Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
La Crisalida have launched Health and Wellbeing Retreats in the UK from September 2024. Reviews left on Tripadvisor prior to this date are for the previous hotel brand Maesmawr Hall Hotel (and the restaurant that was operating at this time). The La Crisalida Retreats offering includes Yoga, Detox, Relax/Rejuvenate and Life Makeover Retreats. You can arrive and depart on any day and stay as long as you wish. La Crisalida has been offering Health and Wellbeing Retreats in Spain since 2013. We provide guests with the opportunity for a health and wellbeing reset. You can either try our fantasticly tasty plant based food or our fresh juices. Our UK venue is at Maesmawr Hall Hotel in the Upper Severn Valley (mid-Wales). The venue is easy to get to either by car or train. Direct trains run from Birmingham International airport. We also offer day passes to take part in the activities we run at the retreat.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to VisitWales.
The retreat is in a beautiful location in Wales. The accommodation was really comfortable, and staff were attentive and welcoming. There were a variety of activities/classes to suit everyone (including different yoga styles, meditation, exercise, personal development workshops, walks, and creativity), and a lovely sauna. You have the freedom to attend as much or as little as you like, and tailor your experience to your needs. The UK retreat only recently opened, and there could be some improvements (e.g., the food), but it is great value for money. Most of all, I loved the gentle, peaceful atmosphere. La Crisalida provides the perfect opportunity to truly rest, connect with yourself and others, be taken care of, and leave feeling restored. Would definitely recommend!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Dec 11, 2024
Dear Umaya, Thank you for your 5* review and for your lovely words. We are pleased you enjoyed your recent 3 night retreat with us. Thanks for noting that everyone has the freedom to choose what to do on the programme, doing as much or as little as they choose. We have only been open since September so we are listening to the feedback we receive and are acting on it. Delighted you found the accommodation comfortable and location beautiful. Thanks for your recommendation. Warm regards, Lisa, John and the team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our third visit and not up to previous high standards.
The service was very good but the food was disappointing. There is a small menu but even though our table was booked for 7pm, my first choice for main course and dessert were already sold out (steak and ale pie/apple and blackberry crumble). Not a great start.
For starter I had fish cake which was ok but the filling was so finely homogenised it was difficult to discern any chunks of haddock in it. For main course I chose a duck breast with a cherry and red wine sauce. Unfortunately the duck was overcooked with not even a hint of pinkness. My sauce looked (and tasted!) suspiciously like my wife’s redcurrent sauce that had been served with her lamp rump. I enquired about this with my waitress who checked with the chef. I was told they had no cherries so just used a different sauce-poor, I should have been informed in advance. For dessert I had raspberry cheesecake which was bland but saved by the raspberry puree.
Previously we have had excellent meals so hopefully this was a temporary blip and I would emphasise that the service from our waitress was very good.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Sep 22, 2024
Hi NickAdvisorUK. Many thanks for leaving a review on your experience at Maesmawr Hall Hotel. We are glad to hear that the service was very good but we are sorry to hear that the food didn't meet your expectations. As you may be aware, the hotel has recently rebranded to La Crisalida Health and Wellbeing Retreats from September 2024. The menu is now plant based fresh food and/or fresh fruit/vegetable juices. Our new menu is designed to be a tasty and enjoyable way to boost the health and wellbeing of our guests.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was the second stay in the last year but we felt the hotel had gone downhill rather. One room had multiple lighting defects. All rooms clean if small. The main gripe was the food. We went on a Sunday night and were offered what were obviously leftovers from Sunday lunch on a very limited menu. There was no apple sauce to go with the pork and the Baileys Creme Brulee was very bland. For breakfast there was no white bread for my toast as they 'had had no delivery'. Staff welcoming and efficient but we were left with a feeling of a hotel going through the motions but not really providing the quality of our last stay a year ago.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Probably best to avoid Sunday nights if you want a nice meal.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Sep 22, 2024
Hi juliagA2075XW. Many thanks for leaving a review on your experience at Maesmawr Hall Hotel. It's great to hear that you found the hotel clean, welcoming and friendly. However, we are sorry to hear that overall the food didn't meet your expectations. For the reader, the hotel has recently rebranded to La Crisalida Health and Wellbeing Retreats from September 2024. The menu is now plant based fresh food and/or fresh fruit/vegetable juices. It is served buffet style for all retreat guests to enjoy.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The care at this place is palpable, it infuses everything they do.
The flexibility is so generous, I've never stayed at a place before where you can choose between a restful stay or have your time filled with a range of wholesome group activities.
