Wales is home to more castles than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Stone strongholds and grand fortifications dot the hills and cliffs from Snowdonia to the Brecon Beacons, a lasting legacy of the endless medieval wars between England and Wales.
The history of Welsh castles is often bloody and brutal, but these days, you’ll find a more tranquil scene unfolding as you climb tall towers and walk imposing walls. Many castles have been transformed into boutique and luxury hotels, offering unique places to stay in Wales.
If you’re a history buff with a penchant for luxury, then keep reading as I unveil the best castle hotels in Wales.
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are my top 3 picks!
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Where to Stay in Wales
There are hundreds of castles to be found across Wales, but the most extensive concentrations are found in areas that were typically disputed between England and their Welsh neighbors or that were home to rebellious Welsh princes.
This means that you’ll now find wonderful castle hotels and lavish halls in the Welsh borders, with the Wye Valley being a particular favorite destination of mine. Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons) is home to remote Wales castle hotels, while country homes and imposing stone keeps (now transformed into spa hotels) can be found in Cardigan, Ruthin, and Anglesey.
The 10 Best Castle Hotels in Wales
1. Ruthin Castle Hotel and Spa
One of the best castle hotels in Wales is the Ruthin Castle Hotel and Spa. Situated in the Welsh borderlands, where a long history of medieval warfare ensures that castles abound, you’ll have the glorious landscapes of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley right on your doorstep.
Ruthin Castle Hotel and Spa is a classic example of 13th-century castellations. Originally known in Welsh as The Red Castle in the Great Marsh (you’ll notice the red bricks as soon as you arrive), Ruthin Castle was constructed in 1277 on the orders of Edward I, the English king who conquered Wales.
Turrets, gatehouses, and lofty stone walls have all been retained here, but the castle’s 60 rooms hold modern luxuries that a medieval garrison could only dream of.
Enjoy plush beds and period furnishings before unwinding in the Bazaar Spa, where you can dip into mud baths and Woodland hot tubs. Take afternoon tea on the castle’s grounds or dine in the Great Hall of the Dragon Tavern, where fish and chips, smash burgers, and ribeye steaks make for a hearty menu.
2. Roch Castle
Perched on a craggy outcrop of volcanic rock near the Pembrokeshire coast, Roch Castle is a sight to behold. Not the largest of castles, nevertheless, Roch Castle was built to intimidate, and its rigid stone keep still casts a long shadow over the countryside today.
Built by a Norman lord in the 12th century AD, this is now one of the most unique hotels in Wales. Step inside the oaken entrance, and you’ll find yourself in a luxurious Wales castle hotel that stays true to its medieval roots while providing all the modern comforts you’d expect.
Suites are arrayed across the keep and tower. The De Rupe room – named for the castle’s founder – is located on the highest floor, for example, and offers sweeping views of southwest Wales from its windows. Hypoallergenic beds and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries add a sense of luxury to the 12th-century rooms, while massages and reiki treatments can be arranged on request.
3. Portmeirion Village & Castell Deudraeth
Located in Gwynedd in northern Wales, Portmeirion is one of the most curious holiday villages you could ever visit. This unlikely destination was largely designed and built from 1925 onwards, and the architect modeled the village on Mediterranean destinations like Portofino on the Italian Riviera.
Packed with color and quirky architecture reminiscent of the Med (and so out of place in north Wales!), among the baroque buildings you’ll also find Castle Deudraeth, a Gothic, Grade-II listed manor house constructed in the 19th century.
Castell Deudraeth is now a four-star hotel with 12 exclusive rooms featuring oaken floors and slate or stone walls. Rooms have been upgraded to include underfloor heating and red flame gas fireplaces, while each is home to individual artwork from Marc Chagall or Susan Williams-Ellis’s private collections.
4. Chateau Rhianfa
Inspired by the grand country houses of the Loire Valley, Château Rhianfa brings a touch of French elegance to the Menai Strait. This gorgeous, Grade II-listed property was commissioned by Sir John Hay-Williams in the late 1840s and based on sketches made by his wife, Lady Sarah, on their trips to France.
With a private beach, French bistro, and fairytale turrets, you’ll certainly feel as if you’re staying on the continent rather than overlooking Bangor. One of the best boutique castle hotels in Wales, each of the 27 rooms, lodges, suites, and cottages has been individually appointed, with antique furnishings, panoramic windows, and plush bedding adding to the exclusive atmosphere.
