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 Wales – North Hotels
The further you penetrate North Wales, perhaps via the fast A55 from Chester or the more scenic A5, the more glorious the scenery becomes, as the peaks of Snowdonia rise up, with the remote Llyn peninsular and Anglesey beyond. Along the coast are charming, old fashioned resorts such as Llandudno, and historical sites such as Conwy and its fortified castle. Our favourite hotels in the region are mainly run by committed private owners and are notable for three things especially: good food based on excellent local produce, good value for money and peace and quiet in lovely surroundings. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by David Atkinson |
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| Mid Price: Endearing restaurant with rooms on the Lleyn peninsula |
| Location: Pwllheli, Gwynedd. On the Lleyn peninsula, one mile west of Pwllheli on A497 to Nefyn |
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| Truly romantic, great value, superb food: a Georgian manor with a delicate frill of a veranda, pretty courtyard garden, heart-shaped lawn and 200-year old beach avenue. Michelin-starred chef Chris Chown and his wife Gunna offer delightful bedrooms, while Chris conjures imaginative, unpretentious dinners using the best and freshest local produce (excellent wine list) and perfect breakfasts. Magical. |
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| Mid Price: Exceptional food in relaxing surroundings |
| Location: Llandrillo, near Corwen, Denbighshire: just outside village in own grounds |
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| In the beautiful Vale of Edeyrnion, a Georgian house with pleasing bedrooms and tranquil views across sheep-flecked meadows and hills. Owned by Bryan Webb (who should have a Michelin star for his superb, instinctive cooking and impressive wine list) and his wife Susan who gracefully looks after front-of-house, this superb 'restaurant-with-rooms' will entice you to stay for days. |
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| Mid Price: Top quality guesthouse in rural Anglesey |
| Location: near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey: in countryside, five minutes from Menai Straits Bridges. |
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| A handsome former rectory standing next to an intriguing church and surrounded by fields, with Snowdonia in the distance. Susannah Woods has spared no effort in her quest to create four perfect and luxurious guest bedrooms and bathrooms, a cosy sitting room, and delicious home-cooked food, elegantly served in the pretty dining room. A warm welcome and the highest standards assured. |
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| Mid Price: Luxury Victorian-style on the seafront |
| Location: Llandudno. On the Promenade opposite the pier |
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| The Maddocks family have lavished attention on this luxurious bolthole in a plum position on Llandudno's beautiful Promenade. Public rooms are glamorous enough, but it's the six gorgeous suites, all with sea views and private parking spaces, that really impress, and are kindly priced considering the wealth of antiques, lace, pictures and porcelain in each one, and the marble bathrooms with splendid roll top baths. |
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| Mid Price: Friendly hostelry with a great location |
| Location: in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, on the Dovey Estuary |
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| This friendly hotel has much going for it – a terrific location on the waterfront with views of sea and mountains; an excellent restaurant; 15 cool, pale bedrooms; and the fact it keeps winning awards. Rooms are divided between the hotel, a building above and a cosy cottage. In summer, take a drink outside from the wood-panelled Fisherman’s Bar and watch the sailing boats go by. |
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| Mid Price: Art gallery meets boutique guesthouse – and comes out in style. |
| Location: Ruthin; close to St Peter’s Square in the heart of town. |
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| Bringing style to the lesser-known town of Ruthin, manorhaus borrows from the German 'art hotel' concept with some aplomb. The eight individually styled rooms are presented as mini galleries with a different artist featured in each, while the downstairs bar and lounge area has a rotation of visiting exhibitions. A stylish restaurant with a contemporary take on Welsh recipes, and a private cinema for pudding and coffee with a film from the DVD library complete the picture. Arty style without pretensions. |
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| Mid Price: The village pub goes gourmet |
| Location: St George, Conwy. From the A55, take junction 24 onto the A457 and head through the village of St George |
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| Bon-viveurs have a new foodie destination in North Wales where they can also sleep the night. The Kinmel Arms, a country pub with gourmet food, has added four rooms with an Alpine-chalet feel. The food is superb with an imaginative, locally sourced menu, extensive wine list and a recent CAMRA award. Accommodation is well presented, though after dinner, the self-service breakfast from the in-room fridge feels a little deflating. |
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| Mid Price: Country hotel, house party style |
| Location: Tremadog, Gwynedd. From the square at Tremadog, follow the A498 towards Beddgelert, taking a single-track road on the left to the top of the hill. |
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| Percy the parrot happily observes life at this secluded hotel with country views. The individual decor reflects the owners' personality – think Judy Garland on the stereo and scatter cushions with empowering slogans. The main emphasis, however, is on home-cooked food with locally sourced meals served en famillle in an airy dining room. The dinner party atmosphere may not always gel with the random mix of guests, but Percy is on hand to keep the conversation flowing. |
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| Inexpensive: Unspoilt traditional inn |
| Location: Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Denbighshire: in hamlet 7 miles SW of Llangollen, surrounded by countryside |
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| A superb example of a traditional, unspoilt inn with excellent food and simple but comfortable bedrooms (try for one of the character rooms in the inn itself, which have pretty brass or four poster beds). A warm welcome, beams, flagstones, roaring fires in the inglenooks, and superb, heartening food from an acclaimed local chef. Plus wonderful walking in the Berwyn Hills from the door. |
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| Inexpensive: Historic, delightfully eccentric climbing inn |
| Location: Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd: in the Snowdonia National Park, at the junction of the A498 and A4086 |
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| A national treasure. In the same family since 1947, this delightfully eccentric climbing inn has changed mercifully little over the years and offers simple pleasures in abundance: hearty dinners announced by a gong, plain, old-fashioned but spotless rooms, with fluffy towels and monogrammed linen; homemade lemonade in summer, mulled wine in winter and the warmest of welcomes. |
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| Inexpensive: Peaceful Georgian rectory with sensational views |
| Location: Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, Conwy. On A470 near Conwy |
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| Michael and Wendy Vaughan's pretty, elevated Georgian rectory enjoys breathtaking views across the Conwy Estuary to Conwy Castle and Snowdonia beyond. Most of the attractive, old fashioned bedrooms, with flowing fabrics and four posters, share this view. Downstairs is an elegant panelled drawing room decorated with Victorian watercolours. An excellent breakfast is served and for dinner there's a choice of nearby restaurants. |
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| Inexpensive: A boutique B&B where families are actually welcome |
| Location: Dolgellau, Gwynned: in the centre of town |
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| This three-room B&B, converted lovingly from a Victorian rectory, is a rarity: both family friendly and stylish. The rooms are individually designed, one with an Asian theme, another a traditional Welsh motif, while breakfast ranges from healthy -eating options to the full Welsh. But it's the way that guests are not restricted to their rooms, and children are welcomed into the family, that really sets it apart. Read the papers over coffee in the lounge while the kids play out in the garden. Ffynnon makes people of all ages feel at home. |
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| Inexpensive: A good-value option at the heart of Snowdonia National Park |
| Location: DOLGELLAU; On Smithfield Square at heart of town, turning off the A470 and crossing the River Wnion. |
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| Friendly and unfussy, Y Meirionnydd is something of a work in progress. The owners are steadily refurbishing the rooms to give a more contemporary feel and garnering plaudits for upping the ante in the cellar restaurant, with its exposed stone walls, church pew seats and menu of local favourites given an original twist. The older rooms will be phased out over the next year, leaving six en-suite rooms with original features and a homely feel. A few little home comforts are still amiss, but it makes a good base to explore the region at a modest price. |
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