Where to Stay?

We are often asked by walkers to give recommendations on where to stay, and our answers always depend on location and budget and finding out exactly what it is that each walker is looking for. When we were asked to lead the recent Familiarisation Trip for European tour operators we had to decide for ourselves and we chose the following hotels. These had to be large enough to take the whole party and had to serve food in the evening. However we would have no hesitation in recommending all these places to walkers who want to explore these different areas.

Gales Restaurant with Rooms in Llangollen. These are mediaeval buildings which have been adapted over time to make magnificent bedrooms, a fine wine bar and an excellent restaurant right in the heart of this busy walking town.

The Pen y Gwryd Hotel at the base of Snowdon near Pen y Pass. This is a well established mountaineering hotel and is full of mementoes of the 1953 Everest Expedition for which this hotel served as a training base. The accommodation is old fashioned by modern standards, but the meals are excellent and the place oozes charm.

Abercelyn Country House Hotel has only 3 rooms in the main house, in addition to 3 cottages in the grounds. However each room is charming and the service absolutely brilliant, and with great views over Bala Lake. 

Craflwyn Hall near Beddgelert has recently been restored by the National Trust and is now run as a hotel by HF Holidays. Most people who stay are on a walking holiday or a course. The rooms are well appointed and the surrounding landscape and woodland is superb.

If you really want to treat yourselves, the Portmeirion Hotel has its own spa, as well as magnificent views down Cardigan Bay.

As an entire converted quarry village, Nant Gwrtheyrn is one of the more unusual locations for accommodation in North Wales.

The Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris was the final location of the trip, and rounded things off nicely with its stunning views of the Menai Straits.