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West Wales

Twr y Felin Hotel, St Davids, Pembrokeshire

Twr y Felin has a colourful history: it began life as a windmill in 1806, and was repeatedly destroyed by the elements until being rebuilt using materials from a shipwreck in 1866. In 1907, 21-year old Evan Evans converted it into a hotel he named Twr y Felin, Welsh for ‘mill tower’. In 1940, evacuees from the London Blitz were put up there and it also served as a base for the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Today, Twr y Felin attracts creative types in its latest guise as Wales’ first art hotel, featuring 100 original artworks, luxury accommodation, fine dining and enviable proximity to some of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. No wonder it was named AA Hotel of the Year for Wales 2017-2018 plus the Green Key award for sustainability in 2019.

An aerial shot of Twr y Felin Hotel with the Pembrokeshire coast in the background.
Tables and chairs inside the Twr y Felin restaurant Blas.
An external image of a hotel building.

Twr y Felin Hotel, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

The Sky Loft, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire

A self-catering converted hayloft in a 19C barn - with an eclectic cosy bohemian style. This is a place to unwind, watch sunsets on the bijou balcony then stay up star-gazing under dark skies. Go walking and bird watching in the beautiful countryside right on the doorstep. Inside, the Sky Loft's Reading Room has all you need for a retreat away from it all. Hand carved and antique furniture, a 1920s gramophone player, a surprisingly large quirky-tiled bathroom, open fire and unique features to inspire your inner artist.

Apple Camping, Tenby, Pembrokeshire

You have a choice here - sleep under the stars in a geo-dome or yurt, or among the stars in a Jetstar plane or a UFO. Yes, you did read that right! The team at Apple Camping in Pembrokeshire have created the most amazing collection of wow-factor accommodation you could find. The site has yurts, cabins, bell tents and two planes you can sleep in, plus a UFO with a remote controlled door and escape hatch. The Jetstar even has a games console in the cabin so you can pretend to fly it. The yurts have wood burning stoves and a cosy vibe while the extra-terrestrial options are much more contemporary. 

Floatel Rooms, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire

The Visit Wales Gold award Floatel Rooms at Milford Waterfront are luxurious floating cabins on the water, with all the comforts of a stylish modern hotel room. The large windows provide panoramic views of the waterfront, or you can relax on your balcony and watch the world float by. Two cabins are small dog-friendly.

Twr y Felin Hotel

Twr y Felin Hotel

Accommodation
St David's
Aerial view of a harbour, two beaches and pastel coloured houses.
Wood burning stove on the balcony

Sky Loft

Accommodation
Llandovery
Aerial view of a harbour, two beaches and pastel coloured houses.
The Jetstar Private Jet

Apple Camping

Accommodation
Tenby
Aerial view of a harbour, two beaches and pastel coloured houses.
Floatel Rooms

Floatel Rooms

Accommodation
Milford Haven
Aerial view of a harbour, two beaches and pastel coloured houses.

Mid Wales

Red Kite Estate, Cambrian Mountains

If you're looking for sustainable off-grid glamping with a sumptuous sense of style, look no further than the Red Kite Estate. Choose from one of the 'conkers' - Moon Conker or Earth Conker - two aerodynamically-designed glamping pods which are fully insulated and available all year round. Or, head into the forest and sleep closer to the stars in one of their Tree Tents. Choose from Ynys Affalon, the first tree glamping pod ever installed in the UK, or the more recently added Dragon's Egg. All offer the opportunity to for a digital-detox, plenty of wildlife watching and utter escapism. 

Glamping pod and surrounding countryside.
Green glamping pod suspended in the trees.

Earth Conker and Ynys Affalon Tree Tent, Red Kite Estate, Cambrian Mountains, Mid Wales

The ethereal Moon Conker nestled in her valley

Red Kite Moon Conker

Accommodation
Llandrindod Wells
dam and resevoir.
The glorious copper coloured Earth Conker

Red Kite Earth Conker

Accommodation
Llandrindod Wells
dam and resevoir.
Beautiful Ynys Affalon!

Red Kite Ynys Affalon

Accommodation
Llandrindod Wells
dam and resevoir.
The Dragon's Egg tree tent in all her glory!

Red Kite Dragon's Egg

Accommodation
Llandrindod Wells
dam and resevoir.

Craig y Nos Castle, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Not many hotels house a theatre – Craig y Nos is an exception. The Adelina Patti Theatre was built in honour of one of the castle’s most famous inhabitants. Said to be the second most celebrated woman alive (after Queen Victoria) in 1900, she is little known today outside the opera world, as she lived before her voice could be preserved for posterity on sound recordings. The castle is also said to be Wales’ most haunted, and you can take a historic tour before settling in to a relaxing night’s sleep. Dogs are also very welcome - there's plenty of space for everyone in the extensive gardens. 

