wales hotels

BORDER COUNTRY • NORTH WALES – SOUTH WALES

ALTHOUGH WALES NOW has its first cutting edge fivestar hotel, on Cardiff’s waterfront, this is a land best suited to the traditional country house establishment: warm, welcoming and above all, restful. Many places take advantage of the superb landscape of Wales, with views across tidal estuaries or of distant mountains. Some of the hotels we list – including a smattering of fine historic mansions – are in rolling border country. Others are along the beautiful coastline; others by the peaks of Snowdonia. Accommodation in Wales ranges from private ancestral homes, with a mere handful of rooms set aside for guests, to sophisticated retreats. Hearty Welsh breakfasts and good local cooking (with Welsh cheese a speciality) are often a feature.

 

Abersoch Hotels – Hotel Porth Tocyn

For 50 years, the Fletcher-Brewer family have run this excellent family-orientated hotel with magnificent views across Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia. The plain building was fashioned from a group of lead-miners’ cottages. Inside is a series of homely sitting rooms, and simple bedrooms, some interconnecting. Abersoch, Gwynedd LL53 7BU.

Cardiff Hotels – St David’s Spa

This swish waterfront establishment, which features a hydrotherapy centre and spa, is a five-star oasis, particularly for businessmen. The imposing structure is topped by an extraordinary flying tail fin; the interior is suitably nautical, cool and curvacious. Every room has a private bay-view deck. Havannah St, Cardiff CF10 5SD.

Brechfa Hotels – Ty Mawr

Smart farmhouse hotel. Bedrooms overlook garden. Under new management. Brechfa, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire SA32 7RA.

Crickhowell Hotels – Bear Hotel

Bustling traditional inn situated in the centre of town. Well-run, with good food, comfortable bedrooms and warm atmosphere. High Street, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1BW.

CAPEL GARMON Hotels – Tan-y-Foel

Beautiful and original country house in the heart of Snowdonia. Award-winning food. Capel Garmon, nr Betws-y-Coed, Llanrwst, Conwy

Fishguard Hotels – Hotel Three Main Street

Excellent, easy-going restaurant which serves light lunches and teas during the day. Three good bedrooms. 3 Main Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire SA65 9HG.

Eglwysfach Hotels – Hotel Ynyshir Hall

The house stands in glorious gardens next to the Ynyshir Bird Reserve and Dovey estuary. Its boldly coloured interior is the creation of owner Rob Reen, as are the striking paintings. The zesty Michelin-starred cooking is similarly adventurous. Bedrooms are named and furnished after famous artists. Eglwysfach, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8TA.

Llandrillo Hotels – Tyddyn Llan

The warm and welcoming ambience is the mark of a country house hotel which gets it just right. Spacious sitting rooms furnished with style; and elegant dining room where imaginative dishes are served. The wellequipped bedrooms are enhanced by original pieces of furniture. Under new management. Llandrillo, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 0ST.

Garthmyl Hotels – Garthmyl Hall

Designers Tim and Nancy Morrow have brought youthful, affordable flair to this handsome red-brick Georgian house. The velvety drawing room retains its ornate ceiling; there is a cosy library, and the bedrooms are cool, contemporary and perfectly judged. The food is simple but good, the ambience informal. Garthmyl, Montgomery, Powys SY15 6RS

Llandudno Hotels – Hotel Bodysgallen Hall

At the core of this 17th-century Grade I listed house is a 13th-century tower, which should be climbed for the view. There are impressive formal gardens, including a walled rose garden and a knot garden. Inside, the atmosphere is one of traditional and rather formal elegance, with corresponding – pricey – cuisine. Llandudno, Conwy LL30 1RS.

Fishguard Hotels – Hotel Tregynon

Cosy self-catering retreat with 16th-century farmhouse restaurant. Gwaun Valley, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire SA65 9TU

HARLECH Hotels – Hotel Castle Cottage

The plain exterior belies the traditional beamed interior of this friendly little hotel in the shadow of Harlech’s mighty castle. Yllech, Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2YL.

GANLLWYD Hotels – Hotel Plas Dolmelynllyn

Excellent, easy-going restaurant which serves light lunches and teas during the day. Three good bedrooms. Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2HP.

