The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Best luxury and boutique hotels in Wales
Luxury hotels, boutique retreats and cheap B&Bs in Wales Much has changed, mostly for the better, since a British encyclopaedia carried the infamous entry: 'For Wales, see England'. Cross the border into Wales today and differences are immediately apparent.
St. Davids, Wales. Penrhiw
Featured Hotels with Special Offers
Plas Dinas Country House
Caernarfon, Gwynedd
Two Night D,B&B Special Offer
With its romantic bedrooms and views across the Menai Strait, the former country residence of the Armstrong-Jones family is 'steeped in history, love and charming details – a unique property'.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey, Gwynedd
Seasonal Escapes Special Offer
Although the Cave-Browne-Cave family has sold its big, white hotel above Cardigan Bay, which it has operated since the days of silent film, new owners BLS UK Hotels Ltd are expected to keep things very much as they always have been, maintaining the existing management.
Penally Abbey
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Three Nights for the Price of Two Special Offer
There are sublime sea views from this hilltop Gothic beauty, run by a dedicated and creative family, with elegant bedrooms and gourmet dining by candlelight.
Ty Mawr
Brechfa, Carmarthenshire
Two Night Sep/Oct Special Offer
A 17th-century country house on the edge of Brechfa Forest receives high praise for the warmth of the welcome, its ambience and top-notch, locally sourced food.
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa
Llandudno, Conwy
National Trust Winter Break Special Offer
This Tudor Gothic-style Elizabethan mansion, extended over centuries, overlooks parkland with a rare 17th-century parterre, walled rose garden, cascade, lily pond and follies.
Harbourmaster Hotel
Aberaeron, Ceredigion
'Harvest Savings' 10% Discount Special Offer
An iconic landmark on the harbour front, this bright-blue-painted former harbourmaster's house is home to a hotel with a great choice of individually styled bedrooms and an unpretentious restaurant, big on fish.
The Angel Hotel
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Gourmet Break Break Special Offer
Behind a neo-classical façade, this Georgian coaching inn is a happy mix of local drop-in, hotel and restaurant, with 'comfortable rooms, good food and welcoming staff', says a returning reader.
Plas Tan-Yr-Allt Historic Country House B&B
Porthmadog, Gwynedd
'Four Offers in One' Special Offer
There's history a-plenty in this upmarket B&B, an Italianate villa with breathtaking views over the Glaslyn estuary to the Rhinog mountains, warm and welcoming hosts, and bedrooms named after famous former residents, including Percy Bysshe Shelley, who wrote 'Queen Mab' here.
The Manor Town House
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
'Winter £100 per Room per Night' Special Offer
Helen and Chris Sheldon's Georgian townhouse is a 'well set-up, furnished and immaculate B&B' with a terrace that has spectacular views over Cardigan Bay.
The Felin Fach Griffin
Brecon, Powys
Winter Escape Special Offer
Tucked between the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, this red brick inn glows with a warm welcome and down-to-earth charm that attracts walkers, dogs, families and couples.
More Best luxury and boutique hotels in Wales
Dolffanog Fawr
Tywyn, Gwynedd
You could not wish for a more glorious location than you find at Lorraine Hinkins and Alex Yorke's 18th-century farmhouse B&B, with views to Cader Idris and Tal-y-llyn lake.
Penbontbren
Llandysul, Ceredigion
Bedrooms with outdoor space and kitchenette occupy converted outbuildings at this unusual, dog-friendly B&B set in gardens ten minutes from the beach. A cooked-to-order breakfast is served in the Victorian farmhouse dining room.
The Bell at Skenfrith
Monmouthshire
Huddled below wooded hills, beside a stone bridge over the River Monnow, this whitewashed former 17th-century coaching inn serves delicious food and has great walks from the door to help you justify eating it.
The Priory
Newport, Newport
A red sandstone Cistercian priory, much altered over centuries, the Martinez family's food-led hotel, in lovely mature gardens, has a wide choice of individually styled bedrooms, a buzzy restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and a spirit of fun.
The Albion
Cardigan, Cardiganshire
Occupying two waterfront former warehouses, this maritime-themed hotel has bedrooms modelled on captains' cabins and lined with reclaimed timbers.
Cnapan
Newport, Pembrokeshire
This Georgian house might be on Newport's main street, but it makes a great base from which to explore the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Preseli Hills, say readers. Hosts Judith and Michael Cooper, who welcome guests with tea or coffee and homemade Welsh cakes, can advise on the 'fabulous walks nearby'.
The Coach House
Brecon, Powys
A former coaching inn, this top-notch B&B with secluded back garden combines hotel-quality accommodation with the warmth and intimacy of an owner-run guest house.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch, Gwynedd
Guide readers are unswervingly loyal to this family-friendly country house by the sea, with peerless views to Snowdonia across Cardigan Bay, run by the Fletcher-Brewer family since opening in 1948.
Ael y Bryn
Crymych, Pembrokeshire
Readers consistently praise this owner-run B&B with immaculate and generously supplied rooms in a single-storey building, beautifully maintained gardens with stream and wildlife pond, and, by arrangement, dinner cooked by caring and attentive hosts.
Riversdale House
Llangollen, Denbighshire
With the canal on one side and River Dee and steam railway on the other, this Victorian townhouse is a stylish, immaculately presented, adults only B&B.
Mansion House Llansteffan
Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire
Overlooking the Tywi estuary, this contemporary restaurant with rooms in a restored Georgian mansion is rated by readers for its hospitality, food and accommodation.

