Where to Stay in Snowdonia, Wales

Owners Sue and Colin have put a lot of effort into making Pont-y-Pair in Betws-y-Coed a cosy place to stay. Close to 14 walking paths in the Gwydir Forest, it’s a comfortable base for exploring Snowdonia. Rooms are traditional in style, if a little snug, but you won’t be spending much time in them anyway. You can also invite a four-legged friend along to enjoy the inn’s hospitality – a basket and bowls are provided for dogs staying overnight.

Another Betws-y-Coed base, this stone-built hotel has overlooked the well-kept village green since the 1880s. If you’re visiting in colder weather, book a ground-floor room and warm up next to the log fire. Don’t miss the onsite tea room’s melt-in-the-mouth scones served with lashings of cream – perfect for a moment’s pause after an adrenaline-fuelled ride on the Fforest roller coaster, five minutes’ drive away.

Pale Hall impressed Queen Victoria so much during her visit that she decided to stay here a little longer than planned. Settle down in the same room as the English monarch, complete with the original bath and basin. It looks out over the walled garden and spectacular valley to the hills beyond. Evenings are best spent in the Henry Robertson dining room which exudes aristocratic vibes with its gilded mirrors, intricately carved ceiling and marble fireplace.

Jaunts to the George III Hotel are ideal for your second (or third, or fourth) trip to Snowdonia. With vhe views from the Estuary Rooms and premium Hypnos beds you may be tempted not to do much exploring. Set in Dolgellau on the southern edge of the national park, things feel a touch more local here than in other tourist-packed towns across the area. Dogs are welcome and the Sunday roast is worth sticking around for.

Hospitality is more than just selling bedrooms, say Steve and Clair, owners of Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog. As well as offering a friendly welcome, the couple have furnished the bedrooms with chunky duvets, squishy pillows and Rituals toiletries. The couple pride themselves on their Scandi-style breakfast, which includes local Llaeth y Llan fruit yoghurt, fresh fruit and organic porridge. You can grab a take-away graze box for rides on the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland steam railways, 700yd (640m) away.

Enjoy views over Waterloo Bridge and postcard-worthy Conwy Valley from the sun terrace of this elevated hotel in Betws-y-Coed. Whether you’re here to soak up the woodland surroundings, or want to master the waves at the nearby Surf Snowdonia inland lagoon, the Victorian Glyntwrog House is a comfortable base. If you’re in north Wales for a cycling adventure along nearby Gwydir Forest’s three-hour Marin Route, you can store your bike in the lockable shed.

Guests and locals rave about the onsite restaurant at Olif, which serves tapas-inspired small plates using local ingredients. Even the cocktails are made with Welsh spirits and all 50 gins on offer are sourced from across the country. The minimalist white rooms are given cosy touches with Egyptian cotton sheets and traditional Melin Tregwynt blankets. You can watch Netflix for free but the owners recommend getting outside for strolls to scenic spots like Swallow Falls and the Fairy Glen.

The Ratcliff family have been running Ty Gwyn Hotel since 1982, so they know a thing or two about giving you a warm Welsh welcome. A stay at this 16th-century coaching inn comes with a complimentary Welsh breakfast cooked by owner Martin. The food is much loved by locals as well as visitors and the chef uses ingredients cultivated in polytunnels on two acres of land adjoining Ty Gwyn.

As soon as you start travelling down the long private driveway towards Craig-y-Dderwen Riverside Hotel, you’ll realise it’s something special. From the 16 acres (6.5ha) of well-kept gardens to the Riverside conservatory restaurant, it’s just the place for immersing yourself in nature. The light and airy dining room serves meals made with Welsh ingredients – expect cheese from Llanrwst, meat from Carmarthen and whisky from Brecon. It’s the place to refuel after a session in the hot tub on your balcony.