)"

"Fair hotel for a fair price. Basic but clean. As others have pointed out, breakfast is very basic but it filled us up ready to travel home so hey ho I can cope. It would be very helpful if the owners had a little more information for guests as regards to taxis, buses/trains etc. Had to walk to the local pub in Risco where the very helpful young lady sorted a taxi out to Caerphilly for us."