5. The Castle of Brecon Hotel
Offering easy access to the mountain peaks of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, The Castle of Brecon Hotel claims to be the oldest hotel in Wales. Dating back to the 19th century, the hotel was built on the crumbling remains of Brecon Castle, which itself dates back to 1093 AD.
The remnants of the Norman castle’s walls have now been incorporated into the layout of The Castle of Brecon Hotel, offering an immersive stay among the heritage of the Welsh borderlands.
There are 43 bedrooms and suites, the best of which feature wooden four-poster beds and scenic panoramas of the River Usk. The hotel’s restaurant is far from medieval, with a menu of international delights such as Piri Piri hummus and braised pork belly with dauphinoise potatoes.
6. Cardigan Castle
One of the most unique hotels in Wales, Cardigan Castle offers history and home comforts on the banks of the River Teifi. You’ll be staying in a charming bed and breakfast protected by the stone walls of the castle, which date back to the 12th century.
Captured and besieged by Welsh princes, Norman lords, and English royalty alike, Cardigan Castle has a brutal and bloody history stretching back centuries. These days, though, you’ll find the castle’s river views and two acres of landscaped grounds are a wonderfully tranquil place to stay.
There are rooms and self-catering apartments set within Castle Green House, while breakfast and lunch are served in Cardigan Castle’s 1176 deli and bistro.
7. Bodysgallen Hall and Spa
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa isn’t a castle in the strictest sense of the word, but it does have an exalted, almost legendary history dating back to the earliest Welsh kings. Located in Conwy – where you can visit the mighty Conwy Castle, which is the quintessence of a medieval castle – Bodysgallen Hall is said to have been the fortress of a 5th-century Welsh leader named Cadwallon.
King Edward I built a defensive tower here in the 13th century, and in the 17th century, this provided the basis for the grand country hall you find today. Owned and managed by the National Trust, Bodysgallen Hall is surrounded by 200 acres of lush gardens, including reflecting pools and a rare topiary maze.
There are 31 luxury rooms, suites, and cottages, set in either the main wings of the historic hall or spaced in secluded spots around the grounds. Bodysgallen Spa features a heated indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, while The Dining Room – the hotel’s 3AA Rosette Restaurant –serves a fine dining menu of locally sourced scallops, crab, rabbit, sea bass, lamb, and duck.
8. Tyr Graig Castle
One of the most unique castle hotels in Wales, the whitewashed walls of Tyr Graig Castle overlook the shores of Cardigan Bay. Built by an eccentric Victorian gunmaker, the “castle” is more of a folly, designed to emulate the medieval towers of old found all over Wales.
Today, it’s a quirky hotel offering 11 boutique rooms with plush beds and en-suite bathrooms. The turret rooms are cozy, but with panoramic views of the Welsh coastline from the towers, you won’t even notice!
A hearty Welsh breakfast is served in the castle’s restaurant, where you’ll have equally fantastic views through the tall glass windows or from the terrace. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, alongside an afternoon tea of salmon and cucumber, egg mayo, and roast gammon sandwiches.
9. Llangoed Hall
Llangoed Hall is one of the best luxury Wales castle hotels. Tucked away in the Wye Valley and surrounded by 17 acres of landscaped gardens, Llangoed Hall traces its roots back to the 6th century AD.
Once a Welsh stronghold and castle, in the 17th century, a lavish country mansion was constructed here. In the 20th century, it was taken over by the Ashley family and is now known for being decorated with some of Laura Ashely’s (the world-famous designer) best fabrics, textiles, and furnishings.
The 23 boutique bedrooms draw on Laura Ashley’s unique designs while keeping faithful to the hall’s exalted heritage. Afternoon tea is served on Gold Rose and Butterfly fine bone china, while the “Kitchen Pass” dining experience allows guests to observe the chefs’ culinary expertise up close.
10. Peterstone Court Country House
Located within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Peterstone Court Country House is an 18th-century Georgian mansion inspired by the Welsh castles of centuries past. With just four stable and eight grand house rooms, this boutique retreat knows it’s exclusive.
Cozy up by the in-room fireplace or sink back into the crisp linens of your king-size bed. The Peterstone Spa is home to a seasonal outdoor pool, a heated whirlpool, and a steamy sauna. The restaurant serves British favorites like fish and chips, butternut squash Wellingtons, and chicken, leek, and potato pies with a view of the Brecon Beacons.
