The only five-star hotel in north Wales is for sale for £6 million

Admit it – on those particularly gloomy days in the office, you’ve thought about giving up the corporate grind altogether and running a cute hotel in the countryside instead. It’s the stuff of Netflix rom-com dreams, but if you’re serious about a career-change, now could be the time to make it happen. 

Palé Hall Hotel, which happens to be the only five-star hotel in north Wales, has just been put up for sale and could be yours for the hefty price of £6 million.

Better yet: most of the hard work has been done for you, really. Palé Hall is already considered one of the finest hotels in the country. First built in 1871, then acquired by the Duke of Westminster in the 1950s, the spectacular building went through some serious renovations in 2015. 

The 22-bedroom hotel sits on a gorgeous 32,000 acre estate just on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Among its best bits, you’ve got a woodland garden, antique furniture and a restaurant that earned a Michelin Green Star for its super sustainable credentials .

Current owners Angela and Alan Harper have decided to retire from hospitality, hence the sale. Angela said: ‘It will be a very sad day when we say goodbye to Palé, there are so many wonderful memories and people involved in our story.

‘The team have won so many accolades, 5 Red Stars, 3 Rosettes, a Green Michelin Star, Trip Advisor travellers choice, as well as having an Early Day Motion in Parliament congratulating us on being the only hotel to score ten out of ten in every category in the Telegraph roundup of best places to stay. We also have two Welsh Chefs of the year working for us. We are rightly incredibly proud of her.’ 

Savills points out that ‘there are many opportunities to expand the business and add value – subject to the necessary consents’. That includes existing planning permission to redevelop some buildings that could become extra hotel rooms or even a spa. 

If you’ve got the dosh, maybe you can take some inspiration from this Scottish luxury manor, which has just been crowned Britain’s best hotel. Otherwise, just look longingly at these pics or the full listing of Palé Hall Hotel and keep dreaming. 

Time Out’s favourite retreats 

Rather be a guest than run the joint? We don’t blame you. Whether you’re after spas you can stay at, wellness retreats or cosy cabins, we have plenty of rankings of the best places to stay across the country. Plus, there’s our definitive lists of the finest hotels in London, the most superb stays in Edinburgh or our favourite accommodation in Manchester.