Best Hotels in Wales 2027: Luxury, Boutique and Budget Across Every Region
Wales has hundreds of hotels across every price point, from five-star castle resorts and Michelin-recognised country houses to reliable budget chains in every city and town. Whether you’re after a £70-a-night well-located budget double or a £500+ ultra-luxury suite, Welsh hospitality in 2027 has it covered.
This guide covers the best hotels in Wales by category and region: luxury country houses, boutique independents, coastal retreats, family-friendly resorts, spa hotels and great-value budget options across North, South, West and Mid Wales. For treehouses, converted chapels, lighthouse lodges and other unusual places to stay in Wales, see our companion guide.
Best Luxury Hotels in Wales 2027: Five-Star Country Houses and Resorts
Wales punches well above its weight for five-star hotels. Several Welsh luxury properties consistently outrank their English counterparts in independent reviews, particularly in the historic country house and spa resort categories.
- Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno (LL30 1RS): The finest five-star hotel in North Wales. A Grade I listed 17th-century manor house above Llandudno, with formal walled gardens, a spa, and views stretching to Conwy Castle and Eryri. Part of the National Trust Hotels collection. Rooms from approx. £250/night.
- The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport (NP18 1HQ): The resort that hosted the Ryder Cup and the NATO Summit, with over 400 rooms across two hotels, six restaurants, a spa and three championship golf courses. The largest hotel resort in Wales.
- Palé Hall, Bala, Gwynedd (LL23 7PS): Wales’s flagship Relais & Châteaux property, a Victorian country house on the edge of Eryri National Park near Llyn Tegid. AA Five Red Stars, Michelin Key, and Wales’s first Michelin Green Star for sustainability, powered by an on-site hydro-electric plant. Chef Partner Luke Selby (formerly Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons), who joined in 2026, has since launched a new fine-dining restaurant on the estate. Rooms from approx. £280/night.
- Llangoed Hall, Llyswen, Powys (LD3 0YP): A Jacobean manor house on the banks of the River Wye, restored by Sir Bernard Ashley and filled with original art. A kitchen garden supplies the restaurant, and the fly-fishing is outstanding. Widely considered the most romantic hotel in Mid Wales.
- St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff Bay (CF10 5SD): The iconic five-star waterfront hotel in Cardiff Bay, the only hotel in Wales offering a private balcony in every bedroom. Rooms from approx. £170/night midweek off-peak, £500+ on event weekends.
Best Spa Hotels in Wales 2027: Overnight Retreats and Wellness Breaks
Spa hotels in Wales range from intimate boutique properties with hot tubs to expansive resort destinations with hydrotherapy pools and thermal suites. The best are clustered in Eryri, the Brecon Beacons, the Wye Valley and the North Wales coast.
- The Lake Country House & Spa, Llangammarch Wells (LD4 4BS): A Victorian country house in 50 acres of parkland in the Irfon Valley, with a 15-metre indoor pool, spa, gym, private game fishing on a two-and-a-half acre stocked lake, and a nine-hole golf course. From approx. £240/night.
For a dedicated guide to wellness retreats, see our full spa hotels in Wales guide.
Best Boutique Hotels in Wales 2027: Independent Character Properties
Wales has a fiercely independent boutique hotel scene, with unique character, outstanding local food and prices often 20–40% below the major five-star country houses.
- The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell (NP8 1BW): A famous 15th-century coaching inn on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, with roaring fires, real ales and characterful rooms. From approx. £95/night.
- Portmeirion Hotel, Gwynedd (LL48 6ER): The hotel marked Portmeirion’s centenary in 2026, a hundred years since Sir Clough Williams-Ellis began building his Italianate village. Staying overnight still gives you exclusive access to the illuminated village after day-visitors leave. Rooms from approx. £160/night.
- Tŵr y Felin Hotel, Tyddewi/St Davids (SA62 6QT): A converted windmill tower with 21 boutique rooms in Britain’s smallest city, named one of the best art hotels in the UK. From approx. £170/night.
- Ynyshir, Eglwys Fach, Ceredigion (SY20 8TA): Wales’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant with rooms, run by chef patron Gareth Ward, still holding two stars in the current Michelin Guide. Ten intimate bedrooms alongside a 30-course tasting menu. Rooms from approx. £330/night; tasting menu £468 per person.
New and Newly Reopened for 2027
A genuinely fresh crop of Welsh hotel openings worth knowing about for 2027, rather than the same properties with the year swapped:
- Old College, Aberystwyth: The Grade I-listed seafront landmark is set to open in 2027 as a mixed-use cultural and creative centre, including a 4-star hotel with 31 bedrooms and function space for up to 200. See our Aberystwyth visitor guide.
- Castle of Brecon Hotel, Brecon: Built within the actual remains of Brecon Castle, this historic hotel has reopened after a £3m refurbishment under the Coaching Inn Group. A genuine castle-hotel crossover; see our guide to sleeping in a Welsh castle for others like it.
- Imperial Hotel, Tenby: This Grade II listed South Beach property has reopened following an extensive refurbishment, with redesigned sea-view rooms and a new dining room, Essence.
- Penmaenuchaf, Dolgellau, and the Grove of Narberth: These sister hotels, part of the Seren Collection, have both been awarded a Michelin Key, recognising them among the UK’s most exceptional places to stay.
