King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldston, The Gower
Often overlooked for the Pembrokeshire coastline, the Gower boasts some of the UK’s most spectacular beaches, including Rhossili, Oxwich and Three Cliffs Bay. The King Arthur is set inland, but has a fantastic position overlooking the village green, with locals and visitors massing on sunny days to create an almost festival atmosphere. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with hearty portions of pies, burgers and chilli as perfect post-walk or post-swim fuel, and an excellent selection of real ales and Welsh liqueurs.
Doubles from £85 B&B; kingarthurhotel.co.uk
Porth Tocyn, Abersoch, Gwynedd
A wonderful base for exploring the breathtakingly beautiful Wales Coastal Path, Porth Tocyn is a very friendly, family-run hotel that feels like the best kind of home-from-home: sitting rooms filled with fresh flowers, magazines and comfy sofas, and a children’s snug to keep small people happy. In the bedrooms, antique pieces complement crisp Egyptian linens, while shelves are lined with books and the walls covered in watercolour paintings. Family and dog-friendly rooms are available. Dinners on the terrace, with wonderful sea views, are a highlight.
Doubles from £155 B&B; porthtocynhotel.co.uk
Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
One of Wales’s best boltholes for foodies, the Grove has two restaurants, both renowned for their spectacular cooking. The Fernery offers elegant fine dining, while the Artisan Brasserie is more the place for a long, lazy lunch on the beautiful garden terrace – many of the ingredients for both are sourced from the hotel’s extensive kitchen gardens. There are 13 stylish bedrooms in the main house, with cottage suites scattered through the gardens in buildings that date back to the 16th century, all beautifully restored and renovated.
Doubles from £246 B&B; grovenarberth.co.uk
Albion Aberteifi, Cardigan
A glimpse into Cardigan’s rich seafaring history comes with a stay at this newly opened 12-bedroom hotel, set on the banks of the river Teifi in an old maritime warehouse. Much of the original structure has been kept, paired with pencil sketches of tall ships and wooden floors and walls made from 150-year-old oak. The bedrooms feel wonderfully cocoon-like, with king-sized beds, Welsh blankets and textiles, reclaimed fixtures and furniture, and lovely Aesop toiletries, while the restaurant, Yr Odyn, uses smoke and fire to create richly textured dishes.
Doubles from £165 B&B; albionaberteifi.co.uk
The Old Vicarage, Corris, Snowdonia
Bring walking boots and plenty of outdoor clothing for a stay at this lovingly restored vicarage, which acts as the ideal base for a range of activities, from hiking up Cader Idris to tackling the white-knuckle cycle routes at Dyfi Bike Park or wildlife spotting in the Dyfi Unesco Biosphere, which covers ancient woodlands, lakes, wetlands and marshes. The four bedrooms, each with a different colour palette, feel chic and contemporary, while the airy dining room is the place for three-course breakfasts to kick off the day.
Doubles from £130 B&B; oldvicarage.wales, rarebits.co.uk
The Castle Cottage Inn, Harlech
Perfect for those with an interest in Wales’s dramatic history, this much-loved restaurant with rooms was taken over by new owners in 2020, who’ve bought their experience in the airline industry to create the Aviation Bar – filled with flying memorabilia – alongside Pattra’s restaurant, headed up by previous chef-owner Glyn Roberts. With Harlech Castle a few minutes’ walk away and the town’s historic high street just around the corner, this is a lovely base in one of Wales’s unique corners, with seven comfortable rooms, some with castle views.
Doubles from £140 B&B; castlecottageinnharlech.com
Llanthony Priory Hotel, Abergavenny
One of Wales’s most spiritual corners, this atmospheric country inn is part of the original 12th-century Augustinian priory, hidden away in the secluded Ewyas Valley. This is a real off-grid escape, with no phone signal or televisions in the simple bedrooms and the sense of being immersed in the tranquil Welsh countryside. There are walks from the door, cycling and trekking routes nearby, and spectacular star-scattered skies at night, with real ales and homemade dishes including meaty casseroles and vegan goulash – served in the cosy cellar bar.
Doubles from £140 B&B; llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk
Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan
Last year’s AA Welsh Hotel of the Year, Llanerch is the UK’s first vineyard hotel, combining sleek bedrooms – which have wonderful views of the surrounding countryside – with tours and tastings of the estate’s Cariad wines. Food is a high point: the restaurant offers seasonal menus with ingredients sourced from local producers, with indulgent afternoon teas on offer, best enjoyed on the outdoor terrace on sunny days. Angela Gray’s Cookery School is also based on the estate, offering day and half-day courses (angelagray.co.uk).
Doubles from £80 room only; llanerch.co.uk
Lake Country House Hotel & Spa, Builth, Powys
The Welsh equivalent of a fly and flop, this charming country hotel and spa is set on the banks of the River Irfon, surrounded by shimmering lakes and lush woodland. The hotel’s spa boasts a 15m pool, four treatment rooms and gym, with an outdoor hot tub and tennis court, and a nine-hole par-three golf course all set in the 50-acre grounds. Walks from the door offer the chance to work up an appetite for dinners featuring modern British dishes (with a vegetarian menu) accompanied by a 300-strong wine list. Dogs are welcome (£20 per night).
Doubles from £196.50 B&B; lakecountryhouse.co.uk
Mansion House Llansteffan, Llangain, Carmarthen
An ideal spot for a romantic weekend away, the Mansion House is an elegant Georgian building set in five acres of lushly beautiful gardens, with wonderful views across the estuary of the River Towy, and into Carmarthen Bay. This is a place for sunset strolls by the water or up on to the wooded headland, or exploring the dramatic ruins of Llansteffan Castle, which overlooks the wide swathe of sand. The eight bedrooms ooze country house style without a hint of chintz, while the restaurant offers coracle-caught fish from the Towy, Welsh lamb and Milford Haven seafood, along with locally brewed ale.
Doubles from £160 B&B; mansionhousellansteffan.co.uk
