Penmaenuchaf named one of The Times Best Places to Stay in the UK 2026
We have some wonderful news to share! Penmaenuchaf has been included in The Times Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2026, a list that highlights some of the most exciting and memorable hotels across the country. To see our mountain retreat featured among such special places is a real moment of pride for the whole team here.
Even more exciting is that only a handful of Welsh hotels made the list this year, placing Penmaenuchaf among the finest places to stay in Wales.
The review captured something we care deeply about at the hotel: the balance between landscape, design and hospitality. The Times described how “views, food and finesse make this one of the finest hotels in Wales,” praising the setting beneath Cadair Idris and the way the house has evolved in recent years.
A house shaped by the landscape
Penmaenuchaf was originally built in the 1860s as a country retreat in the valley below Cadair Idris. Even today the house still feels wonderfully connected to the landscape around it, with sweeping views across the Mawddach valley and the dramatic peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) rising beyond.
The Times review notes how the recent transformation of the hotel has focused on celebrating that setting. We’ve worked with interior designer Nicola Harding to reimagine all of the bedrooms and spaces throughout the house using colours and textures inspired by the Welsh landscape.
Original features from the Victorian house remain very much part of the story too, from wooden panelling and stained glass to the sweeping staircase that greets guests as they arrive. We’re so proud to have our hotel recognised as a place that feels both timeless and full of personality.
Dining that tells the story of Wales
One of the highlights of the review is the experience of dining at Afon Restaurant. The Times described it as a “trip around Welsh produce”, something we love, as it reflects the spirit of what the kitchen team are trying to achieve.
Our guests can enjoy this experience while looking out across the gardens towards the mountains, making dinner here feel as much about place as it is about flavour.
Warm hospitality at the heart of the house
Another element highlighted in the review was the atmosphere of the hotel. Service was described as relaxed and intuitive, with staff appearing “at the exact moment you’re hankering for a house rhubarb bellini”. For us, that perfectly captures the style of hospitality we aim to offer. Friendly, thoughtful and never overly formal.
Penmaenuchaf has always been a house where guests are encouraged to settle in, feel at home and enjoy the rhythm of the mountains.
A special moment for our team
To receive an overall score of 9/10 from The Times travel team is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved in the hotel. Over the past few years we’ve been carefully restoring and evolving Penmaenuchaf, working with an amazing team of designers, craftspeople and local partners to bring new life to this beautiful house while preserving its soul.
Seeing that work recognised in such a respected guide is something we’re immensely grateful for.
If you’re curious to discover what makes Penmaenuchaf one of the most special places to stay in Wales, we’d love to welcome you to the mountains and let you experience it for yourself.