Ty Gwyn Hotel
Betws-Y-Coed, Wales / Conwy
Abounding in old-fashioned charm, this 16th-century coaching inn with woodland behind and the river across the road has an interesting selection of quirky bedrooms, an atmospheric bar and good cooking in the restaurant.
Osborne House
Llandudno, Conwy
It might not be as grand as its Isle of Wight namesake, but this Victorian house is now an extraordinarily opulent B&B, and guests have use of the spa and other facilities at big sister venture The Empire.
Hive Townhouse
Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Brothers Rhys and Rhodri Davies have created six beautiful, Scandi-chic bedrooms in a Georgian corner house across the road from their popular bar and restaurant, purveyors of the famous Hive honey ice cream.

Pale Hall
Bala, Gwynedd
In wooded grounds on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, this neo-Jacobean Victorian mansion, which once hosted Winston Churchill (he'd have liked the whisky and cigar lounge), has lavish bedrooms and suites in high traditional style, an all-day bar menu and fine-dining restaurant.

Ty'n Rhos
Llanddeiniolen, Gwynedd
On an open plain a short drive from Snowdonia National Park, the Murphy family's country house, well liked by trusted readers, offers comfortable, well-equipped bedrooms, two with patio doors to the garden, and set-price menus of locally sourced dishes.

Sandy Mount House
Rhosneigr, Anglesey
The sands of time have seen changes at this formerly drab Edwardian seaside guesthouse, which is now enjoying a new lease of life as a contemporary beach hotel, bar and restaurant, with high-quality, individually designed bedrooms, and modern cooking, including gluten-fee and vegan menus.

Hotel Portmeirion
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
There is nowhere in the world quite like Sir Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate resort village, where hotel bedrooms are spread around various properties, centred on a Victorian mansion on wooded slopes above the sandy beaches of the Dwyryd estuary.

Twr y Felin Hotel
St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Overlooking St Bride's Bay, a 19th-century windmill tower forms the centrepiece and unlikely setting of this contemporary art hotel, where the 100-plus works on show may divide opinion, but the well-supplied and stylish bedrooms, friendly service and creative, modern dishes in the restaurant win unanimous approval.

The Falcondale
Lampeter, Ceredigion
A 19th-century Italianate villa in 14-acre grounds, with 'breathtaking views' across the gently rolling Teifi valley, is today a hotel and popular wedding venue where polished wood floors, deep armchairs and soothing paintwork is 'reminiscent of a long-ago time of gracious and easy living', writes our inspector.

Llanthony Priory Hotel
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
New owners Annabel and Jamie Windsor-Medley have refreshed the simple but historic bedrooms at this unlikely pub, which occupies the original prior's quarters for a 12th-century Augustinian Priory, serving meals in the Cellar Bar, and making plans for dark-sky events and theatre in the grounds against the backdrop of evocative ruins and the Black Mountains.