The staff are brilliant, including reception, and everyone seems to really care about what they are providing, whether it's taking us out for a guided walk through the beautiful local area, mindfulness, yoga or cooking demos.
My favourite activity was the vision boards, and I'd advise trying all the classes at least once, what you'll enjoy might surprise you!
The food is fantastic: comforting, vegan and tasty. Yes, it really can be all three. I'm not usually vegan in my daily life and felt lighter and brighter after a week-long retreat. The juices were a revelation for me, I found myself looking forward to them every morning and am even considering getting a juicer.
The other guests were delightful, a real mixture, and all of us looking to get away and take a break, which set up a good foundation. We really enjoyed each other's company and many swapped numbers. Then retreating to our own space when needed was also lovely.
The house itself is characterful, very old and yes, some renovation work is planned, but the hot showers, comfy beds and birdsong across the green hills waking you up more than make up for it.
Oh, and last thing, make sure you book yourself a massage (or two) - I had aromatherapy massage with lymphatic drainage and a deep tissue massage with Krysten: both fantastic - cannot recommend highly enough.
Thanks so much to Lisa, John and the whole team. Im already planning next year's retreat.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded 5 days ago
Dear Kate, Many thanks for your wonderful review following your recent 7 night retreat with us. We are delighted you enjoyed the plant-based food and the activities. Choice is one of our core values, so being able to offer the option to go to whichever classes you choose is a big part of this, as is the option to arrive any day. As you say, meeting with other guests is a special part of coming on a retreat to share the experience when you want to, and having your own space too for some personal time. We are in a grade II listed building with all it's wonderful quirks but glad you found the beds comfy and showers hot. We will share your comments with the team, as it does take a team to create this space. See you again next year! Warm regards, Lisa, John and the team.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My visit to La Crisalida was completely great. They hadn't been open for very long and despite that, everything was really well organised and the staff were all so helpful. The various sessions were very well run and the people doing them were all friendly and approachable. You can do as many or as few sessions as you like and it's great to have that flexibility - this means that you can relax fully and do what you feel like doing, when you'd like to do it. I'm looking forward to a return visit - thanks for a really relaxing stay!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Jan 7, 2025
Hi Ruth, Lovely to hear from you and thank you for writing such a lovely 5* review. It was a pleasure to meet you this Christmas and we are delighted you enjoyed the activities and flexibility that we offer here at La Crisalida. The UK retreat centre opened in September 2024, so we are only a few months old as you note (our Spanish retreat opened in 2013 and we have the same ethos). Glad you found it all well organised. It would be lovely to see you again, Warm regards, Lisa, John and the team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Sep 22, 2024
Hi Wanderer436716. Many thanks for leaving a review on your experience at Maesmawr Hall Hotel. We are sorry to hear that overall the food didn't meet your expectations (and particularly the main course). As you may be aware, the hotel has recently rebranded to La Crisalida Health and Wellbeing Retreats from September 2024. The menu is now plant based fresh food and/or fresh fruit/vegetable juices. It is served buffet style for all retreat guests to enjoy.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked this Welsh yoga and detox retreat after I visited the Spanish retreat a couple of years ago. I booked this retreat over others as I was looking for a uk based retreat that didn’t involve additional flights, that offered the juice or vegan food diet (or both) a wide range of activities throughout the day and of course down time.
The hotel is cute .. very Tudor style with a modern studio and cute bedrooms (with very cosy beds and lovely hot showers. .
The days activities and menu changes daily./weekly. The activities each day range from different types of yoga. ) some of the best practices I’ve done ) Meditation, workshops, creative classes, daily walks, hiit, dance fit, rebounding and Pilates classes. To which you can attend all or pick and choose on how you are feeling each day.
The menus change each meal with amazing soups and veggies dishes to suit all tastes . I came away with a huge love for beetroots and the retreats banana bread.
Sadly it’s pretty quiet at the moment as it’s only just opened, but this did mean that we got to have 121 classes with the very experienced and lovely teachers as well as feeling like we had personal chefs lol. Fab for those not too confident in large groups or new to yoga /retreats and can get overwhelmed.
I’m sure with the success and returning visitors the retreat is going to be very popular as it grows .
We can’t wait to get booked in again for next spring .
Very special mention to Lisa, Danielle, Ange, John , Lisa and the amazing chefs and all the staff. It really felt like a home from home. Kat
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Take cosy socks for evening classes and waterproof walking shoes in winter months as the fields...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Oct 25, 2024
Hi Kat, Many thanks for your lovely 5* review, following your recent 5 night retreat with us. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay. Your words have summed up what we offer wonderfully! We are very pleased to read that the yoga was some of the best practices you have done. Our banana bread is very popular (the recipe is available on our blog page). As you note, we are new to the UK, only starting the retreats in September (after running in Spain since 2013). The retreat is located in a quiet and tranquil setting, ideal for the down time you mentioned. I've passed on your special mentions to the team. We look forward to seeing you again in the Spring. Warm regards, Lisa, John and the team x
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We've stayed at Maesmawr Hall Hotel many times and been very well accomodated.