Wild Meadow Shepherd’s Hut, Presteigne, Powys

Go back to basics and let nature provide the entertainment at the beautiful Wild Meadow Shepherd’s Hut. Find it parked among three and a half acres of lush meadows and orchards, inviting you to escape the hustle and bustle of normal life for something altogether more tranquil and romantic. There’s a full-sized double bed inside and maps, games and binoculars to facilitate exploration of the outside. Just pack a sense of adventure!

Craig Y Nos Castle

Accommodation
Ystradgynlais
dam and resevoir.
shepherd's hut outside

Wild Meadow Shepherd's Hut

Accommodation
Presteigne
dam and resevoir.

Ynyshir, near Machynlleth, Powys

Queen Victoria succumbed to the charms of Ynyshir – she loved the abundance of birds on the estate (immediately behind the house is a RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve) and kept Ynyshir as a hunting lodge. Parts of the property date back to the 15th century. Since its royal owner, further well-known people have stayed at Ynyshir, including the actor Richard Gere. Bring a large appetite for dinner; Ynyshir holds two Michelin stars and chef Gareth Ward shows off fantastic fresh and local ingredients with every dish.

Ynyshir, Eglwys Fach nestled between the trees - in the distance.
A sign on the door with the word Ynyshir.
A course of locally-sourced product at Ynyshir near Machynlleth.

Ynyshir, near Machynlleth, Mid Wales

Llangoed Hall, Llyswen, Powys

A short distance north of Brecon is the splendid Llangoed Hall. Stories abound – it’s said this was the site of the first Welsh parliament in AD 560, the property has been lost and won in a card game and Sir Clough Williams-Ellis of Portmeirion fame redesigned the mansion in 1912 as a country house. Sir Bernard Ashley – husband of designer Laura Ashley – bought the property in 1987, after his wife’s death, and opened it as a hotel in 1990. Laura Ashley furnishings are in use throughout the classy house, and there’s an impressive art collection, including a room of works by Whistler.

Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms

Accommodation
Machynlleth
dam and resevoir.
RSPB Ynys-Hir

RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve

Attraction
Machynlleth
dam and resevoir.
Llangoed Hall

Llangoed Hall

Accommodation
Brecon
dam and resevoir.

North Wales

Berwyn Station Masters House, near Llangollen, Denbighshire

Berwyn Station Masters House is a Grade II listed rural railway station building, converted into a unique self catering holiday let. The riverside station is on the heritage Llangollen Railway line running through the beautiful Dee Valley between Llangollen and Corwen. The first floor lounge has wonderful views over the River Dee and you'll be able to see and hear the powerful steam engines chuffing along regularly. Nearby villages host cosy rural pubs, the Llangollen Canal is just over the Chain Bridge, and there are countryside walks and watersports on the river. Free travel on most trains on the railway is included so it's ideal for families and rail enthusiasts.

Standard four tank 80072 and train at Berwyn Station, Llangollen.

Berwyn Station, Llangollen Railway, North Wales

Explore The Dee Valley

Berwyn Station Masters House

Accommodation
Llangollen
Dolbadarn Castle
Steaming through the beautiful Dee Valley

Llangollen Railway

Attraction
Llangollen
Dolbadarn Castle

Portmeirion, Gwynedd

Portmeirion is a colourful and ornate Mediterranean village perched on the edge of the beautiful Dwyryd estuary near Porthmadog, on the north west coast of Wales. Let the peacocks, exotic flora and fauna, and characterful cottage accommodation transport you to Italy, without leaving Gwynedd that is.

Situated within the village, Portmeirion Hotel is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who spent fifty years lovingly creating his vision of an Italianate village in coastal North Wales. The hotel opened in 1931 and has hosted artists, royalty, politicians and tycoons, as well as noted authors and playwrights H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw and Noël Coward. The building gained Grade II listed status in 1971. Stay in the Peacock Suite, which the future King Edward VIII slept in in 1934.

A view of Portmeirion village and gardens beyond the trees.
External view of Hotel Portmeirion on the Dwyryd Estuary.

Portmeirion Village, North Wales

The Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion & Village Rooms

Accommodation
Portmeirion
Dolbadarn Castle
Llanerch Vineyard Hotel

Llanerch Vineyard

Accommodation
Cowbridge
Landscape of the attractions at Cardiff Bay seen from the water.

South Wales

Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan

The Romans brought vines to Wales 2,000 years ago, making the country’s appearance in the wine world a little tardy – it’s only in the last couple of decades that Welsh wine has gained prominence. This slow start gave way to the fast winning of awards and praise for Welsh whites, rosés and sparkling wines, with some red wine now reaching as high a standard as its counterparts. Llanerch Vineyard planted its first vines in 1986 and produces highly-rated wine under its Cariad label. Have a taste of everything, then sleep it off in a beautiful farmhouse suite, studio room or apartment.

A view of the grapevines and hotel at Llanerch Vineyard.
View of a superior room with a doible bed and sofa at Llanerch Vineyard.

Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales

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