Best Coastal Hotels in Wales 2027: Sea Views and Beach Access
Wales has over 1,200 miles of coastline and 41 Blue Flag beaches, and its coastal hotels range from four-star spa retreats in Pembrokeshire to family-friendly seaside classics on Anglesey and Cardigan Bay.
- St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot (SA69 9NH): A four-star clifftop hotel in Pembrokeshire, named in The Sunday Times’s Top 50 Best Places to Stay for 2026. Perched above Saundersfoot Bay with 34 individually designed bedrooms, an outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool and the 2 AA Rosette Cliff Restaurant. Rooms from approx. £180/night.
- Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi (LL35 0SB): An independent, family-run four-star hotel with 59 bedrooms overlooking Cardigan Bay and the Aberdyfi championship links golf course, with an indoor heated pool, tennis court and three sea-view lounges. Two-night dinner, bed and breakfast breaks from £305 per person.
- Trearddur Bay Hotel, Anglesey (LL65 2UN): A four-star, 47-bedroom seafront hotel directly on Trearddur Bay, with two restaurants, an indoor pool and dog-friendly rooms, ten minutes from Holyhead ferry port. Rooms from approx. £120/night.
- The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Gwbert, Cardigan (SA43 1PP): Set in 30 acres overlooking Cardigan Bay and the Teifi Estuary, with 76 bedrooms, a nine-hole golf course and a spa with saltwater hydrotherapy pool. Rooms from approx. £130/night, including breakfast and one hour of daily spa access.
Best Hotels in Cardiff 2027: City Centre and Event Weekends
Caerdydd (Cardiff) is a compact, walkable city with a dense concentration of hotels near Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium.
Wales play Ireland at the Principality Stadium on 20 February 2027 and England on 6 March 2027. Hotel prices in Cardiff spike dramatically around both fixtures and major summer stadium concerts. If your visit coincides, book up to a year ahead or consider nearby Newport, which has excellent rail links to Cardiff Central.
- Luxury (from £160/night): St David’s Hotel & Spa (Bay), Park Plaza Cardiff (CF10 3LN), Hotel Indigo Cardiff (CF10 1GH)
- Mid-range (£80–£150/night): Mercure Cardiff Holland House (CF24 0DD), Maldron Hotel Cardiff (CF10 1DX)
- Budget (under £80/night): Premier Inn Cardiff City Centre (CF10 1EZ), Travelodge Cardiff Central (CF10 1DY)
Best Budget Hotels in Wales 2027: Under £80 Per Night
Wales has a reliable network of budget hotel chains. Premier Inn and Travelodge each operate over 50 properties across the country, providing consistent quality in prime locations.
Top budget picks by location:
- Cardiff: Premier Inn Cardiff City Centre (CF10 1EZ), from approx. £60/night
- Swansea: Premier Inn Swansea City Centre (SA1 3QW), from approx. £55/night
- Llandudno: Travelodge Llandudno (LL30 2LA), from approx. £50/night
- Bangor: Premier Inn Bangor (LL57 1DT), from approx. £55/night, a good cheap base for Eryri without national park premiums
YHA hostels are another excellent budget option: YHA Pen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY) offers direct mountain access in Eryri from around £25 per person, per night.
The 2027 Visitor Levy
From April 2027, Welsh councils that adopt the visitor levy can charge £1.30 per person per night on most accommodation, including hotels (75p for campsites and hostels). It’s charged on top of your room rate, not included in the prices above. Not every council has adopted it yet, so ask your hotel directly whether it applies to your dates (Welsh Government guidance).
Frequently Asked Questions: Hotels in Wales
What is the best hotel in Wales?
Bodysgallen Hall near Llandudno (LL30 1RS) consistently ranks as the finest hotel in North Wales, a five-star National Trust property. For luxury in South Wales, The Celtic Manor Resort (NP18 1HQ) in Newport is the largest and most complete resort. The most romantic hotel is widely considered to be Llangoed Hall on the River Wye (LD3 0YP).
Are there castle hotels in Wales?
Yes. The Castle Hotel Conwy (LL32 8DB) sits inside the medieval walls of Conwy, Ruthin Castle Hotel (LL15 2NU) is built within the walls of a 13th-century castle, and the newly reopened Castle of Brecon Hotel stands within the actual remains of Brecon Castle. For a full guide, see our castle stays in Wales guide.
When is the cheapest time to book hotels in Wales?
January, February (outside Six Nations weekends) and November are the cheapest months. Midweek stays in May, June and September offer the best combination of good value and pleasant weather. July and August are the most expensive, particularly in coastal areas like Pembrokeshire and the Gower.
Are dogs allowed in Welsh hotels?
Yes, Wales is one of the most dog-welcoming destinations in Britain. The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell and the Grove of Narberth are excellent high-end options. Always check the specific pet policy, as most charge a supplement of £10–£25 per stay.
Will the 2027 visitor levy apply to my hotel stay?
From April 2027, councils that adopt Wales’s visitor levy can charge £1.30 per person per night on hotel stays, on top of the room rate. It depends on whether the local council has adopted it, so check directly with your hotel for your specific dates.
Pembrokeshire-born travel writer and founder of Wales.org. Born in Haverfordwest, now based in Hertfordshire — covering Welsh castles, national parks, festivals and family staycations across all 22 Welsh counties.