The Whitebrook
Whitebrook, Monmouthshire
Tucked away amid woodlands in the Wye valley, Chris and Kirsty Harrod's restaurant with rooms is lauded for Chris's extraordinary Michelin-starred menus of home-grown, locally produced and foraged ingredients, including a vegetarian tasting menu.

Grove of Narberth
Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Down a tree-lined drive, amid meadows and mature garden, this romantic and secluded Georgian country house has cosseting bedrooms with a modern touch, suites in cottage annexes, two with a glass-box lounge, and both a fine-dining restaurant and a brasserie.

Llangoed Hall
Brecon, Powys
The former home of the late Sir Bernard Ashley and his wife, the designer Laura Ashley, dating from the 1600s and remodelled in Edwardian Lutenesque style, is replete with country-house comforts, and is home to Sir Bernard's significant art collection and to a fine-dining restaurant.

Y Goeden Eirin
Caernarfon, Gwynedd
Kindly hostess Eluned Rowlands welcomes guests to her B&B – a stylishly renovated granite cowshed on the edge of Snowdonia –with tea and Welsh cakes, supplies bedrooms with fresh fruit and sherry, and serves a good Aga-cooked breakfast.

Parador 44
Cardiff
Inspired by Spain's historic state-owned venues, this boutique hotel has a thrillingly authentic Andalusian vibe and uniquely styled bedrooms, with relaxed modern dining in Asador 44 restaurant, where meat and seafood are cooked over fire and breakfast brings sherry Welsh cakes and Santiago tart.

Crug Glas
St Davids, Pembrokeshire
At the heart of a working farm, this Georgian farmhouse hotel and wedding venue with a hairdressing salon in the grounds offers highly individual bedrooms and food cooked with flair.

Lake Country House Hotel & Spa
Llangammarch Wells, Powys
A Victorian mock-Tudor fishing lodge in wooded grounds on the River Irfon is today a spa hotel and foodie destination with a country-house ambience and views to the Cambrian mountains.

Penrhiw Farm
Goodwick, Pembrokeshire
Trained chef Alan Latter welcomes guests to this B&B on the organic dairy farm where he grew up, with characterful bedrooms, including one converted horsebox, and food sourced on the very doorstep.

Penrhiw Priory
St Davids, Pembrokeshire
In landscaped gardens, with woodland path, river and meadow, this Victorian Tudorbethan rectory has modern interiors, dramatic abstract artworks inspired by the local landscapes, holistic treatments, Qi Gong meditation instruction, and complimentary transfer to restaurant Blas at sister hotel Twr y Felin.
Luxury hotels, boutique retreats and cheap B&Bs in Wales Much has changed, mostly for the better, since a British encyclopaedia carried the infamous entry: 'For Wales, see England'. Cross the border into Wales today and differences are immediately apparent. The country is increasingly politically as well as culturally independent. The road signs are bilingual. Welsh is no longer heard only, or even mainly, in West Wales. The old language is spoken by the professional elite in Cardiff, an ever-more confident capital city with spacious parkland, a fine sports stadium and a world-class opera house. Rugby, not soccer, is the game that captures the popular imagination. Welsh male-voice choirs continue to merit their international renown and in the country's sports stands, as well as its pubs and clubs, people actually sing in tune. Welsh Hotels and restaurants, once often dire, are improving fast. Chefs use local produce, especially lamb and the meat of Welsh Black cattle, to produce excellent dishes. The cheeses are among the best in Britain. The walks and the beaches are as marvellous as the tourist brochures say they are: along the Lleyn Peninsula, The Gower, the River Wye and the rugged Pembrokeshire Coast. England's medieval King Edward I aimed to subdue the Welsh when he commissioned his still magnificent castles: Harlech, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris. Just as impressive are the Italianate fantasy town of Portmeirion designed by Clough Williams-Ellis; the deep disused coal mine ('Big Pit') at Blaenafon, where ex-miners guide visitors around underground; St David's Cathedral; and Dylan Thomas's boathouse at Laughharne. Natural enchantment is provided by hauntingly beautiful national parks: Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast. Also check out our hotels in North Wales and South Wales, and Anglesey.