LLANBRYNMAIR Hotels – Hotel Barlings Barn

One large self-catering barn and health complex. Homemade supper dishes available; fabulous enclosed swimming pool. Llanbrynmair, Powys SY19 7DY

Llandudno Hotels – Hotel St Tudno

With 31 years at the helm, the Blands are meticulous in attending to every detail of this Victorian seafront hotel. Period charm is balanced with modern facilities, plus a long list of thoughtful extras which add to the sense of comfort. The food is right on target in the inviting dining room; the staff are young and attentive. Promenade, Llandudno, Conwy LL30 2LP.

Nant Gwynant Hotels – Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel

This charming old coach inn, set high in the heart of Snowdonia, is where Edmund Hillary and his team set up their training base before their attempt on Everest in 1953 – and it’s still run by the same family. Simple, warm and welcoming, with good, plain home cooking. Soak your muscles in the natural pool in the garden after a hard day on the hill, or relax in the sauna. Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd LL55 4NT.

Llansanffraid Glan Conwy Hotels – Hotel Old Rectory

This pretty Georgian rectory has two memorable assets: the glorious sweeping view across the Conwy estuary and the delicious cooking of Wendy Vaughan, supported by her husband’s intelligent wine list. Relax in the elegant wood-panelled sitting room. Oldfashioned bedrooms with grandiose beds. Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Conwy

Penally Hotels – Hotel Penally Abbey

Smart yet informal hotel in a Gothic-style country house next to a ruined medieval chapel. Commanding views of the Pembrokeshire coast. There’s a comfortable, well-furnished drawing room, a tall, candlelit dining room and a welcoming bar. Some bedrooms are grand; all are freshly decorated. Penally, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7PY.

LLANDDEINIOLEN Hotels – Hotel Ty’n Rhos

A quiet, traditional, well-run country hotel. New conference centre. Seion, Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3AE. Map p74 B2

LLANTHONY Hotels – Abbey Hotel

A chance to sleep in a unique piece of history at these ancient Prior’s quarters. Sixty spiral steps lead to the highest bedroom. Llanthony, Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 7NN

LLANGAMMARCH WELLS Hotels – Hotel Lake

A grand country house hotel, with polished service and plenty of activities. Llangammarch Wells, Powys LD4 4BS.

LLYSWEN Hotels – Hotel Llangoed Hall

Luxury hotel in Clough Williams- Ellis mansion created by Laura Ashley’s husband. Llyswen, Brecon, Powys LD3 0YP

Penmaenpool Hotels – Hotel Penmaenuchaf Hall

A sturdy grey stone Victorian manor set in 21 acres of grounds on the south bank of the Mawddach estuary, with wonderful views across Snowdonia. Rose and water gardens add yet more charm. The interior continues to be imposing yet welcoming and standards are exceptionally high. Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 1YB

Reynoldston Hotels – Fairyhill Hotel

A quiet and civilized retreat in the heart of the Gower Peninsula. Set in vast grounds – much of them still semi-wild – it features a walled garden, orchard, trout stream and lake. A series of spacious public rooms lead to the dining room, where fine food might include Penclawdd cockles, Welsh lamb and laverbread. Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1BS.

Portmeirion Hotel

‘Magical’ is the most apposite word to describe the hotel at the centre of Clough Williams-Ellis’s enchanting fantasy village. The heady ensemble mixes Wales (bilingual staff and menus, harpist), Capri (Italianate gardens, statues, columns) and Rajasthan (Indian fabrics, paintings, objects). Improving reports of the food. Portmeirion, Gwynedd LL48 6ET.

St Brides Wentlooge Hotels – Hotel West Usk Lighthouse

A B&B to visit for novelty value, and for very good breakfasts. You will have spent the night in a wedge-shaped portion of an unusual 1821 lighthouse. You may also have slept in a waterbed, showered in a red telephone box, had an aromatherapy massage and soaked away your cares in a flotation tank. St Brides Wentlooge, Newport NP1 9SF.

NERCWYS Hotels – Hotel Tower

B&B in historic castellated border house, the ancestral home of the owners. Baronial rooms, and a dining room hook from which the Mayor of Chester was hung in 1465. Mold, Flintshire CH7 4EW.

TALSARNAU Hotels – Maes-y-Neuadd Hotel

600-year-old granite manor house with panelled walls, comfortable public rooms and luxurious bedrooms. Talsarnau, Gwynedd LL47 6YA.

RUTHIN Hotels – Hotel Eyarth Station

A former railway station transformed into a cheerful B&B. Fine views across the valley, and outdoor pool. Llanfair D C, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 2EE

Three Cocks Hotel

Characterful inn with a palpable Belgian influence supplied by its Belgian-born owner and her chef husband. Three Cocks, Brecon, Powys LD3 0SL.