BUT our most recent visit was not to the previous standard. I understand that the hotel ownership has changed. The limited menu was curtailed because of a 'lack of deliveries'. We asked for Coronation Chicken sandwiches - shown on the menu, but not available. Prawns - again, on the sandwich menu, but 'not available'. Sandwiches requested on wholemeal bread were served on white bread. 'Homemade 100% Beef Burger' were not available, 'lack of deliveries', therefore possibly not homemade? The full Welsh Breakfast lacked baked beans - 'let down by supplier'. I was fortunate to find the last serving of a mini jar of marmalade at breakfast! Not a hotel deserving its 3 star rating
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â The limited dining menu is curtailed due to 'lack of deliveries'.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Sep 22, 2024
Hi iwanperis. Many thanks for leaving a review on your experience at Maesmawr Hall Hotel. We are sorry it didn't meet your expectations. As you may be aware, the hotel has recently rebranded to La Crisalida Health and Wellbeing Retreats from September 2024. The menu is now plant based fresh food and/or fresh fruit/vegetable juices. Our new menu is designed to be a tasty and enjoyable way to boost the health and wellbeing of our guests.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are looking for a UK based yoga and juicing or plant based diet retreat this might be for you? Newly opened in mid Wales. The programme has a mix of yoga classes with extras like dance fit , hiit, rebounding etc. all run by good instructors. The personal growth workshops weren’t for me though , a bit evangelical in approach. The juices are the best I’ve tried and the food is excellent though no salt or sugar used which might not suit everyone. The Hall is a lovely characterful old building , which can be chilly so would recommend wrapping up well even inside! It’s quite pricy though , I did 9 nights and it did feel too long as in the middle of nowhere. A 4 or 5 night trip would be better. I went for the single room , it was cold but got a heater in . Small room at high cost and I was the only guest , l would have expected an upgrade in any other hotel. Also being on my own at night away from the main site was a little creepy at times. Some snags with some areas . I did lose weight which was good and feel more stretchy! Magda the chef , Lisa and Ange yoga special mentions.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Oct 25, 2024
Hi Julie, Many thanks for your recent review. We are delighted that you achieved your weightloss goal and felt more stretchy after your stay. The Main house is an old Tudor and Victorian building, very characterful as you note. Sorry to hear you felt it was a bit chilly, the temperature did dip during your stay and we have increased the heating. As you note we have recently opened, so we welcome feedback and comments from our guests. You had booked a single room the Coach House, which is 30 metres away from the Main House. One of our team sleeps in that building too and a manager is also on site at all times, including overnight. We are in a rural setting, in the countryside, which means it is a tranquil setting for a retreat. We are really happy that you enjoyed the juices and said they were the best you have tried. Thanks also for the special staff mentions. We have passed them on to the team. Warm regards, Lisa and John, Owners
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at the Maes Mawr on a number of occasions in the past few years when visiting friends in the area and always enjoyed our stay. The building and grounds are so authentic and atmospheric. Now, at the time of writing (June 2024), I have discovered that the hotel will be renovated and altered to be a wellness-type spa, so no more hotel bookings are being accepted. Such a shame because, in order to achieve their objectives, I am sure the interior will inevitably be modernized (homogenized?) and I can't see how they will do that while retaining all the character of the original.
My four stars here are in homage to the lovely staff who looked after us so well on our earlier visits and to the memory of a quirky, old building with its up-and-down floors, creaks and ghostly ambience. I will miss you!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from John Brant, Owner at La Crisalida Health And Wellbeing Retreats Uk
Responded Sep 22, 2024
Hi Annauthor. Thanks for leaving a review for Maesmawr Hall Hotel. I am happy to advise that La Crisalida Health and Wellbeing Retreats appreciate the authentic and atmospheric building and grounds that you describe and have been working to maintain this fully since Maemawr Hall Hotel closed in August. The main changes that have been made relate to the function room so that guests can now enjoy access to an activity room (for exercise/yoga classes) plus we have a sauna currently being installed. We have many of the same staff from Maesmawr Hall Hotel ready to welcome our new guests.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Caersws area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
hotel maesmawr hall
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Maesmawr Hall Hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomWalesPowysNewtownCaersws
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
