Best Hotels in Snowdonia, Wales

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Hotel
Set amid 16 acres (6.5ha) of landscaped grounds near Conwy Valley’s leafy woodlands, this hotel is just the spot for nature lovers. When you’re not wandering in the estate, opt for a bistro lunch, afternoon tea or evening meal at the AA Rosette-awarded restaurant, where dishes are crafted using produce grown in the large kitchen gardens. In the summer months, you can work up an appetite with games of croquet and badminton on the manicured lawns.

Prefer a personal touch on your holidays? Take a trip to Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog. This B&B is run by friendly owners Steve and Clair with a little help from their two young daughters. Everything from a Scandi-style breakfast to afternoon tea is carefully made. All the rooms are comfortable but the large double ensuite is a top choice for its super-king bed and soul-stirring Moel Hebog mountain views.

Inn

This 16th-century coaching inn has plenty of period features and an olde-world feel with its low ceilings and original wood beams. If you feel like splashing out, book a suite with an antique four-poster bed and spa bath. You’ll be thankful for the extra comfort after an energy-expending expedition through the subterranean slate mines just outside Betws-y-Coed.

Travellers who like to veer off the beaten path should skip national park hotspots like Llanberis and visit the Grapes Hotel in Ffestiniog village. This Grade II-listed inn with a crackling log fire has been an atmospheric place to stay since the 17th century. To unwind, try a cask-conditioned ale from a north Wales microbrewery and enjoy it alongside a homemade meal in the onsite bar.

Can’t get enough of kitsch architecture? Book a night or two at this gothic castle in this most eccentric Welsh village. Italian-style Portmeirion was masterminded by the boundary-pushing architect Clough Williams-Ellis. Wander around the 19th-century walled garden before retreating to your room. The interiors are a little more genteel than the colourful village buildings – expect sleek stone and slate fittings sourced from the Welsh countryside.

Avid historians will get a kick out of staying at this hotel. It was built in the late 18th century by the 2nd Earl of Uxbridge, better known as Wellington’s second-in-command at the Battle of Waterloo. The updated interior still has a period feel with its plush sofas and patterned wallpaper. It’s just five minutes on foot from imposing Caernarfon Castle, one of the country’s most impressive medieval fortresses.

Sociable types should head to The Eagles Hotel. This 18th-century accommodation in Llanrwst has a spacious beer garden and two indoor bars where you can swap travel stories with other guests. When a little quiet time is called for, rest in your elegantly-decorated room furnished with vintage pieces. Alternatively, wander around local lakes such as Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant.

If you’re looking for a seaside break near the mountains, Y Capel guest house is for you. This Baptist chapel and stable annex has been converted into an 11-bedroom guesthouse. For views over the town’s rooftops and 13th-century castle, book a room on the first floor. Original details include a baptismal pool at the entrance and pitch pine roof beams.

Beach and beer buffs should put Barmouth and The Tilman on their itinerary. Located in a central part of this popular seaside town, the hotel is a few minutes’ walk from the harbour and beach. The 11 boutique rooms are set above the bar, a warehouse-style space with exposed brick walls and stripped wood furnishings. It’s an ambient place for a craft beer – there are 22 varieties available.

This stately hotel has a turreted Victorian exterior that sets the tone for a romantic break. Book one of the Grand Rooms if you’re celebrating an engagement or anniversary – the Llangollen comes with opulent furnishings and glorious Dee Valley views. A red-and-white tub is the centrepiece of this bedroom and there’s a quirky tiled shower in the ensuite.