Types of Holiday Accommodation in Wales: Full Guide

Bed and breakfasts are perfect if you want a home away from home. Usually, they’re more intimate and quaint than hotels, nestled within picturesque countryside settings. From ye-olde pubs and guest houses to stately manor homes, you can find countless unique properties to put you up for the night.

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On top of this, you’ll meet plenty of new people. Thanks to the smaller venues, you’ll mingle with other guests over breakfast or share a few well-deserved nightcaps before bed. If you’re a solo adventurer, you’ll love exchanging travel tips with like-minded travellers.

While B&Bs rarely have spas or gyms, you’ll find great local knowledge nearby. Most hosts know the area inside out, having lived there for years. Ask them everything from restaurant recommendations to the best hidden gems, and they’ll provide a comprehensive list of suggestions.

Holiday cottages embody the wildness of camping without the threat of bad weather. If you’re hunting for accommodation that offers the best of both worlds, your search stops here.

Many properties are nestled within the Welsh countryside, a stone’s throw from walking trails and wildlife. You’ll find self-catering log cabins in Eryri, ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and luxury cottages with hot tubs and private decking.

Above all, holiday cottages let you explore the local area at your own pace. There are no set breakfast times or tour guides to work around. On the other hand, if you don’t want to cook, you might prefer another option.

Many people searching for holiday accommodation in Wales want a list of the best hotels, and there’s plenty on offer. You’ll find pretty coastal locations overlooking the country’s most stunning beaches and luxurious spa venues. There’s nothing better than a relaxing foot massage after a long day exploring the hills.

Staying in a Welsh hotel is the obvious choice for most holiday-goers. There tends to be better amenities, including swimming pools, restaurants and bars, plus a wider selection of rooms to suit every group size.

On the flip side, you’ll probably pay more for the privilege. Hotels in prime locations like Cardiff, Pembrokeshire and Swansea Bay can be expensive, especially with the whole family, and it gets busy during peak season.

Moving away from traditional accommodation, it’s time to introduce the humble caravan. Motor homes let you experience nature without compromising on creature comforts. Inside, you’ll have everything you need to cook, clean and sleep; outside, you’re surrounded by Welsh scenery.

There are different caravan holidays to choose from, including touring caravan parks and static year-round sites. Check in advance whether a site takes touring caravans or requires booking ahead.

Family-friendly sites often have swimming pools, live music and activities, while equally good adults-only options exist for quieter, romantic getaways.

Farm stays let you experience Wales in all its rugged glory. There are hundreds of properties bordered by meadows, rolling hills and unspoilt woodland, with exciting wildlife and adventure activities close by, plus some of the best hiking and cycling around.

Farm stays are ideal for busy family holidays. The properties often have several bedrooms, bathrooms and communal living space, plus untouched green space for the kids to run around in. Some venues are dog-friendly, but check before booking.

While heading to the country offers unbeatable peace of mind, it’s not for everyone. The internet connection can be patchy, and you probably won’t find bars or restaurants around the corner.

No roundup of holiday accommodation in Wales is complete without glamping. These sites have everything you need for an indulgent stay, even though you’ll be out in the sticks.

Glamping combines nature with genuine comfort. Bell tents and safari tents often have well-stocked kitchens, stylish bathrooms, log burners and private hot tubs. You can even find treetop glamping, living off-grid among remote woodlands and mountains.

Unlike camping, glamping caters for modern life: a good internet connection, on-site amenities, and completely waterproof canvas, so the weather matters less.

What could be more thrilling than heading off the beaten track for a camping holiday? Alongside being an inexpensive way to take in the country’s scenery, camping comes with real mindfulness benefits. There’s nothing more meditative than slowing down and immersing yourself in nature.

A coastal camping holiday is one option: after breakfast, walk to the local beach for a swim, surf or other water sport. Wild camping is another possibility if you don’t mind sacrificing basic facilities, though you’ll need the landowner’s permission before you pitch up.

Often overlooked, hostels and bunkhouses are one of the cheapest ways to get a proper roof over your head in Wales, and a genuine favourite with hikers tackling long-distance trails. The YHA runs a network of hostels across the country, including YHA Conwy and YHA Llanberis at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), alongside independent bunkhouses attached to outdoor activity centres and farms.

Rooms range from shared dorms to private family rooms, and most hostels have a self-catering kitchen, drying rooms for wet gear, and a communal lounge where it’s easy to strike up conversation with other travellers doing the same trail.

For something genuinely different, Wales has no shortage of unusual places to sleep: converted chapels, lighthouse keepers’ cottages, canal boats, shepherd’s huts and even underground cave accommodation all make an appearance. It’s a great way to make the accommodation itself part of the holiday, not just somewhere to rest your head.

We’ve rounded up the best of these in a dedicated guide to quirky and unusual stays in Wales, covering treehouses, converted chapels and more.